The Tennessee Titans were active on trade deadline day. General manager Mike Borgonzi traded veteran safety Amani Hooker and a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for a second-round selection. Hooker's departure creates a long-term hole at safety.
Sophomore Kevin Winston Jr. will now start alongside Tony Adams. Winston is still developing. Adams is signed to a one-year contract and is more of a stopgap player.
The Titans are now equipped with four top-64 selections in the opening two rounds. They'll also possess an early third-round pick. Borgonzi has to draft a safety to replace Hooker. We've identified three safety prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft that fit Robert Saleh's aggressive defense.
2027 NFL Draft: 3 safeties Titans can replace Amani Hooker with
Kingston Lopa, S, Cal
Cal safety Kingston Lopa has been a total revelation this season. After struggling to consistently get on the field at Oregon, he entered the portal and has established himself as a big-time riser. With five interceptions, Lopa has displayed the playmaking capabilities the Titans' secondary lost in Hooker. The Sacramento native also has 39 tackles this season, showing a versatile ability to defend around the line of scrimmage as well.
Jaylen McClain, S, Ohio State
After developing nicely, Jaylen McClain became a starting safety opposite top-15 pick Caleb Downs last season. Now in his second campaign as an unquestioned starter, the underrecruited defender continues to flourish. McClain has produced career-highs in interceptions (two) and pass breakups (five) already this season. On tape, he's an impact defender who has helped this Buckeyes defense replace the likes of Downs, Arvell Reese, and Sonny Styles.
Brauntae Johnson, S, Notre Dame
Notre Dame safety Brauntae Johnson entered the season with high expectations, but an unfortunate foot injury required surgery in September. He's close to returning to the lineup, but has missed crucial games. On tape last season, Johnson was a physical and versatile playmaker who notched a career-high four interceptions. Health and injuries will be a constant talking point in his evaluation.
Conclusion
The Titans are slated to own a late first-rounder (Bears) and their own early second-round pick. With those selections trending to be close together, Borgonzi should be in a great position to target a prospect like Lopa, McClain, or Johnson. The Titans have several roster holes worth pursuing, but the NFL Draft board could set-up perfectly to replace Hooker at safety.
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