New Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh will have a profound impact on how general manager Mike Borgonzi approaches the offseason. Though Borgonzi possesses full roster control, his job is to acquire players Saleh and his coaching staff are capable of developing and fitting into their scheme. The 2026 NFL Draft looms large in that regard.
The Titans are equipped with the No. 4 overall selection. Their rebuilding roster is littered with holes, including at EDGE, wide receiver, and cornerback. Saleh's appointment could influence Borgonzi to utilize his top pick on defense, specifically at pass rusher.
Saleh tends to prioritize speed and athleticism at pass rusher. That makes the type of prospect the Titans will be searching for the 2026 NFL Draft a no-brainer choice. Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey will check Saleh's boxes throughout the pre-draft process.
Titans should start the Robert Saleh era with a franchise EDGE at No. 4
Saleh prefers to employ Wide 9 rushers in his defense, as outlined by Mike Herndon via a thorough breakdown piece. As the head coach of the New York Jets, Saleh prioritized speed and athleticism at EDGE. That led to the Jets drafting defensive ends like Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson II.
Saleh has consistently gravitated towards coaching athletic defensive ends who possess get-off quickness to stress opposing offensive tackles in isolated matchups. That describes Bailey more than it does Arvell Reese or Rueben Bain Jr., two alternative pass rushers who are frequently mocked to the Titans.
Bailey is a quick-twitched athlete whose deep arsenal of pass-rushing moves led to an incredibly productive season for the Red Raiders in 2025. Bailey improved his pre-draft stock by registering 14.5 sacks this past campaign. Bailey threatens the pocket with a combination of speed and explosiveness.
Saleh is implementing his defensive concepts with the Titans. He's hired one of his mentors in Gus Bradley as the defensive coordinator to help oversee the schematic changes coming this offseason. Improving the pass rush is a top priority. Bailey checks Saleh's boxes as an athletic edge rusher capable of winning isolated matchups.