The Ringer's NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay launched a new podcast and over the last few months, he has provided interesting insight into everything from college football to behind-the-scenes happenings in the NFL. Recently, McShay looked at recent rebuilds around the NFL and provided a blueprint for how the Tennessee Titans could rebuild their roster, even though there isn't an elite quarterback option in the draft or free agency.
As counterintuitive as it might sound, McShay says that the best NFL teams emphasized drafting defensive players and offensive linemen early and often when they don't have their quarterback in place.
McShay's evidence was the work of general managers like Howie Roseman (Philadelphia Eagles) and Ozzie Newsome (Baltimore Ravens).
Roseman has been with the Eagles since 2010, and in the first decade of his career, he only spent two of his first-round picks on players who weren't offensive linemen or defensive players. Those picks were Carson Wentz and Nelson Agholor. Also during that time, the majority of Roseman's draft capital was spent on defense. That team would eventually go on to win a Super Bowl with Nick Foles at quarterback, despite missing on Wentz.
Newsome had a Hall of Fame career as a GM without ever having an elite QB. However, he always emphasized loading up in the trenches and on defense, and that kept them in the hunt long enough to land Joe Flacco in the middle of the first round in 2008, who was good enough to help them win a Super Bowl in 2012.
McShay also mentioned teams who used similar strategies before eventually ending up with elite quarterbacks, like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and L.A. Rams.
McShay's point was that you can thread the needle of building a competitive roster that has the bones of a championship team so that when you are ready to take a big swing on a quarterback, he steps into a situation where the defense can keep the team in every game and the pass protection keeps the young QB upright.
With McShay's blueprint in mind, we've conducted a 2025 NFL Mock Draft that shows how the Titans could follow this strategy to turn things around this offseason.
TRADE: Titans trade the No. 1 overall pick to the New York Giants in exchange for Nos. 3, 34, and their first-round pick in 2026.
Round 1 (No. 3): Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Titans desperately need difference-makers at pass rusher. Abdul Carter should be the top player on their board. Travis Hunter has the juice to help on both sides of the ball, but Carter's role and ceiling on defense are much clearer. The Penn State standout is still acclimating to the EDGE position, but his first season in a new role was special, and he possesses all the tools to develop into a great player.
Round 2 (No. 34): James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
If the Titans followed McShay's blueprint, perhaps they'd consider doubling down at EDGE. Harold Landry is productive and useful, but he isn't an elite pass rusher. Arden Key quietly had a nice season, but he is entering the final year of his contract and it seems like his best role is as a rotational defender. Adding James Pearce Jr. and Carter would potentially give the Titans one of the NFL's deepest and most dangerous pass rushes.
Round 2 (No. 35): Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
The Titans spent the first two picks investing in defense, so now they add a mammoth at right tackle. Looking at some of the offensive lines that Bill Callahan has previously helped build and develop, Cameron Williams and J.C. Latham fit right in with what he wants in bookend tackles.
Round 4 (No. 101): Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Part of the blueprint that we didn't mention earlier includes taking chances on quarterbacks in the middle and late rounds. McShay points out that backup quarterbacks make a lot of money in the NFL, and when you use a pick on one every few years, you avoid having to pay that price tag, and also have the potential of striking gold, pointing out examples like Foles, Brock Purdy, Kirk Cousins, and Russell Wilson.
Round 4 (No. 118): Pat Bryant II, WR, Illinois
Round 5 (No. 140): Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
Round 5 (No. 166): Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
Round 6, (No. 176): Aeneas Peebles, DL, Virginia Tech
Round 7 (No. 239): LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado
Sticking with the blueprint, the Titans spent more than half of their draft picks on defensive players and offensive linemen, including three top-40 selections. Pat Bryant fits the role of an "X" receiver in an offense that currently lacks someone with that skill set, but when talking to Justin Melo, he said he believes he can play wherever he is needed.
Taaffee and Peebles add depth and upside where the Titans need more bodies. Brooks is a great value-pick in a draft loaded with talent at the running back position, and Wester adds depth in the slot while also potentially providing an answer for the team on special teams as a returner.