Although the head coach hire is still number one on the offseason to-do list, whoever takes the helm in Nashville will need significant upgrades to the roster if he hopes to turn things around quickly. Luckily, the Titans posses a number of assets which, if utilized properly, could provide exactly the type of foundational pieces needed. And now that the Titans have taken a step away from dysfunction and towards organizational clarity, General Manager (for real now) Mike Borgonzi can attempt to duplicate the success of his first draft with more promising young players.
The question now becomes, with so many needs on the roster, how (or who) should the Titans front office prioritize with their early draft picks and $100 million-plus in cap space? While the new coach will obviously impact which players are added, talent and potential should be prioritized over scheme fit, and a good coach will find the best way to maximize said talent. With that in mind, we dive into which positions (and a few specific players) Borgonzi should be carefully studying leading up to the spring of 2026.
The Defense
For quite some time, the majority of mock drafts from major outlets have the Titans prioritizing defense in the first round, specifically the EDGE position. At this point, three players in particular have established themselves as potential game-wreckers at the next level, and with the number four overall selection, Tennessee may have their choice. Miami's Rueben Bain Jr., Texas Tech's David Bailey, and Arvell Reese from Ohio State all have top-10 potential, and any of the three could provide a massive, immediate boost to a front in need of someone other than Jeffery Simmons to pressure the quarterback.
Bain has been a force for Miami all season, and his recent dominance against top competition in the College Football Playoff has helped to remind everyone that he deserves to hear his name called early in the draft. David Bailey was the best overall player on the best defense money could buy for Tech, and his ceiling is off the charts at the next level. Reese's athleticism and versatility make him a rare talent, but Tennessee could be wary of selecting a linebacker-turned-EDGE after a disappointing rookie year from last year's second-round pick, Femi Oladejo.
Prioritizing the defensive front early would be wise for the Titans, especially if three picks prior to theirs shake out favorably, but they must also address the secondary. Following the trades of Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee-- and the almost certain end of the L'Jarius Sneed experiment-- Tennessee's cornerback group is severely lacking in even one certain starter. This could be addressed in the middle rounds and/or in free agency.
The Offense
Aside from edge rusher, the most commonly mentioned possibility for the Titans in the first round is wide receiver. While it is true that the skill position talent around Cam Ward needs to be upgraded, it would likely be a mistake to spend the fourth overall pick on a pass-catcher. Were Jeremiah Smith draft eligible this year, we may feel differently. But he isn't, and none of the receivers at the top of this year's class come without flaws and/or question marks. In fact, several of the WRs currently projected to be late first or second rounders (namely, Germie Bernard, Chris Brazzell, Zachariah Branch, and Ja'Kobi Lane) look just as likely to be true number ones in the NFL as the Jordyn Tysons and Carnell Tates of the draft.
Additionally, the three pass-catchers Tennessee nabbed in the fourth round last year all have bright futures, and although neither Chimere Dike nor Elic Ayomanor established themselves as a number one wideouts as rookies, both should be expected to be even better with more experience and better coaching. Tennessee may be better served to add some veteran options in free agency who could help the development of a young QB, as well as the young receivers.
Similarly to the defense, the front of the offensive side seems to be the more pressing issue. Although the offensive line was undeniably better this year than the previous season, Cam Ward was still sacked 55 times, tied for the most in the league. While some spots are solidified, Kevin Zietler's future is uncertain at right guard, and Dan Moore was not the franchise left tackle for which we had hoped...or paid. If nothing else, the team must prioritze improving the depth along the line, for when the inevitable injuries occur.
The inarguable good news in all this is that the Titans are entering the 2026 off-season with signficant draft capital and likely the most cap space of any team in the NFL. This, paired with some power structure clarity and front office normalcy, could put Tennessee in the perfect position to upgrade the coaching staff and the roster and begin to give Nashville the team it deserves.