Several days ago, one of ESPN’s top draft contributors, Benjamin Solak, laid out a blueprint for the success that each team could use. What did he have to say about the Titans’ draft plans, and can they execute his vision into long-term success with the 2026 NFL Draft? And remember, LWOS is your home for all things NFL Draft related! Stay tuned for more awesome coverage.
How The Titans Can Use The 2026 NFL Draft To Success
The Titans currently hold the fourth overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, but are prime candidates to trade down. Tennessee entered the 2026 offseason with significant cap space and went on a purposeful spending spree. How can they improve the roster via the draft, according to Solak?
Cam Ward
“The numbers on QB Cam Ward‘s rookie season? Not great. He was 33rd of 33 high-volume quarterbacks in both EPA per dropback and success rate. But the film was way better. Ward endured a much-needed coaching change midseason and still pushed the ball downfield to Chig Okonkwo, James Proche II and Elic Ayomanor.”
The fact that Ward survived the season with his confidence still intact after throwing to unproven receivers like Ayomanor and Pro Bowler Chimere Dike is a testament to his mental strength. Ward’s presumptive favorite target, Calvin Ridley, suffered a broken leg during the middle of 2025 and did not return or help before getting hurt. Ward himself would sustain a collarbone injury in Week 18, casting doubt on his offseason process. Is the young passer a signal caller who can elevate the weapons around him, or is he a quarterback who needs better weapons? The Titans must have an answer to this question relatively soon. Solak attempts to find a middle ground on this potentially thorny question.
“If anything, the developmental note for Ward is to scramble more and take more checkdowns. But the better long-term team-building approach is to surround a live-armed QB with dynamic pass catchers.”
Receiver at 4?
He then presents some wide receiver options who could be available at different junctures of the draft.
“The Titans probably will not take Carnell Tate (Ohio State) or any other receiver at No. 4, but they should consider it.”
The Ohio State standout receiver isn’t heavily linked to Tennessee, but it is the best-case scenario at the top. Other options, such as Jordan Tyson and Makai Lemon, could be in play for Tennessee.
Jordan Tyson
The Titans reportedly attended Tyson’s personal Pro Day last week. He presents a bold choice that makes sense at the top of the draft, but his medical history is concerning. When healthy, Tyson is a physical force to be reckoned with, bullying opposing defensive backs. The problem is that he missed chunks of several seasons due to nagging lower extremity issues. Tennessee possesses a sordid history with oft-injured receivers like Corey Davis, Kenny Britt, and Julio Jones. No matter how promising Tyson’s future is, they cannot take the risk of taking him in the top ten.
Makai Lemon
Lemon is the other wide receiver prospect bandied about in the upper echelons of the first round and would be a fit for the Titans, who need game changers. Lemon is one of the trio of top -15 projected receivers who haven’t been linked to Tennessee at all. He’s a frequent target for the New York-based teams and Miami more than anywhere else, actually.
What about the second round?
Solak continues, stating that the Titans should land a receiver with their second-round selection if one slips, such as KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, or Omar Cooper, Jr. All three prospects have the talent to be first-rounders but will likely fall.
“If Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana), KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) or Denzel Boston (Washington) slips out of the first round, the Titans should snag that player at No. 36 and find a way to fit him in with Wan’Dale Robinson and Calvin Ridley (who probably will be with the team for only one more season).”
Ridley somehow escaped the chopping block (for now) when the Titans elected to bring him back despite his injuries and inconsistencies. Robinson is a reigning 1,000-yard receiver and chose to sign with Tennessee because of his ties to new OC Brian Daboll. A new early-round receiver would indeed help alleviate the burden on Robinson, as Ridley cannot be counted upon. Cooper and Concepcion fit the bill as outstanding athletes with a little wiggle in their games. Boston is a bigger receiver who fits the profile of a true “X” receiver.
If not finding a chance at Love, then who?
The uber-talented Notre Dame superstar running back earned the first “30” visit for the Titans and is a popular mock draft target of the Titans. Solak counters that incumbents Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are enough to carry the run game, despite Love’s talent. He states, “I don’t think running back is a big need in Tennessee,” which is a correct belief. They are more than capable of carrying the run game while Ward develops further continuity with his receivers.
Why?
“Certainly Jeremiyah Love would be a big improvement over both, but the Titans have too many offensive needs to justify that pick at No. 4 (and making him the seventh-highest paid back in the league). A premium position like edge rusher makes much more sense, as the Titans are thin behind trade acquisition Jermaine Johnson.”
The Titans did their level best to fill needs across the roster in free agency, including another shopping binge during the second wave. However, there are more holes on the depth chart to fill with 53-man quality players instead of camp fodder. EDGE is less of a need with the acquisition of the aforementioned Johnson, but depth is a need. So, which prospects does Solak suggest to the Titans?
“David Bailey (Texas Tech) is a great scheme fit for speed-oriented coach Robert Saleh.”
Texas Tech star pass rusher David Bailey is a primetime athlete who posted a monstrous 14.5 sacks in 2025 while leading the Red Raiders to a berth in the College Football Playoff. He’s arguably the top EDGE in the class of 2026. Also, a team can’t have enough pass-rush depth in today’s football. Tennessee’s depth behind Jeffery Simmons and Johnson is relatively unproven, or veterans looking for a payday. For a franchise that once employed one of the most feared pass rushers during the 21st century, Bailey would be a nice throwback to Jevon Kearse.
What else can they do?
“The Titans should also hammer the interior line once they hit the middle rounds. Better pass protection for Ward will go a much longer way for his development than Love stuck behind a shoddy interior push.”
Tennessee has little depth behind its projected offensive line starters, and the center position is a black hole. Fortunately for the Titans, the 2026 interior offensive line class has a multitude of capable rookie centers, following a barren 2025 class.
