The Tennessee Titans find themselves at a franchise defining crossroads. Holding the #4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, General Manager Mike Borgonzi and Head Coach Robert Saleh aren’t just looking for a starter. They are looking for a transformation. After a 2025 season that saw flashes of brilliance from #1 pick Cam Ward but ultimately stalled due to a lack of elite supporting playmakers and a consistent “closer” on the edge, the mission this April is clear: find the force multiplier. Whether it is doubling down on a historical offensive blueprint to support our young quarterback or drafting a blue chip defender to anchor a “New Age” defensive front, the choice made at four will dictate the trajectory of Titans football for the next decade.

1. Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame

While modern NFL analytics often caution against taking a running back in the top five, history tells a different story for teams looking to cement a championship window. If the Titans select Jeremiyah Love at #4, they aren’t just drafting a playmaker. They are completing a proven strategic maneuver: the Back to Back Franchise Core.

By pairing Love with last year’s #1 overall pick, Cam Ward, Tennessee would be following a blueprint used by three of the most iconic dynasties in football history, including their own.

The “QB-RB” Success Formula

The logic is simple: a young quarterback’s greatest asset is a dominant run game. By investing high first round capital into both positions in consecutive years, a franchise provides its signal caller with a “security blanket” that forces defenses to play honest.

• The Houston/Tennessee Legacy (1995–1996): This organization has seen this work firsthand. In 1995, they drafted Steve McNair at #3 overall. They didn’t wait to find him help, returning in 1996 to take Eddie George at #14. That back to back investment created the physical identity that led the team to a Super Bowl.
• The Cowboys Dynasty (1989–1990): Dallas laid the foundation for three Super Bowls by taking Troy Aikman at #1 in 1989 and immediately following it with Emmitt Smith at #17 in 1990. They didn’t just get stars. They got a balanced attack that stayed elite for a decade.
• The Colts Standard (1998–1999): The most direct parallel to the Titans’ current position is the 1999 Indianapolis Colts. After taking Peyton Manning at #1 in 1998, they held the #4 overall pick the next year. Rather than going defense, they took Edgerrin James. The result was an immediate jump from 3 wins to 13 wins and the birth of a dynasty.

Love is the perfect candidate to execute this “Year 2” leap. Coming off a 2025 season where he won the Doak Walker Award and racked up over 1,600 yards from scrimmage, he offers the rare combination of home-run speed (4.36 40-yard dash) and elite receiving hands.

For the Titans, Love represents more than just yards; he represents the evolution of Cam Ward’s game. With Love in the backfield, the “everything is on the QB” pressure evaporates. Whether it’s a check-down on 3rd and long or a play-action look that freezes linebackers, Love’s presence makes the game easier for the Titans’ most important investment.

• Ceiling: Saquon Barkley… A generational, three-down force who dictates how the defense must line up.
• Floor: Reggie Bush… A world class athlete who functions better as a “space weapon” than a traditional workhorse. In this scenario, he remains a dynamic receiving threat and home run hitter, but relies more on highlights and versatility over consistency.

2. David Bailey | EDGE | Texas Tech

A couple of articles ago, I claimed the Titans wouldn’t take David Bailey. However, after seeing how the front office attacked free agency, specifically focusing on power rushers, I have not only changed my mind but believe Bailey is now VERY MUCH in play to be the pick at #4. The Titans have successfully beefed up the interior and added veteran versatility, but they still lack a true, twitchy “closer” on the edge. In Robert Saleh’s defense, you win by waves of pass rushers, and right now, we need speed more than anything. Bailey fits that mold perfectly.

The “Edge Rusher Evolution” Strategy

While the Love pick focuses on historical offensive blueprints, selecting Bailey would be a commitment to the modern NFL’s most successful defensive philosophy: Interior Pressure meets Elite Speed. By placing a 4.50-speed rusher outside of two 320lb+ monsters, the Titans would be mirroring the dominant fronts seen in San Francisco and Philadelphia over the last five years.

• The “Force Multiplier” Effect: Defensive line coaches often say that “sacks come in pairs.” In 2025, Jeffery Simmons was often the highest pressured interior lineman in the league, but those pressures didn’t always turn into sacks because the QB could escape the pocket. Bailey is the “contain” specialist who slams that door shut.
• The Wide-9 Impact: By drafting Bailey, the Titans can utilize the “Wide-9” alignment, lining the defensive end up well outside the tackle’s shoulder. This forces the offensive tackle onto an island, where Bailey’s elite bend and “dip-and-rip” technique become nearly impossible to mirror for four quarters.

Bailey is the perfect candidate to execute this defensive leap. He ran a blistering 4.50 40-yard dash, the fastest of any defensive lineman in this class. After transferring from Stanford to Texas Tech, he exploded for 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 2025, proving he isn’t just an athlete, he’s a technician.

For the Titans, Bailey represents more than just sacks; he represents the evolution of the entire defensive unit. With Bailey on the edge, the pressure on the secondary to cover for long periods evaporates. Whether it’s a standard pass rush or a simulated pressure that leaves him isolated with a running back, Bailey’s presence makes the game significantly easier for the Titans’ defensive backfield.

Ceiling: Khalil Mack. A relentless sack artist with an elite first step and surprising play strength who can single handedly take over a game in the fourth quarter.

Floor: Jaelan Phillips. A highly athletic, productive starter who may occasionally struggle against heavy power run schemes but will consistently provide 8–10 sacks a year purely through speed and refined pass-rush moves.

3. Arvell Reese | LB/EDGE | Ohio State

While most prospects in this draft are defined by a single position, Arvell Reese is defined by chaos. If the Titans select Reese at #4, they aren’t just drafting a defender; they are acquiring the ultimate “chess piece.” Reese represents a modern shift toward positionless football, where a player’s value is determined by their ability to ruin an offensive coordinator’s game plan from three different spots on the field.

By bringing Reese into the fold, Tennessee would be mirroring a defensive philosophy that has recently turned teams like the Cowboys and Lions into perennial contenders: the “Weaponized Hybrid” approach.

The “Defensive Swiss Army Knife” Strategy

The logic behind drafting Reese is rooted in the “Micah Parsons Effect.” In a league where offenses use pre-snap motion and “eye candy” to confuse defenders, Reese’s versatility serves as the ultimate counter-punch. He allows a defense to stay in a base personnel package while functionally shifting into a pass-rush sub-package without making a single substitution.

• The Multi-Level Threat: Reese spent his 2025 All-American season at Ohio State doing the impossible: leading the team in “Green Dog” blitz wins while also ranking as one of their most reliable open-field tacklers. He can stack the line of scrimmage as a 3-4 edge on first down, then drop 15 yards into a zone on third down to take away a tight end.
• The Complexity Factor: For a young defense like the Titans, Reese is a “force multiplier” for the coaching staff. His presence allows the defensive coordinator to disguise blitzes more effectively. Offenses won’t know if he’s rushing the passer, spying the quarterback, or dropping into a hook-curl zone until the ball is snapped. The ultimate weapon for Robert Saleh.

Reese is the perfect candidate to bring this “Modern Hybrid” identity to Nashville. At the 2026 Combine, he stunned scouts by weighing in at 241 pounds and then clocking a 4.46-second 40-yard dash. This rare combination of 6’4″ length and elite recovery speed allows him to make plays “a city block wide,” chasing down ball carriers from the backside that other linebackers simply can’t reach.

For the Titans, Reese represents the evolution of defensive flexibility. With Reese on the field, the “predictability” of the Titans’ scheme evaporates. Whether he’s exploding off the edge with a 1.53-second ten-yard split or shutting down a screen pass in the flat, Reese’s athleticism ensures the Titans are never “out-athleted” by the high-octane offenses of the AFC.

Ceiling: Micah Parsons. A generational, game-wrecking hybrid who can win Defensive Player of the Year because he’s an elite pass-rusher and a Pro Bowl-level off-ball linebacker simultaneously.

Floor: Jamie Collins. Even if his pass-rush moves never become elite, his floor is a highly productive, versatile starter who uses his length and “freak” athleticism to rack up tackles, deflections, and opportunistic sacks in any system.

4. Reuben Bain Jr. | EDGE | Miami

If the draft picks for Bailey and Reese represent “speed” and “versatility,” the selection of Reuben Bain Jr. represents pure, unadulterated power. Although the rumors at the moment do not favor Bain to the Titans, I believe it could very well still happen. Bain at number 4 means they aren’t just drafting a defensive end, they are slamming the table with power rushers. Bain is the personification of the “trench warfare” mentality, a player whose game is built on heavy hands, elite leverage, and an “ill-tempered” play style that wears down offensive tackles over four quarters.

By bringing Bain into the fold, Tennessee would be doubling down on the physical identity that has historically made this franchise successful: the “Stout Front” philosophy.

The “Identity & Interior Flexibility” Strategy

The logic behind drafting Bain is rooted in the “Power-End” archetype. In a division featuring physical run games like those in Indianapolis and Jacksonville, Bain’s ability to “set the edge” is a premium trait. He allows a defense to be aggressive because he rarely, if ever, gets pushed off his spot, effectively turning the outside run into a non-factor.

• The Inside-Outside Threat: What makes Bain unique is his “alignment-proof” strength. At Miami, he frequently kicked inside to the 3-technique on passing downs, using his low center of gravity to explode past guards who weren’t quick enough to handle his initial punch. This creates a “Nascar” package where Big Jeff, JFM, and Bain are all on the field at once. A literal nightmare for any interior offensive line. This also opens up the option for Simmons or Myers to play on the outside in certain schemes.
• The “Tone-Setter” Factor: For a Titans defense looking to regain its “hard-nosed” reputation, Bain is the ultimate catalyst. He doesn’t just make plays. He punishes the person across from him. His win rate in “obvious run” situations was among the best in the ACC, making him a three down player who doesn’t need to be subbed out when the game gets physical.

Bain is the perfect candidate to bring this “Heavyweight” identity to Nashville. Though he lacks the “track-star” 40-time of Bailey, his 1.55-second ten-yard split proves he has elite “get-off” for a man of his stature. Standing 6’3″ and weighing nearly 280 pounds, he possesses the “man-strength” required to collapse pockets and move 320lb tackles backward, a rare trait for a collegiate prospect.

For the Titans, Bain represents the evolution of defensive stability. With Bain on the edge, the “softness” in the run game evaporates. Whether he’s using a bull rush to walk a tackle into the quarterback’s lap or stone walling a lead blocker in the hole, Bain’s presence ensures the Titans’ defense is the most physical unit in the AFC South.

Ceiling: Cameron Jordan. A perennial Pro-Bowler and iron man who dominates the point of attack, plays a massive number of snaps, and consistently produces 10+ sacks through superior technique and overwhelming power.

Floor: Brandon Graham. Even if he never becomes a league leader in sack totals, his floor is a high-motor, foundational starter. Like Graham, Bain’s “power-to-speed” profile ensures he will lead the team in pressures and run-stops, providing a veteran-style reliability from his first day in camp.

5. Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State

While the draft community is buzzing about edge rushers and running backs, there is a distinct philosophy that says if you have a young, high-ceiling quarterback, you don’t just give him help, you give him a soulmate. If the Titans select Carnell Tate at #4, they aren’t just drafting a receiver. They could be drafting the best wideout in Titans history. By pairing Tate with Cam Ward, Tennessee would be following a modern “reception first” blueprint that prioritizes route running savvy and sure hands over raw, track star speed.

The “NFL Ready” Target Strategy

The logic is proven: a young quarterback’s development accelerates when his primary target is “where he’s supposed to be, when he’s supposed to be there.” By investing a top-five pick in the most polished route runner in the class, the Titans provide Ward with a high volume chain mover who can win at all three levels of the field.

• The Ohio State Pipeline: It is no joke. No other program produces NFL ready receivers like Brian Hartline’s room in Columbus. From Garrett Wilson to Chris Olave, the transition is seamless because of the technical foundation. Tate is the next iteration. A player who averaged an insane 3.02 yards per route run in 2025 and, most importantly for a young QB, recorded zero drops on 66 targets.

• The “Zone Beater” IQ: Young quarterbacks often struggle deciphering complex NFL zone coverages. Tate possesses a veteran-level understanding of leverage and spacing. He instinctively knows how to find the soft spots in zone shells, throttling down his routes to provide a massive, stationary target when the pocket breaks down. He isn’t just a receiver; he’s a problem solver.

Tate is the perfect candidate to execute this “Year 2″ offensive leap. Standing 6’2” and weighing 195 pounds, he possesses an elite wing span and some of the best hands we’ve seen in years (10 ¼”). While his 4.53 40-yard dash at the Combine was a bit of a letdown. His play speed is significantly faster, fueled by nuanced tempo changes and an expansive release package that punishes press coverage.

For the Titans, Tate represents more than just catches, he represents the “stabilization” of the passing attack. With Tate on the perimeter, the reliance on Cam Ward to “make magic” on every play decreases. Whether it’s a 15 yard dig on 3rd and 8 or a high point contested catch in the red zone, where he won over 85% of his opportunities in 2025. Tate’s presence makes the game fundamentally easier for the Titans’ franchise quarterback.

Ceiling: Stefon Diggs. From a pure skill set perspective, Tate’s ceiling is the ultimate technical technician. Like Diggs, Tate wins through an obsession with detail. Manipulating a defender’s leverage, snapping off breaks with violent suddenness, and developing a “telepathic” chemistry with his quarterback. At this level, he is an unstoppable high volume target who can move all over the formation, functioning as a primary Z who can still alpha dog any cornerback in the league as a de facto X.

Floor: Calvin Ridley. Even if he never reaches “Superstar” status, his floor is a hyper polished, high end starter. Like Ridley, Tate’s floor is that of a crafty, reliable route runner who uses savvy and elite ball tracking to consistently separate. He provides a “safe” 1,000-yard weapon who understands NFL spacing and leverage from day one, ensuring the Titans always have a vertical threat and a reliable chain mover on the field.

At the End of the Day

Ultimately, the beauty of holding the #4 pick is that there are no “wrong” answers among these five, only different visions for the future. Selecting Jeremiyah Love is a commitment to an offensive identity that hasn’t been seen in Nashville since the days of McNair and George. Selecting Tate locks in a dynamic QB-WR tandem designed to terrorize AFC secondaries for a decade. Conversely, passing on a playmaker to draft David Bailey, Arvell Reese, or Reuben Bain Jr. would signal a move toward becoming the most feared, physical defense in the AFC South. Free agency has given the Titans the flexibility to truly take the best player available, regardless of position. When the clock starts in April, the Titans won’t just be turning in a card; they’ll be deciding whether they want to win by outscoring the opposition or by breaking them.

I want to hear from you! What do you think about the “Back-to-Back” strategy? Is Jeremiyah Love too high at #4, or is he the missing piece to unlock Cam Ward’s potential? Does Carnell Tate move the needle for you, or do you want to draft a wideout in another round? Has the free agent addition of JFM convinced you that David Bailey is the “closer” this defense is missing?

Drop a comment below and let me know which of these four you’d turn the card in for on Draft Night.

If you enjoyed this breakdown, follow me on X (Twitter) @TwoToneTrey for daily Titans conversations and the latest on the Parade Pursuit!

As the 2026 offseason calendar turns, the conversation in Nashville is shifting from the explosive potential of Cam Ward to the literal “meat and potatoes” of this roster, the offensive line. While we’ve made strides in retooling the trenches, the Right Guard and Center positions remain a glaring vacancy on the depth chart.

Currently, the most logical path is a reunion with veteran Kevin Zeitler. He provides the kind of veteran stability and continuity a young quarterback needs, but if a deal doesn’t materialize, the front office has a puzzle to solve. We’ve seen the “Skoronski Shuffle” discussed as a potential contingency, if needed. Peter Skoronski has the elite toolkit to slide over to the right, depending on who Borgonzi and the coaching staff fall in love with.

We also have Jackson Slater in the mix, who showed flashes late in the season of being a versatile interior piece. Whether he stays at guard or makes a permanent transition to Center remains to be seen, but his flexibility is a beneficial asset. What we cannot do is rely on recent depth signings like Cordell Volson or Garrett Dellinger to be the primary solution. They were brought in to shore up the bench, not to handle 17 games of starting reps.

The longer we wait to address the interior in April, the higher the pressure becomes to burn a premium pick in the first two rounds. To avoid that ‘desperation reach,’ I’ve circled five mid-to-late round targets who can compete for snaps immediately. You’ll recognize a few names from the mainstream draft cycle, but I’ve also dug up some under-the-radar gems that the national media is overlooking. My goal with these deep dives is to shine a light on the prospects who actually fit the identity we are trying to build, regardless of their current hype.

The search for the right piece to complete this offensive line has officially moved into the “fine-tuning” phase. While we’ve secured depth with names like Cordell Volson and Garrett Dellinger, let’s be honest: those are “insurance policy” signings. They provide a safety net, but they aren’t the high-ceiling starters this new-look offense needs to protect Cam Ward.

The Right Guard spot is the final riddle. Whether we bring back Kevin Zeitler for one last ride or decide to execute the “Skoronski Shuffle”—sliding Peter to the right to accommodate a new face on the left—the draft is where the long-term solution lies. If we don’t identify our guy in the middle rounds, the pressure to reach for an interior lineman in the first two rounds becomes almost unbearable.

Here is a deep dive into the five prospects who could solidify the interior of the “Titans’ Wall.”

1. Keylan Rutledge | Georgia Tech

• Draft Range: Late 2nd / Early 3rd
• What He Excels At: Rutledge is a high octane athlete who plays with a blue collar mentality. His ability to pull and lead-block in space is elite. He has the foot speed to reach the perimeter and the mean streak to bury linebackers once he gets there.
• What He Needs to Work On: From the tape I have seen, his aggression is a double edged sword. He can occasionally get overextended, leading to balance issues or holding penalties when he tries to overpower defenders. He needs to refine his hand placement to ensure his violence stays within the frame.
• The Daboll Fit: That being said, I think he can be the ultimate weapon for a creative play caller. Daboll loves using guards in the screen game and on designed rollouts. Rutledge’s mobility makes him a perfect match for a scheme that wants to keep the defense moving horizontally.

2. Billy Schrauth | Notre Dame

• Draft Range: 3rd – 4th Round
• What He Excels At: Coming from the Notre Dame “Lineman Lab,” Schrauth is a technical savant. His hand fighting and ability to reset his anchor mid-rep are top of the class. He is incredibly intelligent, rarely missing a blitz pickup or a late stunt transition.
• What He Needs to Work On: The medicals are the only question. Coming off a late season MCL sprain, he needs to prove that his lower body explosion is fully restored before labeling him as a Day 1 starter. He isn’t quite the “freak” athlete that Rutledge is, so he relies heavily on that pristine technique.
• The Daboll Fit: Versatility is his calling card. Because of his high football IQ, he can play either guard spot. If the Titans want to move Skoronski around or need a high IQ stabilizer next to a young Center like Jackson Slater, Schrauth is a plug and play solution.

3. Jalen Farmer | Kentucky

• Draft Range: 3rd – 5th Round
• What He Excels At: Pure, unadulterated power. Farmer is the definition of a mauler who uses sledgehammer hands to stun defensive tackles. He was arguably the most dominant interior presence at the Senior Bowl, proving he could anchor against the biggest nose tackles in the country.
• What He Needs to Work On: Lateral agility. While he is a wall in pass protection, he can occasionally struggle against “twitched up” interior rushers who use pure speed to cross his face. He needs to continue working on his footwork to mirror those smaller, faster 3 techs.
• The Daboll Fit: He is the “Bodyguard.” If the goal is to create a clean, firm pocket for Cam Ward to step into, Farmer is the man for the job. He brings an SEC tested “bully” mentality that changes the identity of the entire room.

4. Beau Stephens | Iowa

• Draft Range: 4th – 5th Round
• What He Excels At: Consistency and leverage. Like most Iowa products, Stephens is a fundamental master. He finished 2025 with an elite 91.6 pass blocking grade because he simply does not get moved off his spot. He plays with a low center of gravity that makes him a nightmare to bull rush.
• What He Needs to Work On: His “ceiling.” Scouts wonder if he has the elite athleticism to be a dominant force in a wide zone scheme. He is more of a “high-floor” prospect who does everything well but nothing that looks “flashy” on a Combine spreadsheet.
• The Daboll Fit: He is the “No-Mistakes” player. In a pass heavy offense, you need a guard you don’t have to worry about. Stephens provides that high level reliability, allowing the coaching staff to focus on the skill players while the “Iowa kid” just does his job.

5. Febechi Nwaiwu | Oklahoma

• Draft Range: 4th – 7th Round
• What He Excels At: Pass protection efficiency and mental processing. Nwaiwu is an analytical dream, matching Stephens with a 91.6 PFF pass blocking grade. He handles complex stunts and twists with a veteran’s poise, always keeping his head on a swivel to help his tackle or center. Something else to note, he played 144 snaps at Center as well.
• What He Needs to Work On: Core strength in the run game. While he is elite at mirroring rushers, he doesn’t always generate the same “drive block” push that a guy like Farmer does. He’ll need an NFL strength program to help him move elite interior defenders in short yardage situations.
• The Daboll Fit: He is the “Late-Round Treasure.” For a team looking to throw 40 times a game, Nwaiwu’s ability to stay technically sound over high volume is a perfect match. He provides the “smart, tough, dependable” traits that this staff covets.

Identity Meets the Trenches

Which of these five targets eventually hears their name called in April depends entirely on how Brian Daboll intends to shape this offense around Cam Ward. In Buffalo, Daboll was known for a “pass to set up the run” philosophy, often leaning into 11-personnel and a spread out vertical attack that prioritized protection over all else. However, his time in New York showed he is a chameleon. When the roster dictated it, he pivoted to a heavy ground and pound game anchored by multiple tight end sets. If the Titans want to let Ward air it out and utilize his processing speed, a technician like Beau Stephens or Febechi Nwaiwu is the ideal “security blanket.” If the goal is to establish a physical, smash mouth identity that supports a dominant defense, then the “mean streak” of Keylan Rutledge or Jalen Farmer becomes the priority.

Regardless of which developmental path the team takes, bringing Kevin Zeitler back into the fold remains the most crucial move going forward. His consistency and veteran leadership provide a coach on the field for a young nucleus that is still learning the nuances of the NFL game. Having a pro’s pro like Zeitler at Right Guard ensures that whether we draft a Day 1 starter or a high-upside project, the floor of this offensive line remains high enough to keep our franchise quarterback upright.

Drop your thoughts in the comments!

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