The Titans may find themselves in a tricky NFL Draft situation
The Tennessee Titans moved back up to No. 4 overall in the real-time 2026 NFL draft order following Sunday’s 34-26 Week 17 defeat to the New Orleans Saints. The Titans “owned” the top overall selection approximately a month ago, but have gone 2-2 in December. At No. 4 overall, GM Mike Borgonzi could eventually find himself in a tricky spot.
The Jacksonville Jaguars can win the AFC South division title with a Week 18 victory over the Titans. The Jags have rounded off seven consecutive victories and are heavy favorites over the Titans in the regular-season finale. Even if Tennessee loses, they are unlikely to capture a top-three selection unless the Jets, Giants, or Raiders shockingly win.
Week 18 is silly and unpredictable, but it’s reasonable to predict the Titans could finish with that fourth overall selection. If so, Borgonzi won’t have any straightforward decisions. Quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore are expected to go 1-2 overall. If the Giants clinch the second pick, they’ll likely be willing to offload that selection to the highest bidding QB-needy team.
That means the best non-QB probably goes third overall. That could be Ohio State pass rusher Arvell Reese. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs are probably the two best pure prospects in this draft, but they play non-premium positions. Assuming QBs go 1-2, two of Reese/Downs/Love would be guaranteed to be available to the Titans at No. 4.
What about Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr.? Arm length and positional questions may complicate his projection, but the powerful pass rusher was a top overall mock-draft Titans pick until recently. Bain will go through a curious pre-draft process.
The Titans’ need to support Cam Ward was never more evident than in Sunday’s loss to the Saints. Creating separation was a consistent issue for the wide receivers. Would No. 4 overall be too early for the Titans to draft Jordyn Tyson or Carnell Tate? Tyson has a lengthy injury history, and Tate is facing ceiling questions.
Borgonzi may prefer to trade down, but his chances of successfully doing so would be significantly hampered if the quarterbacks are already off the board (a likely scenario). The pre-draft conversation for the Titans will be a difficult and analytical one if they clinch the fourth overall selection.
Category: General Sports
