Perfect Picks 2026: Tennessee Titans
By Jack Brentnall
The Titans are entering a new era in 2026. Head coach Brian Callahan was dismissed midseason as the team slumped to a 3-14 record. Though they look to have their quarterback of the future in Cam Ward, the rest of the roster needs plenty of work.
This Perfect Picks article explores what an ideal draft could look like if the board breaks the right way. Rather than predicting draft weekend outcomes, the focus is on fit, value, and long-term roster construction, identifying prospects who align with the team’s needs at each stage of the draft.
The selections below account for scheme, roster holes, and realistic draft ranges, moving from early-round building blocks to mid-round value and late-round upside.
Round 1 - Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
Tennessee could justify several positions here, but building around Cam Ward has to be the priority heading into 2026. Pairing a young quarterback with a reliable boundary target remains one of the cleanest ways to stabilise offensive growth, and Tate profiles as exactly that kind of piece.
Another product of Ohio State’s receiver pipeline, Tate brings polish, route tempo control, and a refined understanding of leverage. He is not a pure speed threat, but he consistently wins at all three levels through detailed route technique.
At his best, Tate separates and finishes through contact, showing strong hands and excellent body control against press coverage. That skillset translates immediately, giving Ward a dependable WR1 option who can anchor the passing game from Day 1.
Round 2 - Keith Abney (CB, Arizona State)
A quick scan of Tennessee’s cornerback depth chart highlights one of the roster’s most pressing needs. L’Jarius Sneed hasn’t looked like the player he was in Kansas City, and the likes of Kaiir Elam, Jalyn Armour-Davis, and Darrell Baker Jr. aren’t exactly inspiring confidence.
Abney would step in immediately as a functional upgrade, with the versatility to contribute on the boundary or inside. Though undersized, he compensates with elite movement skills and twitch, traits rooted in his background as a four-time national champion speed skater.
On tape, Abney shows an advanced feel for zone coverage, consistently understanding spacing and route distribution. That awareness has translated into production, with five interceptions and 17 pass breakups over the past two seasons. Add in reliable run support, and the profile points toward a high-floor NFL contributor with starting potential.
Mid Round Gem - Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, UCF)
By the end of the 2025 season, it was clear Tennessee needed more impact off the edge. Jihad Ward’s 48 pressures were the most amongst the team’s edge rushers, and both he and Arden Key are set to hit free agency this offseason.
If the Titans do not address the position early, Lawrence represents strong value in the fourth round. He looks the part physically, with 35-inch arms and the explosiveness to stress tackles off the snap.
Lawrence wins with quick, violent hands and a varied pass rush plan that keeps blockers guessing. While he still needs to clean up tackling consistency and continue developing as a run defender, his passing down impact is already evident, making him a rotational contributor with clear upside.
Late Round Sleeper - J'Mari Taylor (RB, Virginia)
Tennessee’s run game lagged behind last season, finishing 27th in both EPA per rush and rush success rate. With Tony Pollard showing signs of decline and entering the final year of his deal, adding competition makes sense.
Taylor brings a skill set that translates better than his frame might suggest. At 5’9” and 204 pounds, he lacks ideal size, but he consistently creates extra yardage through vision, decisive footwork, and sharp cuts.
After transferring to Virginia in 2025 following four seasons at the FCS level, Taylor wasted no time, posting 1,064 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 222 carries while forcing 55 missed tackles. His value extends beyond early downs, with soft hands and reliable pass protection giving him a legitimate third-down profile and a realistic path to sticking on an NFL roster.
Draft in full
4 (R1) – Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
35 (R2) – Keith Abney (CB, Arizona State)
66 (R3) – Chase Bisontis (IOL, Texas A&M)
101 (R4) – Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, UCF)
140 (R5) – J’Mari Taylor (RB, Virginia)
142 (R5) – Logan Jones (IOL, Iowa)
183 (R6) – Domani Jackson (CB, Alabama)
238 (R7) – Treydan Stukes (CB, Arizona)
