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The Tennessee Titans aren’t going to draft your favorite prospect at No. 4 overall.
But, then again, they might.
If you scan enough media fodder in the buildup to the 2026 NFL Draft, you’re sure to hear all sides of all debates, projected at you by people who don’t know. That’s the draft. Few events create more pointless speculation up until the point it isn't speculation anymore.
Thankfully, that finish line is finally in sight, and to celebrate the return of draft week, what follows is a look at possible Titans picks and my own whys — and why-nots — for each.
Disclaimer No. 1: Players are ranked in order of personal preference.
Disclaimer No. 2: I didn’t include offensive linemen, mostly because I don’t even want to consider what it’d be like to watch the Titans burn another premium draft pick on an offensive lineman. (Though you can’t rule out it out. My exclusion is probably as good as a guarantee, in fact.)
Let's get on with it, shall we?
Why take him? He’s the best player in this draft, and he’d be an instant difference-maker on a roster that doesn’t have enough of those. I believe the Titans should select Love. I have written that.
Why not? NFL teams don’t need to spend a No. 4 pick to have a good running back, and this running back might not be available at No. 4, anyway. Late rumbles have had the Arizona Cardinals interested in Love at No. 3 (or trying to trade with another team that’d take Love). If only Emari Demercado hadn’t dropped that football at the goal line in Arizona, amirite?
Why take him? Bailey is a true edge rusher, and he looks like the most impactful speed rusher in this draft. He plays like his hair is on fire (all gas, no brake, eh?), and NFL offensive tackles will not enjoy dealing with him.
Why not? The Jets could take him at No. 2. He also could end up as a pass-rush specialist. You’d like a defensive player picked this high to be complete enough to play every down.
Why take him? Bain is a unique player, a rare mix of tenacious and savvy. Measurables are what they are, but when you watch Bain play, there’s no doubting that he’ll be an NFL player who will make an impact for a long time. You win with players like this guy.
Why not? Short arms and off-field stuff could mean a slide well past No. 4, leaving Bain as an ideal option in a trade-down situation.
Why take him? Athletically, Reese has the highest upside of any defensive player in this draft. He's an elite edge rusher who’s capable of doing everything else, too. That'd be awfully fun for Robert Saleh.
Why not? That high ceiling carries a low floor. If you are a jack-of-all-trades defensively, it means you'll arrive as a master of none. That could make Reese a multi-position terror on the field right away. It also could mean he’s playing special teams as a rookie still learning where he fits.
Why take him? He’s what you want in the middle of an NFL defense — productive, durable, plays downhill with outstanding speed. If the comp is Fred Warner, that’s pretty good.
Why not? If you're taking Styles instead of Love, how would it make sense to spend a premium pick on an inside linebacker instead of a potentially elite running back?
Why take him? Because I believe that Lemon, not Carnell Tate, is going to be the best receiver from this draft. Were the Titans to trade down, Lemon could be one heck of a prize.
Why not? Undersized receivers can be dime-a-dozen in the NFL, and because he’s 5-foot-11, Lemon projects as a slot receiver. He plays bigger, though. Go watch him.
Why take him? Most people believe he’s the best receiver in this draft, and the Titans certainly need that kind of receiver on their offense. Plus, Buckeyes receivers are usually a good call on draft night.
Why not? The No. 4 pick seems a tad too rich for Tate, who looks like he’ll be a solid NFL receiver but maybe not a spectacular one.
Why take him? Because it’d be kind of fun to watch him hit Colts receiver Josh Downs, his brother, for two Sundays each fall.
Why not? The Titans need pretty much everything. Except a quarterback. And safeties.
Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at [email protected] and hang out with him on Bluesky @gentryestes.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why the Tennessee Titans will (or won't) draft your favorite prospect
Continue reading...
But, then again, they might.
If you scan enough media fodder in the buildup to the 2026 NFL Draft, you’re sure to hear all sides of all debates, projected at you by people who don’t know. That’s the draft. Few events create more pointless speculation up until the point it isn't speculation anymore.
Thankfully, that finish line is finally in sight, and to celebrate the return of draft week, what follows is a look at possible Titans picks and my own whys — and why-nots — for each.
Disclaimer No. 1: Players are ranked in order of personal preference.
Disclaimer No. 2: I didn’t include offensive linemen, mostly because I don’t even want to consider what it’d be like to watch the Titans burn another premium draft pick on an offensive lineman. (Though you can’t rule out it out. My exclusion is probably as good as a guarantee, in fact.)
Let's get on with it, shall we?
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Why take him? He’s the best player in this draft, and he’d be an instant difference-maker on a roster that doesn’t have enough of those. I believe the Titans should select Love. I have written that.
Why not? NFL teams don’t need to spend a No. 4 pick to have a good running back, and this running back might not be available at No. 4, anyway. Late rumbles have had the Arizona Cardinals interested in Love at No. 3 (or trying to trade with another team that’d take Love). If only Emari Demercado hadn’t dropped that football at the goal line in Arizona, amirite?
David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Why take him? Bailey is a true edge rusher, and he looks like the most impactful speed rusher in this draft. He plays like his hair is on fire (all gas, no brake, eh?), and NFL offensive tackles will not enjoy dealing with him.
Why not? The Jets could take him at No. 2. He also could end up as a pass-rush specialist. You’d like a defensive player picked this high to be complete enough to play every down.
Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Florida)
Why take him? Bain is a unique player, a rare mix of tenacious and savvy. Measurables are what they are, but when you watch Bain play, there’s no doubting that he’ll be an NFL player who will make an impact for a long time. You win with players like this guy.
Why not? Short arms and off-field stuff could mean a slide well past No. 4, leaving Bain as an ideal option in a trade-down situation.
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Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Why take him? Athletically, Reese has the highest upside of any defensive player in this draft. He's an elite edge rusher who’s capable of doing everything else, too. That'd be awfully fun for Robert Saleh.
Why not? That high ceiling carries a low floor. If you are a jack-of-all-trades defensively, it means you'll arrive as a master of none. That could make Reese a multi-position terror on the field right away. It also could mean he’s playing special teams as a rookie still learning where he fits.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Why take him? He’s what you want in the middle of an NFL defense — productive, durable, plays downhill with outstanding speed. If the comp is Fred Warner, that’s pretty good.
Why not? If you're taking Styles instead of Love, how would it make sense to spend a premium pick on an inside linebacker instead of a potentially elite running back?
Makai Lemon, WR, Southern Cal
Why take him? Because I believe that Lemon, not Carnell Tate, is going to be the best receiver from this draft. Were the Titans to trade down, Lemon could be one heck of a prize.
Why not? Undersized receivers can be dime-a-dozen in the NFL, and because he’s 5-foot-11, Lemon projects as a slot receiver. He plays bigger, though. Go watch him.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Why take him? Most people believe he’s the best receiver in this draft, and the Titans certainly need that kind of receiver on their offense. Plus, Buckeyes receivers are usually a good call on draft night.
Why not? The No. 4 pick seems a tad too rich for Tate, who looks like he’ll be a solid NFL receiver but maybe not a spectacular one.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Why take him? Because it’d be kind of fun to watch him hit Colts receiver Josh Downs, his brother, for two Sundays each fall.
Why not? The Titans need pretty much everything. Except a quarterback. And safeties.
Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at [email protected] and hang out with him on Bluesky @gentryestes.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why the Tennessee Titans will (or won't) draft your favorite prospect
Continue reading...
