TitanS 2026 MOCK DRAFT: TRADE BACK EDITION!
Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The 2026 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and we still aren’t completely sure what the Tennessee Titans will do in Round 1.
At this point last year, we knew the Titans were taking Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick. However, this year is a lot different with Tennessee at pick 4.
However, will the Titans even be picking fourth on April 23rd, or are they gonna pull off a trade back?? That said, let’s run through my latest four-round mock draft that includes Tennessee moving down in the first round.
ESPN
MOCK TRADE WITH NEW ORLEANS SAINTS:
TEN RECEIVES:
Pick 8
Pick 73
2027 2nd-Round Pick
NO RECEIVES:
Pick 4
Pick 142
This would be a nice trade for the Titans, as moving down four spots for an extra Day 2 pick this year and next year will be incredibly beneficial to building out the roster in what is hopefully the tail end of the rebuild.
Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire
Round 1, Pick 8 (VIA NO): EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
The Titans trade back and are still able to land arguably the best pure pass rusher in the entire draft.
Bailey had a stellar senior season at Texas Tech with 14.5 sacks and 73 quarterback pressures. The 22-year-old is incredibly dynamic and explosive, and would immediately step in as Tennessee’s No. 1 pass rusher on the edge.
Bailey has All-Pro potential, and it wouldn’t shock me one bit if he wins Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2026 wherever he goes. Hopefully it’s in Nashville with the Titans.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Round 2, Pick 35: WR Chris Bell, Louisville
Let’s add a shiny new playmaker for Cam Ward.
Before tearing his ACL in November, Bell was considered a first-round pick, but there’s a solid chance he falls into Round 2 now.
At 6-foot-2, Bell possesses a ton of explosiveness and is one of the best separators in the class. The 21-year-old would be an electric deep threat for Ward and could be a Day 1 starter on the outside opposite Calvin Ridley, and with Wan’Dale Robinson in the slot.
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Round 3, Pick 66: OL Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
Rutledge is rapidly moving up draft boards, and I don’t envision a world where he makes it out of Day 2.
The Georgia Tech product played right guard for the entirety of his collegiate career, allowing just three sacks in 1,674 pass-blocking snaps. However, Rutledge could also slide in as a center at the next level, so his versatility should intrigue the Titans.
Rutledge is a physical, NFL-ready player and would be a fantastic fit in Brian Daboll’s offense. This would be a no-brainer selection for Tennessee at pick 66 if he is on the board.
Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: Dani Dennis-Sutton
Round 3, Pick 73 (VIA NO): EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
With the pick we acquired from the Saints in the trade back, we’re going to add even more juice to the pass-rush.
Dennis-Sutton is one of the most underrated players in this draft. He plays with a ton of toughness and posted consistent production at Penn State with 8.5 sacks in 2024 and 2025.
At 6-foot-6 and nearly 260 pounds, Dennis-Sutton is also an imposing run-defender who would be the cherry on top for the Titans’ pass rushing group in 2026.
Robert Saleh loves to have a rotation of pass rushers who violently get after the quarterback and are maulers in the run game. The first-year head coach will have a nice mix of those players in his edge rusher room in this scenario, with Bailey, Jermaine Johnson, Femi Oladejo, and Dennis-Sutton.
Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Round 4, Pick 101: OT Markel Bell, Miami
Bell stands at 6-foot-9 and nearly 350 pounds, but is incredibly fluid for his size and didn’t give up a single sack as Miami’s starting left tackle in 2025.
The Titans lack depth at the tackle spots, but Bell would help fix that issue. If he can learn how to maximize his gigantic frame and stop speedy pass rushers at an adequate level, Bell could also develop into a future starter for Tennessee and could follow in the footsteps of someone like Jordan Mailata, who was an All-Pro tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 with a 6-foot-8 frame.
Written by Dharya Sharma
Founder/Owner of SharmSports. NFL contributor at The Sporting News