The NFL draft ended only a few days ago, and outlets are already turning their attention to 2026 and a draft thought to be rich with quarterback talent.
Now that the dust has settled and the past draft is being dissected at every turn, looking to the future can be a fun endeavor, although it’s impossible to tell how accurate it will be at this point. There are always surprise teams in the NFL that are ahead of schedule and competing. College players get injured, and some may decide to continue reaping the benefits of NIL riches and return to school.
Yet, everyone loves a mock draft, and fans can’t ever seem to get enough of them, even with the potential landmines these way-too-early mocks have. In his first way-too-early mock for The Athletic, draft analyst Dane Brugler has Tennessee improving in 2025 and going in an interesting direction with their pick.
4. Tennessee Titans: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
Parker is one of those players you can’t help but notice when you are studying other players. His quickness off the ball and ability to affect the quarterback are frequent themes on his tape.
With Cam Ward and the offense being a huge focus during the offseason, turning the attention to the defense and the edge position makes perfect sense at this point. Veteran Arden Key is entering the final year of his contract, and both Dre’Mont Jones and Lorenzo Carter were inked to one-year deals.
The team did sign UCLA edge Oluwafemi Oladejo in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, looking toward the future, but they will need to add more to the unit moving forward.