Yes, the 2026 NFL Draft is still six months away. Yes, the Tennessee Titans still have eight games to go. Yes, the Titans haven’t even begun interviewing coaches yet, let alone hired one. And yes, making any predictions about who’ll be available in the draft in November, let alone who’ll be highly valued by the end of the evaluation cycle, is a bit of a fool’s exercise.

But if the season ended today, the Titans would own the No. 1 pick in the draft. Again. The way this season’s gone, no one would be surprised if the Titans held onto that prize, or at the very least landed somewhere in the top five. So as the college season hustles toward the playoff, and the Titans’ needs become more and more obvious with each week, let’s take our first swing at identifying some prospects who Titans fans can and should familiarize themselves with.

Here are 10 names Titans fans need to know heading into NFL draft season.

Rueben Bain, OLB, Miami

Could the Titans use the No. 1 pick on a playmaker out of Miami back-to-back years? Bain is on his way to a likely All-America season, ranking third in the FBS in quarterback pressures. Questions will persist about Bain’s ability to finish pressures with sacks, and whether his measurables will keep him atop draft boards. But pop on his tape against teams like Notre Dame, Florida and Florida State and it’s easy to see why he’s the consensus No. 1 player in the class for now.

Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

As the 2025 season’s progressed, Reese has closed the gap with Bain. The Buckeyes use Reese as an all-purpose linebacker, but he shines as a rusher. He’s notched at least one sack in seven of nine games this year while spending fewer than half his snaps as a true rusher. With Reese’s frame and athletic traits, he projects to be a handful of an edge defender if assigned the job full-time.

David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech

With all respect to Reese and Bain, Bailey has been college football’s actual most productive pass rusher in 2025. He’s logged 11 more pressures than any other player in college football and he leads the FBS in sacks. Never knock the value of production, especially not from a four-year contributor who keeps getting better.

Teams will have to wait another year to get their chances at Class of 2027 receivers Jeremiah Smith, Cam Coleman and Ryan Williams, to name a few. Tyson gets the unfair distinction of being the top-rated receiver everyone’s looking past in favor of those stars. He’s hardly a slouch, with a big-frame built for contested catches and a knack for making plays in the intermediate passing game. But he’s a lot less likely to be considered at No. 1 than he would be lower in the top 10.

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Every year there’s an undeniable prospect from a non-premium position who’d be a slam-dunk No. 1 pick candidate if positional value wasn’t a factor. In 2024 it was Brock Bowers. In 2025 it was Ashton Jeanty. In 2026, it’ll be Downs. He’s a do-everything safety who’s been earmarked as a top pick since his freshman year. It’s just too bad safety’s pretty low on the Titans’ list of pressing needs.

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 37.9 when throwing at Delane this year. Coincidentally, opposing quarterbacks also have a completion percentage of 37.9% when throwing at Delane this year. As LSU’s struggled, Delane’s been steady. If the Titans land in (or trade back into) the 8-15 range in the middle of the first round and can find Delane, consider that a steal.

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

More than just the obligatory tie to the state of Tennessee, McCoy was an All-SEC stalwart for the Vols in 2024 who graded out as one of the country’s best in standout performances against teams like Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia. Injuries have kept him off the field in 2025, so that’s a big question mark for a Titans team that’s been burnt by drafting players with preexisting ailments before. But the track record and talent is fairly undeniable.

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

It’s no secret the Titans need explosiveness. Enter Lemon, who’s third in college football with 450 yards after catch while still averaging more than 10 yards on his average depth of target. Translation: He’s catching the ball pretty far downfield, and he keeps going after he’s caught the ball. The Titans haven’t had a player who produces like Lemon in a good while.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Every great era of Titans football has started with a running back. If the Titans want to look for their next Eddie George, Chris Johnson or Derrick Henry, Love is the first candidate to consider. He’s balanced, explosive, elusive and plenty capable as a receiver too. First-round running backs can often be luxury picks, but if the Titans trade back and acquire multiple first rounders, Love should at least be considered.

Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

A little bit of prestige has washed off Woods since he entered the season as one of the prime candidates to go No. 1 overall. The talent hasn’t gone anywhere, though, and he’s peaked back up lately. This isn’t a pressing need if the Titans hold onto Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat. But the best-player-available consideration could still loom.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at  nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.