Tennessee Titans vs Texans analysis after fifth straight loss
The Tennessee Titans lost to the Houston Texans 16-13 for the Titans’ fifth consecutive defeat.
It took a game-winning field goal as time expired but the Houston Texans handed the Tennessee Titans their fifth loss in a row in Week 11 action of the 2025 NFL regular season.
Tennessee returned from the bye and played well, especially on defense. Houston managed just 75 yards on the ground all game as the Titans held strong in the trenches.
As we enter the second half of the regular season, the Titans are looking forward to an offseason of change. It’s been months since coach Brian Callahan was fired and the franchise will be looking for his replacement. That’ll be a compelling job, though, as 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward is an enticing talent to build around.
The best way to build a contender around him is via the NFL draft. After Week 11’s slate of games, the Titans are projected to have the No. 1 overall pick once again – one of their eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What could they do with all of that draft capital? The 2026 NFL Draft class offers a lot of depth at multiple positions. Linebacker, interior offensive line and defensive line are all full of quality players. Teams can find rookie starters on Day 2 of the draft at those positions. A rising wide receiver and cornerback class also offers options for teams that may miss out on the top prospects in Round 1.
Here’s our latest prediction for how the Titans’ draft could go come April:
Titans 2026 NFL mock draftRound 1, No. 1 overall: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. is often in the conversation for the top pick should the Titans have it for the second year in a row. His numbers and play overall in 2025 make that a relatively safe pick. But we’re going with a bit of a curveball here with Faulk.
The Auburn defensive linemen is one of the youngest prospects in the class and boasts impressive versatility at 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds. He doesn’t have the counting statistics that other prospects do but teams draft high in the first round based on traits. As far as those go, there are few better in the first round.
His powerful hands and frame means he can line up inside or at edge for a creative defensive play-caller and wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines. He’s drawn comparisons to Calais Campbell for his versatility and size on the line.
Round 2, No. 33 overall: OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
There weren’t viable top-three pick options along the offensive line. A round later and things are a bit better value-wise. Tiernan’s excellent in pass protection already with the footwork and hand usage to take on NFL rushers thanks to his 6-foot-7, 325-pound frame. That’d be a welcome sight for Ward in year two.
JC Latham may stay entrenched on the right side into the future. Tiernan could slide in on the left side (alongside fellow Northwestern alum Peter Skoronski) where he played for each of his last three seasons in college. If the team would rather keep Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle to start the year, Tiernan would be more than capable of kicking inside at the other guard spot and providing solid zone-blocking skills from day one.
Round 3, No. 65 overall: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
Hood’s teammate Jermod McCoy will likely hear his name called early in Round 1 but Tennessee’s other cornerback won’t be too far behind him. He boasts prototypical size at 6-foot and 195 pounds with awareness to play well in either man or zone coverage schemes.
Cornerbacks Jalyn Armour-Davis and Darrell Baker Jr. are both hitting free agency in 2026. L’Jarius Sneed will be 29 by the start of next season and missed much of this year with injury. Shoring up the position on the outside could add another young player to develop alongside Marcus Harris and Kevin Winston Jr. in the secondary.
Round 4, No. 101 overall: Edge Mikail Kamara, Indiana
Jihad Ward and Arden Key are both hitting free agency in 2026 and on the wrong side of 30. Tennessee’s set for the most cap space in the league for 2026 and could opt to keep both of them in-house. Whether they re-sign them or not, more edge rush depth is needed.
Kamara’s slightly undersized at 6-foot-1 but is a stout 265 pounds with an explosive first step and good bend to get around taller tackles. His drop-off in sacks in 2025 – just one through 10 games compared to 10 in 13 games in 2024 – is puzzling considering his other pressure numbers have remained consistent. Because of that, he may slide to the top of Day 3 to Tennessee’s benefit.
Round 5, No. 141 overall: RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Like Hood, Price’s teammate at the position is one of the top prospects in the class. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is a near-lock for the first round come April but Price is a standout who could be a late-round steal. Tennessee invested in wide receiver and tight end in last year’s draft and could address the backfield this time.
He offers solid size at 5-foot-11 and 209 pounds and can be a contributor as both a runner and receiver early on. Because Love’s the feature back in South Bend, Price doesn’t have as much wear as other running backs in this class. His breakaway speed could make him an immediate contributor in the return game as well.
Round 5, No. 145 overall (via New York Jets): IOL Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
Kevin Zeitler will be a free agent in 2026 and 36 years old by the start of the season. Tennessee has the money to retain him if they want but could also address the interior via the draft with a standout run-blocking guard like Reed-Adams.
The Texas A&M guard stands 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds and his power is easily evident on film. He can overwhelm defenders with his strength to maul them in the run game with an attitude coaches will enjoy. He does have some limitations as a pass blocker, especially when handling more athletic rushers, and will need some development with his hand usage.
Round 6, No. 179 overall: S Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa
Nwankpa is one of the better size-speed athletes at the position in this draft at 6-foot-1 and 213 pounds. He has the size, power and tackling abilities to stick as a box safety if needed with the speed to drop into coverage. Iowa’s built a reputation for churning out good defensive players. He’s not on Cooper DeJean’s level as a prospect but still worth a late-round selection.
Winston Jr. could stick at as a starter into the future for the Titans and Amani Hooker is signed long-term at the other safety spot. Nwankpa fits in as a prospect worth developing into an impactful nickel defender who could become versatile enough to play off the edge in run defense and cover myriad slot receivers.
Round 7, No. 240 overall (via Los Angeles Chargers): WR Barion Brown, LSU
Ward built a reputation as a thrilling big-play passer during his time at Miami and Washington State. One way to get more of that is to provide a deep threat in the passing game and that’s where Brown could fit in.
Brown stands 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds with likely sub-4.3 second speed in the 40-yard dash. Through his first 10 games of 2025, Brown average a 9.5-yard average depth of target (ADOT) per Pro Football Focus data. He primarily lined up out wide to maximize his speed. Much like Price at Notre Dame, LSU’s stable of pass-catchers makes it hard for Brown to stand out. He may be overlooked and end up as a great value pick on Day 3.