Featured Photo: ASU junior defensive back Keith Abney II (1) celebrates after securing the game-winning interception during a game against West Virginia at Mountain America Stadium on Nov. 15, 2025, in Tempe. (Photo Credit / Anthony Cavale)
After this Sunday, the 2025-2026 NFL season will have come and gone. With that, the entire NFL officially enters the offseason.
The highlight of the offseason is always, by far, the NFL draft. The draft comes with an air of hope for each and every team in the NFL.
Whether you’re at the top of the draft–like the Titans–and are hoping for a franchise anchoring player, or if you’re at the bottom of the draft and are looking for that one piece that might take your team to the next level, you can always imagine a bright future for your team on draft night.
The NFL draft has not always been kind to the Titans–see Treylon Burks, Caleb Farley or Isaiah Wilson (disgusting)–but a good draft class from new general manager Mike Borgonzi has, hopefully, reassured some fans.
This article takes a look at Borgonzi’s next potential class and how they can help the Titans win games next season.
Round 1 | Pick 4: Reuben Bain | Edge | University of Miami
Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) reacts after a tackle against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium on Oct. 25, 2024.
(Photo Credit / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)
In 2025, Reuben Bain had 12 sacks and 68 hurries to go along with a dominant 23.5% pass rush win rate per pro football focus. That means in around one-in-four of his pass rush snaps, he beat the man in front of him.
Bain is another victim of the early hype machine of the draft cycle. Each year we see a player come out of the gates swinging, and people prepare to make them the first overall pick. Then, once a flaw in that player is pointed out, the hype runs away and that player becomes undervalued. We’ve seen this happen with players such as Kyle Hamilton, Brock Bowers and Jackson Smith-Njigba. This year, Reuben Bain is that player, and the flaw is his arm length.
A frequently discussed topic in the NFL draft is the value of arm length on the offensive and defensive line. You might hear the number “33 inches” floated around league discussions as the minimum arm length for successful players. However, many pass rushers have success despite the lack of length. At defensive end–Bain’s presumed position–guys such as Markus Golden, Aidan Hutchinson and Trey Hendrickson have all prospered in the NFL with sub 33-inch arms. The question is whether or not Bain’s power and technique can compensate for this shortcoming, and many believe he can.
Bain’s value on the new Titans defense is obvious. He’d immediately be the 2nd best pass rusher on the team–no small feat on a line with Jeffery Simmons. Bain would occupy the defensive end position on Robert Saleh’s 4-3 defense–a position he’s especially equipped to occupy due to his elite run stopping ability that came second to his ability to get after the quarterback. Bain is Saleh’s shiny new toy to play with for his first season as head coach.
Other options: Carnell Tate(WR), Jordyn Tyson(WR) or David Bailey (DE)
Round 2 | Pick 35: Keith Abney II | Corner | Arizona State University
Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Keith Abney II (1) and defensive back Shamari Simmons (7) celebrate during the game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Arizona State Sun Devils at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory (Photo Credit / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
To start the 2025 season, the Titans had a strong defensive backfield: Roger McCreary, Jarvis Brownlee, L’Jarius Sneed and Amani Hooker. The defensive back room looked almost like a strength of the Titans defense. However, by the end of the season, the Titans were left with just Hooker. The Titans’ corner room needs serious reinvigorating, and Keith Abney II is just the guy to start that process.
At 6-foot, 190 pounds, Abney fits the prototypical size for a cornerback in Saleh’s defense–big enough to play against the run but still nimble enough to handle himself in coverage. Abney’s specialty is in zone coverage, which was Saleh’s most run coverage in 2025 by a wide margin. Abney also provides a lot of experience with two years starting at outside corner for Arizona State and just over 1,500 snaps at corner in general for the Sun Devils.
Abney immediately plugs in as the Titans’ starting outside corner for the 2026 season and gives the Titans’ secondary some juice, along with 2025 draft pick Marcus Harris in the slot and a likely free agent corner at the other outside spot.
Other options: Anthony Hill Jr.(LB), Colton Hood(CB) or Omar Cooper Jr.(WR)
Round 3 | Pick 66: CJ Daniels | Receiver | University of Miami
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver CJ Daniels makes a one handed catch for a touchdown against Notre Dame in Hard Rock Stadium on Aug. 31, 2025 (Photo Credit / Peter Joneleit-AP Photo)
CJ Daniels put up 557 yards on 50 receptions this season to go along with seven touchdowns–a good statline for a Miami offense that preferred to run the ball and let their elite defense take over games. He exhibits a strong ability in both the medium and short area of the field for his size and consistently brought in tough catches for the Miami offense with a 67.4% contested catch rate and 11 contested catches overall.
Daniels projects to be a strong contested catch threat at the next level that would pair nicely with the underneath and intermediate threats of Chimere Dike, Gunnar Helm and Elic Ayomanor, who the Titans took in the draft just last year. Cam Ward and the Titans need someone who can bail them out of tight situations when no one is open, and the 6’2” 205 pound Daniels could be the perfect remedy for that.
The Titans should expect to add two, maybe even three, receivers to the team this offseason, and Daniels would be a pivotal addition to that room.
Other options: Chris Brazzell II(WR), Jonah Coleman(RB) or Zachariah Branch(WR)
These additions immediately bolster the defense of the Titans with NFL ready players in premium positions and gives Cam Ward a new weapon to help a weakness in the offense. The 2026 draft won’t be the turning point that turns the Titans into a Super Bowl contender, but it will continue to lay the groundwork for the future of the Titans.
