As with most teams atop the 2026 NFL Draft order, the Tennessee Titans are going to be entering their first season with a new head coach in Robert Saleh taking over. With Saleh coming in as a defensive-minded coach, he needed to hire the right offensive coordinator, and he did so with Brian Daboll.
That being said, they already have their franchise quarterback in place with Cam Ward, which makes things a bit easier. What they need to do is surround him with better playmakers on offense so his development isn’t stunted after all the changes Tennessee underwent last season.
Having a top-five pick in the draft will help, and with them having eight picks in total, they have the chance to truly get things back on track.
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Tennessee Titans 7-Round NFL Mock Draft
The Titans have key players like Cam Ward on offense and Jeffery Simmons on defense that will make this rebuild easier. With Saleh, this is his second stint as a head coach, so this time around, he will need to make sure to get the right talent throughout the draft for Tennessee to get younger and build better for the future.
In this installment of the 2026 NFL 7-Round Mock Draft series, TWSN analysts Marissa Myers and Steve Bradshaw go through what a successful draft would look like for the Titans.
Mock Draft Done Using the PFF Mock Draft Simulator
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State: First-Round Pick, Fourth Overall
There are a number of options in play for Tennessee at four, but they need to prioritize getting Ward some help. If the medicals for Jordyn Tyson check out well at the NFL Combine, it’s easy to see why we would be the WR1 in this class.
At 6’2, 200 pounds, Tyson is a smooth route runner and a great athlete. This past year at Arizona State, he played 242 snaps out wide and 81 in the slot (per PFF).
Between those two spots, Tyson showed he can win at any spot on the field.
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri: Second-Round Pick, 35th Overall
With Saleh now the head coach, he will look to focus on the defense as well in the draft and making sure the unit is top-notch. Tennessee has Jeffery Simmons, and his impact has still been felt as he led the team last year with 11 sacks.
Simmons can’t be the only one who is producing on the defensive line and needs help if the unit is going to take things to the next level.
One way they can do so is by drafting Zion Young. Young has the ability to win with his swim moves, and rips, and he is still developing spin moves off speed rushes. The violent demeanor he plays with helps him win regularly.
There is immense upside still to be unlocked with Young, making him an ideal player for Tennessee to build the defense around.
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State: Third-Round Pick, 66th Overall
In round three, it would make a ton of sense to go with another Arizona State prospect. Max Iheanachor would be brought in to help Cam Ward as well.
The thought behind selecting Iheanachor is to kick JC Latham inside to guard at some point to replace Kevin Zeitler. At 35 years old, it seems unlikely the Titans will bring him back in free agency.
Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State: Fourth-Round Pick, 101st Overall
To continue building around Ward, the Titans need a better ground game. After a season in which Tennessee finished with the third-fewest rushing yards per game with 93.5 yards. That isn’t sustainable for Ward, and is something that needs to be improved.
With Allen sitting here, he is an ideal target for the Titans. Allen is an impactful running back who runs with outstanding leverage, and elite vision. This has led to him having back-to-back seasons at Penn State where he finished with over 1,000 rushing yards.
His burst, and elusiveness would be crucial in turning the run game around.
Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt: Fourth-Round Pick, 140th Overall
Kyle Louis was the best player on the board in this spot, and he’s been a big riser after the Senior Bowl. Pairing Louis next to Cedric Gray would be extremely helpful for this defense.
Have to say…@Pitt_FB LB Kyle Louis was the best player on the field for both teams during the 3 days of practice in Mobile, AL this week. Just check the tape. He was everywhere. @K_009r @seniorbowl
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) January 30, 2026
We saw Louis dominate at Pitt as a sophomore, racking up 101 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and four interceptions. There may be bigger needs than linebacker at this point, but it’s hard to pass up on this kind of talent.
Hezekiah Masses, CB, Cal: Fifth-Round Pick, 142nd Overall
The Tennessee Titans need to completely revamp their cornerback room, especially with getting younger. Saleh should look to do this in free agency with young talent that is also proven in the NFL, but should look to continue to build the room out in the draft.
Masses would be ideal, as he has been great at anticipating routes and creating pass breakups. His mirroring ability and overall sticky coverage make him a cornerback that can be relied upon, and an ideal pick here for the Titans to take a chance on.
Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama: Sixth-Round Pick, 183rd Overall
Since we had the Titans wait until round five to draft Masses, it would make sense to double down at cornerback. In round six, Domani Jackson looks like the best option.
One of the key traits for Jackson is his size at 6’1” and 196 lbs. While he doesn’t look like a starting outside corner as of now, he has the mold that you can’t teach.
In terms of Jackson’s PFF grade, that has gone up each of the past three years. In 2025, he was only targeted 21 times on 300 coverage snaps.
That resulted in him allowing 16 catches for 135 yards and one touchdown (per PFF). While Jackson wasn’t able to record an interception in 2025, he had two in 2024.
James Thompson Jr, DL, Illinois: Seventh-Round Pick, 238th Overall
As the Titans need to fill out their defensive depth, they can look to do so here with Thompson Jr. With what Thompson Jr has shown with his ability to win with his strength, and timing, it makes him a player that can be relied on in a rotation. He has excelled against double teams, as well as generating a pass rush.
He is a high-effort player who can help make an impact and overall fill out Tennessee’s defensive line depth.
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