Feb. 23, 2026, 4:57 p.m. ET

The Tennessee Titans have a ton happening around the team right now. They have an (almost) entirely new coaching staff, there are player evaluations to do for free agency and the draft, their new logo was “leaked,” and they have a new uniform coming out in 2026. There’s a lot to discuss, but today, we’re going to focus on the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

It’s mock draft season, and analysts and outlets are poring over the players who have declared for the draft to determine which player each team might pick. The consensus around the Titans is that they’ll draft an edge rusher with the No. 4 overall pick, and that holds true in the latest CBS Sports mock draft, where they are predicted to select Rueben Bain Jr. out of Miami.

Bain was as dominant a defensive lineman as we’ve seen since Will Anderson Jr. at Alabama. He brings elite power in both phases and wins as an excellent technician with his hands, beating opponents with physicality or finesse. Bain has a high motor, plays the game the right way and shows strong attention to detail. His measurements might not wow everyone, but his film is elite, and he offers versatility to kick inside in pass-rushing situations if needed. New Titans coach Robert Saleh has to be licking his chops.

The Titans’ defense did not perform well in 2025, and that’s putting it mildly and nicely. They had no presence on the edge, despite bringing in veteran help. Most platforms agree that the Titans will go with an edge rusher with their first pick; sometimes it’s Bain, and sometimes it’s Texas Tech’s David Bailey. With Robert Saleh at the helm of the team in 2026, you can expect the defense to see a large turnaround as Saleh and Gus Bradley focus on improving that side of the ball.

Bain is the top-ranked edge rusher in this draft class, and the Titans would be foolish not to consider him. What they’ll need to evaluate the most between Bain and Bailey is fit. Which one has the skill set that most complements the players the Titans already have? Which one has the personality that’s going to uplift this defense and help get them back to where they need to be? Character traits are just as important as on-field skill sets, so Saleh & Co. will have to conduct thorough evaluations to determine which one is best for this team.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.