The Titans also traded for Jermaine Johnson II. They signed Jacob Martin in free agency. Saleh knows Franklin-Myers, Johnson, and Martin from previous coaching stops. The Titans also have Femi Oladejo and Jaylen Harrell on the roster.

None of those players are elite pass rushers. Franklin-Myers is easily the best listed, and should spend time inside next to Jeffery Simmons. Franklin-Myers taking snaps outside just means another average interior player (Solomon Thomas, Jordan Elliott) gets on the field.

Johnson is coming off a disappointing season in which he was ineffective while recovering from a 2024 torn Achilles. Martin is a rotational defender at best. Oladejo and Harrell still have a lot to prove.

The Titans could draft an EDGE rusher at No. 4 overall. If so, Rueben Bain Jr., Arvell Reese, and David Bailey are the consensus top three prospects at the position. We’ve ranked them 1-3 from the Titans’ perspective, using our analysis.

Can the Titans overlook Bain’s arm length deficiencies? He’s a physical tone setter who would finish this defensive line’s transformation. Bain is versatile enough to interchange with Franklin-Myers in an inside-outside role. His red-hot motor, active hands, and power would be an excellent fit to complete Saleh’s vision.

Arvell Reese feels like the in-house favorite to be selected by the New York Jets at No. 2 overall. He’s a versatile defender who will either continue playing as an off-ball linebacker, or make a full-time transition to EDGE. It’s easy to envision Saleh appreciating Reese as a prospect. He’s an EDGE-linebacker hybrid, playing two positions Saleh has a personal affinity for. His explosiveness, play strength, and athleticism would be well-utilized in this defense.

David Bailey was the most commonly mocked EDGE to the Titans roughly five-six weeks ago. That pattern has been somewhat discontinued. Bailey has straightline speed and explosion, but his lower-body agility and change of direction has been questioned. The Titans have similar EDGEs on the roster from a play-style perspective, so one wonders if Bain and Reese would be better fits.