The Tennessee Titans are hard at work this offseason, signing free agents, having prospective draft picks in for visits and workouts, and doing everything they can to put together a winning roster. The hiring of Robert Saleh has ignited the Titans organization and fanbase, and the only thing that can top that is who they land with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Analysts and insiders have differed of late on who the Titans will pick in the first round. There was a heavy focus on Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey initially, then there was some Jeremiyah Love love, and now it’s all over the place.

Advertisement

Aside from the Love talk, the consensus has largely been that the Titans will select a defensive player. ESPN’s Field Yates released a two-round mock draft, and he leans in that direction.

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The Titans don’t have a glaring need at pass rush after trading for Jermaine Johnson and signing John Franklin-Myers. But new coach Robert Saleh shouldn’t mind more help at linebacker behind Johnson, Franklin-Myers and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.

Styles has put together about as good of a final season and predraft process as you could ask for. He dominated on the field in 2025, finishing with the third-highest tackle percentage in the FBS (97.5%). Then at the combine, he posted the highest vertical jump by an off-ball linebacker since 2003 (43½ inches) and ran the fastest 40 at his position (4.46). Styles is instinctive and long at 6-5, with the versatility to cover or blitz as a former safety.

When Styles is on the field, opposing offenses are on guard because you really never know what he’s going to do. He’s a fantastic linebacker who can act as an extra safety. He can line up anywhere on the field, and he is practiced at locating the ball quickly to shut down a play. He’s a natural athlete with excellent talent and tons of potential.

In the second round, the Titans have the 35th overall pick, and Yates sees the Titans addressing the other side of the ball.

Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech

If your goal is to get tougher in this draft, good luck finding a player that fits that bill better than Rutledge. The physical, grading guard personified what was a hard-nosed, relentless program at Georgia Tech. Tennessee needs to continue to fortify the offensive line, especially as guard Kevin Zeitler’s plans for 2026 remain undecided.

The Titans have already made some changes along the offensive line during free agency, but drafting a talented guard is a good idea. As Yates says, Kevin Zeitler remains an unknown, and they have to operate as if he won’t be there.

Advertisement

If that’s the case, regardless of who they brought in during free agency, they still need depth along the line, and they need to create competition to ensure the best players are out there protecting Cam Ward.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans get ‘tougher’ in latest two-round Field Yates mock draft