The Tennessee Titans’ front office is off and running in its search for the team’s next head coach, with multiple interviews already scheduled and surely more to be announced in the coming days. While the next head coach remains unknown, whoever gets the job will have to join Mike Borgonzi in rebuilding a roster that enters the offseason with significant depth questions. 

In his first season as general manager, Borgonzi did a solid job of infusing the roster with young talent. Between his offseason acquisitions and his draft, the Titans’ youth movement was clear, and the young players grew and gained some important experience throughout the season, with his first draft class playing significant roles all year. 

Like every draft class, there were some ups and downs as the rookies gained experience, but when the dust settled, it was a tremendous season for this class. 

Here is how Titans Wire graded the Titans’ rookie class.

Round 1: QB Cam Ward

Ward started the season slowly, but was playing his best football before injuring his shoulder in the season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Prior to the injury, he had started all 17 games, played every offensive snap for the Titans, and appeared to improve each game. Ward finished the season with a Titans’ rookie record 3,169 passing yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and added two rushing touchdowns. 

Ward finished the season by giving fans reason to believe they have their franchise quarterback in place, throwing multiple touchdowns in each of his last four completed games, including wins over the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs.

While it wasn’t always pretty, Ward accomplished this behind a porous offensive line early in the season and a depleted wide receiving corps down the stretch. If the Titans can add some playmakers, Ward has a chance to be a great one. 

Grade: B+

Round 2: Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo

The Titans knew that Oladejo was a raw prospect when they selected him in the second round and had hoped he would gain valuable experience and improve throughout the season. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Oladejo was injured in Week 6 and missed the final 11 games of his rookie season with a broken fibula. He returned to practice for the final weeks but was unable to progress enough to return to the active roster. 

Prior to the injury, his play was uneven, and at times, he looked out of place. While his physicality and athleticism were evident, it was clear he needed more seasoning. He finished his rookie season with 11 total tackles (four solo) and 1.5 sacks in a rotational role. 

While he was not an impact player, he still has some upside and should be better in year two, but his rookie season was nothing special.

Grade: C

Round 3: S Kevin Winston Jr. 

With Winston coming off an ACL injury early in his final college season, any impact from the rookie safety during his rookie season would be a bonus. After being cautious with him early in the season, Winston finally ascended into the starting lineup in the middle of the season, flashed playmaking skills, and added an athletic presence to the secondary. 

Unfortunately, his rookie season was cut short by a hamstring injury, and he finished the year on injured reserve. He finished the season with 34 total tackles (21 solo) and one sack, and looks like a building block in the back end of their defense. 

Grade: B

Round 4: WR Chimere Dike

Dike might have been the biggest surprise from the rookie class. While he flashed explosiveness as an offensive wide receiver, his impact on special teams helped transform the unit into one of the best in the NFL. Dike broke Tim Brown’s rookie record for all-purpose yards in a season and led the NFL in that category, leading to his first Pro Bowl nod as the AFC’s return specialist. 

As a receiver, he finished the season with 48 receptions for 423 yards and four touchdowns, and chipped in another 18 yards rushing. But as a return man, he added 1588 yards on kickoff returns and another 398 yards and two touchdowns as a punt returner. 

Grade: A+

Round 4: TE Gunnar Helm

Helm was also a surprise in 2025 and by the end of the season, carved out a role as a reliable target for Ward while improving as an in-line blocker. Helm proved to be a three-down player, and his performance solidified the tight end room. 

Helm finished his rookie season with 44 receptions for 357 yards and two touchdowns. 

Grade: B

Round 4: WR Elic Ayomanor

Ayomanor was widely regarded as a steal when the Titans grabbed him in the fourth round, and the rookie wideout proved to be a solid addition to the offense. More of a possession receiver, Ayomanor worked his way up the depth chart and was a consistent target for Ward. 

While he does have to work on his drops and route running to take the next step, he proved to be a capable receiver who would benefit from a true top wide receiver opposite him. He finished the year with 41 receptions for 515 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games. 

Grade: B-

Round 5: OL Jackson Slater

Slater saw limited action as a rookie, but did gain some valuable snaps at the end of the season and flashed some potential. With Kevin Zeitler entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, Slater should be in the mix at right guard in 2026.

Grade: Incomplete

Round 6: CB Marcus Harris

Harris was thrust into the starting slot cornerback role once the Titans traded Roger McCreary and exceeded expectations. The feisty cornerback out of California helped steady the secondary and was improving before being knocked out with a knee injury and finishing the season on injured reserve. He finished the season with 28 total tackles (14 solo) in 14 games with five passes defensed and one forced fumble. 

Grade: B+

Round 6: RB Kalel Mullings

Mullings was brought in to be a power complement to Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard in the Titans’ backfield, but instead suffered through an injury-filled rookie season after flashing during the preseason. 

Mullings was able to work his way back and record a few carries down the stretch, but the injuries robbed him of some valuable experience and the ability to carve out a role. He finished with three carries for seven yards.

Grade: Incomplete