Heavy
Tennessee Titans free agency just got interesting. SI predicts two top-five edge rushers to Nashville — and that would change everything for the NFL Draft.
The Tennessee Titans might not be hunting for just one pass-rushing answer during 2026 NFL free agency. This Tennessee Titans’ free agency cycle could reshape the entire defensive identity Robert Saleh is building for the Tennessee Titans, with a bold edge prediction and a stacked free-agent class. There’s a new staff in town, which could dictate how aggressive Tennessee could get before the 2026 NFL Draft.
SI’s Bold Tennessee Titans Free Agency Prediction Could Change NFL Draft Plans
SI’s Conor Orr dropped one of the splashiest Titans-related predictions of the entire offseason cycle, writing that “two of the top-five edge rushers in free agency will wind up in Nashville.” Orr specifically pointed to the deep edge market, naming Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Odafe Oweh, Trey Hendrickson, Cam Jordan, and Arnold Ebiketie as available options.
Orr described Saleh’s ideal as a “hockey-style rotation of talented edge rushers” that would let him “realize the full potential of his defense.” That’s not just coachspeak — that’s a blueprint that requires serious free-agency spending.
If Orr’s prediction hits, the domino effect on the Tennessee Titans’ entire 2026 NFL Draft strategy could be huge. Names like Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Miami’s Rueben Bain, and Texas Tech’s David Bailey have dominated mock projections at No. 4 overall — a slot that’s been locked in on edge rusher for months, per AtoZ Sports. But if two premium edge rushers are already walking through the door in March, Tennessee’s draft board gets flipped upside down.
That’s where the conversation gets interesting for Titans fans. Wide receiver and cornerback sit right alongside edge as positions of dire need heading into the offseason. Calvin Ridley is widely expected to be cut from the roster after totaling just four touchdowns across two disappointing seasons, per FOX Sports’ Greg Auman.
L’Jarius Sneed appears headed for the same exit door after just 12 games in two injury-plagued years. The Tennessee Titans could be staring at two gaping holes at receiver and corner before free agency even opens.
What This Means for Tennessee Titans in 2026
If the Titans load up on edge talent through NFL free agency, the 2026 NFL Draft suddenly becomes a receiver-or-other conversation at No. 4 overall. Ohio State’s Carnell Tate has been floated as a first-round target for teams needing a game-breaking wideout, and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson is another name climbing boards.
There’s also been speculative buzz around Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love as a ceiling playmaker — and Orr himself predicted in the same SI column that Kansas City won’t draft Love in the first round, which could open an interesting door for other teams at the top.
Tennessee Titans New Coaches
The new Titans’ coaching staff adds another dimension to this. Saleh, Brian Daboll, and Gus Bradley are a massive overhaul from last year’s regime, and each brings a different lens to roster construction.
Daboll’s offensive track record with the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills suggests he’ll want every weapon possible for Cam Ward, while Bradley’s defensive pedigree aligns perfectly with the kind of aggressive edge-rushing identity Orr is projecting.
If the Tennessee Titans really do land two top-five edge rushers, this front office would have the flexibility to swing for a franchise-altering skill player in the draft — and that’s the kind of offseason the Titans haven’t had in a very long time.
Justin Carlucci brings 13+ years of journalism experience to Heavy. A veteran of multiple industry-leading companies, he has hosted SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio shows and contributed to the New York Post, combining traditional sports and news reporting with expertise in sports betting and fantasy sports. More about Justin Carlucci
More Heavy on Titans
Loading more stories