NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The 2026 NFL Draft is this week.
This year, the Tennessee Titans have the No. 4 overall pick, and there are several directions the team could go.
Some experts believe the Titans will look to bolster the lines of scrimmage by taking an edge rusher or an offensive lineman, while others believe the team will take arguably the most exciting player in this year’s draft class, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
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With the draft right around the corner, News 2 is taking a look at the Titans’ first round picks over the last 10 years and how their careers turned out:
2016: Jack Conklin, Offensive Tackle, Michigan State (No. 8 overall pick)
Jack Conklin of Michigan State holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #8 overall by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
The Titans got an early return on Conklin as he dominated as a rookie, earning All-Pro honors in 2016. The organization ultimately declined his fifth-year option in 2019, and he would join the Browns in 2020 where he earned the second All-Pro honors of his career that season. Conklin was with the Browns until his release following the 2025 season.
2017: Corey Davis, Wide Receiver, Western Michigan (No. 5 overall pick from Los Angeles Rams) and Adoree’ Jackson, Defensive Back, USC (No. 18 overall pick)
Corey Davis of Western Michigan poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #5 overall by the Tennessee Titans (from Rams) during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
At the time and even looking back on it, this seemed to be such an exciting pair of first-round selections for the Titans in 2017. Davis was argued to be the top pass catcher in the draft — and was the first one off the board — while Jackson was widely regarded as the cornerback prospect with the best ball skills after showing his versatility at USC.
Davis played four strong seasons in Nashville, finishing with over 800 receiving yards in two of them. After his fourth season with the Titans, he signed with the New York Jets where he played two seasons before deciding to take a break from football and ultimately retiring from the NFL.
Jackson was also in Nashville for four seasons and played his best football in 2018 when he finished with a career high in tackles (67), interceptions (2) and fumble recoveries (2). He would go on to play for the New York Giants for four seasons and most recently was with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025. He is not on an active roster heading into the 2026 season.
2018: Rashaan Evans, Linebacker, Alabama (No. 22 overall pick from Baltimore Ravens)
While Evans proved to be more than serviceable for the Titans in his four years in Nashville, it’s safe to say he didn’t live up to the hype of being a first round pick. The Titans would decline his fifth-year option in 2021, and he ended up with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 where he had the best year of his career statistically. He bounced around from there to Philadelphia to Dallas and back to Atlanta and has not been on an active roster since 2023.
2019: Jeffery Simmons, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi State (No. 19 overall pick)
Jeffery Simmons of Mississippi State is announced as the first round pick of the Tennessee Titans during the NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
A sigh of relief as Simmons remains the Titans’ captain in 2026. Some people argue he’s one of if not the best defensive player in football right now. He just earned his first-ever First-team All-Pro selection in 2025, and he’s hungrier for more heading into the 2026 season. Now, will someone help him out? That’s a question Simmons and Titans fans alike are eager to know.
2020: Isaiah Wilson, Offensive Tackle, Georgia (No. 29 overall pick)
This may be the worst pick of them all, and it’s not even for what happened on the field; it’s for what happened off the field. Wilson saw little action at the NFL level as he was with the Titans for just one season before being traded to Miami. He spent some time there and with the New York Giants, where he was released in January 2022.
2021: Caleb Farley, Cornerback, Virginia Tech (No. 22 overall pick)
Farley was widely considered one of the best defensive back prospects in what was an already loaded draft class for secondary players in 2021. Injuries handicapped Farley from being able to reach his full potential at the professional level as he suffered a torn ACL as a rookie and had back surgery in 2022 that kept him out through 2023. Farley played three seasons in Nashville before playing with the Carolina Panthers in 2024. He has not returned to the field since.
2022: Treylon Burks, Wide Receiver, Arkansas (No. 18 pick; original pick traded to New York Jets; pick received from Philadelphia Eagles)
This is a pick that makes Titans fans shudder any and every time they think of it. What was supposed to be a turnkey replacement for AJ Brown turned into nothing more than a dud as Burks’ best season with the Titans was as a rookie when he caught 33 passes for 444 yards and one touchdown. After dealing with several injuries over his three seasons in Nashville and ultimately being waived last summer, he now plays for the Washington Commanders.
2023: Peter Skoronski, Offensive Guard, Northwestern (No. 11 overall pick)
Skoronski has probably been the Titans’ best pick this decade. His 79.0 overall PFF grade in 2025 was sixth among the 81 qualified guards. Taking the former left tackle and turning him into an interior offensive lineman has boded well thus far for both parties.
2024: JC Latham, Offensive Tackle, Alabama (No. 7 overall pick)
Alabama Offensive Tackle JC Latham holds up a jersey after being taken 7th overall by the Tennessee Titans during Day 1 of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2024 at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI. (Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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While Latham was a highly touted prospect out of Alabama, his career thus far has been underwhelming. PFF ranked him No. 79 of 89 offensive tackles in 2025 with eight sacks allowed. However, he was the fifth-best tackle with just one hit (on Cam Ward) allowed. He returns for his third season in the two-tone blue in 2026.
2025: Cam Ward, Quarterback, Miami (No. 1 overall pick)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces Miami quarterback Cam Ward after being chosen by the Tennessee Titans with the first overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
While his story is still being told, Ward is the new face of the Titans. Although it was a bumpy first season with the team, the best is yet to come for Ward. Whoever the Titans take in the first round will be Ward’s right-hand man in helping bring the team to the top of the league.
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