The Titan Standard

The countdown for the new league year to begin in the NFL is just a few days away. This time for teams provides the opportunity to reconstruct and stabilize rosters to compete starting in September. Of those teams, there are several teams that have been stuck for years in trying to dig themselves out of a hole. A hole where they only know defeat and constant humiliation from other NFL fanbases. One such team that is hoping to make right is the Tennessee Titans.

The Titans enter the 2026 offseason with a pretty hefty amount of optimism. For the first time in what seems like ages, (really only 3ish years), the Titans eagerly anticipate this team to take the field come September. The reasons of optimism is new Head Coach Robert Saleh, a competent and stable GM, a rising QB in Cam Ward and a young foundation of potential stars on both sides of the ball. But that is not enough to win games, let alone championships.

Although this team is granting hope to its fans, there is still some mighty improvements that need to be addressed. There are holes on this roster that time, money, and draft picks have to address. In the notes following you will see the list of needs the Titans should address this offseason. Within that need you will find what may be the best course of action to fill this hole on the roster. These needs are ranked from minor need to desperate need. Let’s begin.

Luxury Need: Running Back

Titans fans have been blessed in the Running Back position ever since the beginning of their franchise. They have been used to great ball carries tote the rock with a smashmouth style of football no other team could match (Derrick Henry, Chris Johnson, DeMarco Murray, Eddie George, etc.) but it can be easy to watch Titans games and assume something is missing. Although RB Tony Pollard has been majorly available and teammate Tyjae Spears has been a spark (when he’s on the field), you can say the Titans are missing something.

Last season you could place a lot of the blame on the offensive line for a lack of production, consistency, and reliability in regards to our RBs, but the truth is, Pollard is not what he was in Dallas and Spears is hard to rely on because of his medical history. As of now, the Titans have not made the decision to move on from either, thus making this not a desperate need. Pollard has one year left on his contract where he is due $6.7 million this season, rumors are swirling about the Titans moving forward.

Other rumors have noted the Titans have been “in love” with top RB draft prospect Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame. Fantasy Football Guru Matthew Berry stated the Titans view him as the best player in the draft. Now, with a multitude of other needs ahead of the RB position, taking Love at Pick #4 will raise excitement but also concerns.

Prediction: As much as the fans may wish and want the Titans to draft RB Love, the best course of action would be to turn to Free Agency. With RBs Tyler Allgeier, Kenneth Walker III, and Travis Etienne on the market, the Titans could make a swing with some money. But, if you look around the league, the RB position is becoming essential to a QB’s success and comforts in the NFL, thus, Cam Ward needs a new best friend. Alas, the smoke is too apparent and the LOVE is undeniable. Titans cut ties with either Pollard or Spears and pick Running Back Jeremiyah Love at Pick #4.

Minor Need: Offensive Line

Like the RB position, the Titans have been missing greatness, consistency, and reliability on the Offensive line. You could truly say the Titans Offensive line has been the “bane of my existence” for any QB that sits behind center and any RB who shifts left or right. Although the Titans offensive line was utterly atrocious to start the 2025 season, they began to mesh near the end of the season. But it cant be hidden, the Titans allowed 56 sacks in 2025, the most in the NFL, highlighting a glaring need for offensive line upgrades.

The Titans have two holes currently on the offensive line: Center and Right Guard. The Titans recently cut C Loyd Cushenberry just last week and free agent Kevin Zeitler is set to hit the open market next week. These are both integral holes to fill. Last season, the Titans signed big ticket free agent, Dan Moore, while some were skeptical of how much money he was paid, he certainly has given some stability to that position. LG Peter Skornoski is a nearing the end of his rookie deal, but he continually is mentioned among the top of guards in the NFL. On the right side of the tackle position, 2024 first round pick, JC Latham has had a roller coaster of a career – rattled with injuries, penalties, and inconsistencies – the Titans are left with some question marks.

There are multiple routes the Titans could take for solving the OL but with a young and rising QB behind this line, the one thing that is needed is stability. Thus, the Titans need to find starters on this line in Free Agency.

Prediction: Starting with Center, there are really two names that should grab the attention of the Titans front office – Tyler Linderbaum and Connor McGovern. Linderbaum is a heralded in the NFL as the top C in the NFL, plus he’s only 25 years old! McGovern is entering his 8^th season. This is likely the route the Titans will look at for C. For Right Guard, the Titans are looking for continuity and the best they can find that is in bringing back RG Kevin Zeitler on a new contract. So, the best course of action for the titans is, they will resign Zeitler to a one year – $10.5 million contract and sign big name Center Tyler Linderbaum to a 4 year contract with $90 million ($60M guaranteed, $22.5M/year). The Titans are headed the right direction with both these moves.

Moderate Need: Edge Rusher

Largely debated as the top need for this team, Edge Rusher comes at a Moderate Need. Now, if someone were to ask what the order of these needs were 2 weeks ago, this is easily number 1 or 2. After the recent trade with the New York Jets for Jermaine Johnson, the Titans are looking up from the hole of a game wrecker on the edge. Although trading NT T’Vondre Sweat for Jermaine Johnson is a gamble, it’s a worthwhile gamble. The Titans are reuniting Johnson with the same coach who got him to the best he’s been with a 7.5 sack season. With an even stronger defensive line because of Jeffery Simmons and 2^nd round pick Femi Oladejo, there is hope. But nothing is guaranteed.

Outside of QB, Edge Rusher is now considered the 2^nd most pivotal need on a roster. The Titans haven’t had a game wrecking Edge in how long? We can’t remember. The thought is to have an Edge that shortens the field for Cam Ward to score points, but also to get to the opposing QB, slow the run and contain mobile QBs…where can the Titans find such an answer?

This is where many eyes will be locked in on as the Titans move into 2026 with a new team. But what is the best way to address this need? The draft or free agency. Many media members and NFL masterminds are predicting the Titans will take one of the big 3 edge rushers at the top of the draft: David Bailey, Rueban Bain Jr., and Arvell Reese. But alongside that, you can copy the blueprint of the reigning super bowl Champions, the Seattle Seahawks and have a group of bruisers at edge that rotate throughout the downs and distance. In the free agency market, you have dominant Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. Recent breakout Odafe Oweh who had 7.5 sacks last season in LA, or free agent Kwity Paye who had 4.5 sacks last season. The options are truly numerous, so here’s what the Titans should do.

Prediction: The Titans can and should solve the Edge issue through two routes. First, free agency. Buy in on a young yet solid Edge Rusher for a two year deal and then turn to the draft in round 2 or 3 for another up and coming edge rusher who can be a rotational bruiser up front. The Titans will end up signing Edge Rusher Odafe Oweh for a 2 year deal worth $36 million. Then with the 35^th overall pick, the Titans select Mizzou Edge, Zion Young. This gives the Titans strength and speed on a much absent defensive line.

Major Need: Cornerback

This need might be the scarcest that is on the roster at the moment. Outside of 2025 6^th round draft pick Marcus Harris, there is no one on the inside and outside of the defense to play cornerback. This is a major need for the Titans this year. To stop the pass and stay in games, the Titans need at least 2-3 more corners you can rely on.

Currently, the Titans have yet to move on from CB L’Jarius Sneed who has been anything but reliable. The Titans also moved on from CB’s Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee as mid-season trades. There are a multitude of holes in this defense, and Cornerback takes the cake for this one. The Titans let up 30 passing TD’s last year – ranking 23^rd in the NFL. Along with that, the Titans gave up an average of 230.5 passing yards per game which points them in the bottom 10 of the league. This cannot continue.

There are only a few cornerbacks in the free agent market that may turn some heads like Jaylen Watson of Kansas City, Alontae Taylor out of New Orleans, and Nashon Wright from Chicago. This is a slim group of Cornerbacks to choose from, but thankfully, the Titans have the money to get the top guy. Like that, with some pretty substantial draft capital, the Titans can take a stab at a CB in round 3 or 4 to find a guy who can play against some 2’s and 3’s in the league.

Prediction: The options are slim for the Titans, but this is where having top dollar money is pinnacle. With top CB Jaylen Watson likely to return to KC after the Trent McDuffie trade, the Titans can turn to Alontae Taylor. The Titans will sign Taylor to a 3 year deal with $53 million giving the Titans a much-needed backbone on either the inside or outside for the CB position. In the draft the Titans take CB Chris Johnson in Round 3 and CB Domani Jackson from Alabama in round 6. This gives the Titans agility and some much-needed stability on the outside and inside of stopping getting bullied by the pass.

Desperate Need: Wide Receiver

The top need for the Titans entering the 2026 offseason is Wide Receiver. If you watched Titans games this past year there no doubt, there is something missing in the passing game. Whether that’s a field stretching deep threat, a YAC king, or a speed demon moving the chains. The Titans are missing “THAT DUDE”. This goes without saying, investing in this need should only happen with the perspective on investing in the future.

With a pair of 4^th round draft picks in Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor, the Titans were happy to see some budding stars stretch the field last year. Both Dike and Ayomanor notched more than 400 yards receiving and 4 receiving touchdowns. Outside of them, there’s a cloud of doom and gloom that Cam Ward will be victim of if not fixed. 2024 free agent signing, Calvin Ridley has been widely inconsistent and unavailable, but he is expected to be back in Tennessee in 2026.

The Titans need a guy who will stretch the field with hands that will get up his hands up high, catch the ball, and shift around defenders stretching the field. Thankfully for Tennessee, there are numerous options for the Titans to choose from. Let’s start by ruling out aging and flamed out receivers like Stefon Diggs, Mike Evans, and Tyreek Hill. The Titans need to steer away from those players for two reasons: 1 is invest in young players who will build with Cam Ward and #2 avoid any more allegations Tennessee is the retirement home for Wide Receivers. So, the Titans have two options in Free agency that are constantly linked too: WR Alec Pierce from Indy and WR Wan’Dale Robinson from New York. Along with those guys, you have a draft that is DEEP with Wide Receivers.

Prediction: Going along with what was mentioned above, the Titans need to invest in young and proven players. The great debate right now is either Alec Pierce or Wan’Dale Robinson. But the smoke with Robinson and OC Brian Daboll is fuming right now, the Titans sign him to a 4-year $70 million deal averaging $17.5 million a year. The Titans will also invest a 4^th round draft pick in Germie Bernard from Alabama giving Cam Ward a fountain full of explosive ball catchers and field stretchers. The Titans would be set in 2026 for a much-needed offensive improvement.

Conclusion

The Tennessee Titans need of a multitude of positions to fill holes across the roster. From needs that may not even be a need to a desperate need that cant be ignored, the Titans in the coming days and weeks will seek to address these to be in the best position to compete and win in 2026.