This year’s draft class is considered weaker than those of recent years by top brass around the league, though the depth at several positions is highly regarded as well. The Tennessee Titans will be in a position to address their needs, particularly at defensive end, wide receiver, and tight end, in a draft class stocked with many heralded prospects at each position.
In the latest seven-round mock draft by ESPN’s Jordan Reid, the Titans begin by selecting Texas Tech outside linebacker David Bailey, deemed “the best pass rusher in the draft,” with the No. 4 overall pick.
The Titans have to choose between finding explosive playmakers for second-year QB Cam Ward or continuing to revamp their defensive front. We're going with Option B and projecting them to take the best pass rusher in the draft. Bailey's first step is lethal, which helped him to an FBS-high 14.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss last season. Tennessee already has All-Pro Jeffery Simmons and brought in John Franklin-Myers and Jermaine Johnson II this offseason, so adding Bailey could give the team a ferocious front four.
Bailey led the nation in sacks last season with 14.5 and recorded 19.5 tackles for loss. His combination of size, speed, and natural feel for the game cannot be overstated for a team in need of an edge rusher — and the Titans sit near the front of that market.
Tennessee also selects Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston with the No. 35 overall pick in the second round, as well as Northwestern offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan with the No. 66 overall pick in the third round.
Boston is a big, physical outside receiver who aggressively attacks passes out of the air. He has excellent hand-eye coordination to haul in downfield passes and would give Cam Ward another reliable perimeter target.
Boston is lauded for his ability to make contested catches down the field and for his large catch radius at 6-foot-3. He posted 881 receiving yards and 11 touchdown receptions in 2025.
Tiernan allowed just three sacks and 13 total pressures last season. The Titans need more protection for quarterback Cam Ward, and Tiernan is projected to provide that level of performance at the next level.
The Titans also select Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal at No. 101 overall, Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson (No. 142), Oklahoma guard Febechi Nwaiwu (No. 144), Virginia running back J’Mari Taylor (No. 184), Iowa cornerback TJ Hall (No. 194), and SMU tight end Matthew Hibner (No. 225).
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: David Bailey headlines Titans' picks in ESPN's latest 7-round mock draft