The Tennessee Titans are generating serious buzz as the NFL schedule release draws near—but not everyone is buying the hype just yet.

After two straight 3-14 seasons, skepticism is understandable. But for those who've been paying attention to the team's massive offseason overhaul, there's reason to believe brighter days are ahead. Austin Mock of The Athletic recently released his NFL Projection Model, and it doesn't paint a pretty picture for Tennessee. His assessment? Very little movement from last year's struggles.

Mock points to quarterback Cam Ward and the interior defensive line as the only bright spots. And even the excitement around Ward comes with a caveat: he's a former No. 1 pick entering his second year who played in a terrible situation last season. He wasn't great, but the potential for a major leap is real. The Titans are also banking on rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate to follow the path of recent Ohio State standouts and contribute immediately.

Beyond those pieces, Mock sees the rest of the roster as below average.

But here's where the projection might miss the mark. Ward's early struggles were real, but his game took off after Brian Callahan was fired. Down the stretch, the Titans' offense played at a high level, and Ward's performance was far better than the raw numbers suggest. That late-season surge is a sign of things to come.

Defensively, the additions at cornerback should transform a unit anchored by Jeffery Simmons and linebacker Cedric Gray. This new-look defense has the talent to take a significant step forward in 2026.

Yes, questions remain along the interior offensive line—that's a fair reason for caution. But as a whole, the Titans are clearly trending upward. There are plenty of reasons to be excited about what's being built in Nashville.