Beyond the early rounds, a promising receiver emerges as a potential Day 3 gem for the Titans, bolstering their passing attack.
The talk among Tennessee Titans fans heading into the 2026 NFL Draft has been about who the team will take with the fourth-overall pick.
After General Manager Mike Borgonzi said the team's draft strategy is to take the best player available, the talks around Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love have been heating up.
Then, there have been mock drafts containing edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey, as well as Ohio State products Carnell Tate and Sonny Styles.
Any of those players would be good picks in my opinion, but what about the second round and beyond?
ESPN's Jordan Reid had one of the answers for who the Titans could take as a Day 3 or 4 pick.
Reid shared that Georgia State receiver Ted Hurst has been mentioned frequently by Titans' sources.
"Even after signing Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency, the Titans likely aren't done adding pass catchers, but more additions probably won't come until Round 3 or 4," Reid said. "Ted Hurst (Georgia State) has been frequently mentioned when discussing the Titans' receiver options with sources."
Hurst started his college career at Valdosta State in 2022. He stayed there for two seasons before transferring to Georgia State in 2024.
Hurst played in all 12 games for the Panthers in 2024, finishing with 961 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He followed that up by recording 1,004 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season.
I understand there may be hesitation to take a receiver when the Titans already have Calvin Ridley, Wan'Dale Robinson, Chimere Dike, and Elic Ayomanor on the roster.
However, this team needs more depth at the position.
As it stands, the rotational receivers are currently Bryce Oliver, Mason Kinsey, Xavier Restrepo and Hal Presley III. There isn't a ton of game experience between those four players.
I think this move makes sense for the Titans, who have more important needs than just a receiver. Even if the Titans end up taking Love at No. 4, there are still other needs for another starting edge rusher, or depth at interior offensive line, linebacker, or cornerback.
Tennessee could address more pressing needs and then focus on a lesser need, like receiver, later in the draft with a player like Hurst if he's still available.
Giving Cam Ward more weapons in the passing game is never a bad thing for a young, promising quarterback like the Titans' gunslinger. Adding Love could definitely help take the pressure off the passing game, but so could using a Day 3 pick on a player like Hurst.
After how disappointing the Titans' offense was in the passing and running games, this team needs all the help it can get. Tennessee had the fourth-fewest passing yards (190.6) and third-fewest rushing yards per game (93.5).
I say take care of other needs first, and then come back to receiver later on in rounds three or four.