Titans GM and coach signal a strategic "best player available" approach, eyeing game-changing talent on both offense and defense for the 2026 draft.
The Tennessee Titans have revealed their 2026 NFL Draft strategy, according to General Manager Mike Borgonzi.
Borgonzi shared at the NFL Owners Meetings that the team plans to take the best player available, no matter the position. This means they could take Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4 if they deem either the best available.
If Love or Tate live up to expectations, then passing on one of them would be a huge mistake.
There are also options to take an edge rusher like Rueben Bain Jr. or David Bailey, as well as a linebacker at No. 4 like Ohio State product Sonny Styles.
Head coach Robert Saleh echoed Borgonzi's remarks in the meetings and also made sure to let everyone know that playmakers aren't just on offense; they can be on defense, too.
Per Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com, Saleh noted that there's value in adding playmakers on both sides of the ball.
"Edge rushers are playmakers, too," Saleh said. "When you are drafting that high … you are looking at: Who can change the game in one play? And, edge rushers can change the game in one play. (Jeremiyah) Love is a very talented young man, and he can change it in one play. There's receivers who can change it in one play. Right now, we need guys and we need to develop guys currently on our roster who can change the game in one play and when you are looking at all these guys from a consistency standpoint, who can flip the game on its head? Edge rushers can close it, and skill guys can end it."
It seems that the Titans won't be afraid to lean one way or the other in the draft after hearing this from the head coach.
A case can be made to take any of the aforementioned prospects.
With Love, you are adding a dynamic running back similar to Tony Pollard, who can change a game with his legs, but can also catch passes out of the backfield and be a three-down player.
Tate can give an offense a deep threat, and is a great route-runner.
Bain or Bailey can give the Titans another starting-caliber edge rusher to take the pressure off of Jeffrey Simmons in the pass rush.
Styles is extremely athletic and could line up at multiple linebacker spots for the Titans, especially with Saleh's history of moving players around on defense.
Just because the Titans take one of these positions at number four doesn't mean that they won't be available later on. This is especially true for edge rushers, given how deep the class is at the position.
Even if the Titans can't get Bain or Bailey because they decide to go with either Love or Tate, there are plenty of capable edge rushers like Keldric Faulk, Zion Young and Akheem Mesidor who could be available in later rounds.
Whether it's on offense or defense, know that the Titans are looking for true game changers.