Scouts suggest ample edge rusher talent exists beyond the top rounds, freeing the Titans to prioritize other critical positions with their early pick.
The Tennessee Titans have the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after yet another 3-14 season.
With that pick, there are a lot of different ways that the team could go. I wrote about the possible scenarios the Titans could use with the No. 4 pick, highlighting receiver, linebacker, running back and edge rusher as some of the positions they could target.
At receiver, there's a chance Carnell Tate could be available. The Titans could use more depth in the receiving room, with Mason Kinsey, Xavier Restrepo, Hal Presley III and Bryce Oliver as the backups.
Sonny Styles offers the Titans a player with off-the-charts versatility and athleticism.
After the recent comments from General Manager Mike Borgonzi, the Titans could be going with Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Borgonzi stated that the team's draft strategy is the best player available.
Edge rusher would take care of a big need as well. Jermaine Johnson is going to start on one end of the defensive line, but there aren't many great options for the other starter.
Femi Oladejo is projected to start, but he only played in six games last season. Jacob Martin is the next best option, accounting for 5.5 sacks last season with the Washington Commanders.
Or, there are players like Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey available at edge rusher. However, a recent revelation from various NFL scouts and executives may reinforce the Titans' strategy of taking the best player available.
104.5 The Zone's Zach Lyons shared what they said, and it sounds like Tennessee could definitely afford to take an edge rusher later rather than sooner.
One scout noted how there is a surplus of talent at the position, especially once you get into the second through the fourth rounds of the draft. Outside of Bain and Bailey, there are still players like Zion Young, Keldrick Faulk, T.J. Parker, and Akheem Mesidor to choose from.
Another shared that there are many good 4-3 defensive ends, which is the system Robert Saleh will run with the Titans.
"There's a lot of very good 4-3 defensive ends," another scout said. "I don't know that there's a lot of playmakers at the top of (the draft). There's a lot of mid-second round to the top of the fourth. You can get some really good players that will help your team. I just don't know that any will be really dynamic."
This sounds like a great scenario for the Titans. Tennessee has other needs besides just edge rusher, and could address them before going after that position in the draft.
Various positions, like linebacker, interior offensive line, and secondary, could still use more depth.
At linebacker, there's Cedric Gray, Cody Barton and James Williams Sr. Outside of them, it's Cam Riley, Dorian Mausi and Mohamoud Diabate.
The interior offensive line consists of backups Jackson Slater, Garrett Dellinger, and Clay Webb. Corner is more secure, but the team could benefit from another slot corner, as Marcus Harris has five games played under his belt.
This would definitely make selecting a player like Tate, Styles or Love early on more feasible if the Titans still want to go after an edge rusher in the later rounds of the draft.
If what these scouts are saying is true, then the Titans would definitely be more motivated to wait to select an edge rusher until later in the draft.