NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans are sitting pretty with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but Robert Saleh knows the roster needs more than just a top-five splash. After a 3-14 campaign that exposed depth issues at nearly every position, the front office is hunting for value in the later rounds. With nine total picks in his pocket, Saleh is looking for “his guys”—players with the grit and physical traits to survive the AFC South.
The Contested Catch King: CJ Daniels
Age is the only thing working against CJ Daniels. At 24 years old, he is one of the more seasoned prospects in the class. But turn on the tape from his 2025 season at Miami, and you see a technician. Standing 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, Daniels is a nightmare for smaller corners in the red zone. He won 62% of his contested catch opportunities last year, a number that pops off the page for a Titans team desperate for reliable targets.
He isn’t a burner. He won’t win many footraces down the sideline, and his yards-after-catch (YAC) numbers are modest. However, his “late separation” tactics make him a professional-grade route runner before he even signs a contract. If the Titans want a possession receiver who can move the chains on third-and-short, Daniels is the target at pick No. 155.
The Relentless Pursuit: Owen Heinecke
If Robert Saleh could build a linebacker in a lab, he might look like Owen Heinecke. The Oklahoma standout is 6-foot-1 and 227 pounds, playing with a ferocity that masks his lack of prototypical size. Heinecke was a Second-Team All-SEC selection last year, racking up 74 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. His background as a former college lacrosse player shows in his lateral agility and closing speed.
The catch? Heinecke is currently locked in a legal battle with the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility. He wants to return to the Sooners, but NFL scouts are already salivating over his 4.62-second 40-yard dash. He is a core special-teams demon from day one with the upside to start in a nickel defense. He plays like a dog chasing a mail truck, and that’s exactly the energy Saleh wants in Nashville.
“Owen’s just a guy you want to fight for… he came back last week, and we were watching practice together, and I think it got him really juiced up about the potential of maybe coming back here and being a Sooner.”
— Jim Nagy, Oklahoma General Manager
The Mountain: Travis Burke
You can’t coach 6-foot-9 and 325 pounds. Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke is a literal mountain of a man with 34.25-inch arms. He finished the 2025 season with a 84.5 PFF grade, proving he’s more than just a massive frame. Burke moves surprisingly well for his size, posting a 5.17-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He uses a heavy-handed punch to stall pass rushers at the point of attack.
He has some technical flaws, specifically with his footwork against elite speed rushers. He can get caught leaning, which is a death sentence in the NFL. But as a developmental swing tackle, Burke is a steal. The Titans are hosting him for a top-30 visit, signaling they see him as a potential heir to the right side of the line. Taking him at pick No. 225 would be a low-risk, high-reward move for a team rebuilding its wall.
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The Titans are in the basement, but these late-round targets are how you build a floor. If Saleh hits on two of these three sleepers, Tennessee could jump from a three-win cellar-dweller to a Wild Card contender by 2027. The focus remains on the No. 4 pick—likely a franchise quarterback or a generational edge rusher—but the Saturday picks will decide if this rebuild actually sticks.
