NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans are officially Robert Saleh’s team now. After dropping $105 million on a revamped secondary and securing John Franklin-Myers with a $63 million homecoming deal, GM Mike Borgonzi has cleared the board for a “best player available” approach at the No. 4 overall pick. With franchise cornerstone Cam Ward entering his second year, the focus has shifted from filling holes to hunting superstars.
The Jeremiyah Love Factor: A New Identity?
Most analysts are zeroing in on Notre Dame standout Jeremiyah Love. Despite already having Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears in the building, both backs are entering the final year of their contracts. Love brings a rare blend of 4.38 speed and a punishing mentality that analysts compare to Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs. PFF’s Gordon McGuinness went as far as mocking a trade-up to the No. 2 overall pick, suggesting the Titans might part with a second-rounder and a mid-round choice to ensure they land the Irish playmaker. Adding Love would immediately transform this offense into a multi-dimensional threat for Ward.
Building the Great Wall: Bain and Bailey
If the Titans stick to Saleh’s defensive roots, the edge-rushing class offers terrifying potential. Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami is the name on everyone’s lips in Nashville. Adding Bain to a rotation that already features Jermaine Johnson and the newly signed Franklin-Myers would give the Titans a relentless four-man front. There is also the “Cam Ward connection”—Bain and Ward were teammates at Miami, and that chemistry could be the deciding factor.
Then there is David Bailey. The Texas Tech product is a pure pass-rushing specialist with an explosive first step. While scouts question his 250-pound frame against the run, his 14.5 sacks last season prove he can live in the backfield. If Saleh wants a Micah Parsons-type chess piece to hunt AFC South quarterbacks, Bailey is the pick at No. 4.
“We want guys who love the game more than they love what the game brings them. We are looking for relentless pursuit, and this draft class has a few ‘hunters’ that fit exactly what we’re building in this building.”
— Robert Saleh, Titans Head Coach
The Sonny Styles Wildcard
Perhaps the most intriguing name in the mix is Ohio State’s Sonny Styles. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 244 pounds, Styles is a defensive coordinator’s dream. He possesses the coverage skills of a safety with the hitting power of a traditional middle linebacker. Comparisons to Fred Warner—the man who anchored Saleh’s legendary 49ers defenses—are hard to ignore. While taking an off-ball linebacker in the top five is rare, Styles wears the “green dot” with authority and could be the brain of this new-look 4-3 scheme for the next decade.
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The Titans aren’t just rebuilding; they are retooling for a wide-open AFC South. By spending aggressively in free agency, Borgonzi has removed the “desperation” from the draft room. Whether they take Love to ignite the scoreboard or Styles to solidify the middle, the goal is clear: provide Cam Ward with enough support to challenge for a division title in year two. Expect the Titans to be active on the phones as April approaches, especially if a team like the Jets looks to move out of the top three.
