Analyst views Titans 2026 draft class as one of the best in the AFC

There is little doubt that the Tennessee Titans’ 2026 draft class has been one of the most polarizing classes from this past draft, with snap grades sitting all over the board. But now, after a week to digest it, some outlets are changing their tune.

On Friday, Matt Vanderame of Sports Illustrated broke down the 16 draft classes in the AFC and sees the Titans’ haul come in near the top of the heap.

3 - Tennessee Titans****Grade: A

The Titans have been busy all offseason, and that theme carried over to the draft.

On Thursday night, Tennessee was scheduled to pick only fourth and did, landing Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate as a weapon for second-year quarterback Cam Ward. But then the Titans traded back into the first round to select Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk, who, at 21, is already a premier run defender with pass-rushing traits. Coach Robert Saleh, a former defensive coordinator with the 49ers, might be the perfect man to get those talents out of Faulk, who had seven sacks in 2024.

In the second round, Tennessee found value in off-ball linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., who should compete with Cody Barton and Cedric Gray for playing time at the second level. With Texas, Hill recorded 69 tackles with four sacks last season before running a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, weighing in at 239 pounds during the NFL combine.

While Tennessee has a long climb ahead, this class might jumpstart that odyssey.

In totality, when you add the Titans’ draft class to what the team did in free agency, there is no doubt the team is in a much better place today than they were when the season ended. Yes, there is still a long way to go, but it appears they are trending in the right direction.