Former NFL GM has a different take on the Titans draft plan

The time is almost here, and in seven days, all of the mock drafts and speculation can be thrown out the window when the commissioner walks to the podium to open the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

The Tennessee Titans remain a mystery with what they will do, and have been connected to multiple prospects over the past few weeks. Jeremiyah Love, Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, David Bailey, and even Carnell Tate have all been mentioned as being a target with the fourth overall selection. While those are the prospects who could hear their name called, there has even been some chatter about potentially trading back to acquire more draft capital.

With the NFL draft almost upon us, networks are turning to everyone ever connected to the NFL for their hot takes on what is about to transpire. The latest was ESPN, which featured former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who examined the Titans and their draft plan and offered a different take.

“I love, love my first draft running the New York Jets. We took D’Brickashaw Ferguson at four and Nick Mangold at 29. We had lost two quarterbacks in seven snaps the year before, and I didn’t care if John Elway was in the draft.” Tannenbaum said, “Guys, Cam Ward was sacked 55 times. Dan Moore did not work out. We’re taking [the offensive tackle]. And here’s why: If Cam Ward can’t stand upright, it doesn’t matter if Jeremiah Love runs 4-2 or 4-1. We have to protect his blind side. I think [we’d] go from the right to left or maybe move J.C. Latham, but if we don’t address this offensive line, nothing else matters for Cam Ward’s development. And while Love is a fantastic player — there’s undeniable talent there — the offensive line is a must. The running back is a ‘nice to have.’”

The Titans have invested heavily in the offensive line over the past few seasons, and it may not make much sense to add a third first-round pick at this juncture. Yes, the thinking to build the line is sound, and there is no doubt the Titans will look at it throughout the draft; just how early is the question.

Plus, there is the elephant in the room that none of the analysts have touched all offseason: the way the line improved after Bill and Brian Callahan departed the organization. Over the first six weeks under Callahan and into the turmoil of Week 7, the Titans gave up 30 of their 55 sacks. The Titans’ offensive line improved significantly throughout the season and was much better in the final month, giving up only seven sacks against some top defenses over a five-game span.