In a perfect world, the Tennessee Titans' 2026 NFL Draft goes like this

As the 2026 NFL Draft draws closer, let's consider the best-case scenario for the Tennessee Titans.

At this point in the draft process, everyone knows the deal. The Titans have major needs at edge defender, wide receiver and interior offensive line and could stand to improve at running back, tight end, swing tackle and defensive back. After back-to-back 3-14 seasons and two coaching changes in three years, the Titans are searching for stability, and GM Mike Borgonzi has a history of favoring durable, high-character draft prospects who'll assimilate quickly into locker room culture.

So here's a world where everything goes as planned for the Titans in the 2026 NFL Draft. Talented players with Titans-esque traits fall a little further down the board than expected. Potential starters survive the board at positions of need. Mutually-beneficial trade opportunities present themselves. It all works out.

Here's The Tennessean's NFL mock-up of what a perfect Titans draft might look like and why.

Cam Ward and Jeffery Simmons take the stage at the Tennessee Titans reveal party for their newly redesigned uniforms at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Cam Ward and Jeffery Simmons ham it up on stage at the Tennessee Titans reveal party for their newly redesigned uniforms at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Cam Ward and Jeffery Simmons ham it up on stage at the Tennessee Titans reveal party for their newly redesigned uniforms at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Kyle Brandt interviews Cam Ward at the Tennessee Titans reveal party for their newly redesigned uniforms at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Jurrell Casey takes video with a fan’s phone as the team leaves the stage at the Tennessee Titans reveal party for their newly redesigned uniforms at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 12, 2026.

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See Tennessee Titans uniforms and logos through the years

Cam Ward and Jeffery Simmons take the stage at the Tennessee Titans reveal party for their newly redesigned uniforms at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 12, 2026.

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See Tennessee Titans uniforms and logos through the years

Cam Ward and Jeffery Simmons take the stage at the Tennessee Titans reveal party for their newly redesigned uniforms at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 12, 2026.

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See Tennessee Titans uniforms and logos through the years

Cam Ward and Jeffery Simmons ham it up on stage at the Tennessee Titans reveal party for their newly redesigned uniforms at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 12, 2026.

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Fans pack The Pinnacle as Titans debut redesigned uniforms

Cam Ward and Jeffery Simmons ham it up on stage at the Tennessee Titans reveal party for their newly redesigned uniforms at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 12, 2026.

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Fans pack The Pinnacle as Titans debut redesigned uniforms

Kyle Brandt interviews Cam Ward at the Tennessee Titans reveal party for their newly redesigned uniforms at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 12, 2026.

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Fans pack The Pinnacle as Titans debut redesigned uniforms

Jurrell Casey takes video with a fan’s phone as the team leaves the stage at the Tennessee Titans reveal party for their newly redesigned uniforms at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Best-case scenario Tennessee Titans mock draft for 2026 NFL Draft

Round 1, pick 4: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

It would hardly be a shock if Bailey and Ohio State's Arvell Reese ― the top two edge defenders in the draft ― are off the board before the Titans' pick. In a perfect world for the Titans, Bailey falls to No. 4. Thus completes the Titans' defensive line overhaul, showcasing Bailey's speed and technique off the edge alongside the power and explosiveness of Jeffery Simmons, John Franklin-Myers and Jermaine Johnson II.

Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey (31) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.

NFL Draft trade: Titans make deal with Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers offer the Titans the No. 53 pick in the second round and the No. 76 pick in the third round to move up to No. 35. History repeats itself, as the Titans make a similar deal to the one they made in 2025 that landed them edge Oluwafemi Oladejo and safety Kevin Winston Jr.

Round 2, pick 53: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech

Rutledge is a plug-and-play starter at right guard for the Titans. He was a team captain at both Middle Tennessee State and Georgia Tech. He's a high-character and highly-durable player who overcame potentially career-ending injuries after a scary car crash in 2023. Most importantly, he helps the Titans get nastier up front.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 01: Keylan Rutledge of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Round 3, pick 66: Keionte Scott, CB, Miami

Think of Scott as a defensive version of what the Titans drafted in Cam Ward last year. Big energy. Incredibly instinctive and competitive. Multiple transfers in college that led to a breakout final season at Miami. Scott plays nickel corner like an extra linebacker, and he ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at his pro day. Awesome fit in Robert Saleh's defense.

Round 3, pick 76: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

Fields is the kind of big-bodied possession receiver the Titans coveted in a past era. He can use his 6-foot-4 frame to thrive on the perimeter and in the red zone. Fields gives Ward his most physical target to rely on.

Malachi Fields #0 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a touchdown during the second half of the NCAA game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Boise State Broncos at Notre Dame Stadium on October 4, 2025. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Round 4, pick 101: Logan Jones, C, Iowa

If the Titans are going to have to lean on rookie starters at center and right guard in 2026, at least Rutledge and Jones are experienced, confident, physical grinders. Even if you didn't know where Jones went to college, you'd be able to deduce his powerhouse Iowa pedigree pretty easy by the way he carries himself.

Round 5, pick 142: Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College

There's a lot to like about Bowry, another high-character former college captain who has impressive athletic traits. He's played both tackle spots and profiles as a swing option as a rookie, but if he achieves his potential he could be a starter for the Titans in a year or two.

Round 5, pick 144: VJ Payne, S, Kansas State

Payne represents more safety depth and works as a good replacement option for Winston if needed. He's 6-foot-3 with an 80-inch wingspan, remarkable length for a back-end player. And he has 52 games of power college experience under his belt.

Round 6, pick 184: Caden Curry, Edge, Ohio State

Think of Curry as a Day 3 version of the prospect Rueben Bain Jr., is in the first round. He's an undersized high-motor edge defender capable of bumping inside who was incredibly productive for a College Football Playoff team in 2025. With the Titans, he can apprentice under Franklin-Myers and make a difference as a kick and punt blocker, one of his strengths.

Round 6, pick 194: Collin Wright, CB, Stanford

Even more DB depth. Wright has a frame that will let him play boundary, field and nickel corner. He's aggressive, and he has a degree from Stanford. Saleh's love for DBs nets the Titans three developmental prospects to grow alongside each other like Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor and Gunnar Helm did last season as offensive pass catchers.

Round 7, pick 225: Barion Brown, WR, LSU

Speaking of pass catchers, the draft ends with a track speedster from Pearl-Cohn High in Nashville. Brown is a little redundant to Dike, but he stretches the field like few in the class can. Local kid makes good, and the Titans get an explosive speed threat.

Nov 15, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Barion Brown (6) runs against Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Caleb Wooden (22) and linebacker JJ Shelton (20) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick atnsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X@nicksuss. Subscribe to theTalkin’ Titans newsletterfor updates sent directly to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Consider this best-case scenario for Tennessee Titans in 2026 NFL Draft