Titans select EDGE David Bailey in latest Dane Brugler mock draft

The 2026 NFL Draft is a mere week away, and mock drafts are being released in droves. The Tennessee Titans have the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft, and while most mock drafts predicted the Titans would select a defensive player with that pick early on, the vibe has since changed to favor the Titans selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

Still, there are those of us who believe that the Titans will stick with a defensive player, specifically an edge rusher. Dane Brugler of The Athletic released a mock draft this week that suggests defense is the way the Titans will go.

Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech

Head coach Robert Saleh wants to collect pass rushers and have a healthy defensive line rotation. (In his four seasons at the Jets’ helm, the team drafted a first-round pass rusher twice.) It’s not a hard sell on why Bailey makes sense for Tennessee.

Saleh is a former defensive coordinator and is incredibly defensive-minded in his approach to football. While the Titans' fanbase wants to see star power on the field, drafting a running back this high is rare. Saquon Barkley was a No. 2 overall pick in 2018, but since the 2010s, the first running back hasn't come off the board until closer to 20. Not that Love wouldn't be a welcome addition to the Titans' offense, he would be a huge asset, but history suggests that will not be the case.

David Bailey has emerged as the top edge rusher in this draft, and the Titans desperately need a true edge rusher who can make an impact now. Bailey fits that bill as a 2025 Unanimous All-American who was also the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, largely due to his 14.5 sacks on the season.