Where do the Titans fall using The Athletic's NFL Projection Model?

As the days count down toward the NFL schedule release, the excitement around the Tennessee Titans continues to build. Well, at least for those familiar with the organization and the massive overhaul it undertook over the offseason.

For others and some outlets outside of the Titans’ bubble, there is more trepidation, and it is more of a wait-and-see approach, which, after back-to-back 3-14 seasons, does make sense. Austin Mock of The Athletic is the latest to weigh in with his NFL Projection Model, and he sees very little movement this offseason.

No. 27 - Tennessee Titans

Quarterback Cam Ward and the interior defensive line are the only spots that excite me. And any excitement over Ward is largely based on his status as a former No. 1 pick entering his second year. He wasn't particularly good last season, but he was in a horrible situation, so a major upgrade remains possible in 2026. The Titans desperately need rookie Carnell Tate to follow in the footsteps of other recent Ohio State receivers and contribute early.

Outside of that, the rest of the roster ranks below average.

While Mock does point out the excitement surrounding Cam Ward and the new defensive line, his overall assessment feels a bit off from the reality of 2025. Yes, Ward struggled early, but he took off after Brian Callahan was fired, and the Titans’ offense started playing at a high level down the stretch, and Ward was a lot better than his numbers, at first glance, on paper would indicate.

On top of that, the other additions on defense, especially at the cornerback position, should allow the new-look Titans’ defense, built around Jeffery Simmons and linebacker Cedric Gray, to take a significant step forward in 2026.