Welcome back to the draft room. It is December 1, 2025, and the NFL regular season is winding down with a familiar feeling for fans in Nashville. I have been tracking the college prospects all season, and it has become increasingly clear that the Tennessee Titans are on the clock once again.
After securing the first overall pick in 2025 and selecting quarterback Cam Ward, the hope was for a quick turnaround. However, rebuilding is rarely a straight line. With just one win on the ledger so far this season, the Titans are staring down the barrel of another first overall selection. The question on my mind, and likely yours, is simply this: who is the blue-chip prospect that can change the fortunes of this franchise?
In this first edition of my 2026 NFL Mock Draft, I am going to dive deep into the Titans’ options at the top, analyze the rising stars of the college football season, and layout how the top ten might shake out.
The State of the Titans
I know it is painful to look at the standings right now if you are a Titans fan. The 2025 season has been defined by growing pains. Cam Ward has shown flashes of brilliance, but the roster around him still has significant holes. The offense has struggled to find consistency, but the defense is where I see the most glaring need for a true game-wrecker.
When I look at the depth chart, I see a team that needs identity. They have Jeffery Simmons anchoring the interior, but they lack a dominant edge presence who can take over a game single-handedly. In the modern NFL, you cannot win without affecting the opposing quarterback. That is why I believe the 2026 draft will be defined by defense for Tennessee.
The Pick: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
With the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, I project the Tennessee Titans will select Rueben Bain Jr., the explosive edge rusher from the Miami Hurricanes.
I have been watching Bain since his freshman season, and his development has been nothing short of spectacular. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, he possesses the ideal frame for a defensive end who can play all three downs. What stands out to me most is his versatility. He has the power to bull rush tackles and the speed to bend the edge.
For the Titans, this is a perfect marriage of need and value. Imagine pairing Bain with Simmons. That combination would force offensive lines to pick their poison. You cannot double-team everyone. Bain brings a relentless motor that fits the culture head coach Brian Callahan is trying to build. He is not just a pass rusher. He is a disruptor in the run game as well.
In a draft class that is heavy on defensive talent, Bain has separated himself as the alpha dog. He has been a nightmare for ACC offensive lines, and his production metrics are off the charts. I believe he is the safest and most impactful player available.
The Challenger: Arvell Reese
While I have penciled in Bain at number one, I cannot ignore the meteoric rise of Arvell Reese from Ohio State. If the Titans decide they want more of a hybrid linebacker-edge presence, Reese is the guy.
Reese has been absolutely electric for the Buckeyes this season. At 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, he moves with the fluidity of a safety but hits like a truck. I have seen him destroy game plans by erasing running backs in the flat and then blitzing the quarterback on the next play. His comparison to Micah Parsons is not hyperbole. He really is that athletic.
I think the Titans will heavily debate this choice. Do they go with the traditional power end in Bain, or the versatile chess piece in Reese? Right now, I lean toward Bain because of the sheer physicality he brings to the line of scrimmage, but do not be surprised if Reese’s testing numbers at the Combine force a change in my Mock Draft 2.0.
The Top 10 Projected Picks
The top of the draft is always fluid, but based on current team needs and prospect rankings, here is how I see the top ten playing out. You will notice a run on quarterbacks again, as teams like the Jets and Raiders look to reset their franchises.
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | Tennessee Titans | Rueben Bain Jr. | EDGE | Miami |
| 2 | New York Giants | Arvell Reese | LB/EDGE | Ohio State |
| 3 | New Orleans Saints | Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana |
| 4 | New York Jets | Ty Simpson | QB | Alabama |
| 5 | Las Vegas Raiders | Dante Moore | QB | Oregon |
| 6 | Cleveland Browns | Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State |
| 7 | Washington Commanders | Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn |
| 8 | Arizona Cardinals | Spencer Fano | OT | Utah |
| 9 | Cincinnati Bengals | Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State |
| 10 | Miami Dolphins | Mansoor Delane | CB | Virginia Tech |
Analyzing the Quarterback Market
You might be wondering about the quarterbacks. It is a fascinating class. Fernando Mendoza has climbed boards rapidly with a stellar season at Indiana. I have him going third to the Saints, who are desperate for a long-term answer. Ty Simpson and Dante Moore also crack the top five.
This constant churn at the quarterback position reminds me of the high risks involved in team building. Scouting is a gamble. Sometimes I feel like the general managers are just rolling dice. Speaking of high stakes, I recently found an article to read regarding the best online casinos in Germany which oddly gave me some perspective on risk management. In the draft, just like in any high-risk environment, you have to play the percentages, but you also need a little bit of luck.
The Best of the Rest
Outside the top five, I am really excited about Caleb Downs. The Ohio State safety is arguably the best pound-for-pound football player in the draft. The only reason I have him falling to the Bengals at nine is positional value. Safeties rarely go in the top five, but Downs is a special talent who can quarterback a defense.
Then there is Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State. The Browns need a spark on offense, and Tyson has been a highlight reel all year. He has the speed to take the top off a defense, something Cleveland desperately needs.
Tennessee’s Remaining Needs
Selecting Rueben Bain Jr. is a great start, but the Titans have plenty of work to do on day two and day three. Here is my breakdown of their critical needs:
- Cornerback: The secondary has been porous. They need a lockdown corner to survive in the AFC South.
- Offensive Tackle: You can never have enough protection. Even with recent investments, depth is a major concern.
- Wide Receiver: They need a reliable separator to help Cam Ward in his second year.
- Linebacker: Off-ball linebacker play has been inconsistent. They need a thumper in the middle.
Conclusion
The 2026 NFL Draft represents a pivotal moment for the Tennessee Titans. After back-to-back years at the top of the draft, the excuse of “rebuilding” starts to wear thin. They need to hit a home run with this pick. Rueben Bain Jr. offers the safest path to a dominant defense, and I believe he will be the name Roger Goodell calls first next April.
Of course, a lot can change between now and draft day. The Combine, individual workouts, and free agency will all shift the landscape. I will be updating this mock draft regularly as we get closer to the offseason.
I want to hear from you. Do you agree with the selection of Bain, or should the Titans trade down for more capital? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and do not forget to share this article with your fellow Titans fans. Let the debate begin!