2026 NFL Mock Draft Shocker: Why the Tennessee Titans' Bold Running Back Pick Could Change Everything

A second argument against drafting Love would be the Titans’ need for a high-caliber player at defensive end and the importance that position has in Robert Saleh’s defense. The two highest-rated EDGE players on the board both have serious question marks and blemishes. I personally really like Rueban Bain Jr. and his style of play, but for him to truly succeed, he’s going to have to be a MAJOR exception to the norm, and that makes picking him very risky. At #4 overall, you want an elite prospect, and you want to make a pick that will make a huge impact on your team, and while Bain can certainly be that, the uphill battle he’s going to face makes Love a safer pick, as he’s going to step right into the league and contribute.

While he faces different question marks, I feel the same about David Bailey. At first glance his elite traits as a speed rusher would be amazing for Saleh’s defense, and he would fit in perfectly, but he’s not strong enough in the run game yet to truly leave him in and not worry about teams running right down your throat. While he certainly can develop his abilities, and his speed helps him make up sometimes for initially getting pushed back, there’s still a major question mark, and the truth is he could never be more than a dangerous designated pass rusher, much too rich for the 4th overall selection.

Other prospects are interesting, but I don’t feel nearly as confident in them developing as I do with Jeremiyah Love. Saleh might be able to turn Sonny Styles into the next Fred Warner, but how likely is it? I feel it’s far more likely that Love steps in and raises the floor of this offense and contributes greatly each game.

Conclusion

With serious question marks at other positions, the weakness overall of this draft class, and the need to provide support for their young QB, I believe the Titans should select Jeremiyah Love at #4 and let him go to work. Their offense was one of the worst in the league last year, and we have all seen how it turns out when you don’t give enough firepower to a developing QB. A defensive player does make sense as well, which is why I see the Titans selecting Bain or Bailey in reality but the issues that both have lead me to make the easy selection, a RB who has serious skills and that some even like better than Ashton Jeanty, picked at sixth overall last year.The Titans should not overthink this pick and not be held prisoner by the perceived value of the RB position. Take the best football player available at your pick and add elite talent to a team that desperately needs it.