The Tennessee Titans made no secret of their desire to get tougher in the trenches this offseason. On Saturday, April 25, 2026, they delivered on that promise twice over during Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
With their fifth-round pick (No. 142 overall), the Titans selected Arkansas guard Fernando Carmona Jr., a hulking, physical interior lineman who immediately projects as competition for a starting job. A few hours later, they added Baylor defensive tackle Jackie Marshall at No. 184 in the sixth round -- a powerful run-stuffer with the kind of disruptive energy that fits perfectly in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's scheme.
These two picks didn't make the kind of headlines that first-round selections do, but in Nashville, they might matter just as much. Here's a deeper look at both players and what they bring to the Titans.
Fernando Carmona Jr.: A Tone-Setter on the Interior
The Titans went into the 2026 NFL Draft knowing they needed to strengthen an offensive line that struggled with consistency in the 2025 season. They addressed tackle earlier in the draft, but the interior still had questions -- especially at guard. Enter Fernando Carmona.
Carmona started multiple seasons at Arkansas, where he quickly became known as one of the SEC's most punishing run blockers. At 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds, he's built like a bulldozer with pads on. But it's not just his size that stands out -- it's the attitude. Carmona plays with a mean streak that offensive line coaches value highly. He finishes blocks through the whistle, looks for work in space, and has a nasty habit of putting defenders on the ground.
"He brings a level of physicality that we want to establish in our run game," said Mike Borgonzi, the Titans' general manager, after the selection. "He's going to compete for playing time immediately."
Carmona's pass protection is still a work in progress. He can get caught leaning against quicker interior rushers, and his footwork needs refinement against stunts and twists. But in a zone-heavy scheme that emphasizes movement and double-teams, Carmona's power at the point of attack and his ability to latch on and drive defenders off the ball make him an intriguing fit.
The Titans' offensive line room now has genuine competition. Carmona will push for a starting guard spot, but even if he begins his career as a reserve, he offers immediate value as a rotational player who can step in when injuries hit -- and in the NFL, they always hit.
For a team that wants to run the football and control the clock, Carmona represents a direct investment in that identity. He's not a finesse player. He's a mauler.
Jackie Marshall: Interior Disruption from Baylor
If Carmona is about setting the tone on offense, Jackie Marshall is about doing the same for the defense.
The Titans selected Marshall with the 184th overall pick in the sixth round, and the Baylor product brings a skill set that should translate well to the next level. He's a powerfully built defensive tackle (listed at 6-foot-2 and 305 pounds) who combines low-center-of-gravity leverage with surprising burst off the snap.
Marshall was a productive force in the Big 12 Conference, consistently eating up double teams while still finding ways to make plays in the backfield. He's not going to win with elite twitch or bend -- that's not his game. What he excels at is anchoring against the run, stacking and shedding blockers, and collapsing the pocket from the interior. He's the kind of player who makes everyone around him better by demanding attention.
"Jackie is a guy who plays with relentless effort," said defensive coordinator Gus Bradley following the pick. "He's strong at the point, he's hard to move, and he has a knack for finding the football. He fits what we do up front."
The Titans' defensive line already has some established names, but depth is always a concern over a 17-game season. Marshall provides a rotational option who can step in on early downs and help stop the run -- an area where the Titans have occasionally been gashed. His motor runs hot, and he's the type of player who will earn his keep on special teams and in short-yardage situations early in his career.
Building Through the Trenches
The philosophy is clear. The Titans are making a concerted effort to win in the trenches, and these two Day 3 picks are the latest evidence.
General manager Mike Borgonzi has spoken repeatedly about building the roster "inside out," and the 2026 draft class reflects that approach. With Carmona and Marshall, the Titans have added two players who bring exactly what the coaching staff values: physicality, toughness, and a willingness to do the dirty work.
In the modern NFL, where the passing game often steals the spotlight, the Titans are betting that dominance in the trenches still wins games. That may sound old-school, but when you have a running back who can punish defenses and a defense built to stop the run, it's a formula that travels.
What's Next?
The Titans still have work to do. Roster cutdowns loom, undrafted free agent signings are underway, and the team will continue to scour the waiver wire for veteran help. But on Saturday, the focus was on adding young, competitive players who can grow with the program.
Fernando Carmona and Jackie Marshall may not be household names now, but in a league that values toughness, they have a real chance to make an impact. For a team that wants to return to the playoffs, every brick in the foundation matters.
These two bricks are big, physical, and ready to work.
