The NFL Scouting Combine is more than just a series of drills and interviews; it's a landscape-altering event that reshapes draft boards and clarifies team needs. For the Tennessee Titans, holding the valuable No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the week in Indianapolis provided crucial data points and perhaps a few new dilemmas. According to reporting by Nick Suss of The Tennessean, the Titans' front office is weighing multiple scenarios, with a fascinating range of potential targets emerging from the combine's afterglow.
The Titans' position at No. 4 offers both immense opportunity and significant pressure. They are within striking distance of the draft's elite tier, yet they are also far enough back that the board could break in several unexpected ways. The combine's results--the blazing 40-yard dashes, the explosive jumps, the formal meetings--have helped crystallize the pool of players likely available when the Titans are on the clock. Let's dive into a ranking of the top 11 potential options for Tennessee, based on the post-combine landscape, team fit, and the value of the fourth selection.
1. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The most talked-about name connected to the Titans this draft cycle remains Jeremiyah Love. Selecting a running back in the top five is a bold, philosophy-defining move, but Love's combine performance may have justified the hype. His blend of size, verified speed, and pass-catching prowess presents a tantalizing centerpiece for an offense seeking an identity. For a Titans team that has historically lived and died by its ground game, Love represents a chance to install a new, dynamic engine. The debate isn't about his talent; it's about the positional value at No. 4. If the Titans believe he is a true generational talent who can transform their offense, they may pull the trigger.
2. David Bailey, EDGE, Clemson
If the Titans opt for a more traditional premium position, Clemson's David Bailey sits atop the list. A dominant edge rusher with a proven track record of production, Bailey likely solidified his top-10 status with a strong combine showing. His athletic testing would complement a powerful frame, projecting him as an immediate impact player off the edge. For a Titans defense that can always use more consistent pressure on the quarterback, Bailey is the safe, high-floor pick that fills a perennial need.
3. Trade Down
This is always a compelling option for a team picking in the top five, and the combine may have increased its viability. If a quarterback-needy team falls in love with a prospect who remains on the board, or if a team covets a specific blue-chip non-QB, the Titans could field lucrative offers. Moving back a handful of spots could still net an elite player at a position of need--like offensive tackle or receiver--while accumulating additional draft capital to address multiple roster holes. The combine often creates "risers," and those players can drive trade-up demand.
4. Marcus Johnson, OT, Alabama
The foundation of any offense is the line, and Marcus Johnson is widely regarded as the top tackle prospect in this class. His combine measurements and athletic testing for his size were impressive, confirming his ability to protect the blindside at the next level. Investing in a franchise left tackle is never a bad strategy, and it would be a move aimed at long-term stability for whichever quarterback leads the team in the coming years.
5. Elijah Moore, WR, Ohio State
Dynamic playmakers change games, and Elijah Moore's combine performance was electric. A player who tests off the charts in speed and agility drills, Moore represents the type of vertical threat and yards-after-catch weapon the Titans' offense has lacked. Pairing a talent like Moore with the existing pieces would instantly upgrade the passing game's ceiling and force defenses to play honestly.
6. James Carter, CB, Georgia
Cornerback is another premium position where value meets need. James Carter, with ideal size and length, used the combine to showcase his recovery speed and fluidity in drills. In a division featuring talented young quarterbacks and receivers, a lockdown corner is a valuable asset. Carter would offer the Titans a potential No. 1 corner to build their secondary around for the next decade.
7. Trade Up
While less likely than trading down, the Titans could explore a move into the top three if they are singularly focused on one player they believe is a franchise-changer. This would be a costly maneuver, requiring a significant haul of future picks, but if the front office has a conviction on a specific quarterback or defensive prospect, it cannot be ruled out. The combine can sometimes create that level of certainty for a team.
8. Michael Jones, DT, Michigan
Building from the inside out is a proven defensive philosophy. Michael Jones is a powerful, disruptive force along the interior defensive line who tested well in strength and explosion drills at the combine. He would immediately bolster the Titans' run defense and provide an interior push on passing downs, making life easier for the edge rushers. He represents the "heart of the defense" type of selection.
9. Benjamin Ross, QB, Oregon
The quarterback question always looms. If the Titans' evaluation leads them to believe Benjamin Ross is the guy, taking him at No. 4 is justified, even if it's earlier than some public boards suggest. The combine's interview process and on-field throwing session are critical for quarterbacks. If Ross aced those and the Titans see a franchise leader, this pick becomes a possibility, signaling a full reset under center.
10. Thomas "TJ" Jackson, LB, USC
The modern linebacker must be able to cover and play in space. TJ Jackson's combine highlighted his elite athleticism for the position. He's a three-down linebacker who can chase down ball carriers, blitz effectively, and match up in coverage against tight ends and running backs. He would be the quarterback of the defense and a tone-setter for years to come.
11. Alexander Wright, S, Texas
Rounding out the list is a versatile defensive back. Alexander Wright's stock has risen with a combine performance that showed range, ball skills, and the ability to play in the box or as a single-high safety. In today's NFL, a playmaking safety is a valuable weapon, and Wright could be the final piece to a revamped Titans secondary.
The Road to the Draft
The combine has set the stage, but the process is far from over. Pro days, private workouts, and final interviews will now take center stage as General Manager Mike Borgonzi and his staff finalize their big board. The ranking of these 11 options will continue to fluctuate based on these final evaluations and the ever-present smokescreens that define the pre-draft period.
For the Tennessee Titans, the No. 4 pick represents a pivotal moment. Will they make the splashy, offensive skill position pick in Jeremiyah Love? Will they take the safe, high-impact defensive player in David Bailey? Or will they maneuver the board through a trade? The combine provided the data; now the real decision-making begins. One thing is certain: the choice made at No. 4 will define the direction of the franchise for the foreseeable future.