If you’ve spent any time at Nissan Stadium over the last few years, you know the feeling. It’s that weird mix of hope and immediate dread that kicks in every April. Being a fan of this team means carrying the emotional baggage of past draft nights—the kind that still makes you wince when certain names are mentioned in sports bars around Broadway.
The Titans first round picks have, honestly, been a wild ride. We’ve seen everything from future Hall of Famers to guys who essentially vanished into thin air after a single season. But as we sit here in early 2026, the vibe feels different. The "old Titans" way of drafting—which mostly involved taking massive risks on "project" players or guys with scary injury histories—seems to have been replaced by a much more calculated, aggressive strategy.
The Cam Ward Era and a Shift in Philosophy
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Cam Ward.
When the Titans took Ward at No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, it wasn't just about getting a new quarterback. It was a formal apology for the years of "settling" at the position. For a long time, the franchise tried to get cute with second-rounders or bridge veterans. Taking the Miami star at the very top was the loudest way possible to say the rebuilding phase was over.
Ward’s rookie season wasn't perfect, but it showed flashes that we haven't seen in Nashville since the early Steve McNair days. He threw for over 3,800 yards and, despite some "rookie moments" with his footwork, he gave the offense a vertical threat that simply didn't exist when Will Levis was struggling to find his rhythm. Some critics, like those over at Bleacher Report, have already started the "redraft" talk, suggesting the team should have taken Jaxson Dart instead. But honestly? Ward’s ability to create off-script magic is exactly what coach Brian Callahan needed to save his scheme.
Evaluating the "Trenches First" Strategy
Before Ward arrived, the front office tried to fix the team from the inside out. This led to back-to-back Titans first round picks spent on the offensive line.
- JC Latham (2024, No. 7 Overall): Latham’s journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster. He came in from Alabama as a massive 340-pound tackle and was immediately asked to play on the left side. It was a lot. He struggled with speed rushers and penalties—14 of them in 2025, to be exact. But after slimming down to 325 pounds and moving back to his natural right tackle spot, he’s starting to look like a long-term fixture. He’s a "double," not a "home run" yet, but in a league starving for tackle play, we'll take it.
- Peter Skoronski (2023, No. 11 Overall): Skoronski is basically the "steady Eddie" of the group. While he didn't end up playing tackle as some hoped, he’s turned into an above-average left guard. He started all 17 games in 2025 and has become the soul of that offensive line. You don't get many highlights from a guard, but you notice when they aren't there.
The Ghost of Drafts Past: Learning from the Busts
You can't talk about Titans first round picks without acknowledging the scars. The 2020-2022 stretch was, quite frankly, a disaster that set the franchise back years.
Isaiah Wilson (2020) is still the gold standard for "what went wrong." He played four snaps. Total. Then there was Caleb Farley (2021), a guy with All-Pro talent whose body just wouldn't let him stay on the field. The release of Farley last year was a somber reminder that you can't win in the NFL if your first-rounders are watching from the sidelines.
And then there’s Treylon Burks. Taken at No. 18 in 2022 after the AJ Brown trade—a move that still makes Titans fans' blood boil—Burks has been a massive disappointment. With only one career touchdown heading into his contract year, he’s the living embodiment of why the previous regime was shown the door. The team didn't just miss on a player; they missed on a philosophy.
Why 2026 Looks Different
The current roster is finally shedding the "injury-prone" and "character risk" labels that dogged the Jon Robinson era. Look at Jeffery Simmons. He was a 2019 first-rounder who stayed, produced, and became a leader. He’s the blueprint. The team is now trying to replicate that stability with guys like Ward and Skoronski.
The 2025 rookie class as a whole ranked 11th in the league according to ESPN, which is a massive leap forward. Even late-rounders like Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike are contributing because the first-round pick—the quarterback—is actually elevating them.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you're tracking how this team builds through the draft, keep these three things in mind for the upcoming cycle:
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- Stop the Tackle Carousel: Now that Latham has settled at right tackle and Dan Moore Jr. has stabilized the left, the Titans shouldn't reach for an O-lineman in the first round again. The "trenches first" phase is mostly complete.
- Weaponry for Ward: Even with Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett, Ward needs a true "X" receiver who can win consistently in the red zone. Expect the 2026 first-rounder to be a pass-catcher if the board falls right.
- The Simmons Successor: Big Jeff needs help. The defense finished near the bottom of the league in sacks in 2025. Adding a high-end edge rusher to pair with Oluwafemi Oladejo is the final piece of the puzzle.
The Titans are no longer drafting to survive; they are drafting to compete. The days of holding your breath on draft night hoping the pick actually makes the roster are, thankfully, in the rearview mirror.
Next Steps for Titans Fans: Keep an eye on the 2026 Scouting Combine data for wide receivers. The team is currently projected to pick in the mid-teens, which is the "sweet spot" for elite speedsters who can take the lid off the defense for Cam Ward.