Tennessee left its bye week, soul-searching for answers and also searching for a new head coach after firing Brian Callahan. How could a 2026 midseason mock draft shake out for the Titans as they barrel towards a near-certain top-five selection? They are armed with a boatload of cap space for next season, with approximately $108.5 million, according to OverTheCap. In what direction could the Titans go to supplement their cap space spending spree? Who will be the future leaders of the franchise?
Tennessee Titans Midseasonish 2026 Mock Draft
TRADE 1
Tennessee receives: 1.4, 2.36, 4.105, plus a 2027 second-round and a 2027 fourth-round selection.
Cleveland receives: 1.1
The Browns QB situation is dire, to say the least, so they contact the Titans and get going on their next franchise quarterback project by selecting Alabama passer Ty Simpson in a shock upset.
TRADE 2
Tennessee receives: 1.10, 3.91, and a 2027 third-round selection
Los Angeles Rams receive: 1.4
Tennessee capitalizes once again in a robust trade market and swaps picks with its friends in Hollywood. The Rams, with MVP candidate Matt Stafford aging and on the brink of retirement/trade, decide to pounce on an heir apparent. They end up selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
1.10 David Bailey / EDGE / Texas Tech
Bailey was the most sought-after transfer last spring when he decided to leave Stanford, and Texas Tech bolstered its immensely talented defense as a result. The Red Raiders have more than reaped their investment with Bailey leading the way with 11.5 sacks. He produced eight sacks in 2024 for a woefully underperforming Cardinal program, but has taken his game to another level since his transfer. Texas Tech’s star EDGE is one of the best in the country with an overall defensive score of 92.3, bolstered by a pass rush score of 93.4. His run defense ranks among the best with a score of 87.5. The Titans need pass-rush help immediately, and Bailey would provide that in spades. Fortunately for them, the EDGE class continues to be deep even after years of numerous talents going pro.
2.33 Christen Miller / IDL / Georgia
Miller is the key cog in the Bulldogs’ rebuilt defensive line, which is showing signs of restorative progress to its once vaunted tenacity. According to PFF, he’s the 22nd-best interior defender with an overall defense score of 83.0 with a run defense score of 87.9. He would fit in nicely next to T’Vondre Sweat and Jeffery Simmons, as the Titans’ depth on the defensive line isn’t the greatest. The 2025 season represents back-to-back years with an 80+ overall defense score from Miller. He’s an ascending player who has improved with increased playing time after sitting behind NFL-caliber defensive linemen. Tennessee would be wise to jump on the chance to fortify its lack of interior linemen depth further.
2.36 A.J. Haulcy / S / LSU
A.J. Haulcy
Oct 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive back A.J. Haulcy (13) makes an interception against Texas A&M Aggies tight end Theo Melin Öhrström (17) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
LSU’s 2025 campaign hasn’t gone as expected, resulting in Brian Kelly losing his job, largely due to a struggling offense. The defense stepped up and competed better than expected under Blake Baker, which is a complete 180 from years past. Haulcy is a big part of the secondary after transferring in from Houston for his final collegiate season. He primarily plays free safety by trade, but is a versatile dual threat. The LSU safety is excellent in coverage, grading highly on PFF’s coverage metric with a score of 86.1. He’s produced 19 PBUs and nine interceptions to go along with 323 tackles in four seasons. Tennessee needs more from its safeties as Amani Hooker is generally ineffective, and rookie Kevin Winston, Jr, is coming back from an ACL tear suffered in college. Haulcy would provide some depth until Hooker is moved along when his contract extension tolls.
3.65 D’Angelo Ponds / CB / Indiana
Ponds is one of the best cornerbacks in college football this season. He came to Indiana in 2024 from James Madison as part of the Hoosiers’ rise to glory. His ball production is great with 142 tackles, 27 pass deflections, and six interceptions to date in his career. However, Ponds’ size might work against him at just 5’9 173. He plays bigger than his listed size, and Tennessee needs cornerback upgrades after trading two young pieces away. Indiana has one of the best defenses in the country, and Ponds is a big part of it. He gets to practice against bigger receivers every day in practice, so that aspect won’t be new to him.
3.91 Malachi Fields / WR / Notre Dame
Fields began his career with Virginia, where he posted two consecutive seasons with 800 yards and five touchdowns, before transferring to Notre Dame. He’s on pace to equal or move past the 800-yard mark in 2025 with a couple of games left to play for the Irish. Notre Dame’s big-body receiver profiles like a true “X” type, which the Titans need more of at a listed 6’4 222. Fields would provide another young weapon for Cam Ward to grow up with alongside Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike. Calvin Ridley is seemingly on his way out of town, being part of trade rumors for the better part of two seasons. He’s been injured and missed multiple games this season, depriving Ward of a key target and forcing young receivers into bigger roles quicker than anticipated.
4.101 Ahkeem Mesidor / EDGE / Miami
Rueben Bain, Jr gets all the hype of a superstar pass rusher, but Mesidor deserves some love too. He’s a physical force that can play both inside and outside on the perimeter. The Hurricanes’ pass rusher has logged 28 sacks in his career that began at West Virginia before transferring to Miami in 2022. When healthy, he’s a steadying force that can be relied upon for seven sacks per season. Tennessee desperately needed help in the EDGE room even before trading Dre’Mont Jones away to the Ravens. Arden Key has been inconsistent and failed to make an impact. Mesidor would provide some depth and a developmental piece for the new defensive mind in place next season. He’s a bigger body at 6’3 280. PFF rates him highly as the 12th-best EDGE with an overall score of 90.5 and 90.1 in run defense.
4.104 J.C. Davis / OT / Illinois
Tennessee’s megabucks investment in the consistently problematic Dan Moore, Jr, is working out like everyone expected it to. The left tackle situation is dire for the long-term prospects of Cam Ward and company, so another option is needed. Enter one of the best and most unheralded tackle prospects in the country, J.C. Davis. PFF thinks very highly of the player as he’s fifth-best in the country with an overall score of 84.9. His pass-blocking and run-blocking grades are in the 80s. The Illini were projected to contend for a playoff berth in 2025, but haven’t quite lived up to it; Davis sure has. He also comes from a program that loves to grind out opponents in the trenches under an offensive line-minded coach, Bret Bielema. There’s also the JC symmetry with right tackle JC Latham, if Davis were to join the Titans.
Trade 3
Tennessee receives: 4.131
New Orleans receives: 4.179 and a 2027 fifth-round selection
The Titans sensed an opportunity to upgrade their linebacker depth and chose to spend wisely from their draft capital gains. New Orleans gains a 2027 fifth-round selection for their troubles.
4.131 Jacob Rodriguez / LB / Texas Tech
Rodriguez is the best overall linebacker in the country this season and should win just about every defensive award given out. He’s an all-around playmaker with plus instincts in both run and pass defense. The Red Raiders’ star just has a nose for the ball, and the statistics bear it out. He’s always in the picture with the ball carrier. Tennessee’s signing of Cody Barton isn’t working out to some degree, and there is a need next to emerging star Cedric Gray. If the Titans can land Rodriguez in this 2026 midseason mock draft, it would be a great steal for such a talent, as he’s projected to go higher than this position.
6.191 Darius Taylor / RB /Minnesota
Taylor has been productive in his three seasons as a Golden Gopher, taking over for Mohamed Ibrahim in 2023. He’s battled injuries throughout his career, but when healthy, he is a talented dual-threat runner. The 2025 season defined Minnesota’s search for a new quarterback after Max Brosmer moved on to the big league club in the Twin Cities. Unless Taylor gets on a hot streak unlike any other seen in history, he’ll fall short of the 1K barrier again. Incumbent running back Tony Pollard was speculated to be a trade candidate all season, and if he’s released, it leaves a gaping hole in the running back room behind Tyjae Spears. Taylor could be the hammer back between the tackles while Spears handles the PPR opportunities.
6.205 Iapani Laloulu / C / Oregon
Laloulu plays the key pivot position for one of college football’s best offensive lines. He’s a contender for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation’s best center. The junior is eligible to return to school, but will likely explore the draft process after an excellent season to date. PFF ranks him as the 17th-best center grade with an overall score of 74.4, with an impressive 88.5 pass block grade. The Titans need more production from the center position after Lloyd Cushenberry is off to an inconsistent start after signing a big bucks deal in 2024. He offers positional versatility as “Poncho” possesses guard experience before sliding over to center full-time last season. As Cushenberry ages out or gets released, Laloulu can fit right in as the heir apparent.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas – Imagn Images