Head coach Robert Saleh has made one aspect of his defensive philosophy clear during his time in Tennessee: the Titans need fresh legs up front during critical moments, such as third downs and two-minute situations. This emphasis on rotation is even more significant after Jeffery Simmons secured a substantial contract extension, providing the new head coach with a franchise cornerstone to build around.
With Simmons locked in and Saleh managing the defense, Tennessee has the potential to quickly reshape its identity. However, a successful rebuild involves more than just star players, as the Titans must also develop younger talent to find solid solutions.
As they enter the 2026 season, their roster appears more intriguing than reliable. Cam Ward offers a promising young quarterback for development, Simmons enhances the defense's strength, and Saleh brings a clear vision to the sidelines. This serves as a better foundation than what the Titans have had in recent years, but the roster still lacks the depth to rely solely on well-known names.
This is where the development of sleeper players becomes crucial, and they are especially vital at two positions that are crucial to the team’s broader strategy: edge rusher and tight end.
Femi Oladejo, EDGE
California Golden Bears linebacker Femi Oladejo (43) and linebacker Evan Tattersall (54) and TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan (15) in action during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the California Golden Bears at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Femi Oladejo is perhaps the most promising breakout candidate on the Titans’ defense because his current situation aligns well with his skill set. The Titans selected him in the second round of the 2025 draft after he transitioned from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher at UCLA. While this shift made him an intriguing prospect, it also left him somewhat raw as a player. He entered the league as a long, explosive athlete still learning how to convert his movement skills into effective pressure.
Such a player requires the right coaching, and Tennessee may have provided just that. Saleh has already indicated that he will evaluate Oladejo in various roles within a 3-4 defensive structure: as a dropper, a linebacker, and a pass rusher. This adaptability is crucial, as the Titans are not forcing him into one restricted role. Instead, they can leverage his athletic background to move him around, allowing him to rush from different positions and making it more challenging for offenses to identify him pre-snap.
This versatility is essential because Saleh's defensive approach revolves around generating waves of pressure. His “golden rule” about keeping linemen fresh is not merely coach-speak, as it underscores the need for a deep rotation, particularly around Simmons and the edge rushers.
Oladejo’s path to breakout success hinges on third-down opportunities, and they need additional speed on the edge. While Simmons can disrupt pockets from the interior, that impact is more effective when offenses must also account for a speedy rusher outside. A young edge rusher who can threaten the corner, occasionally drop into coverage, and close in quickly provides the defense with more overall structure, as it also helps prevent opponents from directing all their protections toward familiar threats.
Although Oladejo’s rookie season did not attract national attention, this could work in his favor. He enters 2026 with no significant outside expectations, but he benefits from a coaching staff that clearly understands why he was drafted high.
The next step in his development is honing his technique because his athleticism got him into the league, but consistency will earn him playing time in more significant situations. His hand usage must improve for better engagement, and he needs a rush plan with counters. Additionally, his run defense should be robust enough to prevent opponents from exploiting him as a passing-down specialist.
These are typical Year 2 challenges for an edge defender, especially one still relatively new to the position. The distinction is that Tennessee’s defense is being restructured in a way that can truly utilize his complete skill set.
Gunnar Helm, TE
Article Continues Below
Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm (84) receives a pass during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
© Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Gunnar Helm’s breakout potential may be quieter, but it could be just as crucial for the Titans’ offense. Young quarterbacks require reliable targets that don’t demand perfect timing down the sideline or heroic throws into tight windows. They need players who can find space, win underneath routes, and keep the offense on schedule, and Helm has the profile to become that kind of player for quarterback Ward.
The Titans selected Helm in the fourth round of the 2025 draft after a productive career at Texas. His official team bio highlights him as a sure-handed receiving threat with agility after the catch. It also notes that he played in 54 college games and started a career-high 16 times during his senior year, and this experience is invaluable.
Tight end is one of the most challenging offensive positions for young players, as the role demands proficiency in blocking, route running, coverage recognition, and developing chemistry with the quarterback. Helm’s college background provides him with a stronger foundation than many developmental players at the position.
Their offense needs this kind of stability, of course, and while Tennessee has worked to enhance the wide receiver corps and give Ward more options, a dependable tight end can become a quarterback's best friend. Though not necessarily the most explosive player, a tight end who can maintain drives on critical downs, like second-and-7 or third-and-4, and in the red zone can be more valuable than a flashy receiver who tends to disappear for long stretches.
Ward will face the normal challenges of being a young NFL quarterback. Protection calls, coverage rotations, tighter throwing windows, and the increased speed of the game all create pressure, and a tight end who provides a clean target and minimizes mistakes can be a vital part of the solution.
Helm's potential in the red zone is another reason to keep an eye on him because the Titans need to improve their efficiency near the goal line, and having larger targets who can navigate through traffic is critical. Helm doesn't need to overwhelm defenders with elite speed every time, but he must understand spacing, shield defenders, and complete catches in congested areas.
This is how a young tight end earns a quarterback’s confidence. Consistent weekly participation, chain-moving catches, a few touchdowns, and enough growth in his blocking skills to stay on the field during balanced formations would signal significant progress for a rebuilding offense.
They need to identify their future core players, and they are looking to build a more sustainable roster, one that isn’t solely reliant on a single defensive star and a young quarterback learning the ropes.
However, the next iteration of the Titans requires more players to step up beyond the major headlines, and this is exactly why Oladejo and Helm are important, because they represent different phases of the same rebuilding effort. One offers Saleh a versatile defensive asset that aligns with his preferred front philosophy, while the other provides Ward with a reliable middle-of-the-field target that can ease the challenges of being a young quarterback.
Head coach Robert Saleh has made one aspect of his defensive philosophy clear during his time in Tennessee: the Titans need fresh legs up front during critical moments, such as third downs and two-minute situations. This emphasis on rotation is even more significant after Jeffery Simmons secured a substantial contract extension, providing the new head coach with a franchise cornerstone to build around.