The 2026 NFL Draft is a peculiar one. You’ve probably heard it described as a “down year”, which in my opinion is an overstatement most of the time. There’s no doubt it’s a less than ideal year to be drafting in the top-5/top-10, because the supply of true blue chip talent at premium positions is severely lacking. And in rounds 6 and 7, I think the back end of the depth in this class will really struggle to make NFL rosters this summer. But in the middle rounds, there is a ton of value to be added.

But each team will see this class differently. And if the league is lower on this class than I am, there could be more trades for veterans and/or future assets than usual. This is where the topic of this article comes into play: what if Titans GM Mike Borgonzi decided to spend some of his draft capital on veteran help for Cam Ward?

FOX Sports proposes Kyle Pitts Titans trade

NFL Reporter Ralph Vacchiano put out a list of trade proposals this week on FOX Sports. He looked at a veteran trade that each AFC team could make during the 2026 NFL Draft, and he had the Titans calling up the Atlanta Falcons for the player they just franchise tagged this spring.

Vacchiano proposed the Titans send their second rounder (35) and fourth rounder (101) to the Falcons for TE Kyle Pitts. Here’s a piece of his justification:

“The Titans are all about the development of QB Cam Ward, but they’re still a bit thin on players for him to throw to. Calvin Ridley is 31 and coming off a broken leg. Tennessee’s No. 1 receiver will probably be Wan’Dale Robinson, who is 5-foot-8. And TE Chig Okonkwo left in free agency. The Falcons placed the franchise tag on Pitts but haven’t ruled out trading him if they can’t sign him to a long-term deal.” 

Pitts had his best season in 2025 since the record-setting rookie campaign. He managed 88 receptions for 928 yards, earning him a second-team All Pro nod. The Titans have more than enough cap space to absorb his Franchise Tag price in 2026, which is a $15 million contract. And at just 25 years old, he’s not a bad candidate for a long-term deal either.

But would the Titans consider it? I’d be floored if they did. This forfeits two of their draft picks in the middle rounds where this class is the richest. And more importantly, this is a team that wants to (and needs to) draft and develop their roster. Adding Pitts would be even more damaging than signing overpaid players in free agency, since the price includes forfeiting cost-controlled rookie contracts. When Borgonzi began, he and President of Football Operations Chad Brinker said they were aiming to make 12 top-100 picks in the span of three cycles. They are currently on pace to make just nine as it stands.

A trade like this is enticing on the surface, especially when you consider how Pitts could thrive with Cam Ward. But it’s not the right way to build a team.