NASHVILLE — We all know that the Tennessee Titans (1-9) are going nowhere in 2025. But as fans start their mock drafts and hypothetical trade packages for next year’s No. 1 overall pick, it is worth considering how many solutions for 2026 are presently on the roster.

Few and far between though they might be.

Titans players showing promise beyond this year

Quarterback: Cam Ward’s rookie season has been a mixed bag clouded by far more good than bad. He is, of course, the No. 1 overall pick in this past draft and will be viewed as a franchise cornerstone until proven otherwise. Through 10 games, Ward has passed for 1,954 yards with six passing touchdowns against six interceptions. He has fumbled eight times and lost six of them and will need major technical improvement in the coming offseason. A better back-up quarterback option should be brought in next year to push the young passer.

Running Back: Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears will both technically be under contract. Pollard, with 65.9% of the workload this seasons has been wholly ineffective behind an offensive line that has struggled in front of him. Pollard’s -0.224 EPA per attempt ranks 71st out of 77 qualified rushers this season (RBs & QBs). Tennessee needs explosive play-makers to do more with less as they continue to re-tool up front.

Offensive Line: By the far the greatest disappointment of any unit on the team this season. Left tackle Dan Moore, Jr. and left guard Peter Skoronski are the only two pieces of the starting five that have reasonably held up their end of the bargain. 2024 No. 7 overall draft pick JC Latham has been underwhelming, injured and undisciplined in his second season, leaving room for doubt about his long-term viability. Center Lloyd Cushenberry should be released by the Titans at year’s end. Three of the five starting spots should be in question after this year.

Wide Receiver: Tennessee has been chasing a bona fide No. 1 option in the passing game since it shipped A.J. Brown off to Philadelphia in 2022. 2025 rookie Chimere Dike has been the lone bright spot with utility on both offense and special teams (1,528 all-purpose yards through 10 games). Fellow first-year receiver Elic Ayomanor looks promising enough and leads the team in receiving touchdowns (2). Ayomanor’s effectiveness has waned since Week 6, when veteran Calvin Ridley left the line-up with injury and Ayomanor became more of a focal point for opposing defenses.

Tight End: Rookie Gunnar Helm has done plenty with his opportunities but is not targeted at a nearly high enough rate. Part of that issue is Tennessee’s league-leading 11-personnel usage (76.44%) this season with fourth-year tight end Chig Okonkwo taking the bulk of the positional snaps. With Okonkwo likely out at year’s end, the way should be clear for Helm to take a more meaningful role.

EDGE: 2025 second-round pick Femi Oladejo has been out since Week 6 with a broken leg and hasn’t done much to speak of with his opportunities in a reserve role. The team would be wise to bring back veterans Jihad Ward and Arden Key on one-year deals while adding top end talent to their rush. The Titans have overachieved significantly this year in affecting the quarterback under coordinator Dennard Wilson with a Top 10 team sack rate (7.3%).

Interior Defensive Line: Before missing three games with a hamstring injury, Jeffery Simmons was playing like the best defensive tackle in football. Simmons has two more seasons left on his current contract and has expressed his interest in staying with the team instead of forcing his way out of a losing franchise. Expecting Simmons to be a part of the future feels more certain than 2024 second-round pick T’Vondre Sweat, who has incredible athletic upside but is viewed (so far) as an underachiever.

Off-Ball Linebacker: Cedric Gray has been a pleasant surprise in Year 2. He’s started all 10 games, with 55 tackles, 42 assists, 6 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 1 quarterback pressure, 1 quarterback hit and 1 fumble recovery. Veteran Cody Barton, 29, is on a three-year deal and should be a solid running mate for at least the 2026 season.

Defensive Backs: The Titans only cornerback under contract in 2026 is L’Jarius Sneed, who has played 12 total games in two season and is currently embroiled in legal controversy. They need a total re-set at the position. Safeties Amani Hooker and rookie Kevin Winston, Jr. at least give the team starting-caliber players next season.

Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.