The Tennessee Titans are in a unique position heading into the NFL draft season, as they face critical decisions that will help shape the future of their roster. With a team that is looking to strengthen its offense and defense, general manager Ran Carthon has a difficult task ahead of him in maximizing the value of the upcoming draft. The Titans are in a situation where they must improve their stockpile of draft picks to address several roster needs while holding on to their prized first-round pick, which could be critical to finding their next franchise quarterback or another key player.
In this article, we’ll explore strategies the Titans can use to increase their stockpile of draft picks for the 2025 NFL draft without surrendering their valuable first-round pick. This strategy will center on trading away mid- and lower-round picks, taking advantage of other teams’ desperation for specific players, and strategically maneuvering to land more assets in future years.
Understanding the Titans’ Roster Needs
Before diving into how the Titans can increase their draft stock, it’s crucial to understand their current roster needs. The team, despite boasting a strong defense and having standout players like Derrick Henry and Jeffrey Simmons, has several areas in need of attention. These include:
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Quarterback: Ryan Tannehill’s tenure as the franchise quarterback may be nearing its end. While he has led the Titans to multiple playoff appearances, his age and inconsistent play in recent seasons have prompted questions about his future.
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Offensive Line: The Titans’ offensive line has struggled in recent years, particularly in pass protection. Bolstering this unit should be a high priority for the team to protect whoever plays quarterback and to open up running lanes for Derrick Henry.
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Wide Receiver: Outside of veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the Titans have lacked consistency and explosiveness in their receiving corps. They need a reliable No. 2 or No. 3 option who can stretch the field and provide a consistent target for whoever is under center.
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Defensive Backfield: The secondary, while having some talent, remains a work in progress. The Titans could benefit from more depth and perhaps a star player in the safety or cornerback positions to complement their solid front seven.
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Edge Rusher: While the Titans have one of the most dominant defensive linemen in Jeffrey Simmons, they lack consistent pressure from the edge. Improving the pass rush will be crucial for their defense to take the next step.
Considering these needs, the Titans will need to focus on getting the right players for these areas, without compromising their first-round pick in the process.
Strategy 1: Leveraging the Mid-to-Late Round Picks for Future Assets
The first strategy the Titans can employ is to focus on trading their mid- and late-round draft picks in exchange for future picks. This is an intelligent move because it allows the team to keep its first-round pick intact while potentially adding more draft capital in the following year or two. While the current draft class may not offer the exact type of player the Titans are targeting, looking ahead to the 2026 draft, for example, could provide a more tailored approach.
Why It Works:
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Future Draft Classes Could Be Deeper: A team like the Titans, with a young but talented defense and an offense looking for key pieces, could benefit more from stockpiling picks in future drafts. It’s possible that the 2026 draft class could feature a deeper pool of quarterbacks, offensive linemen, or wide receivers than what is available in 2025.
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Cap Flexibility: By acquiring picks in later years, the Titans can avoid spending too much money on immediate rookies while giving themselves time to make long-term decisions, especially with the team’s current salary cap situation.
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A Team in Transition: The Titans are in a transition phase, moving from a veteran-led roster to one that could have a mix of young talent and established players. Drafting for future seasons is a smart way to continue to build for long-term success without putting all their chips into one draft.
Strategy 2: Trading Down from the First Round
While the Titans may want to hold onto their first-round pick, trading down could allow them to gain additional draft capital while still landing a player who can help their team immediately. By moving down a few spots, the Titans can accumulate extra picks and still get a player who fits their needs.
For example, if a quarterback-needy team or a team with a specific positional need is interested in trading up, the Titans could capitalize on that demand. Teams that may want to jump ahead to select a quarterback or a highly touted position player could be willing to offer significant draft capital to move up.
Why It Works:
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Depth of the Draft Class: If the Titans are not in a position to draft a quarterback in the first round, or they feel confident in other areas of their roster, trading down provides an opportunity to acquire more picks in the second or third rounds. The 2025 draft is expected to have depth at multiple positions, including offensive line, wide receiver, and defensive back, all of which are areas the Titans are looking to strengthen.
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Balancing Needs: The Titans need help in several areas, so trading down gives them the flexibility to accumulate additional picks in areas where they may find a good value. This also spreads the risk and gives them more chances to hit on players who can contribute early.
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Maximizing Pick Value: If the Titans trade down with a team desperate for a particular player, they could increase the value of their pick significantly. For example, if a quarterback is unexpectedly still available in the middle of the first round, teams looking for a franchise signal-caller could offer a hefty price to move up.
Strategy 3: Trading Veteran Players to Build the Draft Stockpile
Another potential strategy for the Titans is to trade away veteran players to build their draft stockpile. This approach can be bittersweet, as it involves parting with key contributors, but the team might be able to leverage their veterans for multiple picks in return.
A player like Derrick Henry could attract interest from contending teams who are looking for a game-changing running back. Similarly, veterans on the offensive line or at wide receiver might be attractive to teams looking to shore up their roster for a playoff push. Trading these players would help the Titans free up cap space and accumulate draft picks without sacrificing their first-round pick.
Why It Works:
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Cap Flexibility: Trading veterans can free up cap space that the Titans can use to make moves in free agency or prepare for future contracts. With several key contracts on the books, freeing up money will allow the Titans to be more strategic in the long term.
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Build for the Future: While trading established players like Henry might be difficult for Titans fans to stomach, it could be a smart move in the grand scheme of things. By focusing on future drafts, the Titans can lay the foundation for a younger, more sustainable roster.
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Leverage Veteran Assets: Teams that are on the verge of a championship, such as those looking for an experienced running back like Henry, may be willing to pay a premium to acquire a veteran player. This gives the Titans an opportunity to capitalize on the demand.
Strategy 4: Targeting Undervalued Positions
Another strategy the Titans can implement is to target undervalued positions in the draft. For instance, many teams tend to prioritize premium positions like quarterback, edge rusher, and cornerback early in the draft. This creates an opportunity for the Titans to draft players at positions like interior offensive line, linebacker, or tight end in later rounds, which often present better value compared to their perceived importance.
The Titans could look to trade into the middle rounds of the draft where positions such as center, guard, or even interior defensive linemen are being drafted. These players can still contribute immediately, and the Titans may find more than one starter by using their resources wisely.
Why It Works:
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Increased Value: By targeting undervalued positions, the Titans can improve their roster without overpaying for premium picks. Teams often overlook players at certain positions, which means the Titans can take advantage of this inefficiency.
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Addressing Immediate Needs: For a team that needs to improve its offensive line or defensive line, focusing on these positions in later rounds could provide immediate help at a relatively lower cost.
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Developing Depth: By drafting players in undervalued positions, the Titans can build depth on both sides of the ball. Developing players who may not be considered stars but who can contribute in key roles will pay off in the long term.