The Tennessee Titans are not wasting time stockpiling the resources to make it count. Trading away Jeffery Simmons and Amani Hooker was never going to be painless. However, the returns give general manager Mike Borgonzi an opportunity to reshape the roster through the 2027 NFL Draft. Tennessee now has multiple premium selections and several glaring needs. The next challenge is identifying the right players to turn this rebuilding project into a legitimate contender. Three prospects, in particular, deserve serious attention.
Wild and weary
An anemic 1-7 record tells the story of offensive growing pains, injuries, and fourth-quarter heartbreak. Tennessee opened the season with a home loss to the New York Jets before suffering a frustrating defeat against the New York Giants. The Titans eventually found their first win against Indianapolis, but consistency remained elusive. Off-field turmoil also hit when the team released defensive tackle Jordan Elliott following an incident at its facility in October. Cam Ward delivered his best performance yet in Week 8, leading Tennessee to 36 points against Cincinnati. Unfortunately, the defense could not keep pace. They surrendered 462 passing yards to Joe Burrow in a 43-36 overtime defeat. With Simmons already traded and Hooker following him out the door, the Titans have accepted that their most important work may happen after the season.
EDGE Colin Simmons, Texas
If Tennessee lands a top-three selection, Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons should be near the top of its board. The Titans cannot afford to leave their pass rush without a centerpiece. Simmons offers the explosive edge presence that could give Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley a foundational piece for the next phase.
At 6-foot-3 and approximately 246 pounds, Simmons combines exceptional first-step quickness with the flexibility to bend around offensive tackles. His production at Texas reinforces the appeal. He has already recorded 10.5 sacks in 2026, following a 12-sack campaign in 2025. He is not simply a speed rusher, either. His physicality and motor give him the potential to contribute against the run.
The Titans need someone offenses must account for on every passing down. Simmons could become that player. He would not directly replace everything Jeffery Simmons brought to the interior. However, he could give Tennessee a premium edge anchor. Pairing him with the team's existing young talent, including L'Jarius Sneed in the secondary, would help give Saleh's defense a clearer identity. With a premium pick potentially available, this is exactly the kind of talent Tennessee should pursue.
DL Will Echoles, Ole Miss
Landing an elite edge rusher is only part of the assignment. The Titans also need to rebuild the interior. That is where Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles becomes an appealing option. That's particularly true with the additional first-round selection acquired from the Bears.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, Echoles has the size and strength to compete inside. His 2026 production includes 22 tackles, four pass breakups, and 2.5 sacks. That proves he can affect plays beyond the line of scrimmage. His combination of functional power and disruptive potential makes him an intriguing fit for Tennessee's defense.
The Cincinnati loss illustrated how quickly an opponent can exploit a defense that struggles to disrupt the pocket. Adding Echoles alongside a potential edge selection would give Tennessee two different ways to pressure quarterbacks. He could occupy blockers, hold his ground against double teams, and create interior penetration. Borgonzi should not hesitate to invest another premium selection in the defensive line. The unit desperately needs needs a new foundation.
S KJ Bolden, Georgia
Trading Hooker to Buffalo brought Tennessee another valuable second-round selection. That said, it also created a major vacancy in the secondary. Georgia safety KJ Bolden is an attractive candidate to help fill it. He could give the Titans a player capable of contributing in multiple coverage responsibilities.
Bolden's athleticism and instincts make him an intriguing fit for this defense. He recorded 76 tackles and two interceptions in 2025. That demonstrated his ability to contribute against both the pass and the run. His 2026 numbers have been more modest, but his experience and positional flexibility remain appealing.
Tennessee should not expect any prospect to duplicate Hooker's impact immediately. However, Bolden has the tools to develop into a dependable secondary presence. He can communicate assignments, cover ground, and challenge throws over the middle. With two second-round picks available, the Titans have the flexibility to address the secondary without sacrificing their ability to strengthen the trenches.
Looking ahead
The Simmons and Hooker trades represent a dramatic shift in Tennessee's priorities. The haul, though, gives Borgonzi a chance to attack several needs with premium draft capital. Colin Simmons, Will Echoles and KJ Bolden would be an ambitious starting point for a defensive rebuild—and a meaningful step toward making this painful reset worthwhile.