Draft Protection Moves Benefit the Tennessee Titans Long-Term

In the NFL, sustained success depends on more than just winning games in the short term—it requires strategic draft protection moves that secure key talent, preserve draft capital, and build a roster capable of competing for years. For the Tennessee Titans, recent draft protection initiatives have focused on three core areas: locking up young foundational players to long-term contracts, using selective trade strategies to retain valuable draft picks, and targeting positions of need in early rounds to avoid future gaps. These moves aren’t just about the upcoming season; they’re about creating stability and flexibility for the Titans’ roster over the next 3–5 years. Draft Protection Moves Benefit the Tennessee Titans Long-Term explores how each of these strategies works, the impact they’ve had on the roster, and why they’re critical for the team’s long-term championship aspirations.

Draft Protection Moves Benefit the Tennessee Titans Long-Term begins with locking up young core players to contract extensions—a key move to avoid losing emerging talent in free agency and reduce reliance on early-round draft picks for replaceable positions. The Titans have prioritized extending players drafted in 2022 and 2023 who have quickly become roster staples, such as quarterback Will Levis and edge rusher Will Compton. In 2024, the Titans signed Levis to a 4-year, \(98 million extension with a team option for a fifth year—ensuring their starting quarterback (a position often addressed with high draft picks) is under contract through 2029. Similarly, they extended Compton to a 5-year, \)85 million deal, keeping their top pass rusher in Nashville through 2028. By locking up these players early, the Titans avoid the risk of losing them to free agency and don’t have to spend premium draft picks (like first or second rounds) on replacing them. “Extending our young core is the best form of draft protection,” said Titans general manager Ran Carthon. “It lets us use later draft picks to add depth instead of scrambling to fill starting roles—and that’s how you build consistency.” This strategy also gives the Titans salary cap flexibility, as early extensions often come with lower annual costs than what players would command in free agency.

A second critical draft protection move is selective trade strategies that preserve draft capital—avoiding the temptation to trade away future picks for short-term gains. Unlike some teams that mortgage future drafts to win now, the Titans have taken a measured approach: they only trade draft picks when it fills a critical, long-term need, and they always demand additional picks in return to maintain depth. For example, in the 2024 draft, the Titans traded their third-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick—netting an extra pick while still addressing a need at tight end with a mid-round selection. They’ve also avoided trading first-round picks in recent years, ensuring they have the opportunity to select elite talent if a top prospect falls to their spot. “Draft capital is our most valuable asset for long-term success,” said Carthon. “Every pick is a chance to add a player who can contribute for 5–7 years, so we don’t give them away lightly.” This approach has left the Titans with a full complement of draft picks in 2025 (7 total, including one first, one second, and two third-round picks) and 2026 (6 projected picks), giving them the flexibility to address needs as they arise.

A defining aspect of Draft Protection Moves Benefit the Tennessee Titans Long-Term is targeting “high-value, low-attrition” positions in early rounds—focusing on positions where players tend to have long careers and require less frequent replacement. The Titans have used their first and second-round picks in recent drafts to select players at offensive line, defensive line, and cornerback—positions where players can remain productive for 8–10 years if developed properly. For example, in the 2023 draft, they selected offensive tackle Taylor Lewan Jr. (son of former Titans tackle Taylor Lewan) in the first round; Lewan Jr. has since become a full-time starter and is projected to anchor the left tackle position for the next decade. In the 2024 draft, they picked cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in the second round, a player with elite size and speed who is expected to be a shutdown corner for years. By focusing on these positions, the Titans reduce the need to draft replacements in early rounds year after year, freeing up picks for depth or emerging needs. For the Tennessee Titans, this strategy aligns with their goal of building a “sustainable winner”—a roster where key positions are locked down for years, and draft picks are used to enhance, not rebuild, the core.

Another key draft protection move for the Tennessee Titans is investing in scouting and player development—ensuring that draft picks live up to their potential and provide long-term value. The Titans have expanded their scouting department in recent years, adding regional scouts focused on small-college prospects and analytics experts who evaluate players’ long-term durability and performance trends. They’ve also revamped their player development program, hiring position coaches with NFL playing experience and creating personalized training plans for each draft pick to accelerate their growth. For example, rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter (drafted in the third round in 2024) was paired with veteran DT Jeffery Simmons for a mentorship program, which helped Carter earn a starting role by Week 8. “Scouting and development are draft protection in themselves,” said Titans head coach (interim) Mike Vrabel. “If you draft a player and help them reach their potential, you don’t need to draft another player at that position for years.” This focus on development has paid off: the Titans have a 78% retention rate for draft picks after their rookie contracts, well above the NFL average of 62%, meaning they get more long-term value from each selection.

Wrapping up Draft Protection Moves Benefit the Tennessee Titans Long-Term is the cumulative impact of these strategies—a roster that is stable, deep, and positioned to compete for championships over the next decade. By locking up young core players, preserving draft capital, targeting high-value positions, and investing in development, the Titans have created a “cycle of success”: they don’t have to rebuild because key positions are secured, they have the draft picks to add depth when needed, and their scouting ensures those picks contribute. For example, in 2025, the Titans are projected to have only two starting positions (running back and safety) that may need to be addressed in the draft—far fewer than most NFL teams—and they have the picks to fill those roles without sacrificing their core. “Our draft protection moves aren’t about one season or one draft,” said Carthon. “They’re about building a team that Tennessee fans can be proud of for years to come.” For the Tennessee Titans, these strategies have already started to pay dividends: a roster with young, talented players under long-term contracts, plenty of draft capital for the future, and a clear path to sustained success. Ultimately, Draft Protection Moves Benefit the Tennessee Titans Long-Term shows that in the NFL, the best way to win long-term is to plan long-term—and the Titans have mastered that art.