Trade Back to Build Depth for the Tennessee Titans

For the Tennessee Titans, the upcoming NFL Draft isn’t just about landing a single star prospect—it’s about using a “trade back” strategy to accumulate extra picks and build much-needed depth across a roster thin at critical positions. After last season’s 8–9 finish exposed gaps on the offensive line, in the secondary, and at wide receiver, general manager Ran Carthon has made it clear that quantity of picks will be just as important as quality. Trading back from their projected first-round spot (12–15 range) will let the Titans add 2–3 extra mid-round picks, which they’ll use to select developmental players who can contribute immediately as backups and grow into starters. Trade Back to Build Depth for the Tennessee Titans explains why this approach is essential for the Titans’ rebuild, how they’ll execute it, and which positions will benefit most from the added depth. For a team aiming to compete for the AFC South while protecting franchise quarterback Cam Ward, building depth isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Trade Back to Build Depth for the Tennessee Titans begins with the core motivation: the Titans’ roster lacks the “next man up” talent that winning NFL teams rely on. Last season, injuries to left tackle Taylor Lewan and guard Nate Davis forced the Titans to start undrafted rookies, who allowed 12 sacks in the six games they played together. Similarly, when cornerback Kristian Fulton missed four games with a hamstring injury, the secondary surrendered 28+ points in three of those contests. “Depth is what separates playoff teams from also-rans,” says NFL analyst Dane Brugler. “The Titans have a solid core—Ward, Derrick Henry, Jeffery Simmons—but they don’t have reliable backups. If a starter gets hurt, their season can unravel quickly.” By trading back, the Titans can address multiple depth needs at once. For example, staying in the mid-first round might let them draft one offensive lineman, but trading back 8–10 spots could net them a lineman in the late first round, a cornerback in the second, and a wide receiver in the third. “It’s about maximizing opportunities,” adds former Titans general manager Floyd Reese. “One pick can fix one problem; three picks can fix three problems.” This logic aligns with Carthon’s draft philosophy, which prioritizes “roster breadth” to avoid the depth crises that derailed the 2025 season.

Trade Back to Build Depth for the Tennessee Titans continues with the practical side of executing the strategy: identifying trade partners and structuring deals. The Titans are likely to target teams eager to move up for quarterbacks or top-tier skill players—franchises in win-now modes that have extra mid-round picks to spare. Leading candidates include the New England Patriots (holding the 17th pick, seeking a successor to Mac Jones) and the Denver Broncos (21st pick, looking to upgrade at wide receiver). A plausible trade scenario: the Titans send their 12th pick to the Patriots for New England’s 17th pick, a 2026 second-rounder, and a 2027 fourth-rounder. This swap lets the Patriots jump up to select a quarterback like North Carolina’s Drake Maye, while the Titans gain two extra picks to bolster depth. “Teams drafting quarterbacks are willing to overpay because the position is so critical,” says NFL trade expert Mike Tannenbaum. “The Titans can leverage that desperation to stockpile picks. The Patriots have a history of giving up future capital for QBs, so this is a perfect match.” The Titans are also open to trading back multiple times—swapping down again in the second round if a team offers a third-round pick—to add even more depth pieces. Carthon has emphasized that he won’t rush deals, though: “We’ll only trade back if the value is there. Our goal is to get better, not just to get more picks.”

Trade Back to Build Depth for the Tennessee Titans shifts to how the Titans will prioritize positions with their extra picks—focusing on areas where depth was most lacking last season. The top target is the offensive line: the Titans plan to use at least two picks on linemen (one tackle, one guard/center) who can back up starters and eventually compete for starting roles. Prospects like Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum (a versatile interior lineman projected to go in the second round) and Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison (a developmental tackle who could fall to the third) fit this mold—players with solid college tape but minor flaws that make them better suited as depth pieces early in their careers. Next is the secondary: the Titans will look for a cornerback who can play nickelback and a safety who can back up Kevin Byard, addressing the issues that arose when Fulton and safety Amani Hooker were injured last season. Finally, they’ll target a “slot receiver” to complement DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks—someone who can catch short passes and contribute on special teams. “These are ‘role players’ but essential ones,” says Titans scouting director Monti Ossenfort. “A good backup tackle can save you a game; a reliable nickelback can shut down an opponent’s slot receiver. These are the picks that win division titles.” For the Tennessee Titans, each of these depth additions will directly support Ward: a stronger offensive line keeps him upright, a deeper secondary prevents opponents from scoring quickly, and a better receiving corps gives him more targets.

Trade Back to Build Depth for the Tennessee Titans delves into how adding depth will impact the team’s salary cap—a long-term concern for the Titans, who face contract extensions for Simmons and Henry in the next two years. Young depth players on rookie contracts are significantly cheaper than veteran backups: a third-round pick earns roughly \(1.2 million per year, compared to \)3–4 million for a veteran backup offensive lineman. By drafting depth instead of signing veterans in free agency, the Titans can save $5–7 million in cap space annually—money that can be used to retain star players or sign a premium free agent if needed. “The salary cap is a zero-sum game,” says Titans cap specialist Brandon Taylor. “Every dollar you spend on a backup is a dollar you can’t spend on a starter. Drafting depth lets you have your cake and eat it too—you get quality backups at a fraction of the cost.” This cap flexibility is especially important for the Tennessee Titans as they enter a critical phase of their rebuild. Ward is entering the third year of his rookie contract, and the team needs to allocate resources to players who will be part of their long-term core. “We can’t afford to waste cap space on one-year backups,” Taylor adds. “Drafting depth is an investment in both the present and the future.” The extra picks from trading back also reduce the risk of overpaying for free agents: if a draft pick fails to develop, the Titans can move on without financial penalty, whereas a bad veteran contract can clog the cap for years.

Trade Back to Build Depth for the Tennessee Titans wraps up with the long-term vision: how building depth now will set the Titans up for sustained success. In the NFL, injuries are inevitable—every team loses 5–7 starters to injuries over the course of a season. The teams that win are the ones that have reliable backups ready to step in. By trading back to add depth, the Titans are preparing for that reality, ensuring they don’t repeat the 2025 season’s mistakes when injuries derailed their playoff push. “Depth is the foundation of consistency,” says Titans head coach Brian Callahan (before his midseason firing). “If you can keep winning when starters get hurt, you can make the playoffs year after year. That’s what we’re building toward.” The strategy also aligns with the Titans’ goal of developing young talent around Ward. Many of the depth picks will be players who are the same age as Ward, letting them grow together and build chemistry—a contrast to signing veteran backups who may not be part of the long-term plan. For the Tennessee Titans, trading back isn’t just a draft strategy—it’s a commitment to building a franchise that can compete for championships, not just one playoff spot. “We’re not looking for a quick fix,” Carthon said in a recent press conference. “We’re looking to build something that lasts. Trading back to build depth is a big part of that.” In the end, Trade Back to Build Depth for the Tennessee Titans is a story about patience and pragmatism—qualities that have defined the NFL’s most successful teams. By focusing on depth now, the Titans are laying the groundwork for a future where they’re not just competitive, but consistent contenders.