Analyst outlines best and worst case scenario for Titans' defense

The Tennessee Titans made some massive changes to their defense in both free agency and the draft in hopes of improving in 2026.

While their 2025 defense did have some solid moments, it was inconsistent and too prone to giving up big plays at the worst possible moment. Now, with veterans like John Franklin-Myers, Alontae Taylor, and Cor’Dale Flott joining Jeffery Simmons and Cedric Gray, new head coach Robert Saleh looks to right the ship.

How much have they improved? Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report outlines his projected best and worst outcomes for the Titans’ defense.

Tennessee Titans

Best Case

After a 2025 season in which the Titans allowed over 345 yards of offense and the fifth-most points per game in the league, new head coach Robert Saleh is looking for the same thing on both sides of the ball. Improvement. Not dominance. Just improvement. The Titans were wildly aggressive in free agency, paying big bucks for defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and adding two new corners in Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott. Add in rookie linebacker Anthony Hill, and there could be a handful of new faces on the field come Week 1.

Worst Case

Franklin-Myers is a solid player, as is edge-rusher Jermaine Johnson. But Tennessee’s pass rush is a legitimate question mark in 2026. Taylor and Flott got nice contracts, but neither is a “shutdown” corner. Hill is talented but untested. While there is optimism this defense will be better this season, there are also multiple things that could go wrong. If a few do, Saleh’s defense won’t be any better than last year’s bunch.

After a 2025 season in which the Titans allowed over 345 yards of offense and the fifth-most points per game in the league, new head coach Robert Saleh is looking for the same thing on both sides of the ball. Improvement. Not dominance. Just improvement. The Titans were wildly aggressive in free agency, paying big bucks for defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and adding two new corners in Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott. Add in rookie linebacker Anthony Hill, and there could be a handful of new faces on the field come Week 1.

Franklin-Myers is a solid player, as is edge-rusher Jermaine Johnson. But Tennessee’s pass rush is a legitimate question mark in 2026. Taylor and Flott got nice contracts, but neither is a “shutdown” corner. Hill is talented but untested. While there is optimism this defense will be better this season, there are also multiple things that could go wrong. If a few do, Saleh’s defense won’t be any better than last year’s bunch.

Between the veteran additions and the new staff, there is hope that the unit will come together early and prove that the investments made by general manager Mike Borgonzi were worth it. With Saleh and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s track record, and the built-in familiarity with the system added in free agency, Tennessee should be able to get off to a fast start on that side of the ball.