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Titans Host DE David Bailey
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Set to select fourth overall in next week’s draft, the Titans will have an interesting decision to make when they are on the clock. As expected, many of the top prospects in the 2026 class have received a look from Tennessee.

That includes David Bailey. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Texas Tech edge rusher took part in a top-30 visit with the Titans last week. Bailey is in contention to be the top pass rusher selected, and as such he will receive strong consideration from both the Jets (set to draft second overall) and Cardinals (third).

Tennessee has long been connected to Jeremiyah Love, and the Notre Dame running back visited the Titans early in the pre-draft process. Love would offer a major boost to the team’s offense, although new head coach Robert Saleh has expressed confidence in the running back room as currently constructed. Bringing in a high-end EDGE presence would go a long way toward upgrading a Titans front seven which has plenty of room for improvement compared to 2025.

Bailey has long been viewed as a first-round lock thanks to his standout showing last season. Across three years at Stanford, he totaled 14.5 sacks. Bailey managed to match that figure during his lone campaign with the Red Raiders, adding 19.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles along the way. That resulted in first-team All-American honors and cemented his status as one of the top players at any position in the 2026 class.

The Titans have been busy with respect to additions along the defensive front this offseason. Jermaine Johnson was acquired via trade with the Jets, while John Franklin-Myers was among the team’s numerous big-ticket free agent signings. Other positions could be viewed as a priority with Tennessee aiming to rebound from a 3-14 season, but selecting Bailey would provide a notable presence against the pass for 2026 and beyond.

The same could of course be true of other prospects such as Ohio State hybrid linebacker/pass rusher Arvell Reese, who is also in position to hear his name called early on Day 1. Nevertheless, it comes as little surprise the Titans are among the teams which have done their homework on Bailey.

This article first appeared on Pro Football Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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