The Tennessee Titans' 2025 season may have been a tough one to watch, but the front office was quietly building for the future. General manager Mike Borgonzi made several savvy trades during the season to stockpile draft picks, and now those moves are paying off in a big way. As the team heads into offseason activities, those trades have turned into multiple players who could be key starters.
It all started with three veteran players being dealt at different points in the season: defensive end Dre'Mont Jones, cornerback Roger McCreary, and cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. In return, the Titans collected three draft picks—Nos. 142, 144, and 196. How they used those picks shows a clear vision for rebuilding the roster.
The first trade sent Dre'Mont Jones to the Baltimore Ravens for pick No. 142. With that selection, the Titans grabbed Arkansas guard Fernando Carmona. He's a seasoned college lineman with the versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line. While it might take some time to see his full impact, getting a potential starter for a player on a one-year deal looks like a smart move.
Next up was the trade that raised some eyebrows among fans. The Titans shipped cornerback Roger McCreary to the Los Angeles Rams for pick No. 144. Initially, the move was met with skepticism, but the draft changed the narrative. Tennessee packaged that pick to move up into the second round, selecting linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. at No. 60 overall. Hill has the athleticism and experience to make an immediate impact in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh's system. This could end up being a home run for the Titans.
Finally, the most surprising trade of the bunch came early in 2025 when the Titans sent Jarvis Brownlee Jr. to the New York Jets for a 2026 sixth-round pick—which turned into pick No. 194. With that selection, they landed Indiana center Pat Coogan. He's a gritty, experienced lineman with the temperament to compete for the starting job from day one. For a late-round pick, that's fantastic value.
From three trades that initially looked like a fire sale, the Titans have emerged with a guard, a linebacker, and a center who all have a real shot at being part of the team's long-term future. It's a testament to how smart trading can accelerate a rebuild, even in a losing season.