2026 NFL draft: Prospects Tennessee Titans should watch during Tuesday's bowl games

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The Tennessee Titans are coming off a disappointing loss and are now preparing for their season finale with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Still, their scouting department will be moving into high gear with some prospect-rich bowl games on tap in the coming days.

Now that the dust has settled on Week 17, the Titans' loss, coupled with the Cleveland Browns' upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers, means that Tennessee has now moved back inside the Top 5 of the 2026 NFL draft.

This offseason, the Titans must continue to build around rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who has established himself as a future leader of the organization. With needs at cornerback, edge, and wide receiver, they could use as much draft capital as possible.

With college bowl season underway, Titans scouts have one final significant opportunity to evaluate top prospects in live game settings. They will continue their evaluations on Tuesday when six teams take the field in three bowl games.

Independence Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. LA Tech

Player spotlight: Coastal Carolina Edge Ezekiel Durham-Campbell

This game lacks the elite prospects of other bowl games, but it does feature a few players who could interest the Titans. Durham-Campbell comes in at 6-foot-5, 241 pounds, but has some room to get bigger. The well-travelled edge has risen from Division II Lenoir-Rhyne to LA Tech to Coastal Carolina and has had solid seasons at every level.

He enters the contest as a late-round prospect, but for a team that is in dire need at the edge position, a late-round flyer on a developmental prospect could be in the cards.

Other players of note

Coastal Carolina S Xamarion Gordon
LA Tech TE Eli Finley
LA Tech WR Devin Gandy

Music City Bowl: Tennessee vs. Illinois

Player spotlight: Illinois WR Hank Beatty

This game took a hit when multiple top prospects opted out of the game. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood, linebacker Arion Carter, and edge rusher Joshua Josephs all will not play for Tennessee in this one, and many of those sit at positions of need for the Titans.

The Volunteers weren’t the only team that took a hit; Illinois will see top prospects edge Gabe Jacas, offensive tackle JC Davis, and safety Matthew Bailey sit out, and cornerback Xavier Scott is likely to be sidelined due to injury.

Due to the opt-outs and injuries, Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty will be the one to watch. While he lacks elite traits, he has the skill set to make an impact in the NFL as a slot receiver and special teamer/return specialist.

Beatty had a tremendous season with 64 receptions for 826 yards and three touchdowns, and was named the Big 10 Special Teams Player of the Year. More of a technician as a route runner than a genuine athletic prospect, he has worked his way into Day 3 conversations.

Other players of note:

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer
Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar
Tennessee OT Lance Heard

Alamo Bowl: USC vs. TCU

Player spotlight: USC Edge Anthony Lucas

Much like the Music City Bowl, the Alamo Bowl saw many of the top draft prospects opt out of playing in this one. USC will take the biggest hit with top wideouts Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane deciding to sit out. Defensively, safety Kamari Ramsey, linebacker Eric Gentry, and cornerback DJ Harvey will all sit out.

TCU will also see some prospects sit out. Wide receiver Jordan Dwyer will be out due to injury, and quarterback Josh Hoover entered the transfer portal.

There is no doubt that the Titans will be keeping an eye on edge prospects and have a desperate need at the position heading into the offseason. Lucas has the physical stature the Titans currently use at the edge position and brings elite length and an explosive first step.

Lucas has the potential to develop into a playmaker, but is still a bit raw and has an uneven motor. At this point, he would be considered a Day 2 prospect.

Other players of note: