Caleb Tiernan is projected to come off the board early in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, with draft analyst Jordan Reid sending the Northwestern offensive lineman to the Tennessee Titans at No. 66 in a mock released April 20. That would make Tiernan the second pick of Round 3, a place where teams often target linemen they believe can help soon.
Tiernan started every game over his last three seasons at Northwestern and has built his case on pass protection and a strong anchor. He has also drawn notice for his quickness and his ability to block on the move, traits that could make him useful as a guard or swing tackle even if he is bumped inside at the next level.
The fit with Tennessee is easy to understand. The Titans took Northwestern lineman Peter Skoronski 11th overall in 2023, and Northwestern has again put top-end blockers into the draft conversation with Rashawn Slater going 13th overall to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021. Tiernan was on the roster at the same time as Skoronski, adding another layer to a program that has become familiar with sending offensive linemen into the NFL early.
Reid’s projection also reflects the trade-offs that come with Tiernan as a prospect. He has held up well in pass protection and shows the kind of anchor that teams covet, but he has at times struggled against high-end athletes. There are also concerns about his arm length and hand size, which is part of why he is more likely to move inside to guard than stay strictly on the edge.
That does not close the door on tackle. Tiernan could still play on the outside if needed, and his range gives him a chance to be useful in more than one spot once a team gets him into a pro system. For a draft class in which offensive line is expected to come at a premium, especially with a run on tackles seeming likely, that versatility helps explain why he is being projected as an early- to middle-Round 3 pick.
The 2026 NFL Draft opened April 23 with Round 1, continued April 24 with Rounds two and three, and finishes April 25 with Rounds four through seven. If Reid’s read proves accurate, Tiernan’s name could still be called while the league is in its first real rush to fill the front of the offensive line.
