The Tennessee Titans have a new boss in charge with Robert Saleh as the lead man on the sideline. That means there will be plenty of competition happening this summer during training camp, and one of the guys who could benefit the most is linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.
The Titans nabbed Hill with the 60th overall pick, and it showed how highly the staff views him. With Cedric Gray locked into one starting spot, Hill and Cody Barton will battle for the opposite linebacker job.
And the fact that Tennessee drafted Hill Jr. with Barton on the roster shows how they look at the veteran in the new scheme.
Anthony Hill Jr. could leave Titans training camp with a much bigger role
Barton has been with the Titans for one year after he got a three-year, $21 million contract last March. He started in all 17 games, logging 81 total tackles, four TFLs, and three interceptions. Yet, he still struggled based on the advanced metrics on Pro Football Focus.
Barton had a 52.5 overall grade (67th among 88 graded LBs), 46.0 run defense grade (83rd among 88 graded LBs), and a 56.9 coverage grade (41st among 88 graded LBs).
He's not the most athletic defender, which is what Saleh looks for in his linebackers. And Hill can provide that. The Texas product covers a bunch of ground when in run pursuit and can fill into gaps with ease. He also has the movement skills to change direction in a hurry.
And it can't be under the radar how good a blitzer he is. Across 40 games with the Longhorns, Hill had 249 total tackles, 31.5 TFLs, 17 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and three interceptions. He has a true difference maker in the middle of the field. And look for him to climb up the depth chart this summer.
Paul Kuharsky highlighted that the Titans were in the trade market for linebackers in 2025, but nothing transpired.
"Throughout the early stages of the 2025 offseason, it was widely reported that the Titans were heavily involved in the trade market for linebackers (presumably for Barton’s replacement). After none of these trades materialized and Tennessee made no significant free agent signings at linebacker, the focus then shifted to potential additions during the draft. This speculation came to fruition after Borgonzi traded back up into the second round on Day Two to select Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. with the 60th overall pick."
With it being reported that the Titans were in the trade market at linebacker, it shows that Barton wasn't in good standing with the team. They were looking to improve at the position and believe they did so with Hill.
The rookie will have to stand out during camp, but the pathway to earning a starting job is there. The new staff clearly likes what he brings to the table, and if he answers the call, fans should expect to see Hill on the field early and often.
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