The Tennessee Titans have been aggressive early in the 2026 NFL Draft. They just traded up for the second time in two rounds, selecting Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. with the 60th overall pick.
New head coach Robert Saleh has his name written all over the move. He has clearly wanted to bolster his defensive roster with talented players. Hill, like Keldric Faulk, is an athletic specimen with versatility as a defender.
This pick further solidifies what should be a strong defense in 2026.
Titans trade up for Anthony Hill in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft
Hill is a bit raw as a player, but he has the athletic tools to develop into a high-end starter at linebacker. His 4.5-second 40-yard dash proves that he has enough speed to track down ball carriers from sideline to sideline.
While he has weaknesses in coverage at times, Hill is strong in run defense. He's slightly undersized at 238 pounds, but he's physical against the run and can take on clocks from offensive linemen much bigger than him.
He should have time to grow in Saleh's defense, as he doesn't necessarily have to start immediately. The Titans already have Cody Barton and Cedric Gray in the building. The depth Tennessee has at linebacker could give the second-rounder the chance to grow into a big role without too much pressure.
Saleh is coming from a defense centered around a star linebacker. Fred Warner was the key to his unit in San Francisco. Warner, another mid-round draft pick, became an all-around linebacker with the best coverage skills in the NFL at the position. There's no doubt that Saleh will look to establish Hill as a similar star.
Hill is a long way from reaching Warner's impact as a player, but he has a similar level of athleticism. The Titans' new head coach will look to develop the Texas product into a dominant linebacker.
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