The Tennessee Titans used the first wave of NFL free agency to help reshape their defense in new head coach Robert Saleh's vision. Through trades and signings, the Titans acquired six total defenders who were coached by Saleh at previous stops. It's fair to say he wielded significant influence over Mike Borgonzi's offseason targets.
A few more signings may trickle in for the Titans, but the majority of the league has shifted attention to the NFL Draft. The Titans own the No. 4 overall selection. It's another opportunity for Coach Saleh to influence the player acquisition cycle.
That's arguably what happens in Field Yates' latest two-round mock draft for ESPN. The Titans select Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 4 overall. Styles hasn't been frequently mocked to the Titans throughout the pre-draft process, but Saleh's appreciation for linebackers makes it a worthwhile scenario to consider.
Robert Saleh influences Titans' No. 4 pick in ESPN's latest 2026 mock draft
Saleh got his first position coaching job as an assistant linebackers coach with the Houston Texans in 2009. He became the Jacksonville Jaguars' linebackers coach in 2014 and spent three successful years there before getting his big break with the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive coordinator in 2017.
Saleh has since helped develop various top-tier linebackers in the NFL, including Fred Warner and Azeez Al-Shaair.
"The Titans don't have a glaring need at pass rush after trading for Jermaine Johnson and signing John Franklin-Myers," Yates wrote in his mock. "But new coach Robert Saleh shouldn't mind more help at linebacker behind Johnson, Franklin-Myers and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Styles has put together about as good of a final season and predraft process as you could ask for."
The Titans entered the offseason expecting to make a sizable move at linebacker. That expectation did not become reality, as they've only made a depth signing. Drafting Styles would give Saleh the impactful and rangy linebacker his defenses have always thrived with.