The Tennessee Titans entered the 2026 NFL Draft with eight picks and a clear mission: build for both the present and the future. General Manager Mike Borgonzi and his staff executed that plan with precision, landing key contributors on both sides of the ball. While first-round pick Carnell Tate (No. 4 overall) gives quarterback Cam Ward a dynamic new weapon, and the trade-up for Kendric Faulk raised plenty of eyebrows, it was a second-round selection that may prove to be the draft's biggest steal.
ESPN's Matt Bowen has identified linebacker Anthony Hill as the "best fit" among all Titans draftees—and it's easy to see why. Selected at No. 60 overall, Hill brings the kind of sideline-to-sideline speed and range that new head coach Robert Saleh demands from his linebackers. In Saleh's aggressive scheme, Hill can thrive as a stack linebacker who tracks ball carriers to the perimeter, takes on blockers with authority, and drops into coverage to disrupt passing lanes.
Hill's college production at Texas speaks for itself: 250 total tackles (138 solo), 17 sacks, eight forced fumbles, three interceptions, and four passes defensed over three seasons. Those 17 sacks are particularly eye-catching for a linebacker, highlighting his ability to pressure the quarterback from multiple angles. In Saleh's overload fronts and stunt-heavy looks, Hill can attack both interior gaps and edges—a skill set that directly addresses one of Tennessee's biggest defensive weaknesses.
The Titans' defense struggled mightily in 2025, allowing over 4,800 passing yards (seventh-worst in the NFL) despite recording 42 sacks. The issue wasn't just getting to the quarterback—it was doing it consistently enough to disrupt timing and help the secondary. Hill's combination of size, speed, and football IQ gives him the tools to collapse pockets and force quarterbacks into hurried decisions. If he can bring that pressure on a regular basis, it will take immense pressure off the defensive backs and give the entire unit a fighting chance to dictate the game.
Under the guidance of Saleh and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, Hill has the potential to develop into a cornerstone player. His ability to create turnovers (eight forced fumbles in college) and his proven track record of production suggest he's ready to make an immediate impact. For a Titans team looking to tighten up defensively, Anthony Hill might just be the missing piece—and the perfect fit.