Unearth a late-round linebacker gem who mirrors elite talent, perfectly fitting Saleh's defensive philosophy for the Titans.
The Tennessee Titans are very aware that Robert Saleh is more of a defensive-minded head coach.
General Manager Mike Borgonzi acknowledged this at his predraft press conference, noting Saleh's success with the linebackers he's worked with at his previous stops.
Saleh last worked with the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive coordinator and had the opportunity to see Fred Warner firsthand. Even back when he was the HC of the New York Jets, he worked with C.J. Mosley.
Before that, he experienced Bobby Wagner at the Seattle Seahawks during his time as a defensive assistant with the franchise.
Borgonzi is definitely taking these things into account as the Titans prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft. Do the Titans go with defense at No. 4 overall? Or do they take a player like Jeremiyah Love, who is a versatile prospect?
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles or an edge rusher like Rueben Bain Jr. or David Bailey seem to be the popular choices on defense at No. 4.
With Styles, the Titans would be getting a player who would fit Saleh's style very well. He has all the athletic traits you would want for the fast, physical inside linebacker that Saleh has been known for.
Styles ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, had an 11-foot-2 broad jump, and had a 43.5-inch vertical. He would be the perfect fit for a Warner-like linebacker on Saleh's defense.
On the other hand, the Titans have many needs and may not want to use the No. 4 pick on Styles. Luckily, there's another player with a similar skillset to Styles that the Titans could take much later in the draft.
TCU linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr also tested very well at the NFL Combine. He ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, with a 40-inch vertical and a 10-foot-4 broad jump.
Elarms-Orr was everywhere on the TCU defense last season. He ended with 130 total tackles, 11 TFLs and four sacks.
He started his college career at Cal in 2022 and then transferred to TCU after two seasons with the program.
The question is, where would the Titans be expected to take him in the draft?
Elarms-Orr is the No. 130 prospect, courtesy of nflmockdraftdatabase.com, meaning that he would most likely be a fourth or fifth-round pick in the draft.
He would be a good alternative if the Titans don't want to commit that high of a draft pick on a linebacker like Styles.
Tennessee has other needs it could address beforehand, and then focus on Elarms-Orr on Day 3.
Edge rusher is a high priority, given the lack of starting-caliber players opposite Jermaine Johnson. Edge rusher is another deep position in the draft, so if the Titans want to take Love at No. 4, they could still get a quality player if they wanted.
Receiver, interior offensive line, and cornerback are other needs that could be addressed before the Titans address linebacker. The backups for all of those positions could use more depth.
Styles is a special player, there's no denying that. However, there are other good fits for the inside linebacker role on Saleh's defense that he so desperately wants.
Elarms-Orr gives the Titans an alternative at linebacker that wouldn't need the No. 4 pick, allowing them to handle other positions of need first.