Will the Titans prioritize defense? ESPN's latest mock predicts a star linebacker to anchor Robert Saleh's unit with the fourth overall pick.
There's just one more day until the 2026 NFL Draft, and the only person who really knows who the Tennessee Titans are taking is General Manager Mike Borgonzi.
Still, he has offered a few different responses on who the team is taking at No. 4. It started with Jeremiyah Love, who would fit the best player available mold that Borgonzi first mentioned at the NFL Owners Meetings.
Then, Borgonzi spoke about finding players in the draft that your head coach wants. As Titans fans know, Robert Saleh has historically been a defensive-minded coach, dating back to his time with the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars.
It's no secret that Saleh has his eyes on middle linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft. He's had a lot of quality linebackers with every stop. Saleh most recently coached Fred Warner at the 49ers, but has also coached C.J. Mosley and Bobby Wagner.
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and even TCU standout Kaleb Elarms-Orr, as a late-round alternative, fit the build of a fast and physical inside linebacker.
However, ESPN's Turron Davenport didn't think Tennessee would wait too long to find its middle linebacker for Saleh's defense.
He had the Titans taking Styles at No. 4, passing on Love and filling middle linebacker first.
"Middle linebacker is a premium position for Robert Saleh's defense," Davenport said. "Now Saleh gets a player often compared to 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, who ascended under Saleh to become one of the league's top defensive players. Styles, a converted safety, has the traits to man the middle of the field and clog passing lanes. Adding a defender might not seem as if it helps Cam Ward, but improving a defense that gave up 28 points last season will take some pressure off of the young quarterback."
Styles is very athletic for a linebacker, and that is a result of his time at Ohio State as a safety for his first two seasons there. Styles ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, with a 43.5-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump.
The Titans are in a position where they can afford to take a linebacker that high. Other needs could still be addressed later in the draft so that Saleh can acquire a premium position at middle linebacker.
All eyes in Nashville will be on the Titans as they make their first draft pick of the Saleh era on Thursday night. Will the Titans be willing to pass up on a prospect like Love?