Speedy Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. brings Fred Warner-style athleticism to Robert Saleh’s defense, positioning the versatile rookie to challenge Cody Barton for a starting role immediately.
The Tennessee Titans were without a second-round pick after trading back into the first round to take Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk.
General Manager Mike Borgonzi wasn't done trading just yet.
He traded with the Chicago Bears to get the No. 60 pick and take Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It's no secret that Robert Saleh has enjoyed using fast and physical inside linebackers at his previous stops with the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets.
Hill tested well at the NFL Combine. He ran a 4.51 40-yard dash, with a 37-inch vertical and a 10-foot-5 broad jump.
He has a similar build to Fred Warner, whom Saleh got to work with twice during his two stints as the defensive coordinator for the 49ers.
ESPN's Field Yates released his list of Day 2 and 3 picks he thinks will have an instant impact, and featured Hill among the defensive rookies.
"Hill's versatility is why I think he has an easy pathway to playing time," Yates said. "He is a highly skilled athlete with the ability to make plays from sideline to sideline and flip the field (17 sacks, seven forced fumbles in a three-year college career). Whether he plays as a stand-up inside linebacker, rushes the passer off the edge or drops into coverage in sub packages. Hill should be a busy and active player for new Titans head coach Robert Saleh."
Yates isn't the only one who thinks Hill could be a starter for the Titans in year one. ESPN's Ben Solak put Cody Barton on the hot seat, predicting that Hill would be the Titans' starting middle linebacker this upcoming season.
It comes down to Hill's fit with the defense.
Barton didn't have a bad season by any means. He had 81 total tackles, four TFLs, one sack and three interceptions.
At the end of the day, he isn't the right player for what Saleh wants to do.
Hill was one of multiple defensive picks the Titans made in the draft. Outside of Faulk and Hill, the Titans also took Baylor defensive tackle Jackie Marshall in the sixth round.
Even seventh-round pick Jaren Kanak has a defensive background. He played linebacker for the first three years at Oklahoma before switching to tight end and finishing third on the team in receiving yards (533).
Can Hill come in and win the starting job at middle linebacker?