Borgonzi recognizes Saleh's linebacker preference as the Titans eye a versatile defensive talent with high draft potential.
Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh has a type on defense, and General Manager Mike Borgonzi understands that as the franchise heads into the 2026 NFL Draft.
There's no doubt that Saleh is a defensive-minded head coach. He was last with the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive coordinator.
He also favored that side of the ball when he was the HC of the New York Jets from 2021-24. He was on the defensive side of the ball before that, serving as a defensive quality control coach for the Seattle Seahawks from 2011-13.
The one position that has been Saleh's specialty has been linebacker.
He's had many years of experience working with some of the best at the position, from Fred Warner at the 49ers, to Bobby Wager at the Seahawks, to C.J. Mosley with the Jets.
There's a player in the draft who has been called a wild card to watch out for, who could be taken No. 4 overall by the Titans. That player is Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
However, it's interesting to see how Styles would come into play after Borgonzi's comments about taking the best player available.
It seems like Jeremiyah Love would be the best player available, but Borgonzi understands just how good a player Styles is. He somewhat hinted that a premium player in this draft class is a certain linebacker, per ESPN's Turron Davenport.
"Well, he's certainly had a lot of success with the linebackers he's had," Borgonzi said. "San Francisco, the Jets, even the time he's had back in Seattle. Those guys, you know? Like I said, I think there's gonna be a cluster of players out there. We're looking for impact players when you get up there, when you're taking that high in the draft. Who's gonna have the most impact? Who's gonna be the best player really available? But, certainly, there's a linebacker there that's pretty good as well."
Styles tested very well at the NFL Combine. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, had a 43.6-inch vertical, and an 11-foot-2 broad jump.
Styles could fit that Warner-like role on Saleh's defense very well, as a fast, physical inside linebacker.
However, there's also Love, whose versatility makes him a multi-faceted offensive weapon. Love has been known to create plays on the ground and in the receiving game.
The Titans may not want to pass a player of his caliber up either, even if Styles fits what Saleh wants to do on defense.
The question is, do the Titans consider Love the best player available or Styles? We'll have to wait at least another week to get that answer.