An intriguing Ohio State linebacker, boasting elite athleticism, emerges as a surprising wildcard target for the Titans' defensive evolution.
The Tennessee Titans had a career year from defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in 2025.
Simmons made his fourth Pro Bowl after recording 11 sacks, 67 total tackles, 17 TFLs and three forced fumbles.
Outside of him, there wasn't a lot of consistency in rushing the passer. The Titans ranked 14th in the NFL with 42 sacks. Besides Simmons, there were Jihad Ward (5), Dre'Mont Jones (4.5), Jaylen Harrell (4.5) and Arden Key (4).
Ward and Key left the team in free agency, and Jones was traded mid-season to the Baltimore Ravens. Harrell is still on his rookie deal, but something needs to be done to help bolster the Titans' pass rush.
This is where John Franklin-Myers comes in.
The Titans added him in free agency from the Denver Broncos. He is just the kind of player you want in a 4-3 system on the defensive line. Franklin-Myers is an interior defensive lineman who can rush the passer and clog running lanes.
Before that, the Titans traded for Jermaine Johnson with the New York Jets. However, the team still has other defensive needs.
I featured edge rusher, linebacker, and cornerback among the remaining needs after the first wave of free agency. There are good options in the draft.
There is another player who could be used quite well on Robert Saleh's defense. According to ESPN's Turron Davenport, that player is Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
Why Styles, you might ask? It has to do with Saleh's past experience with San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner.
"But although Titans coach Robert Saleh has preached the importance of a strong running game for a young quarterback, he's a defensive-minded coach who loves to rotate the defensive line," Davenport said. "Tennessee needs an impactful edge rusher in that rotation, which makes David Bailey (Texas Tech) an attractive option. One wild card to look out for is linebacker Sonny Styles (Ohio State) because of the length, speed and playmaking ability he brings to a defense."
The Titans still need a player similar to Warner on Saleh's defense, a fast and physical inside linebacker, and Styles could fill that role perfectly.
He comes in at 6-foot-4, 244 pounds, and tested well at the NFL Combine. Styles had a 44.5-inch vertical, 11-foot-2 broad jump and ran a 4.46 40-yard dash.
Styles brings a lot of versatility to the linebacker position. He can help in pass coverage due to his length and has been proven able to rush the quarterback if needed.
His best year with the Buckeyes in terms of sacks was in 2024, when he finished with six on the year. He also had 10.5 TFLs, 100 total tackles, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.
The Titans still haven't had a top-30 visit with Styles, but the prospect is definitely one to watch out for as we inch closer towards the 2026 NFL Draft. With the talks of Jeremiyah Love, Carnell Tate, Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey, Styles makes a lot of sense for what Tennessee wants to do on defense.
We'll have to see who General Manager Mike Borgonzi considers the best player available. Is that Love or Styles?