NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After building a wall of a defensive line with free agents, trades and first-round pick Keldric Faulk, the Titans drafted a playmaking linebacker to work behind them all in Texas' Anthony Hill, Jr.
"Man, I love playing with the big guys up front," said Hill, selected 60th overall after the Titans traded No. 69 and No. 144 to Chicago. "They're going to take up blocks so I can run free and make the plays. I love playing with big and physical linemen like that. That's just going to make my job a lot easier...
"I think I bring versatility and I think I bring a physical presence that a lot of people don't have. I'm a guy that's going to work hard and do his job and be a great teammate."
In 40 games over three seasons with the Longhorns, the 6-foot-2, 238-pound Hill loaded the stat sheet. He recorded 31.5 tackles for a loss, 17 sacks, eight forced fumbles, four passes defensed, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
With the focus on the defensive front talent and depth, Saleh intends to rush four and doesn't like to rely on blitzes. That could mean Hill does more in coverage and less in the pass rush.
"I want to contribute that to how versatile I am," he said. "I feel like I do a good job of making plays running sideline to sideline. I feel like I am capable of being less of a blitzer and more of just an off-the-ball linebacker."
But Borgonzi said certainly that role as a blitzer will be used.
"Just like any young linebacker, just going through reads, that's going to be a process for him," the GM said. "I saw a guy that continued to get better. I thought he was really good in coverage. I do think his instincts are good. The one thing about him: When he sees it, he goes. He's fast and violent. He fits what we want here."
Anthony Hill Jr. is one of the more intriguing, athletic LB prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/o8Qa71nsLy
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 19, 2026
The addition of Hill should know down Cody Barton's role. I expect Cedric Gray to play the weakside and Hill to play the middle. The strongside backer will be a very small role, considering how little the team will be in a base defensive formation as compared to nickel or dime.
Barton got a three-year, $21 million deal with $9 million guaranteed as a free agent last year and was a defensive captain.
A mini scouting report from former Titans scout and PK.com contributor Blake Beddingfield:
"Height, weight and speed (4.51) athlete. Average instincts. Inconsistent coverage in man. But can run and hit. Will overrun angles because he doesn’t gear down well. I worry about the hesitation off the snap at times. Will also get stuck on blocks and doesn’t get off quickly, partly because he sees the block late. But impressive speed and twitchy movements."
