The Texas Longhorns had seven players drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, and one player in particular could have a legitimate chance to see quite a bit of playing time as a rookie for new HC Robert Saleh's Tennessee Titans defense.
ESPN, along with a couple of other outlets, believes that Tennessee's 2nd-round pick, LB Anthony Hill Jr., could unseat incumbent starter Cody Barton in year one at MIKE.
In their "Veterans on the hot seat after the draft" article, ESPN says that Barton could be on the outside looking in when it comes to job security this offseason:
LB Anthony Hill Jr. could 100% be a day 1 starter for Tennessee.
— Matt Wilson (@CoachWilson66) May 6, 2026
He's such a rare talent. #NFLDraft #Texas pic.twitter.com/bQQghW0Bhp
Hill Jr. has the mindset and skillset to play any linebacker spot at the NFL level, especially in a defense like Saleh's. His above-average processing skills and athleticism are what consistently stand out on tape, and there's no doubt that he could handle the starting job as a rookie. He may not neccessarily be the "green dot" right away, as the team could plan on giving that job to WILL LB Cedric Gray, at least to start.
"For new coach Robert Saleh, who needs his linebackers to flow fast, Barton's current legs might be disqualifying. Second-round linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. has that sort of speed, but critically, he was a multiyear signal-caller at the heart of the Texas defense."
ESPN couldn't have said it any better here. Saleh, who's been somewhat of a linebacker whisperer throughout his career, has always required rangy, athletic, and smart players at MIKE or SAM, and there were rumors leading up to draft weekend that he wanted to find that player in the 2026 draft.
From the sound of it, it looks like he might have, and Texas fans already know that Hill Jr. will be incredibly successful for the Titans. Hill Jr. ending up as Robert Saleh's version of Fred Warner in Tennessee is all we could ask for.
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