The Tennessee Titans selected linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft after trading up. Hill is expected to add depth and has the potential to earn a starting role in the near future.
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The Tennessee Titans surprised many on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL draft. After trading away their second-round pick to gain a second first-round pick on Friday, they traded their third-round pick and one of their three fifth-round picks to the Chicago Bears to move back into the second round. With that pick, they selected Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. Hill will add depth to a currently slim linebackers' room, but don't be fooled by where he was drafted. He has a high ceiling and could earn himself a starting role sooner than most think. Even if he doesn't make that happen in 2026, he can definitely earn that role in 2027, especially if he shines on the edge. Here's how social media reacted to the Titans' trade and pick.
Love this. Hill has great size/speed at 6-2 238 with a 6-7 wingspan and 4.51 speed.
Super productive at Texas. Very athletic and instinctive in coverage for a backer of his size. Will be an awesome partner for Cedric Gray.#Titans front seven looking SALTY.
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonSk1) April 25, 2026 #Titans' selection at 60, Texas LB Anthony Hill, was ranked 50th overall prospect by The Athletic. Stat stuffer line last year en route to 2nd team All-America honors: 69 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 FF, 1 PD, 2 ints. In his 40-game career: 17 sacks, 8 FF, 5 PD, 3 ints.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) April 25, 2026 Got one from the list! HOOK EM🤘🤘🤘
— Justin Graver (@titansfilmroom) April 25, 2026 Describe the #Titans trading up and selecting Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr in Round 2 with ONE WORD#TitanUppic.twitter.com/x6TOwq0iqG
Anthony Hill Jr. plays as a linebacker for the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans traded up to secure a second-round pick after previously trading away their second-round pick to gain an additional first-round pick.
In his last season at Texas, Hill recorded 69 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 pass defended, and 2 interceptions.
Social media reactions were mixed, with many praising Hill's athleticism and potential, while some expressed concerns about the team's draft strategy.
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— SharmSports (@SharmSports) April 25, 2026 This team is dumb
— Zach Lyons (@TheZachLyons) April 25, 2026 So the #Titans get another seek-and-destroy linebacker behind one of the biggest, strongest defensive fronts in the NFL. This front office and coaching staff wants to HUNT on defense.
— Will Lomas (@jlomas72) April 25, 2026 Every single one of the Titans picks in this draft were top-100 recruits in the 2023 recruiting class. All came out as true juniors. All three broke into the starting lineup early in their careers.
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonSk1) April 25, 2026 First pick I’m not thrilled with in this draft
Hill is an absolute bottle rocket in the vertical plane, but the coverage profile really worries me for a room that already has a killer lack of coverage skillsets
The traits are really enticing and obviously Robert Saleh can…
— Drew Beatty (@IronCityFilm) April 25, 2026 Uh idk anything about this guy but no more Cody Barton!
— the metten burger (@themettenburger) April 25, 2026 Anthony Hill is a speed demon 😈 pic.twitter.com/M8C3w5nGH2
— SleeperTitans (@SleeperTitanUp) April 25, 2026 Ask Borgonzi if the Zeitler deal is getting done tonight or tomorrow?
— Will Lomas (@jlomas72) April 25, 2026 .@Titans@TexasFootball@thegoatanthony1 appropriate that @GrindSimmons94 makes this selection since Hill will be calling the defensive huddle in Nashville this season. #titanup#BaldysBreakdownspic.twitter.com/f4z2a9D807
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 25, 2026 I am now officially terrified about the #Titans IOL situation
— Drew Beatty (@IronCityFilm) April 25, 2026 Feels like Borgonzi and Saleh had a clear plan on how to attack this draft. Love the synergy.
— Matias Wodner (@matiwod) April 25, 2026 I hear the outrage that the #Titans didn’t address the IOL tonight. It’s definitely a need.
But this team went 3-14 last year. They have many needs, and one of them was an athletic running mate for Cedric Gray.
They only had 1 pick.
Anthony Hill fits Saleh like a glove.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam\_Phalen) April 25, 2026 *This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans select Anthony Hill: Here's how X reacted*