With the NFL Draft just days away, the mystery surrounding the Tennessee Titans' fourth overall pick is only deepening. While Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love remains a popular projection, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is gaining serious steam as a potential target.

The speculation took an intriguing turn Friday when NFL Insider Tom Pelissero, appearing on the "Rich Eisen Show," revealed a key free agency detail that sheds new light on the Titans' draft strategy. According to Pelissero, the Titans were actively trying to secure a veteran linebacker in free agency but ultimately came up empty-handed.

This revelation suggests linebacker may be a higher priority for Tennessee's new regime than previously assumed. "You could see Tennessee continuing to build up that defense," Pelissero said. "That could be the ceiling for Sonny Styles... They were trying to get something done in free agency at that spot."

This aligns with earlier offseason whispers linking the Titans to former Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, a player long admired by head coach Brian Callahan's defensive coordinator, Dennard Wilson. Edmunds, however, ultimately signed with the New York Giants.

While this doesn't guarantee the Titans will select Styles over other top prospects, it clearly signals a deliberate intent to bolster the heart of their defense. As the draft approaches, this failed free agency pursuit makes the linebacker position a fascinating storyline to watch for a team looking to establish a new defensive identity.