Feb. 6, 2026, 2:39 p.m. ET

As things settle down from the flurry of activity in Nashville, Tennessee, we can begin to take a closer look at the intangibles new head coach Robert Saleh brings to the table. Which players will respond to him? Which players will leave of their own accord during free agency? Who will benefit the most?

Pro Football Focus recently named 10 players who will benefit the most from their new head coach, and Tennessee Titans‘ linebacker Cedric Gray landed on that list.

The Titans have fallen on hard times over the last few seasons, but look to be heading in the right direction with Cameron Ward (58.5 grade; 36th) under center. Despite their struggles, the Titans are consistently a team that plays hard on defense.

That’s why the Robert Saleh hire feels like such a great fit. Saleh has coached great defenses with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets in recent seasons, and got a lot out of a banged-up 49ers defense in 2025.

There are a few candidates who could flourish under Saleh, but second-year linebacker Cedric Gray (79.0 grade; 9th) feels as likely a choice as any. The 2024 fourth-round pick was quietly one of the NFL’s top linebackers in 2025: His 64 defensive stops were second-most among the position, while his 92.7 PFF run-defense grade was also second.

Saleh has a history of helping some top linebackers develop. He was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator when Fred Warner (93.2 grade; 1st) earned his first All-Pro nod in 2020, and was the Jets’ head coach when Quincy Williams (45.5 grade; 77th) received All-Pro honors in 2023. Gray doesn’t have instincts like Warner in coverage, but he could be a focal point of the Titans’ defense in 2026 and beyond.

Gray went from being a member of the practice squad in 2024 to playing in 16 games in 2025. He recorded 164 total tackles and his first career sack and fumble recovery, plus deflected four passes. The improvement isn’t just in the numbers, though. Watching Gray on the field this season, you could see his improved confidence, his improved decision-making, and that he’s got a lot of potential still to untap.

Saleh is definitely going to help the entire defense, but Gray could be one who flourishes under his tutelage.

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