Grading the Tennessee Titans selction of JC Latham in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft
The Tennessee Titans turned its No. 7 overall pick into a mild surprise by selecting Alabama OT JC Latham on Thursday night. Just before Tennessee went on the clock, two potential draft targets in OT Joe Alt (Chargers) and WR Malik Nabers (Giants) were selected with the fifth and sixth overall picks respectively. Rather than […]
The Tennessee Titans turned its No. 7 overall pick into a mild surprise by selecting Alabama OT JC Latham on Thursday night.
Just before Tennessee went on the clock, two potential draft targets in OT Joe Alt (Chargers) and WR Malik Nabers (Giants) were selected with the fifth and sixth overall picks respectively. Rather than selecting WR Rome Odunze or trading back, Tennessee filled its biggest need on the roster in Latham.
Latham started at right tackle in his last two seasons in Tuscaloosa. However Titans GM Ran Carthon has already announced the plan is start working the 21-year-old behemoth in at left tackle.
Some Titans fans are concerned with Latham's lack of experience on the left side in college but fear not, two-tone blue nation. Latham was a five-star prospect out of IMG Academy and was ranked the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2021 class after starring at left tackle in high school. So while it's been a few years, he is more than capable of making the switch.
Latham is a mauler in the run game and an iceberg with great feet in pass protection. His six-foot-six 342-pound frame coupled with his athletic hips yield a high ceiling for the Oak Creek, Wisconsin, native.
Though many believed Alt was the best offensive tackle in this draft class, Titans offensive line coach Bill Callahan had Latham ranked above the aforementioned Notre Dame prospect, per The Athletic's Dianna Russini.
And if Callahan, who Titans fans have lauded as the best offensive line coach in the sport since his hiring, believes he's the top offensive line prospect in this class, then what's not to like?
My Grade: B+
The floor for this grade starts at a B- in my opinion. By filling the biggest need on the roster, along with investing in Will Levis, the Titans found a likely solution to its biggest problem.
It's safe to say QB1 is a fan of the pick, too.
The Titans need a definitive answer on Levis by season's end. Slotting Latham in next to LG Peter Skoronski sure does add some security on the left side.
There is plenty of work left to be done by Carthon and Co., but Titans fans should feel great much better about the state of the offensive line, and the offense in general, heading into Day 2 of the draft.
