The Tennessee Titans’ approach in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft showed their desire to repair an underperforming defensive line.
Considering how last season went, it’s reasonable that they’d want 2023 rookie Peter Skoronski to have some support. JC Latham comes from Alabama where he played right tackle, although the Titans will use him on the left side.
Despite being a rookie and NFL analysts believing there were better tackles on the board when Tennessee drafted Latham, the Titans youngster has been named a rookie to keep an eye on in 2024 by CBS Sports.
[Tyler] Guyton is not the only rookie making the transition from right tackle to left this offseason. Latham, who was the No. 7 overall selection, will be tasked with blocking quarterback Will Levis’ blindside. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan had a similar project in Cleveland where he took another Alabama right tackle, Jedrick Wills, and moved him to the left side. Wills’ output has certainly been volatile. Latham is a mountain of a man and a great value if the gamble pays off.
At 6-foot-6 and 342 pounds, Latham is indeed a mountain of a man. He adapted well to the college game and early reports indicate that he is adapting well to the NFL. Making the switch to the other side of the field may result in some mistakes early in the season, but if the coaching staff has done their job, then those mistakes should be correctable.
Will Levis is going to need all the protection he can get in 2024. He was sacked 28 times in nine games last season, an average of over three sacks per game. That he wasn’t seriously injured is a miracle. No quarterback can sustain a beating like that for an entire season, so the Titans will be heavily dependent on Latham.
The Titans’ overhaul will be on full review this Saturday when they host the San Francisco 49ers in their first preseason game. Preseason is not always an indication of what the season will look like because the time is used to whittle down the roster and fill bubble positions. However, because of the overhaul, we should get a peek at what the new system will look like this year.
