How experts graded Titans' first-round pick of OT JC Latham in NFL draft
It may not have been the choice most experts projected, but the Tennessee Titans stayed true to the team's needs and filled a hole in the offensive line by selecting Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham with pick No. 7 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Here's what experts are saying about the Titans' first-round pick:
The Tennessean's Nick Gray
The grade: B+
The reason: "Latham is a road-grader offensive tackle that can move people in the run game and should fit the Titans' new offense. He played right tackle the last two seasons, and while some might complain about left vs. right, the Titans needed a right tackle and a left tackle. He needs to improve his angle and leverage awareness in pass protection, but once he's blocked a defender, that defender is blocked. A need was met here."
USA TODAY's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz:
The grade: B
The reason: "With (Joe) Alt off the board, this was a fitting response to Ran Carthon. A tone setter for the Crimson Tide, Latham is the kind of punishing presence the Titans covet. Despite operating on the right side, Latham maintains he can be a left tackle in the NFL. We'll see if he can handle the role of protecting Will Levis' blindside, if Tennessee wants to try that out. At the least, though, the Titans can be comfortable with the superlative athleticism and strength Latham displays on every snap."
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Fox Sports' Rob Rang:
The grade: A
The reason: "Physically speaking, Latham is the most dominant offensive lineman in a draft boasting as much talent as any I've seen in nearly a quarter-century of evaluating prospects. His massive size and power make him a Day 1 standout with All-Pro potential. If Will Levis is going to be a star, he needs protection, and Latham is the road-grader to help Tennessee move on from Derrick Henry."
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco:
The grade: B+
The reason: "He is a right tackle and they need a left tackle, so it will be interesting to see how they play it. But he's a violent player wherever he plays. They cross-train at Alabama at both left and right, so he should be able to make a smooth transition."
Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame:
The grade: B
The reason: "After Alt went off the board, there were a host of tackles who could claim being the second-best in this class. Latham was one of them, going to the Titans as a Day 1 starter with ample upside. Latham is a behemoth at 342 pounds and a dominant run blocker, while also being adept at handling a variety of pass-rush moves. Latham started 27 games over the past two years at right tackle."
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Experts grade Titans on first-round pick JC Latham
