2024 is proving to be a transitional year for the Tennessee Titans. Under a new regime with the front office in 2023 led by Ran Carthon, the team continued purging the roster and coaching staff this offseason.
Head coach Mike Vrabel was moved on from after the season and replaced by Brian Callahan, the former offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals. Veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill hit free agency along with running back Derrick Henry and neither player was retained.
In the process of a rebuild, the Titans opted to keep building from the inside out. With the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Tennessee selected Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham to bolster the trenches.
Latham will take over one of the tackle spots along the offensive line to protect for quarterback Will Levis, the team’s second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. In the opinion of one NFL scout who spoke to NFL Analysis Network, the Titans are taking a massive risk with the Latham selection.
“This is a major risk for the Titans. He could end up being an absolute superstar, or he could be a major bust. Latham gets beat far too often both inside and outside due to below average lateral quickness.
It’s too early to judge this pick, but I would have rather seen them go after Olu Fashanu here.”
Olu Fashanu ended up being selected at No. 12 by the New York Jets, who flipped first-round picks with the Minnesota Vikings. Early in the pre-draft process, Fashanu was in the running as the first offensive tackle off the board but was surpassed by Joe Alt, who was picked No. 5 by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Latham will have plenty of time to prove his doubters wrong with the Titans, but for now, there is some skepticism. He has immense upside, but it will take some time to hone his abilities. The potential to be a top-of-the-line tackle is there, but there is certainly a chance things don’t pan out.
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