The Titans were long connected to selecting Joe Alt with their top pick, but he is now off the board. Tennessee has still gone O-line at the No. 7 spot, though, drafting Alabama tackle JC Latham.
While Alt was considered the top offensive lineman in the draft, Latham had done a lot of work to separate himself as the No. 2 player his position. Latham operated as the Crimson Tide’s starting right tackle for the past two seasons, and the accomplished blocker proved that he has a future in the NFL.
The question is if Latham’s NFL future would see him stick as an offensive tackle in the NFL, leading some pundits to believe he could be destined to be an offensive guard. The seventh overall pick would be a lofty investment in the guard position, so the Titans will surely see if Latham can cut it at OT.
After transferring from Catholic Memorial HS (WI) to the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, Latham signed to the Tide as a consensus five-star, a top-five player in the country, and the top tackle recruit of the class. Latham came off the bench mostly as a true freshman, sometimes subbing in for right tackle Chris Owens or right guard Emil Ekiyor, both of whom would go undrafted.
Latham would take hold of the starting job at right tackle the following year and hold on to it for the next two years. After making 27 starts in the past two seasons, Latham lays claim to a 2023 All-SEC first-team selection and a Pro Football Focus ranking as the 11th-best offensive tackle in the country. Using the offseason to cut fat and gain good weight, Latham became a monstrous lineman with agility. He’s explosive off the line and can use a powerful drive in the run game, so regardless of his ultimate position, he should be a mainstay in Tennessee.
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