Pros and cons of the Tennessee Titans picking Alabama's JC Latham in 2024 NFL Draft
Alabama football's JC Latham is officially an NFL rookie after being picked by the Tennessee Titans in the 2024 NFL draft.
He was selected No. 7 overall in the first round. Latham was a two-year starter at right tackle for the Crimson Tide, and was the team's best lineman as a junior in 2023. He declared for the draft as an underclassman. Latham's selection marks the 12th consecutive year that the Crimson Tide has had an offensive lineman drafted; the last time it didn't was the 2012 draft.
Here's what Latham brings to the Titans, based on his career at Alabama.
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What Latham brings to the Tennessee Titans in 2024 NFL Draft
Latham was a first-team All-SEC selection last season and a second-team All-America pick. He was Alabama's best performer up front last year in an SEC championship season, both a dominant run blocker and an effective pass protector. Latham projects as an immediate starter in the NFL, most likely at right tackle, and has the power and frame to excel as a run blocker who can drive defenders off the line of scrimmage.
Latham highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Alabama
Latham played his final college season at 360 pounds but cut his weight in the lead-up to the draft and measured 6-foot-6, 342 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine. He did not allow a sack his entire sophomore season in 2022, and allowed only two last year. Penalties were an issue for Latham at the college level; he led all Alabama players with 11 penalties in 2022, and was flagged seven times last year.
Latham stats at Alabama
Latham registered a career-high seven knockdown blocks in a road win at Mississippi State, and scored his highest grade of the season from the UA coaching staff against the toughest of competition in Alabama's 27-24 upset win over Georgia in the SEC title game.
Latham's NFL comparison
Los Angeles Rams OT Rob Havenstein
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tennessee Titans draft JC Latham in 2024 NFL Draft: Pros, cons of pick
