On Tuesday, NFL teams solidified their initial 53-man rosters, and the Titans were no different. With training camp and preseason games over, people can finally dig into the roster and evaluate any and all improvements from previous years.
It’s also a great time to look and see how teams’ prized rookie additions fared in their first foray into professional football. CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso did just that by handing out grades to the 32 first-rounders, including Titans’ offensive tackle JC Latham.
7. J.C. Latham, OT, Titans
Grade: B+
Latham looked the part — and he was the second offensive tackle off the board — in the preseason. He pass protected with suddenness, power, and balance, plus he moved people in the run game with decent regularity.
The Titans set out to rebuild their offensive line this season, and Latham is a key addition to the unit. A right tackle at Alabama, he appears to have adapted well to life on the left side of the line.
The rookie tackle has held his own against some of the Titans’ top pass rushers throughout his first NFL training camp and that experience appears to be transitioning to in-stadium action. Lining up next to 2023 first-round selection Peter Skoronski, the tandem looked solid in their preseason finale. They kept quarterback Will Levis clean in the pocket and opened up the lanes for Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears in the running game.
Although this was just exhibition football, it was a giant improvement for the Titans. The big test will come on opening day when the Titans take on the Chicago Bears.
