Round 1, Pick 7, JC Latham: LT, Alabama: C
I had a pretty negative first reaction to this selection, after months of anticipation leading up to this 7th overall selection, this seemed to be the most underwhelming result possible. Upon further review, I’m still in this camp. Yes, Latham has the size and strength most offensive line coaches would kill for, but this player’s athleticism to me just doesn’t translate to being a blindside protector in the National Football League. Latham came in as my 6th ranked offensive tackle and I viewed him as a high second round type talent. This player led the nation in penalties, and most of those penalties came when a rusher tried to cross Latham’s face with an inside counter move. Latham got into a very bad habit of oversetting on his pass block sets which allowed his man to beat him inside numerous times. When this would happen, his lower body would lock up and stop, this to me is a rather large concern as it made me question his flexibility as an athlete. As for the good, you have a mauling run blocker whose play strength and power is one of the most impressive traits I’ve seen of any player in this class. His ability to lock his arms out on a defender and completely neutralize them is extremely impressive. However, in my opinion, the most impressive traits Latham possesses are better served with him playing inside at guard. So with that, I think there is a better than average chance we see Latham convert inside to guard after this experiment at left tackle doesn’t pan out the way we as fans hope it will. As for who I would’ve taken here, Olu Fashanu was my second ranked offensive tackle and would’ve been in strong consideration for me here. However, my pick would’ve been the one that Brian Callahan’s former franchise made, that being Amarius Mims. I think Mims is what the Titans want Latham to be, and could become an elite left tackle in the NFL with his athletic profile. This pick gets a “C” from me.
Round 2, Pick 38, T’Vondre Sweat: DT, Texas: C+
I was shocked at this selection, I couldn’t believe with the off field issues, and the total botch of a pre-draft process Sweat had, that any team, including the Titans would select him in the top 40. With that being said, this pick could end up being one of the steals of the entire draft for the Titans. Sweat is not a traditional nose tackle, he can make plays rushing the passer as well as defending the run. A trait that sticks out on tape from Sweat are his active hands, for a guy that size you’ll usually just see a player try to bull rush themselves into the Quarterback. Sweat obviously has a bull rush move in his bag, just watch him face off against Beaux Limmer at the Senior Bowl, you’ll see Sweat take Limmer, who put 39 reps up on the bench at the combine, and basically fold him backwards. However, Sweat displays the ability to use his hands and finesse to effect plays, whether that’s batting down passes, or beating a double team with finesse, Sweat has an uncanny ability at his size to make splash plays. I think without such a negative pre-draft process, you would’ve seen Sweat go in the top 25. Now that brings me to why I gave this pick a mere C+. Sweat was described by Dane Brugler as a “party animal” and Sweat backed those claims up by collecting a DWI less than three weeks before draft night. Bringing Sweat to the biggest party city in this part of the country is worrisome to say the least. The Titans will need to keep a close eye on the top 40 selection when he leaves the building. Sweat also in my opinion needs to drop some weight to get to a more functional size to be able to sustain for a 17 game season. Sweat declined to weigh in at the Senior Bowl, which gives me some pause to think he was probably in the 380 range. Sweat weighed in at 366 at the combine, but not weighing in at the senior bowl makes one think that he probably had to work down to that weight after he finished his week in Mobile. Ideally this player would play at around 350, and if he gets down to that number before the season, my high hopes for Sweat will be even more justified, as he will proved he is locked in and ready for the season. For now though, this polarizing pick gets a “C+” from me.
Round 4, Pick 106, Cedric Gray: MLB, North Carolina: A
Going into day three, Cedric Gray was my favorite target for the Titans. I was hoping he would be the selection at 106, and Ran Carthon delivered. Gray isn’t a freak athlete, but he has a high IQ and has proven to be a fluid athlete as he rallies to the football. Gray’s eyes have served him well as he finished his college career with 8 PBU’s and 5 INT’s from his mike linebacker position. The Titans needed a starter on the inside and they get a versatile linebacker who can play well at both levels of the position. Gray was effective against the run as well finishing in the top 15 in the country in run stops at the linebacker position. All in all, I think Gray will be a day one starter in Nashville and could possibly be the green dot as a rookie. He fits well next to Kenneth Murray and Otis Reese, allowing Murray to be that designated blitzer, and allowing Reese to be more of the coverage specialist. Gray makes perfect sense in this linebacker room, and was my favorite pick of this Titans draft class. This pick gets an “A” from me.
Round 5, Pick 146, Jarvis Brownlee: CB, Louisville: B+
The Titans were clearly very tuned into the Senior Bowl, despite Ran Carthon and Brian Callahan not attending. Brownlee is an extremely tough player, you can’t help but root for the guy when you watch him. Brownlee is one of the more physical corners in this year’s class. Physicality in the secondary is something the Titans have clearly made top priority this offseason. Brownlee excels in zone coverage and shows a good feel for zone defense. Brownlee will work into the slot to backup Roger Mcreary who has shown to play his best football in man coverage. Brownlee was a fun watch and he’s a guy who I could see becoming a valuable role player for Tennessee down the line. The Titans got a 4th round caliber player in the 5th. Good value for me.
Round 6, Pick 182, Jha’quan Jackson: WR, Tulane: B
There was some interesting discourse around this pick. I saw Titans fans on social media that seemed to hate this selection, and while yes, I would’ve selected Malik Washington, Johnny Wilson, and Jalen Coker over Jha’Quan Jackson, I still think this a really solid pick. Jackson was another Senior Bowl standout. Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy tweeted saying that Jackson was the most consistent receiver throughout the week down in Mobile. Jackson provides a nice deep threat out of the slot and gives the Titans a deep threat element they don’t possess outside of Calvin Ridley. Jackson is almost surely a slot only player, but in the sixth round I think this guy could contribute immediately. I think Jackson could be every bit of what Khalif Raymond was for the Titans a few years ago. Jackson will provide the Titans a new element to their offense and can provide the team more depth in the receiver room. I like this pick and will give it a “B”.
Round 7, Pick 242, James Williams: LB, Miami: A
I gave the Titans James Williams in my final 7 round mock for the team. I had the Titans select Williams at pick 182, so to get him 40 picks later is a great value for me. Williams is a heat seeking missile who is basically all athlete at this point. Williams was a safety for the Canes but the transition to linebacker seemed eminent once he got to the pros. I like Williams as a developmental player who can come in on pass downs and can shoot the gap on a heavy blitz look. Look for Williams to have some sack production early as he learns the coverage aspect of the position under new linebackers’ coach Frank Bush. This dart throw is extremely warranted for me and gets an “A”.
Round 7, Pick, 252, Jaylen Harrell: EDGE, Michigan: B+
Harrell is a rotational early down pass rusher who uses speed to bend the edge and create backfield production. Harrell created a lot of his pressure on stunts where he’d use his speed to beat a guard coming from the outside. Simulated pressure will probably be something the Titans lean heavy on, as their EDGE group is clearly their weakest position group on defense post offseason. I’d expect Harrell to get some snaps as a rookie due to how thin that position room is, and there aren’t many guys better to stunt off of in the NFL than Jeffery Simmons. I think Harrell can record some stats as a rookie and be a guy that’s in a good spot to be in the lower part of rotation as a second year player. For a 7th round pick, that is absolutely worth the value. This pick for me gets a “B+”, I am excited to see if Harrell can make an impact, as I think he will.
In my view, I think the Titans have found 3 starters in Latham, Sweat and Gray, with Williams having the potential to become a starter down the road. I loved the work the Titans did on day three, adressing needs with guys who I think will become valuable role players in the future. I think this draft class will set a foundation for the Titans to be in a good spot to be flexible in who they draft next year. With that being said, the first two days of the class worry me, especially with Latham, who I view as a guard. I like this class, but certainly do not love it.
My final grade for this Titans class: B-