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Titans 2024 NFL draft picks: Tennessee adds to trenches in first two rounds

Let's take a closer look at each of the Titans' 2024 draft picks.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The 2024 NFL draft kicked off Thursday night from Detroit, and the Tennessee Titans took offensive tackle J.C. Latham with the No. 7 pick. 

Here's a look at each of Tennessee's selections:

Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart

Round 1, No. 7 overall: J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama

My take: Latham played mostly right tackle at Alabama but will switch sides in the NFL. He was a highly-rated left tackle coming out of IMG Academy but switched to right tackle because Evan Neal was already entrenched on the left side. Latham's mix of size, heavy hands and footwork should allow him to fit in there. But it's a risk to use a top-10 pick on a player and switch his position. The Titans have used three picks within the first three rounds on offensive linemen since 2020. Could Latham be the one that finally pays dividends?

Will he start as a rookie?: Latham instantly becomes the starting left tackle next to Peter Skoronski, who was last year's first-round pick. The Titans are confident in Latham's ability to flip sides and hit the ground running. Latham said he is looking forward to getting the opportunity to silencing any doubts that he'll successfully make the switch to left tackle. Having top-level offensive line guru Bill Callahan as his position coach should help him do so. Callahan was a critical part of Jedrick Wills Jr. smoothly making the transition to left tackle with the Cleveland Browns after playing on the right side for Alabama in 2020.

What we're hearing about Latham: "We're going to start him at left tackle," general manager Ran Carthon said Thursday night. "He's played right tackle at Bama. I know he's practiced at left tackle, he's taken reps there so it's not foreign to him."

"There's not many people that walk the earth that are at his height and weight and can move at his fluidity," coach Brian Callahan said. "He's a really unique player that makes us physically imposing."

Round 2, No. 38: T'Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

My take: Sweat is another move for the Titans to address the trenches. At 6-foot-5, 366 pounds, Sweat will pair with Jeffery Simmons along the defensive line giving the Titans a formidable duo to attack the quarterback and stop the run. Sweat consistently made plays behind the line of scrimmage as shown by his eight tackles for a loss and two sacks. Sweat was booked into jail after an arrest for driving while intoxicated earlier this month, but the Titans are confident he will be fine with Simmons and former Texas teammate Keondre Coburn as leaders in the locker room.

Will he start as a rookie? Sweat should immediately push for playing time at defensive tackle. He'll compete with Coburn, TK McLendon Jr., and free-agent addition Sebastian Joseph-Day for one of the starting defensive tackle spots. Having Sweat in the middle of the line will make it difficult for teams to run because he occupies two gaps. It will also allow the Titans to better move Simmons around to get favorable matchups. The linebackers will also benefit from Sweat occupying blockers, allowing them to get clean shots on running backs.

Round 4, No. 106: Cedric Gray, ILB, UNC

My take: The Titans address a need at inside linebacker with Gray. Tennessee lost starter Azeez Al-Shaair when he signed a free agent deal with the Texans. Jack Gibbens started most of the season next to Al-Shaair last year. Gray will compete with Gibbens for the opportunity to start along side Kenneth Murray Jr. who signed a free agent deal last month. Having started the past two seasons at North Carolina, Gray could be a candidate to wear the green dot communicator helmet to relay the plays from the sideline to the defensive huddle.

Round 5, No. 146:  Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville

My take: Brownlee Jr. gives the Titans depth, especially at nickel cornerback behind Roger McCreary. Tennessee met with Brownlee at the Senior Bowl and had him in for a 30 visit. Defense is clearly a priority for the Titans as they've addressed that side of the ball with the last three picks. Brownlee lands in an ideal situation where he can learn behind L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie and play for noted defensive back specialist Dennard Wilson.

Round 6: No. 182: Jha'Quan Jackson, WR, Tulane 

My take: Jackson gives the Titans depth at slot receiver and another player that can be in the mix as a punt returner. Titans coach Brian Callahan expressed a need for someone to step up as a slot receiver when asked about wideouts in the draft. Jackson will compete with Kyle Philips, Mason Kinsey, and Kearis Jackson for a roster spot and the opportunity to contribute from the slot. He was a college teammate of Titans running back Tyjae Spears at Tulane. Jackson is also the nephew of Hall of Fame Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed.

Round 7: No. 242: James Williams, S, Miami My take: At this point, teams draft for traits. Williams played as a box safety at Miami but some teams envision him as a linebacker after seeing him work at that position at the Senior Bowl. That falls in line with the versatility that defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said he wants. Wilson also said he wants the defense to be aggressive which is something that Williams showcased in college. Tennessee could also use him on special teams. Round 7, No. 252 overall: Jaylen Harrell, Edge, Michigan

My take: Five of the seven Titans picks have been on defense. Harrell's father, James, spent eight seasons in the NFL and played one season in the USFL. Jaylen Harrell started all 15 games for Michigan in its national championship season and adds to the Titans' depth at outside linebacker. He'll compete primarily with Harold Landry III, Arden Key, Rashad Weaver, and Caleb Murphy for a chance to be in the edge rotation.