Lost in all the outrage at the dreadful performance of the Tennessee Titans offensive line, rookie LT JC Latham is by far playing like their best lineman. After three weeks, the rookie first-round draft choice appeared to transition seamlessly to the left side of the offense.
Compared to other rookies, Latham stands at the top of the tackle class in Week 3, allowing only one pressure in 44 dropbacks. This 2.3 percent rating placed him squarely on the 33rd Teams’ Notable Rookie Performance list.
Lowest pressure rates allowed by rookie offensive linemen in Week 3 (min. 10 pass block snaps):
1. Mason McCormick, PIT: 0% (13 pass snaps/0 pressures allowed)
2. JC Latham, TEN: 2.3% (44/1)
3. Zach Frazier, PIT: 2.9% (35/1)
4. Beaux Limmer, LAR: 3.4% (29/1)
5. Cooper Beebe,… https://t.co/HJ5fROyx5I pic.twitter.com/JLzjTmumhu— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) September 23, 2024
A right tackle throughout his college career at Alabama, there was concern during the preseason about his ability to switch sides. To this point, he has not only held up well but also excelled at protecting QB Will Levis’ blindside.
Unfortunately, the rest of the offensive line has not held up so well. This was especially the case against the Green Bay Packers, where only RG Dillon Radunz (75.1) graded out positively in the PFF positional breakdown for pass protection. Latham finished with an outstanding 81.8 grade and appeared to be on his way to developing into the franchise left tackle the Titans envisioned when selecting him number seven overall.
.@PFF pass-pro grades for #Titans:
Latham 81.8 – 1 pressure
Skoronski 52.9 – 4 pressures (2 sacks)
Cushenberry 39.5 – 2 pressures
Radunz 75.1 – 1 pressure
NPF 48.3 – 2 pressures (1 sack)
Duncan 36.9 – 2 pressures (1 sack)
-1 sack attributed to Boyd, other 3 sacks not attributed— John Glennon (@glennonsports) September 23, 2024
With this unit full of new faces, the team knew it would be a work in progress. However, the play has not matched preseason optimism, and the unit is driving an underperforming offense. If the coaching staff doesn’t get this unit right, this will be a long season for the Titans offense, no matter who the quarterback is.