If 2023 taught the Titans anything, it was that they needed better play from their offensive line.
Tennessee didn't flinch, spending the seventh-overall pick on Alabama tackle JC Latham and moving him from the right side to the left upon arrival. He's the Titans' new chosen franchise left tackle and is expected to play alongside 2023 first-rounder Peter Skoronski, who moved from tackle to guard as a rookie and could use the help.
Latham is getting plenty of live practice in training camp, going up against some of Tennessee's best rushers: two-time Pro Bowler Jeffery Simmons, Harold Landry and Arden Key. It's all part of what well-respected offensive line coach Bill Callahan sees as a useful acclimation period prior to Latham manning a key role in Week 1.
“We’re trying to give him as much exposure as we can and accelerate his process. He’s doing well," Callahan said, via The Associated Press. "It’s taxing mentally to absorb content of all the installations and all the techniques and protections that go hand in hand. But by and large, he’s done a pretty decent job."
Latham has already come to understand how important these reps are to his development. He knows few players are going to test him -- and thus, make him better -- more effectively than Simmons.
“It’s two alpha dogs just competing," Latham said. "He’s the best defensive tackle in the game, so every day I’m just going to use that to sharpen my game going against him every single day. It might get chippy but at the end of the day, it is what it is."
There's no guarantee Latham will handle the job well, but so far, the reviews are positive. That's better than what the Titans could have said about their offensive line last year.