There was little doubt the Titans were in desperate need of a tackle — maybe two — heading into the NFL Draft.
So the team’s choice of massive Alabama tackle JC Latham earned praise from plenty of draft analysts.
The only question in the minds of many is whether Latham is the answer at left tackle, after spending his entire college career at right tackle.
It’s an issue that will be raised until Latham answers it definitively.
Here is how 10 outlets evaluated the Titans’ choice of Latham:
Outlet: Bleacher Report
Grade: C+
Comment: The Titans are likely disappointed that Notre Dame's Joe Alt didn't fall into their lap. Instead of settling the blind side, the Titans settled on securing the strong side. Latham could attempt the transition to left tackle, too. Whatever the case, it's the right move, even though it wasn't their best possible scenario entering the draft.
Outlet: CBS Sports
Grade: B+
Comment: He is a right tackle and they need a left tackle, so it will be interesting to see how they play it. But he's a violent player wherever he plays. They cross-train at Alabama at both left and right, so he should be able to make a smooth transition.
Outlet: FOX Sports
Grade: A
Comment: Physically speaking, Latham is the most dominant offensive lineman in a draft boasting as much talent as any I've seen in nearly a quarter-century of evaluating prospects. His massive size and power make him a Day 1 standout with All-Pro potential. If Will Levis is going to be a star, he needs protection, and Latham is the road-grader to help Tennessee move on from Derrick Henry.
Outlet: NFL.com
Grade: B
Comment: Tennessee absolutely needed a tackle as part of its offensive line reconstruction, and Latham has the potential to become an anchor for a decade. But is this the right spot for him? He was a right tackle at Alabama, and the Titans have a glaring need at left tackle. If Latham can make that move, it’s perfect. If not, this becomes a question mark.
Outlet: Pro Football Focus
Evaluation: Good
Comment: Few teams had a more glaring need than the Titans did at offensive tackle. With Joe Alt off the board, Tennessee tabbed Latham as the top remaining tackle. The Alabama product is a massive physical presence, weighing in at 343 pounds with 35-plus-inch arms, and he earned an 80.0-plus pass-blocking grade in back-to-back seasons to finish his college career.
Outlet: SI.com
Grade: B
Comment: After Alt went off the board, there were a host of tackles who could claim being the second-best in this class. Latham was one of them, going to the Titans as a Day 1 starter with ample upside.
Latham is a behemoth at 342 pounds and a dominant run blocker, while also being adept at handling a variety of pass-rush moves.
Outlet: Sporting News
Grade: B-
Comment: The Titans did need an offensive tackle badly to put in front of Will Levis’ blind side on the left side, but it was curious how they reached for positional need once the Chargers took [Joe] Alt and didn’t want to bring in [Rome] Odunze instead to help Levis. Latham can be a strong pass protector for them, but they might have been able to find a starting-caliber tackle on Day 2.
Outlet: The Ringer
Grade: B
Comment: Latham is a massive, massive man, bringing people-moving power in the run game and excellent length in pass protection. Latham can be susceptible to speed rushers on the edge and may not have the foot speed to play on the left side at the next level — and I’ve got a handful of other tackles ranked higher on my board. But overall, this is a nice fit for what the Titans want to do in the run game, and Tennessee gets a tone setter on the offensive line.
Outlet: 33rd Team
Grade: B
Comment: Going with an OT was a no-brainer considering their need, but opting for a right tackle over a pure left tackle is a more questionable value. JC Latham is a hulking presence who will help the Tennessee Titans play more physically again.
Outlet: Yahoo Sports
Grade: A
Comment: The Titans needed a tackle and got someone who profiles as a top flight right tackle in the NFL for a long time. Bullyball is back in Tennessee for the next decade.