Grading the Titans 2024 NFL Draft

Written By Jack Loeb

Well, that’s all she wrote for the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s been a wild weekend to say the least. To much chagrin the Titans didn’t execute any trades this past weekend. They “sticked and picked” seven new Titans. Ran Carthon and Brian Callahan are hoping to get starters for a Titans team that lacks them across the board. We’ll dive into each of the draft picks and grade them. 

1st Round

JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Jack: Let me be the first to say that I wasn’t overly excited about this pick when it came through. After seeing Alt go to the Chargers I knew I was about to stare disappointment in the face if the Giants selected Nabers. Lo and behold the Giants select Nabers. In addition, not finding a trade partner with Alt and Nabers gone was an absolute nightmare scenario for most Titans fans. 


However, maybe I haven’t been completely fair to Latham. After all, we got word almost immediately after the Titans selected Latham that he was Callahan’s favorite prospect. I’ll defer to Bill Callahan and anyone who says otherwise should too. Latham played his entire Alabama career on the right side of the line, it makes sense given his traits. Latham is a mauler and has shown consistently that he can move people. The only problem in his game that I’ve found is that he lacks the finesse needed to be a LT. I don’t see how he neutralizes those quick and bendy pass rushers. However, that’s probably where having the best OL coach in the NFL comes in handy. Am I confident that Callahan can make Latham a starting-level NFL tackle? Absolutely. That’s not my worry. My worry is how good of an NFL tackle Latham can be considering the Titans used the 7th overall pick on him. If Latham can make the transition to LT and earn a pro-bowl or two I’d say that’s a win. However, if he’s only relegated to RT and is really good there, that's still a good thing. However, that’s not the expectation that the Titans nor their fans should expect. After Taylor Lewan’s ACL injuries, dating back to 2020, the Titans have been searching for a LT that can come in and shut things down on that side of the field. Isaiah Wilson, Dillion Radunz, Dennis Daley, Andre Dilliard, Jaelyn Duncan, and others were selected or slated to solidify the LT spot. None have been able to entrench themselves as the Titans’ long-term starter there. Hopefully, this time it’s different.

Bryce: Yeah, I have to agree with Jack for the most part. Hyping myself up for Joe Alt for months negatively affects this grade. Everybody knows the Titans needed to add a tackle, but Latham has little experience on the left side. Ran Carthon himself admitted that the Titans had trade offers but declined them.

I don’t understand how or why those offers were rebuffed. I understand a ton of tackles went in the first round, but trading back five or six picks would have still left the team in a favorable spot. Olu Fashanu went with the 11th pick and Taliese Fuaga went with the 14th- I would feel better taking one of those players at one of those picks than taking Latham at 7. However, I am no offensive line guru, and if the Callahan’s like Latham, I will trust that opinion for now.

Jack’s Grade: B

Bryce’s Grade: B-

2nd Round

T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

Jack: Let me first preface by saying that this grade heavily accounts for the off-the-field concerns, especially those concerning his DWI he was charged with less than a month ago. My biggest concern is how much Sweat loves football. Some scouts have lamented that his weight is an issue. Sweat spoke regarding his weight to media reporters shortly after being drafted, saying that he’d like to play around 350lbs — about 15 lbs lighter than he is now — Turron Davenport also reported the Titans have Sweat under a weight restriction. It will be important to see if Sweat can follow a proper diet to “make weight” for the Titans. By Titans rookie mini-camp we may have the answer of whether he’s working on, and can maintain less weight.

There’s also an argument to be had that taking Sweat later in the 2nd in a trade-back would have been preferable. The Titans could have used the 38th pick on Braden Fiske or Adonai Mitchell who may terrorize the Titans twice a year. Per Ran Carthon, they had at least 9 offers to move back in the draft. With the Titans desperately needing more help, a trade back could have been had, and in my opinion, Sweat would’ve still been available.  Ran Carthon also mentioned on 104.5 The Zone this morning that he got a text from a GM who was going to take Sweat right after them in the 2nd round. So either Carthon is lying, or he’s telling the truth that more teams felt that Sweat was a viable pick where the Titans took him.

As a football player though…this guy can ball! He was PFF’s top rated interior DL. He ranked higher than his own teammate Byron Murphy II who went 22 picks earlier to Seattle. He has a great swim move that he utilizes in combination with his quickness. At the Senior Bowl he was an absolute monster! He consistently beat the man lined up against him. He won the Outland Trophy which is given to the best offensive or defensive lineman in the country. He also won the BIG 12 Defensive Player of the Year. The kid can flat out play. Let’s put that notion to bed. The Titans announced T’Vondre Sweat as the pick via the best QB in Titans/Oilers history Warren Moon. Moon announced Sweat as a “Nose Guard” from the Titans draft card. I’m curious to see how the Titans utilize a nose guard in this new evolution of defense from Dennard Wilson. Will they play him mainly over the center or ask him to 1 or 2 gap.  That’s something to keep an eye on as training camp approaches. If Brewer still had a spot on this team his 265 lb self would get worked on each rep in camp. Sweat will demand double teams based on his nature. With Simmons a gap or two away on the d-line this could wreak havoc on offenses as the middle of the pocket should collapse. 

I sincerely hope that Sweat can be a similar or better football player at the next level than he was at Texas. If he can put the character concerns to bed, work hard, and learn he’s going to be a force for this team for the long run. I’ll end Sweat’s evaluation on this one sweet moment below of his mom sharing a post about what his family means to him:

Bryce: Once again, I like the player, but don’t love where said player was selected. For years now, I’ve wanted a massive, run-stuffing nose tackle. Teair Tart was kind of that player, but he never played consistently and is nowhere near the size of Sweat. Sweat has the size to be a dominant force and should terrify opposing running backs.

However, as Jack mentioned, the main problems here are the off-the-field stuff and his weight. Carthon & Co. seem to feel comfortable with Sweat’s arrest, but the weight problem will have to be monitored. There were other run-stuffing defensive linemen that could’ve been taken later such as McKinnley Jackson, Dewayne Carter, or Mekhi Wingo. You just have to question the value the Titans received here, spending a second-round selection on a two-down player. Still, if Sweat works out, he could have a Vince Wilfork-type career.

Jack: C+

Bryce: B+

4th Round

Cedric Gray, ILB, UNC

Jack: The Titans may have finally got their “Green-dot” guy. That’s been a huge question mark since the Titans lost Azeez Al-Shaair to the Texans. Although, I don’t think that’s a huge deal. Some in the media seem to give it more weight than I’m willing to. Regardless, the Titans got an absolute DAWG in Gray. Thankfully he was able to fall to the Titans at 106 overall. Some scouts had Gray as high as the 38th best prospect in the draft and #2 LB in the draft. Many projected that he could have gone in the 3rd round or earlier. He’s extremely talented. He’s regarded as one of the best cover LB’s in the draft according to PFF. Something Tennessee hasn’t had since Mr. Monday Night Keith Bulluck himself. He led UNC in tackles the past 2 seasons. In 2023 he had 121 tackles, 2 FF’s, 11 TFL’s, 5 sacks, 1 INT, and 4 PBU’s. Gray screams a football guy. He’ll have a great chance to start right away for the Titans next to Kenneth Murray Jr. He’s also another Senior Bowl standout. He does miss some tackles — 19 in 2023 perhaps due to his lack of size — he’s 6’1 and 235 lbs. Not quite as big as you’d like but he makes up for it with his sideline to sideline speed.  Despite only meeting with Titans scouts once Ran did his homework. Ran described Gray “as clean as they come” when describing the prospect and why he didn’t need to meet with him.

Overall, the Titans got great value with the 106th pick. I expect Gray to get a start or two in the preseason before Wilson feels comfortable with him over Otis Reese or Jack Gibbens. But there shouldn’t be any doubt that Gray will supplant both by the time Week 1 rolls around. With these first 3 picks the Titans may have gotten 3 immediate starters, which is already a win.

Bryce: I love this pick. Gray flew under the radar pre-Draft and does not fly off the page in any athletic category. However, he’s a good ball player, and it’s as simple as that. As Jack mentioned, Gray should be a leading candidate to wear the green dot and captain this defense. Losing Azeez Al-Shaair is huge, but Gray should help lessen that blow.

Gray was a tackling machine in Chapel Hill. The linebacker lacks the side-to-side speed to keep up with quicker slot receivers, but he’s not afraid to meet running backs in the hole and can function in a zone coverage scheme. The Titans’ inside linebacker room is incredibly thin, with Jack Gibbens, Otis Reese IV, and Kenneth Murray Jr. Gibbens and Reese did absolutely nothing impressive in 2023, so Gray should be looked at as a starter. Getting a good LB in the fourth round who can start? That’s great value.

Jack: A+

Bryce: A+

Round 5

Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville

Jack: Brownlee feels like the first non-need pick for the Titans. The Titans already have L’Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie, and Roger McCreary as the top 3 CB’s on the roster. However, if you’ve been a fan long enough you know this team consistently deals with injuries. In addition there are already plenty of teams who were scared off of trading for Sneed due to a probable knee injury. Although I think that’s probably a bit of hyperbole there is some truth to the knee issue for Sneed. This is a great BPA pickup for the Titans, and is their 3rd Senior Bowl alumni…see a pattern yet?

Brownlee Jr. was a Senior Bowl standout. At only 5’10 he has long arms and showed he is quick enough to stick to his man in Senior Bowl practices. He also has great film. He originally started at FSU until he hit the transfer portal to play at Louisville. He had 1 interception this year and gave up 51% reception coverage grade according to PFF. He was ranked as the 57th ranked prospect according to The 33rd Team. It really feels like Brownlee Jr. is the second steal of the draft after Gray. Brownlee shows a lot of the traits you want in a nickel cornerback and that’s where I expect the Titans to start him in a low rotation with McCreary. 

Bryce: Corner was no longer a need after the Titans traded for L’Jarius Sneed and signed Chidobe Awuzie. However, depth is always good to have and the Titans did well to add some quality talent this late. Brownlee is a physical corner with long arms who isn’t afraid to bang with receivers.

Many mock drafts had Brownlee going in the fourth round, so the value here is great. Brownlee won’t be thrust into a starting role immediately which should allow him to flourish behind the vets. This is a great pick here.

Jack: A

Bryce: A

Round 6

Jha’Quan Jackson, WR, Tulane

Jack: If you’ve watched Titans football long enough you know the Titans haven’t had a competent PR/KR since Marc Mariani. I know Titans fans are tired of watching punt returner after punt returner fumble the ball over and over. Jackson doesn’t have that problem. His first primary position in 2024 will be as a returner. Carthon mentioned that with the new rules for kickoff the emphasis to have a solid guy back there is important. Jackson doesn’t have elite speed but he does show elite quickness on film. He also has the ability to play slot WR. However, I don’t expect him to be a standout in that category. If Philips or Burks continue to be injured he should get the start in the slot. The Titans waited till the 6th round to address WR and really you can think of it more as selecting a returner vs. a WR who has a chance to leap frog one of the receivers already on the roster. He should get the start immediately as a returner and the preseason should be fun to watch to see what he can do with some room and the football in his hands.

Jha’Quan Jackson is also good friends still with former Tulane star Tyjae Spears. In fact he was on the call with Jackson when he was selected in the 6th round. It’s pretty awesome that these two will get reunited again in the NFL and will probably play together on offense sometime during the season. I can almost guarantee Callahan will install a play that features these two for a big gain.

Bryce: I’m not going to pretend I knew much about Jackson before this. The receiver wasn’t on many radars, and it’s because he wasn’t that productive as a pass-catcher. Jackson’s value comes in the return game, where he did have a touchdown in college.

However, you can find a return specialist as a UDFA. Jackson has an undeveloped route tree and doesn't have the blazing speed you’d expect from someone his size. This is a weird pick to me. If you wanted a receiver, there were still several options available that know how to run routes. I understand the need for a return man, but there were better players on the board.

Jack: C+

Bryce: D

Round 7

James Williams, S, Miami

Jack: The Titans announced Williams as a LB immediately switching his position from Safety. Scouts from the Senior Bowl felt he was better positioned at linebacker with his large stature, 6’4 and 230 lbs. Make that another Senior Bowl alumni taken by the Titans. We’ll have to see if this becomes a clear pattern in 2025 but it’s obvious the Titans gleaned a lot from the Senior Bowl this year. Williams has a knack for playing downhill and sticking his nose on the defender. He’s not afraid to make a hit and plays relentlessly. I’m not sure where he currently fits with the Titans and may end up on the PS or inactive on game days. Look for Williams to contribute on special teams and as a backup LB competing with Otis Reese IV and Jack Gibbens.

Bryce: As a safety, I am not a fan of Williams. However, as a linebacker, I believe this pick could work. Williams is massive and is not afraid to lay the wood. The versatile defender knows how to tackle and can hold his own against tight ends. As mentioned above, the linebacker depth in Nashville is not exactly stocked, so Williams could carve out a niche. The team did a good job of adding a player in the 7th who can actually contribute.

Jack: B

Bryce: B+

Round 7

Jaylen Harrell, OLB, Michigan

Jack: The Titans final draft pick is edge rusher Jaylen Harrell. They’re hoping he can vie for playing time. He measures at 6’4 and 247 lbs. Harrell, this past season had 6.5 sacks, 21 hurries, and 31 total tackles. Guess what he was doing down in Mobile in late January… you guessed it, the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Harrell had a solid 77 PFF grade for this past season. Harrell is quick with decent size and athleticism. Michigan played him on both sides so he has versatility that the Titans scouts and Ran covet. I’m not sure if he will be active on most game days barring injury as Arden Key, Rashad Weaver, Caleb Murphy, and of course Harold Landry may all have those spots locked down. 

Although I would have preferred the Titans address pass rusher earlier, maybe in a trade back for Braswell or Marshawn Kneeland. With the Titans lacking picks available and sans a trade partner I knew it would be difficult to address every need adequately.

Bryce: I already talked about how much I like the team’s first 7th-round pick, but I may like the second one even more. Jaylen Harrell has plenty of big-game experience, having just won a National Championship with the Michigan Wolverines. Harrell provides depth to a shallow group of edge rushers in Nashville and should compete for a rotational role. What else can you ask for from a 7th-round pick?

Jack: B

Bryce: A

Wrap Up

Ultimately, I feel the Titans got 3.5 day one starters: Latham (LT), Sweat (NT), Gray (ILB), and Jackson (KR/PR). That’s a really solid draft. The top two picks by the Titans will be the most crucial when looking back at this draft for Ran and Callahan. If Latham and Sweat can be who Ran and Callahan believe they ought to be the draft is a home run. Although I wish things were different I understand where Ran and Callahan were coming from as the board came to them. What they did with who was available to them was pretty significant. If the Titans would have found a way to trade down and still get a Latham or Sweat I probably would have put this grade at an “A.” For now though it’s a solid B. 

Next up for the Titans 2024 NFL draft class is rookie minicamp which will run either May 3-6 or May 10-13th. Hopefully the Titans and their fans can get a good look at the rookies as they report within the next few weeks. Fingers crossed that none of the rookies suffer from undiagnosed asthma.

Bonus

I’ll leave you with one last thing before wrapping up:

Jack Loeb https://twitter.com/jakjack91
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