2024 NFL Draft: Tennessee Titans select T’Vondre Sweat

Written By Jack Loeb

T’Vondre Sweat strikes the Heisman pose

The Tennessee Titans once again were unable to be swayed in a trade back last night. The Titans selected T’Vondre Sweat at 38th overall out of the other UT. It’s clear what direction Ran and Callahan are building this team towards Big, Physical, and Nasty. That’s precisely what they’re hoping to get out of both Latham and Sweat. Sweat, similarly to Latham, also has insane tangible measurables. Sweat measures at 6’4 and 366 pounds. That’s 2 inches shorter and about 20 pounds heavier than Latham. In other words…that’s a lot of mass. 


Sweat played alongside Byron Murphy II to solidify that stingy Texas’ d-line. Sweat earned the 2023 Outland Trophy which is given to the nation’s best interior offensive or defensive player. Ironically enough, Sweat beat out Cooper Bebe of Kansas State and also, none other than THE Joe Alt! “But wait, there’s more,” Sweat was also awarded the BIG 12 Defensive Player of the Year this past season. On paper Sweat had a phenomenal season. He played 503 snaps last season for the Longhorns. In those 503 snaps he had 2 sacks, 3 QB hits, 26 hurries, and 6 batted balls. His sack rate is .4% and a hurry rate of 5%. According to PFF Sweat actually rated higher in both pass rush and run defense than his teammate Byron Murphy II who was selected at 16th overall by the Seattle Seahawks. Despite being significantly larger than his teammate Murphy II, Sweat did not line up in the A-gap as often. Texas decided to use him primarily in the B-gap where he naturally excelled with an elite 91.6 grade from PFF. Sweat is a powerful ball of energy. He often times finds himself the subject of a double team. Sweat has shown the ability to gain leverage and work to separate himself with his quickness in his feet, hands, and brute strength. Regularly he made BIG 12 lineman look downright silly, hence the BIG 12 Defensive Player of the Year award. He still needs to improve his conditioning and get a bit lighter. However, Ran and Callahan are betting big on Sweat maturing and growing to the monster they envision on the D-Line. Have a look at the human wrecking ball:

The idea of Sweat in one B-Gap and Simmons in the other B-gap is certainly tantalizing. Big Jeff Simmons seems to be a big fan of the Titans selection of Sweat! See Below:

After losing Denico Autry to the Texans during FA the Titans desperately needed to find a replacement. The Titans did go out and sign Sebastian Joseph-Day in free agency. However, Joseph-Day is 29 years old and not a long-term solution on the defensive line. Enter T’Vondre Sweat who might play behind, or in rotation with Joseph-Day by the time September rolls around. Hopefully by mid-year Sweat will find himself as a consistent starter on the defensive line.

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the rather enormous elephant in the room. Much of the Sweat detractors point to his lack of positive intangibles stemming from his perceived character issues. Less than a month ago Sweat was arrested for DWI in Austin, Texas. According to reports he was rear-ended on the interstate around 4 a.m. Sweat reportedly blew a .107 (.27 over the legal limit) according to a local Fox affiliate. Thankfully no serious injuries from the accident were reported. This certainly will hang over his head for most of the offseason. Until Sweat can show himself worthy of being the 38th overall pick Titans fans may be cautiously optimistic. Especially when you consider at the time of selection there were several solid prospects available and this pick may be seen as a reach. Eventually, time will be the ultimate truth serum. Will T’Vondre Sweat live up to expectations worthy of being the 38th overall pick, or will he blow this special opportunity in front of him?

What’s Next

The Titans will draft later today after having a long lull from pick 38 to pick 106. In addition, the Titans also pick at 146, 182, 242, and 252. The Titans still need to target a wide receiver, an inside linebacker, an edge, and add secondary help. There are still some good prospects left over from the 3rd round that should be available early by the Titans’ fourth-round pick at pick 146. Some of those options include Mohamad Kamara (Edge), Troy Franklin (WR), Malik Mustapha (S), Cedrick Grey (ILB), Gabriel Murphy (Edge), Jacob Cowing (WR), Javon Baker (WR), Jalyn Hicks (S) and plenty of others.
Bonus

We might be able to run true two-tight-end sets with both Simmons and Sweat

Jack Loeb https://twitter.com/jakjack91
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