Alabama’s JC Latham is one of the best offensive tackles in the 2024 NFL Draft class. Built like an absolute tank, Latham explodes off the snap with the lateral agility to match speed rushers and the strength to stand up to bull rushers. Once he gets a pass rusher in his sight, he never lets them go and routinely throws them into the ground.
Usually, players like JC Latham are in the running to be the first player off the board at their position. However, Latham played right tackle during his Alabama days, and he knows that teams are more willing to heavily invest in blindside protectors. Despite his lack of experience at the position, the 21-year-old hopes teams give him the chance to show what he can do on the left side of the offensive line.
“Obviously it’s a question mark, I’m a right tackle. So, you know, usually tackles taken extremely high are left tackles. I feel I can break that kind of narrative, and also it would help me showcase my abilty to play left [tackle]. I have the ability to be dominant regardless.”
JC Latham Wants to Play Left Tackle
Obviously, JC Latham has more experience on the right side of the offensive line, but he seems to believe he has the versatility to play left tackle if called upon. For what it’s worth, history is on his side, as it’s becoming more and more common for tackles to switch positions as required.
This is a strong tackle class, and there’s no guarantee that JC Latham would be the top tackle off the board even if he predominantly played on the left side. While guys like Joe Alt, Olumuyiwa Fashanu, and perhaps even Taliese Fuaga might go off the board first, Latham shouldn’t have to wait too long to hear his name. No matter which tackle position he ends up playing, these five teams should be interested in securing his services.
Best Team Fits
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati’s neverending quest to solve the tackle position could finally come to a close if they select JC Latham. After signing Orlando Brown to a large contract last year, the team is now prepared to lose converted right tackle Jonah Williams to free agency. Latham will not only be a Day 1 starter, but he’d be an immediate upgrade on Williams. While he might have to stay on the right side, the Alabama product should love playing for a legitimate contender.
New Orleans Saints
Trevor Penning is not the answer at left tackle for the New Orleans Saints, and Ryan Ramczyk may never be the same after suffering his knee injury. The Saints desperately need to do something about their tackle position, especially since Derek Carr is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league at handling pressure. JC Latham should be able to start from Day 1 at left tackle if needed, but if Ramczyk isn’t ready to go, he’ll slide in easily at right tackle.
New York Jets
Mekhi Becton will not be back in 2024, which means the Jets need at least two more starting-caliber offensive linemen to protect the aging Aaron Rodgers. No matter which side of the line JC Latham lines up on, he will be an upgrade and could be one of the most important players on the roster. If he does his job, Rodgers stands a much higher chance of staying healthy for a full 17 games.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Anton Harrison showed some promise as a rookie and could very well be Jacksonville’s right tackle of the future. The left tackle position, however, is more up in the air. Cam Robinson is slowing down, finishing the 2023 season as PFF’s 46th-best offensive lineman out of 81 eligible players. While he’s not a liability, he’s not worth his $21.9 million cap hit. The Jaguars can clear $17.2 million in cap space by releasing the veteran, and one of Harrison or JC Latham should be able to move over to left tackle and secure the position.
Los Angeles Chargers*
The Los Angeles Chargers will not select JC Latham with the fifth-overall pick. With that in mind, this team has holes throughout the roster and will have quarterback-needy teams desperately trying to trade up. The Chargers could easily trade down, land a small army of draft picks, and use a later selection to bring Latham to Los Angeles. Rashawn Slater has the left tackle position locked down, but Latham would be an immediate upgrade on the right side of the offensive line.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
