The Titans drafted several players throughout the 2024 NFL Draft who possess a chance to make an immediate impact

The Tennessee Titans drafted seven players throughout the 2024 NFL Draft. General manager Ran Carthon and head coach Brian Callahan did a quality job finding value throughout all seven rounds. They also located both immediate contributors and future starters, while marrying roster needs with best player(s) available.

As the dust continues settling on the Titans’ 2024 draft class, the question that goes most begging is: Which players have the best chance to make an immediate impact?

The easy answer is obviously offensive tackle JC Latham, the team’s first-round pick. Carthon and Callahan didn’t play games with the media when discussing Latham’s fit. There was no “We’ll get him into camp” or “we’ll see how he responds” coach-speak answers we often heard throughout the Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabel era.

No, Latham was drafted with a premium No. 7 overall pick for a reason. To solve the franchise’s ongoing two-year streak of abysmal left tackle play. Latham won’t be challenged by Jaelyn Duncan, Nicholas Petit-Frere, or whoever else you forgot was on the roster (John Ojukwu and Leroy Watson). Latham is plug-and-play at left tackle, assuming offensive line coach Bill Callahan helps him make the switch from right to left.

But Laham isn’t the only Titans draft pick that will make an immediate impact.

T’VONDRE SWEAT

Second-round defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat may have been Carthon’s most polarizing pick this past weekend given Sweat’s recent DWI arrest, but there’s little question regarding where he fits on the roster, or in the starting lineup. He’ll replace Teair Tart as crucial clog up the middle. Sebastian Joseph-Day was signed to a low-cost contract in free agency, but the Titans see Joseph-Day as being more versatile, and he’ll likely play across the line, rotating into different positions as needed.

“The more I watched Sweat the more I liked him, and there is no question he is more than just a big space-eater defending the run in a confined space. He reminds me of Dexter Lawrence, Vita Vea and Fletcher Cox.”

Greg Cosell on #Titans DT T’Vondre Sweathttps://t.co/1OIWwUAxko

— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) April 28, 2024

Sweat will play next to Jeffery Simmons on majority downs. The idea is that he’ll create significant push from the pocket as a pass rusher with one-versus-one opportunities while opposing offensive lines rack their brains trying to stop Simmons. Sweat will also help Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson remain disciplined in stopping the run from lighter boxes, offering personnel multiplicity.

CEDRIC GRAY

Cedric Gray may possess as clear of a path to an every-down role in Week 1 as any fourth-round pick can ask for. The Titans entered the weekend in dire need of an inside linebacker after losing Azeez Al-Shaair to free agency. Despite the crater-sized hole, Carthon passed on an opportunity to draft LB1 at No. 38 overall. It proved wise as Gray represented terrific value at 106.

Gray comes to Tennessee after recording three consecutive 100-plus tackle seasons at North Carolina. He’s also an expert player in coverage with a background as a wide receiver in high school. Gray may immediately be Wilson’s best coverage ‘backer, with the likes of Murray Jr. and Jack Gibbens having a history of struggling in that area.

In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if Gray is Tennessee’s best linebacker in 2024, period. Gray will battle the likes of Gibbens and Otis Reese IV for the starting gig opposite Murray Jr. throughout training camp. Barring a slower-than-expected acclimation to professional football, it’s a battle he should win with relative ease.

What to know about UNC LB Cedric Gray:

– Three-year starter at UNC
– 369 tackles, 30 tackles for loss
– 8.5 sacks
– 18 passes defended, 5 INTs
– Only 21 years old
– One of the best coverage linebackers in this class and the type of LB the #Titans desperately needed pic.twitter.com/tyfhCiFMqb

— Justin Graver (@titansfilmroom) April 27, 2024