2024 NFL Draft: Which Tennessee Titans rookies have the best chance to make immediate impact?

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.

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.

JARVIS BROWNLEE JR.

Jarvis Brownlee Jr. is in contention for my favorite pick the Titans made. The feisty, scrappy cornerback will provide the Titans with terrific depth at cornerback. It’s a position that’s as well-stocked as any on the roster with Chido Awuzie, L’Jarius Sneed, and Roger McCreary rivaling any group-of-three corners around the league.

But cornerback is a position that requires terrific depth. Not to be negative, but the chances of Sneed, McCreary and Awuzie all playing 17 game seasons in 2024 are slim to note. Brownlee Jr. should immediately be CB4, seizing that role from Tre Avery and/or Eric Garror. That means Brownlee Jr. will play notable snaps as a rookie.

JHA’QUAN JACKSON

Opinions on the selection of Tulane wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson in the sixth round seemed to be split across the fanbase, but there’s a clear role for Jackson in 2024, and that’s more than most sixth-round picks can claim. Jackson totaled 90 kickoff and punt returns at Tulane for nearly 1,400 yards and a touchdown. Jackson is dynamic and twitchy in the open field. Amendments to the special teams rules should help Jackson make a sizable impact for the Titans in 2024.