Alabama Right Tackle JC Latham has Painful Game Film

Within the first minute of studying Alabama’s right tackle (RT) JC Latham, I was in love with him (or so I thought).

However, the more I watched Latham, the more my heart sank into seeing him more in a developmental light. I’m sorry, I was spoiled last year evaluating former Volunteers’ RT Darnell Wright (Bears 2023 No. 10 overall).

Don’t tell this to the rest of the NFL Draft Community, however, as over 80% of platforms already are seeing Latham as a first-round talent. Pro Football Network, 247Sports, Walter Football, Draftwire, CBS, Fox Sports, NBC Sports Chicago, Barstool Sports, USA Today, Bleacher Report, Pro Football Focus, The Athletic, and The 33rd Team all have stamped him with a first-round grade.

I get it, great size, Alabama, yeah, yeah, yeah.

This is why it comes back to the game film. Trust me, I really wanted to like him. Undoubtedly, this was one of the tougher evaluations I’ve done.

Fast first step

I am guilty of falling in love with Latham’s fast first step.

The way he initially moves is the thing legends are made of. At first, I thought I was watching a future Hall of Fame player.

Then the game film kept playing and he kept showing some other stuff too, the stuff that concerns me.

Super vulnerable

I should have known when LSU and Tennessee tested the hell out of Latham’s gaps with games and stunts, they saw something they could try to exploit.

It turns out I saw it too after time.

After sliding out and initially looking awesome in pass protection, Latham gives up the inside and is way too vulnerable at the backdoor of the pocket against speed rushers even at the college level.

Yikes.

Nobody is going through Latham, but he did give up too much pressure to be considered as a first-round prospect.

It takes a lot more than a nice smile and pro day to make First Round Mock’s first-round draft board.

Aggressive streak

One of the things I also love the most about Latham is the mean streak he consistently shows. It’s along the lines of former NC State and current Panthers’ starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (who I loved).

Latham is a physical and weight room bully – – and I love that about him. He’s a culture changer in that respect. The first guy you want walking off the bus. He brings a defensive mentality to the offensive side of the ball.

I can’t stress how much I like that.

Prove it

This season will be a huge “prove it” season for Latham on my board. The level of competition is only higher in the NFL and I’m going to have to see dramatic improvements before he steps into a pass-happy league.

The concern is Alabama’s Head Coach Nick Saban has not been able to get this corrected.

Latham undoubtedly has the raw traits to be considered a “first-round talent,” but it takes technique too. I think Alabama knows it, which is why they gave Latham so much help against Mississippi State.

#65 JC Latham 6-foot-6, 330 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Summer 2023 Grade: Third-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 84.9% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of August 25, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: LSU, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 0 sacks allowed, 11 QB pressures

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Brute strong and athletic with long arms and mixed results in pass protection and run blocking. Incredibly fast first step and nice looking initial setup. However, tends to get physical toward the back door more than relying on technique and can lose control of the block. Has a tendency to aggressively overextend towards the back door of the pocket in anticipation and can give up the inside. Most of the time looks fantastic when it’s just a straight-up rush and nobody is bull-rushing him. Great against “X” stunts. Quick reflexes. Handled spin moves. Questionable football IQ. Big bubble. Thick powerful lower. Muscular upper. Stout. Inconsistent sustaining run blocks. Good bend. Shoves. Can turn in or out. Occasional pancake block. Gets out in space with ease but it’s hit and miss. Emotional. Gets fired up.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Number of sacks and pressures?

2. Securing the back door of the pocket consistently?

3. Vulnerable inside pass protecting?

4. Sustaining run blocks?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.