The 2024 NFL Draft class was loaded with standouts, and the Tennessee Titans were one of the lucky teams that ended up with a terrific class.
Despite spending a top-10 selection on Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham, the best player that the Titans drafted last year was arguably the other massive human they picked, T'Vondre Sweat.
When the Titans drafted Sweat, the team took a lot of flak from national and local media. Many felt the Titans had bigger needs at more important positions, and there were character and maturity questions about Sweat coming out of Texas.
On top of all of that, one pick later, the L.A. Rams gave up a historic haul to move up and draft Braden Fiske. Taking a player with off-the-field issues is one thing, but passing up on a massive trade to take that player just made the Sweat pick even tougher to swallow for some at the time.
T'Vondre Sweat was home-run pick for Tennessee Titans
One year later, Sweat is one of the bright young stars the Titans are attempting to build around. Pro Football Focus shares that sentiment. PFF recently announced that Sweat was their highest-graded defensive tackle from the 2024 class, but even that might be selling him short.
On top of being the top defensive tackle in the class, Sweat ranked as the sixth-best rookie defender out of 62 qualifying players. Forget the rookie class altogether. Out of 143 qualifying defensive tackles, veterans included, (20% or more of the snaps), Sweat ranked 15th, ahead of names like Grover Stewart, Jalen Carter, Ed Oliver, Quinnen Williams, and Christian Wilkins.
"The 6-foot-4, 342-pound defensive tackle places in the 83rd percentile in height, the 99th percentile in weight, the 77th percentile in wingspan and the 98th percentile in hand size. He is nothing short of one of the biggest players to ever step foot on a football field. That massive frame didn’t stop Sweat from being a productive player in his rookie season. He earned a 76.2 PFF overall grade in Year 1 and showed more pass-rushing juice than expected, registering 24 pressures. He was also one of the most consistent tacklers at the position, as his 3.7% missed tackle rate ranked ninth lowest out of 142 defensive tackles."
Sweat is a great example of why drafting the best player on your board is a good idea, even if it isn't always the most valuable position or the biggest need on your roster. Sweat's dominance didn't help the team turn losses into wins last year, but he is undeniably a good player, and the Titans need as many of those as they can get as they rebuild around Cam Ward.
The Titans can start reaching for positions of need when they are closer to competing for a Super Bowl. Until then, it is nice to see the Titans land impact starters wherever they can. A year from now, maybe there will be similar articles written about Kevin Winston Jr. or Femi Oladejo, who aren't picks in the 2025 NFL Draft that immediately jump out as great value.
Former GM Ran Carthon did a lot of damage to the Titans last offseason, but Sweat was a home-run pick.