2 Tennessee Titans rookies trending in opposite directions

The Tennessee Titans have already received sizable contributions from their first two selections in the 2024 NFL Draft.

First-round offensive tackle JC Latham has improved each week and it looks like the game is slowing down for him. T'Vondre Sweat just had his best game of the season where he looked dominant playing 78% of the snaps in a humid, 90-plus degree game in Miami.

If both Latham and Sweat keep producing, then Ran Carthon's second rookie class will be a success. However, other rookies are getting playing time right now and also deserve some attention. Players like James Williams and Jha'Quan Jackson are getting snaps on special teams.

Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. made his first career start in Miami. Seventh-round pass rusher Jaylen Harrell has also seen playing time in a rotation that is failing to deliver results opposite Harold Landry.

One of those guys is trending in a great direction, but the other is struggling to find his stride.

Brownlee Jr. was a training camp darling and with Chidobe Awuzie being put on I.R., Brownlee was forced to step up and start for the Titans defense on Monday night against the Dolphins.

Think about how hard that assignment is. Brownlee's first start came against the fastest wide receiver tandem in the NFL in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. That is a tough draw, but it is even more difficult than it sounds because if you were an OC, would you rather tell your quarterback to attack L'Jarius Sneed, or a rookie corner in his first start?

Despite having a target on his back, Brownlee was phenomenal. In coverage, Pro Football Focus credited him with allowing three catches on five targets for just nine yards.

Brownlee is going to be the starter for at least the next three games, and his performance should give him and the coaching staff a lot of confidence heading into the bye week.

Harrell, on the other hand, doesn't look very confident right now.

In fairness, he's a seventh-round rookie who made the team, which is a big accomplishment. Harrell put together a good training camp and looked poised for a solid rookie year.

However, despite totaling 74 snaps (34 pass-rushing snaps) in four games, Harrell hasn't registered a sack, QB hit, or even a hurry as a pass rusher.

Making things worse, Harrell hasn't gotten a solo tackle yet and has only assisted with two tackles. For comparison, Titans fans are very down on Arden Key right now, but in 172 snaps (92 pass snaps), Key has five pressures, a QB hit, five tackles, and two assists.

Harrell has been on a defensive line with Landry, Jeffery Simmons, and Sweat, so he should be getting the best possible matchups, yet he still hasn't flashed any production.

It's a long season and Harrell could certainly get better if the game starts slowing down for him. To date, he's been given an opportunity to put himself in a position to start or earn a job as a role player next year. Unfortunately, he hasn't done anything with that opportunity, and you don't get many chances like that so he needs to turn it around quickly.