JC Latham Might Be The Bengals Missing Link
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Burrow has taken a beating since his first snap in the NFL. The Bengals have accumulated a great deal of skill position talent to make sure their franchise quarterback has the necessary tools to be successful.
With that being said, they have not been able to secure an offensive line that is capable of protecting their prize quarterback. Injuries have ended two of the four seasons he has been in the league. For him and the Bengals to have a long successful future, they must find a way to stabilize a leaky offensive line.
Drafting a future stalworth at offensive tackle would go a long way in enforcing that stability. JC Latham, a prodigy out of Alabama, has the tools to fit that bill.
A behemoth at 6’6 360lbs. He is the definition of a road grader. He uses superior hip and knee bend to drive through opposing defensive lineman to get movement at the point of attack. While his initial punch needs a little work, his hand placement and leg drive allow him to recover from initial stalemates at the snap.
When it comes to pass protection, his footwork makes him almost impossible to get around. His size and strength provides a solid anchor. This is key when pass rushers try to use counter moves to come inside. Because his footwork is so good, he doesn’t need to go for head and shoulder fakes that other lineman would.
His intellect is also what separates him from others. Even when he seems to be beaten, he doesn’t make things worse by getting a holding penalty. He drops his hands and runs his feet to try to give his QB just an extra second to get the ball out. Not many understand to do that, much less are capable in the middle of a play.
Latham does tend to get out of position more than what you would like. At the collegiate level, his size and athleticism bailed him out. At the next level, he won’t have that luxury. So extensive work on hand placement and techniques will be a key to his development..
While he no doubt has the talent to be a day one starter on the right or left side of the line, Cincinnati has the luxury of stashing him in a backup role with Orlando Brown Jr and Trent Brown being penciled in as the starters.
The mammoth tackle out of Alabama would be the swing tackle for a season while he refines his fundamentals. However, talent like his doesn’t grow on trees. If he shows the ability to play now, The Bengals would be wise to get him out there, sooner than later. Trent Brown has an injury history, and will be 31 at the start of the season. Cincinnati should give Latham every opportunity to win the job.
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