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Cardinals Meet With First Round OL Prospect
The Arizona Cardinals met with Alabama OL JC Latham, according to reports.
ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals met with Alabama OL JC Latham, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
"Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham visited today with the Cardinals," Schefter reported on Twitter/X.
Latham is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, where the Cardinals currently pick at No. 4 and 27 in the first with 11 total selections throughout the three-day event. Arizona has a total of six picks in the first three rounds.
Latham played at right tackle for Alabama the last two seasons and departed after a successful junior year campaign. He's considered versatile enough to play tackle or guard at the next level.
More from his NFL.com draft profile:
"Bulldozer in human form with the upper- and lower-body power to forcibly evacuate run lanes and instantly upgrade a team’s ground attack. Latham's body type is girthy, and he has elite drive-blocking talent. He has operated in a variety of run schemes but will be an average move blocker both laterally and when climbing to the second level. His pass sets are well-balanced with good initial quickness and active hands. He unleashes lefts and rights and mirrors effectively after contact but gets beaten by inside moves when he over-sets. He has the length and hand strength to shut rushers down but needs to become more comfortable setting diagonally rather than vertically to avoid sinking too deeply into his own pocket. Latham’s size, strength and talent give him a chance to become a heralded right tackle or Pro Bowl-caliber guard." - Lance Zierlein
The Cardinals drafted tackle Paris Johnson Jr. last year and could very well use another first-round selection to beef up Kyler Murray's protection in 2024. After signing Jonah Williams in free agency, it's unclear exactly how Arizona's starting five will look (in terms of positioning/order) though the left guard spot is still considered to be open if Williams/Johnson stick as the bookend tackles.
The 2024 NFL Draft begins on April 25.
