Background and evolution of the plan
Heading into the offseason, Tennessee faced questions about who would man the center and the right guard spots. The front office did not re-sign a returning starter at either position, and the team did not address interior offensive line needs with a first-choice option during the draft or free agency. As the offseason progressed, it became evident that the Titans would turn to a pair of unproven veterans and a promising rookie to anchor the interior.
The Titans elected not to use early draft picks on interior linemen, opting to allocate resources elsewhere. Free-agent centers found new teams, and Tennessee let those opportunities pass. For a time, the path remained murky, with the front office seemingly navigating the situation reactively rather than through a defined, long-term plan. By June, doubt lingered about whether the plan had been fully formed or simply evolving in real time.
A plan crystallizes
As of early September, the Titans have a concrete pairing on their interior line: a rookie with intriguing potential and a veteran with NFL experience. The two players differ in experience and track record, yet both carry high ceilings that could translate into solid starting roles if development progresses as hoped.
– Fernando Carmona, a fifth-round pick, is a rookie with little NFL experience. He had not started an NFL game prior to the current season but has shown progress and potential ahead of schedule. Carmona’s background is unusual: he did not play organized football until late in high school, then transitioned from tight end to offensive tackle at San Jose State before moving inside to guard. The Titans drafted him in the fifth round and he won the job at right guard during training camp.
– Austin Schlottmann, a veteran who spent time with the New York Giants, brings NFL experience but limited starting tenure in recent years. His best season featured a handful of starts, and the full 17-game workload remains an open question.
Both Carmona and Schlottmann are capable of delivering solid starting play on a competent offensive line. The potential is clear, but there is also a realistic floor given the limited game-ready experience for both players.
Fernando Carmona’s journey to a starting role
Carmona’s ascent is among the most compelling stories on the roster. He did not begin playing football until late in high school and initially pursued tennis in Las Vegas. Standing 6-4 and about 225 pounds, he started tackling late in his football career and joined San Jose State, where he transitioned from tight end to offensive tackle. Seeking to raise his profile and face tougher competition, he transferred to Arkansas for a year, moving from tackle to guard, aligning with the area where his NFL future would likely reside. Tennessee selected him in the fifth round, and he earned the starting right guard job in camp.
The right-side pairing: Latham and Carmona
Pairing Carmona with JC Latham at right tackle could yield a formidable tandem. Latham, who showed tangible growth last season and finished strongly in the final stretch of his second year, is naturally a physical, aggressive player who enjoys imposing his will at the point of attack. Carmona complements that style with similar zeal and a willingness to engage defenders in space and in tight quarters. If the two can synchronize their play, the Titans’ right side could develop into a standout unit.
On-field potential and expectations
Both players bring tangible upside. Latham’s progression over the previous season signals a trajectory toward becoming a more dependable and efficient blocker. Carmona’s rapid development in camp has been noted by coaches and observers, suggesting he may be ready to contribute substantive snaps sooner rather than later.
The question remains whether the interior combination will meet or exceed the imagination surrounding their potential. The plan is in place, and the pieces are aligned for a potential breakthrough. Tennessee will need to translate that potential into consistent performance on Sundays, particularly in run blocking and protecting the quarterback.
Conclusion
The Titans’ interior line plan for 2026 centers on developing two high-upside players who can grow into a reliable pairing. Fernando Carmona’s ascent to the starting right guard spot and JC Latham’s continued development at right tackle form the core of Tennessee’s forward-looking approach. If Carmona’s trajectory holds and Latham refines his technique and execution, the right side of the Titans’ offensive line has the opportunity to become a dynamic and physical force that can support a balanced, effective offense. As with any young group, consistency and health will determine whether this plan translates into regular-season success, but the foundation appears to be in place for a promising ascent.
