Zachary

Thomas

Latham and Hooker are reportedly recovering from spring injuries. We suspect these are active/PUP designations because team reporter Jim Wyatt writes, “players placed on the PUP list during training camp can come off of it at any time,” indirectly indicating that these are not season-ending placements. The Titans also signed OT Zach Thomas and waived OT Ryan Hayes.

Baker was an early standout in training camp, but tailed off in August as drops became an issue. He made headlines for the wrong reasons last week after going live on Instagram to complain about being pulled over by police in Boston. Head coach Jerod Mayo said Baker has already been punished and that it wouldn’t impact his game status. Nevertheless, Baker is a healthy inactive while Kayshon Boutte is active. Baker is buried on the Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart at the moment.

Thomas (6'5/300) was a four-year starter for San Diego State, playing all across the line at guard and tackle. He excelled in SDSU’s run-heavy attack, so it makes sense that he’s most polished in that area. He moves well, a must in the Aztec’s zone scheme, and shows good lateral quickness to get to his spots. He’s great at sticking to defenders once the block is initiated and plays with low pad level, letting him get good leverage. Where Thomas struggles is in pass protection. He doesn’t have the best technique or hand placement which makes him susceptible to bull rushes, made even worse by his lack of play strength. Still, Thomas has positional flexibility and a clear strength in his movement abilities and 9.00 relative athletic score. In Chicago’s scheme, he will absolutely do his job in the run game, and he has room to learn the finer points of pass protection as well as the frame to add much-needed muscle.