NFL Draft Grades: AFC South
ByHouston
Picks: (1),#20 Kareem Jackson CB, (1) #58 Ben Tate RB, (3) #81 Earl Mitchell DT, (4) #102 Daryl Sharpton ILB, (4) #118 Garrett Graham TE, (5) Sherrick McManis CB, (6) #187 Shelley Smith OG, (6) Trindon Holliday KR, (7) #227 Dorin Dickerson TE
Overview: The Texans did a good job by getting a corner that could step in immediately but it looks like they over-thought the room with many of their other choices. Maybe they know something we don’t but with the number of big names all over this draft, the Texans decided to take a running back that split time in college, a smallish defensive tackle, a linebacker that never lived up to his hype, a return specialist and probably got a better tight end with their last pick than they did with their fourth rounder. Maybe the Texans front office doesn’t think they need much to complete a Super Bowl roster but that sure is news to the rest of the league.
Grade: C-
Indianapolis
Picks: (1) #31 Jerry Hughes DE/LB, (2) #63 Patrick Angerer LB, (3) #94 Kevin Thomas CB, (4) Jacques McClendon OG, (5) #162 Brody Eldridge TE, (7) #238 Ricardo Mathews DT, (7) #240 Kavell Conner OLB, (7) #246 Ray Fisher CB
Overview: The Colts, as usual, did a terrific job with their first three picks, players that should contribute immediately to a defense that is getting older. They reached a little bit in the later rounds but the Colts are always drafting players that fit their scheme perfectly and until their scheme fails to win 12 games in a season you can’t doubt their drafting or planning. At one point a few years ago their entire roster was filled with players they had drafted. It’s unheard of.
Grade: B
Jacksonville
Picks: (1) #10 Tyson Alualu DT, (3) #74 D’Anthony Smith DT, (5) #143 Larry Hart OLB, (6) Austen Lane DE, (6) #180 Deji Karim RB, (6) #203 Scotty McGee CB
Overview: While every other team was grabbing future stars all day, the Jaguars were finding careerbackups and player who might not make their roster. They reached severely for first rounder Alualu and didn’t stop there. They already have two good starting defensive tackles in John Henderson and Terrence Knighton but decided to draft more in one of the deepest drafts ever. They went the small school route for the rest of the draft and looked like they simply got out-scouted.
Grade: D
Tennessee
Picks: (1) #16 Derrick Morgan DE, (3) #77 Damian Williams WR, (4) #104 Alterraun Verner CB, (5) #148 Robert Johnson S, (6) #176 Rusty Smith QB, (6) #207 Myron Rolle S, (7) #222 Marc Mariani WR, (7) #241 David Howard DT
Overview: The Titans knocked it out of the park with their first four picks, got some depth with their mid-round guys and took a flyer on their last two. You can see the theme in Tennessee’s choices too. They picked intelligent layers that won’t just help them win on the field but represent their organization well off the field as well. Morgan has the potential to be an elite pass-rusher. Williams is an NFL-ready receiver because of his route running and ball skills. Curran does nothing but produce and Verner helps a team that ranked 31st against the pass last year. Rolle, the Rhode’s Scholar, will help your team beyond the field.
