Grade the Draft - AFC South

Here is the draft for each AFC South team.

Houston Texans
1 (#1) DE/OLB - Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
2 (#33) OG - Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA
3 (#65) TE - C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa
3 (#83) DT - Louis Nix, Notre Dame
4 (#135) QB - Tom Savage, Pittsburgh
6 (#177) DE - Jeoffrey Pagan, Alabama
6 (#181) RB - Alfred Blue, LSU
6 (#211) FB - Jay Prosch, Auburn
7 (#216) CB - Andre Hal, Vanderbilt
7 (#256) S - Lonnie Ballentine, Memphis


Indianapolis Colts
2 (#59) OT/OG - Jack Mewhort, Ohio State
3 (#90) WR - Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss
5 (#166) OLB - Jonathan Newsome, Ball State
6 (#203) ILB - Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky
7 (#232) OT - Ulrick John, Georgia State


Jacksonville Jaguars
1 (#3) QB - Blake Bortes, UCF
2 (#39) WR - Marqise Lee, USC
2 (#61) WR - Allen Robinson, Penn State
3 (#93) OG - Brandon Linder, Miami (FL.)
4 (#114) CB - Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma
5 (#144) OLB - Tevin Smith, Florida State
5 (#159) DE - Chris Smith, Arkansas
6 (#205) C/G - Luke Bowanko, Virginia
7 (#222) RB - Storm Johnson, UCF


Tennessee Titans
1 (#11) OT - Taylor Lewan, Michigan
2 (#54) RB - Bishop Sankey, Washington
4 (#112) DT - DaQuan Jones, Penn State
4 (#122) S - Marqueston Huff, Wyoming
5 (#151) ILB - Avery Williamson, Kentucky
6 (#178) QB - Zach Mettenberger, LSU

WolverineFan said:

Indianapolis Colts
2 (#59) OT/OG - Jack Mewhort, Ohio State
3 (#90) WR - Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss
5 (#166) OLB - Jonathan Newsome, Ball State
6 (#203) ILB - Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky
7 (#232) OT - Ulrick John, Georgia State

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Grade: C+

Best Pick: Donte Moncrief

First of all, their grade is automatically docked for trading their 1st round pick for an average RB. After that, I like most of their picks, but I don't see any immediate impact players.

Mewhort has an outside chance to win an OG job, but it's more likely that he spends the year as a top reserve or swing tackle. Moncrief has a ton of talent, but needs a year or two of seasoning. Newsome and Jackson add solid depth and John is a developmental tackle.

Only 5 picks in the deepest draft in years. They really should have traded down in the 2nd round to add more picks. Again, I don't see where this draft makes them a better team.

WolverineFan said:

Jacksonville Jaguars
1 (#3) QB - Blake Bortles, UCF
2 (#39) WR - Marqise Lee, USC
2 (#61) WR - Allen Robinson, Penn State
3 (#93) OG - Brandon Linder, Miami (FL.)
4 (#114) CB - Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma
5 (#144) OLB - Tevin Smith, Florida State
5 (#159) DE - Chris Smith, Arkansas
6 (#205) C/G - Luke Bowanko, Virginia
7 (#222) RB - Storm Johnson, UCF

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Grade: A

Best Pick: Chris Smith

I love what they did. Was shocked when they took Bortles because I expected Watkins or Mack, but they made it work by adding great WR prospects in Lee and Robinson. It was especially needed with the news that Justin Blackmon probably won't play this year. Lee will likely start for them across from Cecil Shorts and Robinson adds a big WR to rotate in.

Hated the Linder pick, their only pick that I didn't like. I had him as a 6th round talent. I think they panicked when that run on OG's happened right in front of them and reached. Colvin was a great pick. Needs a redshirt year, but he'll likely be their #1 CB in a few years. Love both Smith picks. Telvin will contribute on special teams and has an outside shot at the WLB job. Chris is a perfect system fit and the future starter as their LEO pass rusher. Can't believe he fell that far, I had 2nd-3rd round grade on him. Good late picks with Bowanko and Johnson to add depth to interior line and RB.

Again, I really like what they did. They brought in a possible franchise QB, gave him two great weapons, added some very good pieces on defense, and shored up a few depth areas. Their draft is on par with the Texans. They killed it.

Texans A
For all the reasons I've posted about many times elsewhere.

Titans B- or a C+
The Titans continue to build on a very good looking O line with another first round O line pick.

Jags C
Struck it rich and will be a pain in our sides for years to come, or just another failed Jacksonville reboot? Hard to tell at this point

Indy D
Lack of picks and they were very vanilla at that

WolverineFan said:

Tennessee Titans
1 (#11) OT - Taylor Lewan, Michigan
2 (#54) RB - Bishop Sankey, Washington
4 (#112) DT - DaQuan Jones, Penn State
4 (#122) S - Marqueston Huff, Wyoming
5 (#151) ILB - Avery Williamson, Kentucky
6 (#178) QB - Zach Mettenberger, LSU

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Grade: B

Best Pick: Zach Mettenberger

I'm not as big on this draft as the Jags, but it was far better than the Colts. They added some pieces on both sides of the ball, but more so on offense.

The Lewan pick was a head-scratcher, but I don't think there is any doubt he is their LT of the future. Sankey will probably start at RB for them and is basically Chris Johnson-lite. Jones will be a key piece in rotation up front as they switch to a 3-4. His versatility really helps. Same with Huff. He can play S or CB although I like him more at S. Williamson was another great pick to shore up depth at ILB.

Mettenberger is the gem. I'm not a huge fan of him, but in the 6th round he was a steal. If he does develop then this draft is a huge win for Tennessee.

WolverineFan said:

Mettenberger is the gem. I'm not a huge fan of him, but in the 6th round he was a steal. If he does develop then this draft is a huge win for Tennessee.

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So what you're saying is with the Titans nicely developing O line and Mettcheeseburger could develop into a formable offense like Jacksonvilles could if they got lucky with Bottles.

I'm making myself depressed.

Been looking for opinions of this site's draftniks for our division.

Colts still look like frontrunners for division with Luck under center, however barring Richardson taking a big step forward along with Moncrief how much better did they really get? C

Didn't see Bortles going to Jags, but they're rolling the dice. However they also got him and Henne some pieces to work with moving forward at WR. Johnson might surprise at RB. B+

Lewan is talented, but can he keep out of trouble? Mettenberger was an interesting late round pick, Wisenhunt might be able to mold him into a starting QB I think this is Locker's last year. Just glad the Texans didn't draft him. Mixed draft from what I know. B-

Texans killed this draft. Added talent across the board. There was a clear thread to every pick: bigger and more athletic. This class looks like the backbone of a transition to a much different team that Gary brought together. A

Give the Jags an A, because I think they got the best QB in the draft and they added some talent at WR so they filled some needs.

Titans get a D. They ended up with Mettenberger at QB who I don't see ever being a full time successful starter. Other than that, I just don't see that they got much better.

THe Colts get a D as well being that they ended up without a first round pick and some guys that I don't know a whole lot about.

Texans got a B+

Look for fisticuffs between Taylor Lewan and Watt/Clowney. He'll be very good.

Allen Robinson my favorite Jags pick. They have a top UDFA class, as well.

Donte Moncrief is raw but has traits to be a good WR.

On Mett, will just say the off-the-field reports on him were not good.

Huff, Colvin, C.Smith guys I liked.

WolverineFan said:

Grade: A
Again, I really like what they did. They brought in a possible franchise QB, gave him two great weapons, added some very good pieces on defense, and shored up a few depth areas. Their draft is on par with the Texans. They killed it.

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Jags also killed it in free agency. They did as well if not better than they did in the draft. Fixed their D. IMHO I suspect they will challenge Colts for Division this year and for years to come. In Gus they Trust. Titans will have best OL in the the league. Colts draft will only get a passing grade IF Trent Richardson rushes for 1500 yds. Moncrief is a Andre Johnson clone, if he's 80% as good as AJ that alone would bump the Colts up to at least a B-.

Note: Just noticed the Jags also cleaned up pretty well in UDFA signings.

I like the Texans draft the best. It should be the best, they picked first and had the most selections. Besides getting the premier talent in the draft, I think they made a statement about who they wanted to become. I think all of the draftees reflect a desire to become a more physical and tougher football team. That may be just as important as whether they found the next Lawrence Taylor or a franchise QB.

Next, I would take the Jags draft. They took a swing at a franchise QB, their biggest need. And they surrounded him with weapons. In the late rounds they found defenders that fit their scheme. Props to them for having one of the better drafts.

I thought the Titans did pretty well. Anytime you get a LT is a plus. And with Clowney in the division, that will be a necessity. The rest look like solid contributors. I doubt Mettenberger is the answer at QB, but he could easily become a legit backup.

The Colts were hamstrung without a 1st round pick. I don't see a lot of immediate help, but they probably found quality depth. Considering the lack of picks and their draft position, this draft was passable.

Lucky said:

I like the Texans draft the best. It should be the best, they picked first and had the most selections. Besides getting the premier talent in the draft, I think they made a statement about who they wanted to become. I think all of the draftees reflect a desire to become a more physical and tougher football team. That may be just as important as whether they found the next Lawrence Taylor or a franchise QB.

Next, I would take the Jags draft. They took a swing at a franchise QB, their biggest need. And they surrounded him with weapons. In the late rounds they found defenders that fit their scheme. Props to them for having one of the better drafts.

I thought the Titans did pretty well. Anytime you get a LT is a plus. And with Clowney in the division, that will be a necessity. The rest look like solid contributors. I doubt Mettenberger is the answer at QB, but he could easily become a legit backup.

The Colts were hamstrung without a 1st round pick. I don't see a lot of immediate help, but they probably found quality depth. Considering the lack of picks and their draft position, this draft was passable.

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I agree with this; except that Levan was manhandled by Clowney and had to resort to all kinds of antics to try to keep up.
I don't forsee any deviation from that course.

Texian said:

Jags also killed it in free agency. They did as well if not better than they did in the draft. Fixed their D.


Note: Just noticed the Jags also cleaned up pretty well in UDFA signings.

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Agreed

I'm trying as much as I can to take bias out of it, but to me the texans had far and away the best draft in the AFC south.

indy had a poor draft. swing tackle, a 3rd at best receiver, and a backup linebacker.
D-

tennessee is getting a boost from some because of a 6th round quarterback, think on that. der burger has zero impact on my rating. the titans did continue their philosophy by doing what the former hall of fame offensive linemen turned coaches failed to do - build a run game. they picked up a solid tackle which increases their grade. using a second on a runningback doesnt help their score for me, but good depth up the middle on defense is a plus.
B-

jacksonville went boom or bust. what happens when teams swing for the fences? they strike out. the jags took that chance though and got several talented players early and made some good value picks later. gus bradley may know exactly what he's doing, and it's hard for me to disagree with his direction. i cant even guess what their grade is because this draft could go in any of several directions.
A ... F ... ?

the texans had a leg up by having the first picks. the texans won this draft on three fronts. they took the best player at no less than 5 positions. best overall player, guard, tightend, nose guard, and fullback. the other is that outside of clowney's worry, they took fighters - it's hard to go wrong when you combine great talent and monstrous work ethic. the third is they executed the philosophy without compromising value or talent - bigger, stronger, more physical. the texans very possibly change the dynamic of their entire roster in one draft. with incumbents like watt, brown, swearinger, brooks, cushing, and others known for knockouts - the texans look to have succeeded in drafting towards a culture.
A

WolverineFan said:

Grade: C+

Best Pick: Donte Moncrief

First of all, their grade is automatically docked for trading their 1st round pick for an average RB. After that, I like most of their picks, but I don't see any immediate impact players.

Mewhort has an outside chance to win an OG job, but it's more likely that he spends the year as a top reserve or swing tackle. Moncrief has a ton of talent, but needs a year or two of seasoning. Newsome and Jackson add solid depth and John is a developmental tackle.

Only 5 picks in the deepest draft in years. They really should have traded down in the 2nd round to add more picks. Again, I don't see where this draft makes them a better team.

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Jack Mewhort is a converted Center, expect him to kick back inside & snap the ball to Andrew, thus solidifying interior. But agree with everything else.