AFC South Draft Grades
Now that the NFL Draft is over, teams can now turn their full attention to the upcoming season. In a Draft that saw a record number of trades (38) in Philadelphia, it’s time to figure out who filled their needs, who got fleeced, and who found a late-round steal. Here are the Draft Grades for the AFC South.
Houston Texans: B+
Deshaun Watson (QB, Clemson), Zach Cunningham (LB, Vanderbilt), D’Onta Foreman (RB, Texas), Julie’n Davenport (OT, Bucknell), Carlos Watkins (DT, Clemson), Treston Decoud (S, Oregon State), Kyle Fuller (C, Baylor).
The Texans gave away next year’s first round pick to move up and get Watson as Bill O’Brien’s hand-picked quarterback. Watson is the best leader of the class and has won a National title, but can he learn O’Brien’s tricky system? Cunningham is great against tight ends in coverage and adds more talent to a loaded linebacker room. Foreman is the perfect physical power runner to complement Lamar Miller. Davenport is raw but could develop into a good player. Watkins is a solid rotational inside rusher, but the Texans needed more quality depth at corner.
Indianapolis Colts: A+
Malik Hooker (S, Ohio State), Quincy Wilson (CB, Florida), Tarell Basham (DE, Ohio), Zach Banner (OT, USC), Marlon Mack (RB, South Florida), Grover Stewart (DT, Albany State), Nate Hairston (CB, Temple), Anthony Walker Jr. (LB, Northwestern).
The Colts continued to upgrade their defense, getting a true centerfield safety in Hooker and a big physical corner in Wilson. Although unpolished, Basham is a good rusher who can also play outside linebacker. Banner is a road grader in the run game, which should please do-it-all speed back Mack, who could be the Colts’ new workhorse. Stewart and Hairston, who is already a good zone corner, are raw but talented and could develop into contributors. Walker Jr. adds depth.
Jacksonville Jaguars: B-
Leonard Fournette (RB, LSU), Cam Robinson (OT, Alabama), Dawuane Smoot (DE, Illinois), Dede Westbrook (WR, Oklahoma), Blair Brown (LB, Ohio), Jalen Myrick (CB, Minnesota), Marquez Williams (FB, Miami).
Fournette can become the foundation of the offense and take pressure off Blake Bortles. Robinson is a road grader in the run game but needs to improve as a protector. Smoot is a decent rotational rusher but lacks the ability to play outside linebacker, while Westbrook adds another playmaker to a stocked cupboard of weapons. Brown and Myrick add depth, while Williams can be a decent fullback. However, the Jaguars still lack a security blanket playmaker at tight end.
Tennessee Titans: A-
Corey Davis (WR, Western Michigan), Adoree Jackson (CB, USC), Taywan Taylor (WR, Western Kentucky), Jonnu Smith (TE, Florida International), Jayon Brown (LB, UCLA), Corey Levin (G, Tennessee-Chattanooga), Josh Carraway (OLB, TCU), Brad Seaton (OT, Villanova), Khalfani Muhammad (RB, California).
The Titans went all-in on getting weapons for Marcus Mariota. Davis can be their do-it-all lead wide receiver for years, while Taylor and Smith can be a slot weapon and run-after-the-catch target respectively. Jackson is a little undersized, but can still be a good corner. Brown is a sub-package cover linebacker and special teamer. Levin and Seaton need development but provide depth, as does Carraway. Muhammad can be the main return man if Jackson doesn’t get that role.
