AFC South Draft Grades

Part 3 of my draft series, the AFC South.

Houston Texans

1(1) Jadeavon Clowney (DE, South Carolina)

2(33) Xavier Su’a-Filo (OG, UCLA)

3(65) CJ Fiedorowicz (TE, Iowa)

3(83) Louis Nix (DT, Notre Dame)

4(135) Tom Savage (QB, Pittsburgh)

6(177) Jeoffrey Pagan (DE, Alabama)

6(181) Alfred Blue (RB, LSU)

6(211) Jay Prosch (FB, Auburn)

7(216) Andre Hal (DB, Vanderbilt)

7(256) Lonnie Ballentine (DB, Memphis)

Best Pick: Louis Nix

To get a round 1 value at the second half of Round 3 is incredible. Yes, this draft was loaded, but this was probably the second best pick of the entire draft. The only pick I have better than this was the Jernigan pick. The Texans could no longer pass up the value that Nix provided in the 3rd Round. This team now has a loaded defensive line in their move to the 3-4. Fantastic pick of an impact player here.

Summary: The Texans were another team that had one of the best three drafts I thought. If the Ravens draft was #1 as I suggested than this one was 1a. I have this draft as very slightly behind the Ravens, but the Texans are the closest number 2 in draft history. This draft was incredible and every pick was a quality player right down to Mr. Irrelevant at 256. These guys all have a tremendous chance to make the team. To get the QB with perhaps the best arm talent in this draft on Day 3 is unbelievable. They plugged holes, they picked the best player available, they got their QB, and most importantly they got 3 players with round 1 talent. Absolutely fantastic draft for the Texans and right there with Baltimore in terms of quality.

Draft Grade: A

Undrafted Free Agents

Chris Boswell (K, Rice)
Max Bullough (LB, Michigan State)
Chris Martin (OT, Central Florida)
Anthony McClung (WR, Cincinnati)
Kevin Forsch (OG, Houston)
Chris McCallister (DE, Baylor)
Terrance Lloyd (LB, Baylor)
Bryan Witzman (OT, South Dakota State)

McClung needs to get more physical, but I really like that pickup because Houston could use some WR depth. He can make it in this league if he gets stronger.
The Texans need some inside linebackers for their move to the 3-4 and Bullough gives them depth there. Most thought he'd be picked in the 4th or 5th round and doubted he'd be undrafted. This is one of the better pickups after the draft.
There isn't really a group of undrafted free agents that will impress you more coming in than this group. In addition to McClung and Bullough the Texans got a new kicker and several other guys that will compete for spots. With the draft and these undrafted FA signings the Texans next year will be much younger, improved and have a lot of roster turnover.

Indianapolis Colts

2(59) Jack Mewhort  (OT, Ohio State)

3(90) Donte Moncrief (WR, Mississippi)

5(166) Jonathan Newsome (DE, Ball State)

6(203) Andrew Jackson (LB, Western Kentucky)

7(232) John Ulrick (OT, Georgia State)

Best Pick: Donte Moncrief

Moncrief was the one pick I liked for the Colts. He was at one point projected as a 1st or 2nd round pick and he fell to the Colts in the 3rd Round. I always had him as a third rounder in this draft, but he was good value and can contribute to Indy. His leaping ability is awesome. The one combine test that correlates well to NFL production is the vertical jump and Moncrief jumped 39.5 inches. He also had the longest broad jump at the combine. An absolutely terrific athlete. The biggest reason Moncrief had a round 3 grade instead of higher is his route running. The route running must improve in the pros. He will make an impact in Indy, but probably not until year 2 because of his poor route running.

Summary: The Colts draft has to be graded on the entirety of their draft. This team managed to get only 5 players out of the deepest draft in 30 years. They managed to trade their 1st rounder for a guy who is now a backup RB. Trent Richardson is not a good investment of a 1st round pick. If a 1st rounder is used on a RB in today's NFL, he better be a starter. The Colts had good intentions trading for Richardson during the season, but they helped the Browns out tremendously. That move was the draft blunder of the year, eventhough it happened before the draft. Add in the fact that they didn't pick up one player that I project to make a major impact and I hate this draft. The only player I like in this class in Moncrief and he is not a good route runner. This was the worst draft out of all of the NFL teams.

Draft Grade: F

Undrafted Free Agents
Qua Cox (CB, Jackson State)
Marcus Hall (OG, Ohio State)
Jonotthan Harrison (C, Florida)
Tyler Hoover (DE, Michigan State)
Kameron Jackson (CB, California)
Zach Kerr (NT, Delaware)
Seth Lobato (QB, Northern Colorado)
Keon Lyn (CB, Syracuse)
Dewey McDonald (S, California University of Pennsylvania)
Gregory Moore (WR, Lane College)
Nnamdi Obukwelu (DE, Harvard)
Cody Parkey (K, Auburn)
Eric Pike (OT, Towson)
Darius Polk (CB, Kent State)
Erik Swoope (TE, Miami)
Eric Thomas (WR, Florida International)
Zurlon Tipton (RB, Central Michigan)
Josh Walker (OG, Middle Tennessee State)
Tony Washington (WR, Appalachian State)

I like the Hoover pickup. In a head-to-head matchup with the Buckeyes and Mewhort, Hoover was fantastic. This guy has a relentless motor and player incredibly well for Sparty last year.
I like that the Colts gave Eric Pike a shot, he really impressed me in the division 1AA playoffs and seems to be a solid run blocker.
Erik Swoope is another one of those basketball tight ends and should be interesting to watch. He has never played football and will be a project, buy a very intriguing one.
Other than that I don't see any of these guys making an NFL roster, other than maybe Parkey.

Jacksonville Jaguars

1(3) Blake Bortles (QB, Central Florida)

2(39) Marqise Lee (WR, USC)

2(61) Allen Robinson (WR, Penn State)

3(93) Brandon Linder (OG, Miami)

4(114) Aaron Colvin (CB, Oklahoma)

5(144) Telvin Smith (LB, Florida State)

5(159) Chris Smith (LB, Arkansas)

6(205) Luke Bowanko  (C, Virginia)

7(222) Storm Johnson (RB, Central Florida)

Best Pick: Telvin Smith

Telvin Smith was the leader of FSU's National Championship defense and very underrated going into this draft. Smith has incredible speed, tackling ability, and range. Some said this undersized linebacker should move to safety (similar to Derrick Brooks). While he isn't in Brooks' league, he is a tremendous talent, leader, and football player. He will be a solid football player for Jacksonville for years to come. In Round 5 he is an absolute steal. Coaching him in the Senior Bowl and seeing his ability there was a huge benefit for the Jaguars staff. This pick should really excite their fanbase. Jacksonville picks up a lot of new fans from FSU with the pick.

Summary: This is another draft right below the top 3. Every single pick here with the exception of 1 I really liked. The Jaguars got solid value and look like they are actually building a football team. Maybe they can make the NFL's worst division a little more competitive. They did a very good job. The one negative I will say about this draft is that I believe they reached a bit on Bortles. He was the best QB in this draft and he might be able to succeed, but I am not sold. That being said, eventually you have to take a shot on a QB. Jaguars fans have been waiting for the guy for long enough. Maybe this is when they finally get a quality signal caller.If Bortles hits this may end up being the top draft 5 years from now. Very good job by Jacksonville. Also, while selling tickets is always secondary to winning while picking a team (winning sells the best) this team picked up a lot more fans from within the state with this draft. Drafting two of UCF's most popular players and one of FSU's cannot hurt ticket sales or the popularity of the franchise.

Draft Grade: A-

Undrafted Free Agents
Jeff Budzien (K, Northwestern)
Terrance Cobb (RB, Cumberland)
Deandre Coleman (DT, California)
Damian Copeland (WR, Louisville)
Ricky Havili-Heimuli (DT, Oregon)
Allen Hurns (WR, Miami)
Marcel Jensen (TE, Fresno State)
Reggie Jordan (TE, Missouri-Western State)
Craig Loston (S, LSU)
Stephen Morris (QB, Miami)
Rashaad Reynolds (DB, Oregon State)
Tyler Shatley (OG, Clemson)
DJ Tialavea (TE, Utah State)
Josh Wells (OT, James Madison)
Marcus Whitfield (DE, Maryland)
Chad Zinchini (P, Tennessee Tech)

The Jaguars group of undrafted free agents will all put up strong battles for spots on the roster and they will make it interesting. The only one I am pretty sure will not make it is Damian Copeland and he can certainly stick elsewhere if he is cut. I say he won't make it because this is the deepest the Jaguars have ever been at WR and I see them taking three rookies on the roster already. They will have the two guys they drafted in addition, to Allen Hurns. Since, he worked with the offensive coordinator already Hurns has a jump start on the other rookies in this offense. This also is a benefit for Stephen Morris who had his best season in college under the current Jaguars OC. Morris at one point coming into the season was mentioned as a possibility in Round 1. If he can be fixed it is here, and it was a brilliant move by Morris to sign with Jacksonville.
Tyler Shatley is the second strongest offensive lineman in this draft, behind only Russell Bodine. That strength has to count for something. He is raw as a player and played defense the majority of his time at Clemson, but could be quite good once he develops. Again, great group that will compete for spots.

Tennessee Titans

1(11) Taylor Lewan (OT, Michigan)

2(54) Bishop Sankey (RB, Washington)

4(112) DaQuan Jones (DT, Penn State)

4(122) Marqueston Huff  (DB, Wyoming)

5(151) Avery Williamson  (LB, Kentucky)

6(178) Zach Mettenburger (QB,  LSU)

Best Pick: Taylor Lewan

I had every pick by the Titans graded at a lower spot than they were selected, besides Lewan. Taylor Lewan is one of the ten best players in this draft, so to get him at 11 had to be thrilling for Tennessee. He has great 1 on 1 blocking ability. Lewan will be the leader of this offensive line for years to come. He will block the blindside of whatever legitimate QB eventually comes in here. Btw, that is Lewan against top pick, Jadeavon Clowney. Lewan was pretty good against Clowney in the Outback Bowl if you check the whole tape and not just the one hit.

Summary: The Titans reached slightly on each pick (besides Lewan) in my opinion, but it wasn't terrible. They didn't absolutely blow their picks and people can compete for spots. Bishop Sankey and Taylor Lewan will start immediately and could help Tennessee win some games. Sankey was one of the best backs in this class, but I wouldn't have taken a back until round 3 this year. That is especially true for the Titans who have several other holes. Quality player though and not a reach by most people's standards.

Draft Grade: C

Undrafted Free Agents:
Ri'Shard Anderson (CB, Syracuse)
Antonio Andrews (RB, Western Kentucky)
Travis Coons (K, Washington)
James Gayle (LB, Virginia Tech)
Gabe Ikard (C, Oklahoma)
Justin McCray (OG, Central Florida)
James Merrell (LB, Rutgers)
Jaz Reynolds (WR, Oklahoma)
Hakeem Smith (S, Louisville)
Josh Stewart (WR, Oklahoma State)
Derel Walker (WR, Texas A & M)
Eric Ward (WR, Texas Tech)
David Wright (TE, Westminster)

I like that the Titans saw their deficiencies at wide receiver. While I am not a huge fan of the three guys they signed they recognized a need which is a step in the right direction. They also got a pretty good runningback for an undrafted free agent. The Titans should have signed my big boys on the offensive line as their o-line could still use some help. I like Ikard and McCray though for the depth they provide. James Gayle is the best player of this group. He should make the squad and be a good special teams player. Down the road, he could make an impact.

-Noland