by AFC South
Indianapolis Colts
2 (34). Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
2 (41). Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
3 (85). Julian Blackmon, S, Utah
4 (122). Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
5 (149). Danny Pinter, G, Ball State
6 (193). Robert Windsor, DT, Penn State
6 (211). Isaiah Rodgers, CB, Massachusetts
6 (212). Dezmon Patmon, WR, Washington State
6 (213). Jordan Glasgow, LB, Michigan
Philip Rivers does not have a ton left in the tank, but the Colts don’t need him to throw the ball 40 times per game. They just need an experienced leader and a game manager. They have a new strategy to win and it clearly showed in the second round of the draft.
The team started by taking one of the best contested pass catchers in the draft. Michael Pittman Jr. can go up and come down with the ball almost every time. He has great hands. If Rivers throws up a floated ball to Pittman, it will most often result in a Colts reception.
The main change in the system was clear with the selection of Jonathan Taylor. Taylor was a dominant force at Wisconsin and will now play home games at the same location as the Big Ten Championship game. The Colts have not had a one-two punch at running back in recent memory but Taylor and Marlon Mack will provide that. The two will be competing for the starting job, but both will still receive a bunch of carries. This will take pressure off of Rivers.
Drafting Jacob Eason in the fourth round gives the Colts a backup to learn from Rivers over the next few years. Eason has a strong arm and has plenty of potential. Just needs to be consistent through full games.
That last notable pick to mention is Julian Blackmon. The safety is a great addition to the Colts secondary and will most likely serve as a backup to Malik Hooker. If they move Blackmon to strong safety, he could give Khari Willis a run for his money.
Draft Grade: B+
Way Too Early Prediction: 10-6
Houston Texans
2 (40). Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
3 (90). Jonathan Greenard, LB, Florida
4 (126). Charlie Heck, T, North Carolina
4 (141). John Reid, CB, Penn State
5 (171). Isaiah Coulter, WR, Rhode Island
The Houston Texans have been questioned a lot with the trade of DeAndre Hopkins but they have since added Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb. The fact of the matter is that as long as the team has Deshaun Watson, they will win games.
The Texans needed a defensive tackle and Ross Blacklock was the third best in the draft. He will immediately become one of the four or five best lineman on the team. Also adding the edge rushing abilities of Jonathan Greenard in the third round is excellent for the defense.
Watson has been running for his life because the offensive line has struggled. The Texans are hoping they improve at that this season. Adding Charlie Heck is beneficial. He might even get a chance at right tackle due to the inconsistency of Tytus Howard and Roderick Johnson.
John Reid is a corner that I believe has great versatility. He can play on the outside but I believe he will be better suited as a nickel. He could also play some safety if needed. Due to the versatility he should make the roster despite a strong secondary in Houston. Isaiah Coulter might not be as fortunate with the wide receiver group.
Draft Grade: B
Way Too Early Prediction: 10-6
Tennessee Titans
1 (29). Isaiah Wilson, T, Georgia
2 (61). Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
3 (93). Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State
5 (174). Larrell Murchison, DT, N.C. State
7 (224). Cole McDonald, QB, Hawaii
7 (243). Chris Jackson, S, Marshall
The Titans need to protect the run game. It is their only chance of winning games.
They did that with the selection of Isaiah Wilson. He is a solid run blocker and will be the direct replacement for Jack Conklin. Replacing Conklin is a tall task but Wilson is a competent right tackle. Adding Darrynton Evans in the third round also brings in another backup for Derrick Henry.
Kristian Fulton somehow dropped to the second round and the Titans snatched him up. He was a late bloomer in college but his last season with LSU was a nice one. He is a physical corner and developing behind Malcolm Butler should help his game.
In the fifth round, the selection of Larrell Murchison brought in some depth at defensive tackle for Mike Vrabel’s defense.
The selections were good but the question is if the Titans can sustain what they had last season.
Draft Grade: B
Way Too Early Prediction: 8-8
Jacksonville Jaguars
1 (9). CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
1 (20). K’Lavon Chaisson, LB, LSU
2 (42). Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
3 (73). Davon Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
4 (116). Ben Bartch, T, St. John’s (MN)
4 (137). Josiah Scott, CB, Michigan State
4 (140). Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami (FL)
5 (157). Daniel Thomas, S, Auburn
5 (165). Collin Johnson, WR, Texas
6 (189). Jake Luton, QB, Oregon State
6 (206). Tyler Davis, TE, Georgia Tech
7 (223). Chris Claybrooks, CB, Memphis
Picks galore in Jacksonville which was much needed. Especially when the defense needed lots of holes patched up.
Starting with that defense, the corner positions needed some work. No Jalen Ramsey or A.J. Bouye means some rebuilding was necessary. CJ Henderson was an excellent selection at ninth overall. He was clearly the second-best corner in this draft class and will be a starter day one. His speed and ability to break on the ball is exceptional. Later selecting Josiah Scott and Chris Claybrooks provide that much needed depth.
Defensive line was the other major need defensively. Davon Hamilton had an excellent senior year at Ohio State and will be the run stuffer the Jaguars need. Hamilton can also get after the quarterback. On the edge, K’Lavon Chaisson will provide a relentless pass rush. He is a hybrid edge, similar to Josh Allen. He is most efficient standing up. It will be fascinating to see if they even decide to drop him back to linebacker.
Linebacker is a spot where the Jaguars pulled in a true leader. Shaquille Quarterman was not only a captain for Miami FL but also a captain for the Senior Bowl. The hard-nosed run stopper is one of the best between the tackles. He should fit in well with Myles Jack and newly acquired Joe Schobert. Quarterman will see the field early on.
The offense is where the Jaguars need some more work. They touched on it with Laviska Shenault Jr. and Collin Johnson at wide receiver. Both are really nice players and offer nice targets for Gardner Minshew. Offensive tackle Ben Bartch will provide depth on the line not only outside but as a backup guard as well.
The Jaguars are in the middle of an overhaul and they will be young in many spots next season. They are making positive strides but this will take some time.
Draft Grade: A-
