AFC South Draft Grades

We'll be reviewing a new team's draft each day.
By: Chris Horwedel
5/13/08

AFC South:

Jacksonville Jaguars:

The team traded up almost half a round in the first in order to select Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey. This was a major area of need for the Jaguars given the team's lack of a pass rush in recent years. Harvey is going to have to find himself as a player after adding a good deal of weight, but he's got natural ability to get after the QB. Where-as their first round pick was a bit of a reach, second round pick Auburn defense end Quentin Groves was a huge steal late in the second. Groves is another player who excels in rushing the quarterback. Suddenly the team has a pair of defensive ends to build around. Fifth round pick USC linebacker Thomas Williams was a highly rated player coming out of high school but got caught in a numbers game in college and didn't get on the field as much as expected. He's a smart, tough linebacker who plays downhill. Their second fifth round selection South Florida cornerback Trae Williams was another good value pick, Williams didn't have the best post-season but he's shown play-making ability in the past. The Jags went back to USC with their last pick, seventh rounder Chauncey Washington. Washington has unmistakable talent, but had a tough time finding the field during his time as a Trojan due to grades and injuries.

Grade: C+

Indianapolis Colts:

The team's first selection, second round pick Arizona State center Mike Pollak is the kind of player who'll fit in quickly on the Colts offensive line. He's a smart player who really shows an understanding for the position. Third round pick Georgia Tech linebacker Phillip Wheeler was a steal at this point in the draft, he's an instinctive player who has first round talent. Fourth round pick Kentucky tight end Jacob Tamme was tailor-made to play in the Colts offense, which loves to use multiple tight end sets. Tamme is, at best, an average blocker. But he excels in the passing game and may find himself a prime target for Archie's boy. Fifth round pick Georgia linebacker/defensive end Marcus Howard was a strange selection as he doesn't really seem to fit into the Colts defensive style of play. He was best suited to play rush-linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Still, players with his ability to get to the quarterback are worth having around. Sixth round pick Virginia tight end Tom Santi won't blow anyone away with his measureables, but he's one of the most solid tight ends in this draft. With their second sixth round pick, the team re-visits a position they already addressed once again in selection Wake Forest center Steve Justice. Justice should have no trouble moving over to the offensive guard position, good value here. The team's third sixth round pick Michigan running back Mike Hart was a star from the moment he arrived on the Michigan campus. However, concerns about his size and speed have knocked him down to this point in the draft. We're not going to overlook Hart and we believe he'll be a solid pro. The Colts final sixth round selection Mount Union wide receiver Pierre Garcon is a wonderful athlete for the position and has the chance to pay off in a big way after a few years on the bench. Clearly the Colts didn't believe two was enough, seventh round pick Buffalo center Jamey Richard marks the third offensive center which they selected. Still, Richard is excellent value here and like the players before him, there's no reason to believe he can't swing over to guard.

Grade: B

Houston Texans:

First round pick Virginia Tech offensive tackle Duane Brown was clearly a case of the team zeroing in on one position and taking the best player available at that position regardless of his place on the overall draft board. Brown is an extremely athletic offensive tackle who looks like a solid fit at left tackle. Third round pick Eastern Kentucky cornerback Antwaun Molden was one of the hottest names in the month leading up to the draft and was being discussed as a potential late first / early second round pick. He's a little raw because of the lower level of play, but has a great size/speed combo. The Texans second third round pick was West Virginia running back Steve Slaton. Slaton's been one of the more productive players in college football over the past few years, but drops a bit because of concerns over his size and injury history. I feel like Slaton is the kind of player who overcomes his adversities and he'll be a good player in the NFL in a few years. Fourth round pick Virginia Tech linebacker Xavier Adibi is another outstanding athlete for his position, but in another player who lacks ideal size. Fifth round pick Texas defensive tackle Frank Okam was the latest Texas DT to be hyped as a top 5 pick before the season started, only to find himself a mid-second day selection. Okam came to the combine out of shape and looked lazy overall. There's a real concern that he'll eat himself out of the league. Still, the talent is there. Sixth round pick Minnesota defensive back Dominique Barber is a hard-hitter in the secondary. While he lacks ideal speed for his position, he's an effort player who has a chance to become a starter down the line. Seventh round pick Washington State quarterback Alex Brink simply didn't show the skills you'd expect to find in an NFL QB. I expect his career will be a fairly short one.

Grade: C-