Grading the Draft: AFC South
Gridiron Experts looks at each teams selections for the NFL draft, evaluates whether the moves they made will have an immediate or long term impact, and questions some if not all of the picks the teams made.

Indianapolis Colts
1(27): RB Donald Brown – When you think of the Colts, you think of Peyton Manning and the high powered passing game, so to draft a running back in the first round may leave many with a few questions. The Colts Super Bowl run involved a very underrated one-two punch with it’s running game, and we assume that’s what they’re trying to rebuild. Dominic Rhodes departure must have left a bigger hole than many had thought. We were just surprised to see the Colts go with Brown over Beanie; I guess injury concerns were a factor in Beanie Wells value. Either way, having another solid running back to help sell the play-action pass is a smart move.
2: DT Fili Moala – Great pick, this is more like it! The Colts defense needed upgrades, and this former Trojan should find himself in the Colts defensive rotation early and often. The Colts gave up an average of 122 rushing yards per game and allowed 18 touchdowns on the ground last year. DT Terrance Taylor from Michigan was also added in the 4th round, shoring up a major need of concern.
Other moves: CB Jerraud Powers was taken in the 3rd, although he is very undersized and unlikely to be anything but a nickel corner. The Colts drafted a punter and a quarterback in the later rounds; while the quarterback was a head scratcher, the punter selection was actually filling a void as Indianapolis lost Hunter Smith.
Draft grade: B+ Moala & Brown should add immediate impact.

Tennessee Titans
1(30): WR Kenny Britt – Gridiron Experts is a big fan of Britt, but we think the marriage to the Titans might be rocky. Britt is a physical, gritty receiver who will fight for those tough yards. Britt’s skills are more of the possession WR rather than being a blazing rocket, which is what we thought the Titans were after. Anything is better than last years core, but a speedy wide-out would make more sense. A burner would allow the Titans to set up deep play-action passes, while also getting safeties to back off with the threat of being burned on a go-route. Britt might be asked to drop a few pounds as he now weighs in around 215-220 lbs. I’m sure Tennessee has a role all carved out for the guy, why else would they draft him, but moving up for Harvin or Maclin would have been better. The Titans did grab WR Dominique Edison in the 6th round; as one of the fastest athletes in the draft, maybe Edison and Britt can piggy-back each other to become the perfect guy.
2(30): DT Sen’Derrick Marks – Good potential player but definitely not a starter; Marks will need time.
3(25): TE Jared Cook – We love this pick, almost more than Britt. Jared Cook’s forty time is great, and he could be used early in the Titans two Tight End formations. Cook has a chance to crack the line-up, and maybe even be called a fantasy sleeper.
Other Moves: The Titans drafted 11 players in total, addressing many of their needs, but day 2 was definitely more impressive, stealing many potential players such as LB Gerald McRath, CB Ryan Mouton, and RB Javon Ringer.
Draft Grade: B- This draft class has huge upside, but some questions near the top.

Jacksonville Jaguars
1(8): OT Eugene Monroe – We had Monroe going to the Rams at two, and feel the Jaguars got themselves a starter for the next decade.
2(7): OT Eben Britton – A first rounder slipped into the Jaguars laps; after making these two picks we had almost named the Jags the winners of the draft. It’s hard to secure quality Offensive Linemen in the NFL, and with Jacksonville’s pressing need to improve this area, you have to admire the patience this team had in allowing these players to fall to them.
3(8): DT Terrance Knighton – A monster nose tackle who can play in a 3-4 defense. Many thought Knighton was a bad fit, as the Jags run a 4-3 defense, but the pure size and agility of this kid was too great to pass up, nice pick.
Other Moves: RB Rashad Jennings has a great chance to fill in for the departed veteran Fred Taylor, and 3 late round WR’s will try their best to crack the roster: Mike Thomas (Arizona), Jarett Dillard (Rice) and Tiquan Underwood (Rutgers).
Draft Grade: A+

Houston Texans
1(15): LB Brian Cushing – How do you not like this smart, hardworking, intense USC linebacker? The Texans have amazing talent on defense, yet struggle to find rhythm. Cushing might just become that aggressive workaholic that Texan players can gather around. Great Pick.
2(14): LB/DE Connor Barwin – This kid can do it all, he was even listed as a tight end on many websites when he was first selected. This type of player is usually snatched up by the Patriots, as Barwin can do it all. Some fans are worried that the Texans already tried and failed with a player like this in Jason Babin, but I’m sure the coaching staff have a role perfectly suited for this smart football chameleon.
Summary: This draft class addressed many needs with it’s theme of drafting overall athletes like Barwin. Anthony Hill (North Carolina State) and James Casey (Rice) are a pair of tight ends that the Texans got in the later rounds who can also do it all. However, this draft class was missing a sexy pick that fans could smile over, and there are still questions about who will be helping out Steve Slaton in the backfield.
Draft Grade: B

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