NFL Draft: Winners And Losers - Full Recap

AFC South

The AFC changed a little bit last year. The Colts, with Andrew Luck, emerged as a legitimate contender with the Texans. The Texans also were able to show us what a great defense they really have. JJ Watt is the big anchor for this team, and they were able to win in the playoffs again. The bottom two, Titans and Jags, were not very good. The Titans were able to show promise, if they keep Jake Locker up and Chris Johnson goes back to CJ2k days, they can challenge. The Jags are in transition big time right now. They have changed their uniforms and ownership. The attendance has dwindled and the NFL may look to relocate the Jags if they do not pick it up. They have had one of the great running backs in MJD, but, not much else. This team is only a few years removed from the playoffs, can they get back? Texans- RD 1 DeAndre Hopkins (WR), RD 2 D.J. Swearinger (S), RD 3 Brennan Williams (OT), RD 3 Sam Montgomery (DT), RD 4 Trevardo Williams (DE), RD 6 David Quessenberry (OT), RD 6 Alan Bonner (WR), RD 6 Chris Jones (DT), RD 6 Ryan Griffen (TE) The Texans went out in round one and got a very useful toy. Other than Andre Johnson they haven't had anyone really threatening. DeAndre has incredible size and huge hands, he is just like Andre Johnson. The pair will create match-up problems in 2013. They then went out and got Swearinger, he isn't going to play a guy up and he isn't incredibly fast, but he is a born leader and very instinctive. They also got line help on both sides, Sam Montgomery will turn out to be a monster. The last few years he has been a force in SEC ball. They brought in Williams in the 4th who had 13.5 tackles for loss last season. He can be a good run stopper and pass rusher. Quessenberry will be a one day starter, he played well in the senior bowl and has good size out of San Jose State. The Texans get a B- from me. Not a big time draft, but, it does add the missing pieces they need Hopkins is going to make this offense even better and Swearinger is going to aid in that defense. This team will be a contender in 2013 as they were in 2012. Colts- RD 1 Bjoern Werner (DE), RD 3 Hugh Thornten (OG), RD 4 Khaled Holmes, RD 5 Montori Hughes (DT), RD 6 John Boyett (S) RD 7 Kerwynn Williams (RB), RD 7 Justice Cunningham (TE) The Colts were a very solid team in 2012, thanks to Andrew Luck and TY Hilton. They needed a new age DE and that was Bjoern. He is a big, big fella. He isn't the most athletic, but, he has moves and knows how to use them. He can set you up in run coverage and has the ability to sack the QB. Very good pick, hoping to help the defense. They then went in round 3 and picked up some depth to block for Luck. Montori Hughes had 15 tackles for a loss and 4 sacks in his senior season. Off-Field issues dropped him pretty substantially. The Colts are going to receive a C from me. Not a big time draft. Werner will be a key part, Thornten will get playing time. But, outside of that, I don't see much coming from this class. Jaguars- RD 1 Luke Joeckel (OT), RD 2 Johnathan Cyprien (S), RD 3 Dwayne Gratz (CB), RD 4 Ace Sanders (WR), RD 5 Denard Robinson (WR), RD 6 Joshua Evans (S), RD 7 Jeremy Harris (CB), RD 7 Demetrius McCray (CB) The Jags need a lot of help. Joeckel is a good pick up. He is going to be able to block for Henne or Gabbart. And he will be a franchise tackle for years to come. Cyprien is a big pickup for this team. He is one of the best safeties in the draft and in a league with the Colts and Texans, who can air it, you need a good center-fielder. Dwayne Gratz was put into the defensive back field for the same reason. Ace Sanders was an exceptional pick, he ran a 4.38. He has the speed to be an incredible slot. Denard Robinson was an incredible pick. It caught me off guard. He isn't going to be much more than a slot and returner. But, he has so much ability. He can do gadget plays and has speed for days. He also has a good head on his head and wants to win. Evans was their second safety and will be behind Cyprien on the depth chart. This draft grades out as a B for the Jags. They need a lot of help, it started here. They have changed the team identity up, new ownership and uniforms. They went and got an all pro capable tackle and a very high upsided safety. Denard Robinson and Ace Sanders are both explosive guys, and will be key players. Nothing happened that will make this team a playoff team, but, they put solid groundwork down. Titans- RD 1 Chance Warmack (OG), RD 2 Justin Hunter (WR), RD 3 Blidi Wreh-Wilson (CB), RD 3 Zaviar Gooden (OLB), RD 4 Brian Schwenke (C), RD 5 Lavar Edwards (DE), RD 6 Khalid Wooten (CB), RD 7 Daimon Stafford (S) It is clear what Tennessee wants to do. Build around Jake Locker. Warmack, Schwenke, and Hunter were all taken to help him. They didn't have much for him on the outside, Justin Hunter changes all of that. He is a game breaker. The two big fellas they took will be key in guarding Locker. Keeping him healthy is key for him to grow. The two picks in round 3 were taken to sure up a rather weak defense. Wreh-Wilson will turn into a very good cover corner. They Bring in Lavar Edwards to build up depth on the D-Line. The Tennessee professional team will receive a grade of B+. The Titans need production from Chris Johnson and a good year from Jake Locker. That is the only way they are going to be successful. So, what did they do to aid in that? Chance Warmack, the big fella, is going to block and clear holes for both of them. Justin Hunter will be a big time receiver as he stays in State to begin his pro career. They added some decent players in Wreh-Wilson and Zavier Gooden. All in all, this draft was pretty productive.