2011 AFC South NFL Draft Grades
Houston Texans
The Texans made what I believe to be a critical error in the first round when they passed on Prince Amukamara with their 11th overall pick. This is not at all a slight on JJ Watt, who will be a successful defensive end in Wade Phillips’ new scheme. The Texans allowed 4,280 yards through the air last season, just 261 yards off of the record for worst in NFL history. Amukamara is a shut down corner that has proven to be consistent and durable over his two seasons as a starting corner back in Nebraska. His list of accomplishments includes being a 2010 First-Team All-American and 2010 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. I do not think an acceptable solution for such a terrible secondary is to upgrade the pass rush and rely on 3rd and 4th round selections (Brandon Harris and Rashad Carmichael) to become a starting CB in Peyton Manning’s division. Again, time will show that Watt and 2nd round pick Brooks Reed are quality players along the front 7 and will provide an effective and highly disruptive pass rush for many years. But, for this season, apart from signing Nnamdi Asomugha in free agency (whenever that occurs), the Texans are going to continue to allow too many big plays for their offense to compete with. And it should go without saying that for THIS franchise, this draft will be judged on the impact it has on making the Texans making the post season next year.
My Grade: D+
Indianapolis Colts
This was a solid draft for the Colts, nothing flashy… but with their first pick they took Anthony Castonzo (6’7’’ 311 lbs) to be a bookend left tackle for the remainder of Peyton Manning’s career and likely the start of the next guy’s too. This is a smart choice for Bill Polian and the Colts considering there was a slight disturbance in the timing of the Colts’ offense this past season. I thought the Colts would attack the wide receiver and/or running back positions as Reggie Wayne and Joseph Addai’s careers start to rapidly deteriorate, but Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie(if he can stay healthy) and Donald Brown will have to suffice until then… But, mostly because in round two Peyton’s offensive line got another new bookend tackle for the right side in 6’4’’ 317 lb. Ben Ijalana. Ben will take a little time to reach his full potential, but for now he will provide depth to the tackle position and should allow for Manning to let his pass routes develop and stay on his feet until retirement. The rest of the Colts’ picks were mostly unexciting, I was not a big fan of 4th round pick Delone Carter, RB from Syracuse, but he is likely to see at least a little playing time in the rotation since Donald Brown, Joseph Addai and Javarris James all made the field last season. Bottom line here is the Colts did not need much to remain divisional favorites and they got it, with the only exception being a ball hawk for their secondary… but free agency could still solve that problem. I am not so sure they can make another playoff run without a trusted running back to run the ball, but Manning can fill a lot of gaps and he sure knows how to demand the most from his teammate.
My Grade: A-
Jacksonville Jaguars
I am on record as not being a David Garrard fan; I have called him an average player and said that each year with him at QB is one of abandoned potential for the Jags. This seems harsh, but it has proven to be true again and again. So to me, the decision to move up and take Blaine Gabbert with the 9th overall pick was a solid one. You cannot compete with Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub by continuing to stick by a guy that has trouble winning in big games. Average won’t cut it anymore and since Gabbert was the consensus top-qb for most analysts and teams, the fact that the Jags were able to take him as the third overall QB in the draft could prove to be a steal. With the Jags’ 2nd pick (which was in round 3), they took William Rackley out of Lehigh University, a small school in Pennsylvania. Rackley was a dominant tackle in college, with his limited competition. But, in the pros he will likely transition to an interior lineman and his strong fundamentals and work ethic should prove enough to make for a smooth transition. The last pick I want to discuss was yet another small-school standout, Cecil Shorts from Mount Union. Shorts went with the 17th pick of the 4th round and is a very adept route runner with great hands. I worry some about his speed after only run a 4.59 40 yard dash at the combine, but the quickness he showed in the 3-cone drill leaves me with little doubt he will be able to create separation and get open for some big plays down the field. It will take a little time before he might be able to compete as a number one wide receiver, but he could prove to be a difference maker right away in an offense that needs a consistent receiver.
My Grade: B
Tennessee Titans
This years’ draft was entertaining and different than any other year due to free agency not occurring until afterwards… Each team varied up its strategy, but few made a move as head-scratching as when the Titans selected Jake Locker with the 8th overall pick. Blaine Gabbert was still on the board and a much more complete prospect at the QB position. Tennessee is fresh coming off of a bad experience with a mobile quarterback and selected another one with an accuracy problem. Locker excels with his intangibles, such as leadership and work ethic, but if he was the one the Titans were targeting, why not trade back and wait for Gabbert to come off the board before you reach on a player that would likely have stayed on the board for 10-15 picks? There was only one pick made by Tennessee that I really liked and that was when they took Akeem Ayers in round 2. Ayers is 6’3’’ 254 lbs and will join the rotation of defensive ends for the Titans. His size coupled with his burst speed could turn him into a dominant edge rusher from the 3-4, but I think of him more as a first and second down run stuffer with enough versatility to still be a threat should the opposing offense drop back to pass. I am not sure he can become a 4 down player, but time will tell as the Titans need a couple seasons to rebuild around their new franchise QB. The third and fourth round picks were focused on stuffing the run with the addition of 6’1’’ 300 lb. Jurrell Casey at DT and 6’1’’ 238 lb. Colin McCarthy to play ILB. I am not wild about either prospect, but they each have a fast motor and McCarthy should be able to contribute immediately on special teams.
My Grade: C-
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