AFC South Draft Preview
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The AFC South has been one of the weaker divisions in the NFL over the last few years. The Indianapolis Colts have dominated since its inception but recently the Houston Texans have taken over. Let’s check the first round draft picks and see if anyone can change that.
Jacksonville (3-13) has the fourth pick. This is the first full year for head coach Doug Marrone and former coach Tom Coughlin has returned to the organization as Executive Vice President of Football Operations.
The Jaguars looked promising in 2015 but regressed in 2016. They clearly had many needs to address but they were very active in free agency. Their biggest needs now are at running back, interior offensive line and building defensive depth. If they go for the best available player they’ll take Leonard Fournette, running back from LSU.
The Jags have a talented but erratic quarterback in Blake Bortles. They have two outstanding weapons on the outside with receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson. I think adding a power runner like Fournette could elevate them to one of the best offenses in the league.
Tennessee (9-7) actually finished with the same record as the division champion Texans. The Titans have two picks in the first round at 5th and 18th. The biggest need is a playmaker for QB Marcus Mariota. They had a great running game last year with DeMarco Murray finishing 3rd in rushing with nearly 1,300 yards and rookie Derrick Henry adding 490 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Now they need a threat to stretch the defense and help further open up the running game. I think they can go in two directions with either tight end O.J. Howard or wide receiver Mike Williams.
Howard is the most complete tight end in the draft and he knows how to win considering he’s coming from Alabama. With current stud TE Delanie Walker on the roster they might be able to start creating mismatches in two tight end formations like New England.
The 18th pick will be either a corner or one of the top 3 receivers if they slid this far. Corner possibilities are Quincy Wilson (Florida) or Tre’Davious White (LSU). I think both should be able to immediately step in and start.
Indianapolis (8-8) is looking to bounce back after two consecutive .500 seasons. Andrew Luck needs protection because he takes a beating every week and honestly the franchise should want to protect their $140 million man.
The defense also needs to improve their speed and athleticism. They finished 30th in total defense allowing 383 yards per game.
If they choose to address the offensive line they can go with guard Dion Dawkins from Temple or tackle Ryan Ramczyk of Wisconsin. I honestly think the Colts will opt for a pass rusher with this pick. If linebacker Haason Reddick is available they will take him. In his final two years at Temple he had 35.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks.
Houston (9-7) is a team with one glaring weakness, quarterback. The Texans had the number one defense in the league and they have playmakers at the skill positions on offense.
Even with the lack of quarterback talent they still won a playoff game last season. The Brock Osweiler experiment is over and he was shipped to the NFL version of Siberia (Cleveland).
They’ll take a QB but it’s hard to gauge who will be left when they pick 26th. The most likely option is Patrick Mahomes. He’s used to being in a wide open offense at Texas Tech. He’ll need time to develop into a pro quarterback.
