NFL Draft Grades – AFC South Edition
Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Grade 2020
AFC South Draft Grades 2020 – Jacksonville Jaguars
Intro
Let the re-build begin. The Jacksonville Jaguars were dead last in my NFL Power Rankings, but that can change quickly. I was a big fan of the Jags draft class. They are doing the re-build right with 12 picks in the draft including 2 first rounders.
Day 1 – Round 1
Pick #9 – C.J. Henderson
I ridiculed the Falcons draft due to their inability to trade up for C.J. Henderson. A.J. Terrell is not nearly as good of a prospect as Henderson who I put up in the same tier as Jeffrey Okudah in terms of man coverage skill. He is still raw, but expect him to become a pro-bowl cornerback sooner rather than later.
Pick #20 – K’Lavon Chaisson
Speaking of raw, Chaisson fell down boards because his collegiate production was lackluster. He was never able to turn his freakish athleticism into consistent production, but has the tape against top level competition. If he gets coached up, this 20 year old has a tremendous upside.
Day 2 – Rounds 2-3
Pick #64 – Laviska Shenault
There were a lot of teams that passed on Laviska Shenault because of his injury history, but the talent is there. No player since 2018 in college has more broken tackles than Shenault. He looks more like a running back than a wide receiver with the ball in his hands. He will look to become a yards after the catch monster. My only worry is he gets wasted in Jacksonville.
Pick #73 – Davon Hamilton
Hamilton is a proven run stuffer who will fit that role on run downs. The problem comes with his inability to rush the passer. He needs a lot of work to succeed on the inside besides just obvious run downs.
Day 3 – Rounds 4-7
Ben Bartch, Josiah Scott and Shaquille Quarterman were all solid value picks. While they won’t be immediate impact players, the Jags secured many great prospects who can develop as starters.
Indianapolis Colts Draft Grade 2020
AFC South Draft Grades 2020 – Indianapolis Colts
Intro
The Colts were one of the risers in my NFL Power Rankings. They are in win now mode and their first round reflected that.
Day 1 – Round 1
They traded away their 13th overall pick to the 49ers in exchange for DeForest Buckner who became the 2nd highest paid defensive tackle outside of Aaron Donald. This is an immediate impact maker who improves their front 7 drastically.
Day 2 – Rounds 2-3
Pick #34 – Michael Pittman
Philip Rivers had success throwing to the tall and lanky Mike Williams for the Chargers and Pittman should fill that role. The rest of the wide receivers for the Colts are speed first guys, but Pittman brings that possession catch ability which should take some pressure off Rivers and Hilton. If not for his age, he would have been selected higher in the draft.
Pick #41 – Jonathan Taylor
I’m torn about this pick. I love Jonathan Taylor and all the he brings. Many had him as the first running back off the board and rightfully so considering his athletic profile and production. My problem is the need. They are clearly in win now mode and I don’t know if Taylor is that much better than Mack to justify the high selection. This draft was deep and they could have addressed more of a need position instead of RB.
Day 3 – Rounds 4-7
Starting off day 3 with Julian Blackmon was a solid flier. He is a cornerback moved to safety who fell down boards due to a knee injury. I can see him starting for this defense in year 1. I was also a fan of their Jacob Eason and Danny Pinter picks. Eason is not very mobile, but can learn a lot from Rivers and they didn’t reach to get him. Pinter is 24 years old which limits his upside, but is a 94th percentile SPARQ athlete.
Tennssee Titans Draft Grade 2020
AFC South Draft Grades 2020 – Tennessee Titans
Intro
The Titans were knocking at the door last season and will still have that bitter taste falling short. They are in win now mode.
Day 1 – Round 1
Pick #29 – Isaiah Wilson
Wilson received mostly 2nd round grades from scouts, but the fit makes perfect sense. They just lost Jack Conklin to free agency, and Wilson will look to fill that RT role immediately. He is a run mauler which fits the culture of the Titans.
Day 2 – Rounds 2-3
Pick #61 – Kristian Fulton
I loved this pick. Not only was the collegiate production there, but the athletic profile. Much like Wilson in day 1, Fulton perfectly fits the Titans need at CB and I can see him being a day 1 starter. Fulton was the best pick of their draft.
Pick #73 – Darrynton Evans
They hit the lottery on Fulton and then reached on Evans. Sure, he is a speedster, but is way too undersized. You look at the culture of the Titans and it’s not a fit. He doesn’t break tackles and he won’t find success on this team.
Day 3 – Rounds 4-7
Cole McDonald is now the backup for Ryan Tannehill. In other words, this team is screwed if he goes down.
Houston Texans Draft Grade 2020
AFC South Draft Grades 2020 – Houston Texans
Intro
Mark my words. By this time next season, Bill O’Brien will no longer be the coach of the Texans. Nothing he did this season made any sense including the NFL draft. If these draft grades included off-season trades, you bet I would have given them an F.
Day 1 – Round 1
You would think that if you trade away DeAndre Hopkins that you would be getting at least a 1st rounder in return. You are wrong. They also do not have a first rounder because they traded it away for Laremy Tunsil who is now the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL thanks to Bill O’Brien.
Day 2 – Rounds 2-3
Pick #40 – Ross Blacklock
Kicking off the draft with a very boring pick. Blacklock had solid production at the collegiate level, but tested at the 21st percentile at the combine. His upside is average.
Pick #90 – Jonathan Greenard
Greenard plays with a lot of energy and should learn a lot playing under J.J. Watt. This pick was supposed to be traded to the Lions, but they backed out last minute. That left the Texans reaching for him, but the fit still makes sense.
Day 3 – Rounds 4-7
Charlie Heck was a noteworthy gamble. He played Tight End in high school which speaks for his 80th percentile performance at the combine. He is still very raw, but can develop into a solid starter.
For more NFL Draft Grades:
AFC:
East Draft Grades
West Draft Grades
North Draft Grades
South Draft Grades
NFC:
East Draft Grades
West Draft Grades
North Draft Grade
South Draft Grades
