2011 Draft Grades: AFC South

Now that the draft is over, it’s time for some instant analyization. And while we won’t go too in depth with grading and exactly how these players will be impacted, it is important to get an idea on how the early round values and team needs were filled, as well as a total outline of all the positions that were picked.

Also, keep in mind that Eric Galko (@OptimumScouting) as well as myself (@samskiNYC) will be tweeting each day that they are released, so feel free to start the debate there and in the comments section!

Houston Texans
11 J.J. Watt, defensive end, Wisconsin
42 Brooks Reed, outside linebacker, Arizona
60 Brandon Harris, cornerback, Miami
127 Rashad Carmichael, cornerback Virginia Tech
144 Shiloh Keo, safety, Idaho
152 Taylor Yates, quarterback, North Carolina
214 Derek Newton, offensive tackle, Arkansas State
254 Cheta Ozougwu, outside linebacker, Rice

Summary: There weren’t many teams who drafted better than the Texans this year. Making the switch to a 3-4 defense, they got Wade Phillips tons of talent to play around with. JJ Watt is a strong lineman who is perfectly suited to the 3-4 and Brooks Reed, while he is a try-hard player, seems like a grinder at OLB who will always find a way to make plays. Perhaps most importantly, the Texans addressed their dreadful secondary with three players I am really high on: Harris, Carmichael, who is vastly underrated and Keo, who has limited measurables, but great instincts and is a tough tackler. Lastly, Yates offers some Matt Schaub-like late-round potential as a starter down the road and Newton is one of my favorite late-round OTs, who I think could become a starting LT in a few years.

Grade: A-

Indianapolis Colts
22 Anthony Castonzo, offensive tackle, Boston College
49 Benjamin Ijalana, offensive guard, Villanova
87 Drake Nevis, defensive tackle, LSU
119 Delone Carter, running back, Syracuse
188 Chris Rucker, corner back, Michigan State

Summary: The Colts knew where they needed to plug holes. The running game was non-existent last year and Manning started taking a lot more hits. Enter in two solid offensive lineman in Castanzo and Ijalana. Ijalana has the versatility to play either guard or tackle spot, which should allow the Colts to start a stronger unit. Nevis is tremendous value in the 3rd and gives the Colts some interior thump, while Carter isn’t a sexy pick, but is a guy who can get the hard yards that Addai and Brown seem incapable of gaining. Lastly, Rucker has some talent when he is not wrapped up in off-field troubles and could prove to be solid late round value. However, the Colts failed to address the wide receiver position which could be in flux with Reggie Wayne aging and Austin Collie’s future uncertain due to concussions.

Grade: B+

Jacksonville Jaguars
10 Blaine Gabbert, quarterback, Missouri
76 William Rackley, offensive tackle, Lehigh
114 Cecil Shorts, wide receiver, Mount Union
121 Chris Prosinski, safety, Wyoming
147 Rod Issac, cornerback, Middle Tennessee State

Summary: The Jaguars moved up to get Gabbert and this is a perfect situation for him to learn and gain experience, but I’m not sold on him as having a better future than Garrard. Gabbert too often dumped the ball underneath at Missouri and didn’t show the ability to consistently stretch the field. Shorts has a chance to be another solid #2 WR from Mount Union. Rackley is solid and his versatility should help, but the Jaguars actually have a pretty solid offensive line. Consequently, they had serious holes at DE and OLB and didn’t fill either of them, while Prosinski was a need position, but may have been a bit of a reach and there were better CBs on the board than Issac.

Grade: C

Tennessee Titans
8 Jake Locker, quarterback, Washington
39 Akeem Ayers, outside linebacker, UCLA
77 Jurrell Casey, defensive tackle, USC
109 Colin McCarthy, inside linebacker, Miami
130 Jamie Harper, running back, Clemson
142 Karl Klug, defensive tackle, Iowa
175 Byron Stingily, offensive tackle, Louisville
221 Zach Clayton, defensive tackle, Auburn
251 Tommie Campbell, cornerback, California (PA)

Summary: I know the Titans are talking about switching to a 4-3/3-4 hybrid defense, but I still don’t really understand this draft. In my opinion, Jake Locker was a reach at 8 overall. The Titans have been in dire need of a DT since Haynesworth left and they’ll regret not picking Fairley there. Ayers is another guy who I don’t love. He doesn’t show the athleticism to be a 3-4 OLB, but hasn’t displayed the coverage skills to play in a 4-3 either. McCarthy is smart and a solid tackler, but is another player who lacks athleticism Harper could be a good 3rd down compliment to Chris Johnson, but Casey is a guy whose production seemed to outshine his physical skills. Klug is another try-hard player who was taken at least a round early.

Grade: C