2020 AFC South Draft Grades

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Houston Texans

First-Round Pick: N/A

Best Pick: Round Two-Ross Blacklock-Defensive Tackle-TCU

Grade: F

The Houston Texans already had a questionable off-season as they traded All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals, and they followed this up by having a subpar showing at the 2020 National Football League Draft. The Texans already entered the NFL Draft without a first-round pick as the result of them acquiring offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Miami Dolphins last year, and their first choice in this draft would not come until the second round where they selected defensive tackle Ross Blacklock.

Blacklock is a solid player who has good technique, but he is not a game changer at the position, nor will be able to put this draft class on his back. In total the Texans only had five selections in this draft which included none in the final two rounds. And once you also factor in that Houston already lost Hopkins this off-season, things are not looking up for this team heading into next season.

Tennessee Titans

First-Round Pick: Isaiah Wilson-Offensive Tackle-Georgia

Best Pick: Round Two-Kristian Fulton-Cornerback-LSU

Grade: B-

The Tennessee Titans were one of biggest surprises in the playoffs last season in the National Football League as they made it to the AFC Championship Game. And after their deep playoff run, the Titans headed into the NFL Draft looking to build off of that as they feel that they are ready to contend for the Super Bowl here in 2020.

The Titans lost offensive tackle Jack Conklin in free agency to the Cleveland Browns, and they’d waste no time in finding his replacement as they used their first-round selection on offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson. Wilson joins the Titans not as polished as his predecessor at right tackle, but he has the potential to protect the blindside of quarterback Ryan Tannehill for years to come.

Tennessee also lost defensive back Logan Ryan in free agency, and in the second round they would select cornerback Krisitan Fulton. Fulton had the potential to be taken in the first round, but he fell to the Titans towards the end of the second. Fulton is solid in coverage, but you might see him more covering the slot receiver as a rookie.

The remainder of the draft would see the Titans beefing up in the trenches and adding depth as this squad could once again be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC.

Indianapolis Colts

First-Round Pick: N/A

Best Pick: Round Two-Jonathan Taylor-Running Back-Wisconsin

Grade: B

After acquiring defensive end DeForest Buckner from the San Francisco 49ers earlier this off-season, the Indianapolis Colts entered the 2020 National Football League Draft without a first-round pick, however that didn’t stop them from having a productive weekend.

The second round of the draft was good to the Colts as they had a pair of picks that they’d use to upgrade the skill positions on offense. First, Indy would select wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. who has the potential to become a dependable slot receiver for veteran quarterback Philip Rivers. And later on in that round, the Colts would get running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor joins the Colts after winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back in each of the last two years with the Wisconsin Badgers. Taylor is a good runner with the football, but the two biggest concerns about him coming into the pros were his ball security issues, along with the fact that he had 926 carries in three years at Wisconsin.

Indianapolis would use the remainder of the draft adding depth on both sides of the football as it won’t take long for this rookie class to pay dividends for them.

Jacksonville Jaguars

First-Round Pick: CJ Henderson-Cornerback-Florida, K’Lavon Chaisson-Outside Linebacker-LSU

Best Pick: K’Lavon Chaisson

Grade: C-

The Jacksonville Jaguars came into the 2020 National Football League Draft with a bevy of picks as they had the potential to turn around the fortunes of their fortunes. But for the most part the Jaguars whiffed as they reached for some players, and in the process they passed up on taking some potential playmakers.

As the result of trading cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams last year, the Jags had an additional first-round pick. And with both of their first-round picks, Jacksonville decided to go defense as they selected cornerback CJ Henderson and outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson.

Henderson is a good coverage corner, but he lacks the intangibles to be a great corner which is evident as to how can get beat. And in the case of Chaisson, Jacksonville gets a player who will be a solid contributor, but he won’t be a star.

In the first round I expected the Jaguars to address their weakness as the wide receiver position, but they instead opted to bypass on the likes of wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Henry Ruggs. Jacksonville would select wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., in the second round, but he lacks the playmaking ability that players such as Ruggs and Lamb who were taken in the first round have.

The Jaguars had a golden opportunity to reverse the fortunes of their team, and they missed it.

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By | 2020-05-20T12:25:34+00:00 May 3rd, 2020|Categories: National Football League|0 Comments

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