NFL Draft 2012: AFC South Team Needs

Things are much different in the AFC South these days. Last year, the Colts saw Peyton Manning do to their franchise what he had spent the past 13 years doing to the rest of the division: Single-handedly end a season.  With Manning no longer in the picture, the AFC South is finally fair game for all. So what team is poised to take over the helm? Can the Texans repeat last year’s success and make a case as the premier franchise in the division? Is anyone else suited to challenge them? Let’s take a look at some key areas each of the four teams will have to address in the draft to ensure a competitive 2012 roster.

Houston Texans

Top Needs:  DT, WR, LB

Shaun Cody is not a fit at the 3-4 NT position. He will never be a premiere player at the position in any defense, but at 6-4, 301 lbs., he is simply too tall and too light to play in a scheme were leverage is not only valued, but integral. Houston lost some important players to free agency, however, Cody could just be as important a person to replace as anyone that left the team.

Andre Johnson is 30, and while not necessarily injury prone, he has shown he certainly isn’t immune either, having posted 3 of his 4 sub-1,000 yard seasons due to injury (other was rookie season).  Kevin Walter is a solid contributor and hard worker, but not the answer at the #2 position. With the NFL becoming an ever-increasingly pass oriented league, teams almost need to have two #1 caliber receivers.  A high quality second receiver could make an already highly charged offense absolutely explosive.

The loss of Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans is huge. You can’t overestimate that. I have no doubt the Texans did what they had to do and will recover, but anyone who says those two are easily replaceable is lying to themselves. The recent additions of James and Dobbins are nothing more than insurance policies. The Texans are definitely going to have to find somebody to become the voice of the defense.

Indianapolis Colts

Top Needs: QB, OL, DT, CB

Peyton Manning is the obvious choice in this one, but we all know that he’ll be replaced by Luck and everything will go forward to that end. However, they are going to need to draft efficiently and correctly in order to make sure that Luck can remain upright. Costanzo is a developing talent, but the rest of the line is full of cast-offs and no-names. Justice is one of the worst starting tackles in the game and Satele is moderately overrated. I had to look up who the guards were.

Antonio Johnson is a decent player, just not as a NT. He is only a few pounds heavier than Shaun Cody, and only two inches shorter. Also, with the hiring of Pagano, Indy will now run a 3-4 defense, and will be using Freeney and Mathis as pass rushing linebackers. This puts added pressure on the nose tackle, as offenses are bound to key in on the weakness at defensive line.

Jerraud Powers is a decent talent, yet in his three years with the Colts, he has yet to play more than 12 games in a given season.  In the #2 slot at CB, Kevin Thomas , a third-round pick out of USC last year, has yet to really establish his self at all. Both of these players show upside, but have just as much promise to disappoint. A solid CB in the draft could really help this secondary out.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Top Needs: WR, DE, DT

Mike Thomas was never more than a third receiver, and has not seemed to respond well when asked to take on more responsibility. Laurent Robinson has the skills of a #2 receiver with the contract of a #1 and will be asked to do far too much this season.  This team could definitely use a top ten caliber pick at receiver, and it’s looking like they may get the opportunity in Blackmon, who should be available at pick 7.

Jeremy Mincey is solid and has some upside, but he’s not a game changer. Austen Lane is currently assigned the other end position and is in no way a starting caliber defender. Virtually anyone would be an improvement, and we shall see if the Jaguars use a second or third round pick on the position. Of course, they could deem Blackmon unworthy of a first-round selection and go with one of the highly touted ends, which would instantly improve this unit.

Tyson Alualu is a solid starter, but has not yet lived up to his early draft selection. It is difficult to foresee him becoming dominant. C.J. Mosley is a career backup that needs to remain as such. With all of the available talent at the DT position, this year, they may be able to snag someone that can start immediately in the second or third round, depending on whether or not they need to use those picks on DE. Terrance Knighton’s recent injury also remains a question mark as to when he will return.

Tennessee Titans

Top Needs: C/G, WR, S

Eugene Amano played as though he was one of the worst centers in the league last year.  Perhaps he can go back to being a serviceable guard, but with all of the good-to-elite centers off the market, the Titans will have to look for help in the draft. Look for them to use anywhere from a second to fourth round pick on the position, depending on the players available.

Kenny Britt is a beast when healthy. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL early on last season and the passing game was never really as dangerous again as it was through week 3. Nate Washington is solid, but played injured last year and may not be durable enough to last. The Titans could use a first round pick on a player like Floyd, but more than likely the team will opt for a role player in the later rounds.

Jordan Babineaux was a solid tackler, but only notched one interception all year. Michael Griffin is infamous for his wild flux in play, going from Pro Bowl level one season to backup level the next. The Titans would benefit greatly from having an intimidating presence in their backfield, and should Mark Barron be available in the first round at #20, don’t be surprised to see the Titans pull the trigger.

Follow me on Twitter @TitanSizedJason

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