2014 NFL Draft Day Two Grades

Indianapolis Colts B-

The Colts didn’t have a first-round pick thanks to the Trent Richardson trade, but they made up for it by making two quality selections on the second day of the draft. Jack Mewhort has appealing versatility, and some believe he could even play at all five positions. The Ohio State product figures to slot in as guard, and his upside is predicated on his pass protection; he already looks like a steady run blocker. Mewhort is a sleeper prospect, as he looked great on tape but didn’t receive much praise in the pre-draft season due to a lack of measurables. Donte Moncrief, on the other hand, certainly doesn’t lack measurables, and he’s as athletic as any wideout in this class. Moncrief lacks polish, but he has a nasty size/speed combination and is yet another one of those high-upside types to add to the Colts roster. With Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton, Hakeem Nicks, Dwayne Allen, Moncrief, and others, the Colts probably have the best pass-catchers in the NFL.

Tennessee Titans C-

I was surprised to see the Titans make Bishop Sankey the first running back off the board ahead of Carlos Hyde and Tre Mason, but plenty of people are high on Sankey’s all-around game. I’m not one of them, but there’s little doubt that Sankey should be a great fit in Ken Whisenhunt‘s offense. He has the upside to be a good “wiggle” back and make a big impact in the receiving game, and I would be shocked if he isn’t the starter from day one.

Houston Texans B+

I really want to give the Houston Texans an “A” on the strength of the three players they drafted yesterday, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Why? They didn’t draft a quarterback, and now they are down to Zach Mettenberger, Aaron Murray, David Fales, A.J. McCarron, Tom Savage, and…well, a mixed bag of options. The Texans did well to snap up a perfect fit at nose tackle in Louis Nix (I can’t believe he fell that far) and the draft’s best guard in Xavier Su’a-Filo, and C.J. Fiedorowicz should be a solid tight end at the next level. I didn’t think the Texans needed a TE even after losing Owen Daniels due to the presence of Ryan Griffin and Garrett Graham, but Fiedorowicz helps. At the same time, the Texans could have a lost season next year if they don’t find a franchise quarterback, but at least they have set themselves up for success at other positions. I wonder if this is all because the Texans aren’t sold on any quarterbacks in this year’s draft, but I find it hard to believe that they would pass up on a QB until the fourth-seventh rounds. Check out this piece to see just how difficult it is to find a viable starter on the third day of the draft.

Jacksonville Jaguars A

The Jacksonville Jaguars seem prepared to let Justin Blackmon go, and they certainly stocked up on wide receivers yesterday in preparation for his absence in 2014. Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson are two of the most individually talented wide receivers in this year’s draft class, as both have true No. 1 upside. Landing both was huge for the Jaguars, and Lee, who was once regarded as a top-ten prospect, was an absolute steal after making a surprising tumble out of the first round due to concerns over his knee (I still can’t believe the Cleveland Browns passed on him in the second). Lee has major drop issues, but he has a ridiculous amount of raw talent.