NFL Draft Day 2 Recap: AFC South

The 1^st round of every NFL Draft always gets the hype, but more and more stars are coming from day two, including the two QBs that started in the NFC Championship Game, Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick. This day was filled with numerous trades, almost too much to keep up, with that said, the AFC South division had a very interesting day with numerous skilled positioned players being selected, including the 1^st RB of the draft. Let’s get right in to the picks of the AFC South teams.

Houston Texans:

33^rd overall – OG Xavier Su’a-Filo 6’4 307 lbs from UCLA – I have this guy with a 1^st round grade, so its good value for him. He’s the best guard in the draft and he can be immediately slotted into their starting lineup of their o-line, which was a bit soft last year.

How he fits in – Su’a-Filo could fill the void at either guard spots. He is the only guy they have taken on the offensive side so far, but that’s about all they need other than QB. This team is pretty well balanced other than finding out who their QB will be.

65^th overall – TE CJ Fiedorowicz 6’5 265 lbs from Iowa – He is more of a blocking TE, which the Texans needed with all their pass catching TEs. It may have been a bit early for him, which means they didn’t get complete value.

How he fits in – Fiedorowicz probably will not be on the field too much, but he will have a spot on the roster. The Texans love to use their TE and with them losing Owen Daniels, they needed someone as their 3^rd TE.

83^rd overall – NT Louis Nix III 6’2 331 lbs – Texans gave up their 4^th and 5^th for this pick and this could be the pick of the draft. Nix has 1^st round talent and fits into their scheme perfectly. Nix is a big NT who is a huge run stuffer. He gets injured more than you’d like, but no way can you complain about this value.

How he fits in – Nix fits into the Texans 3-4 scheme perfect as a NT. With him, JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney on the field at the same time, wow, there will not be much room for opposing offenses. Outside of QB, this team is stacked and poised to be a Superbowl contender.

Jacksonville Jaguars:

39^th overall – WR Marqise Lee 6’ 192 lbs from USC – Marqise Lee had a 1^st round grade, but he was red flagged for his knee injury, which caused him to drop right into the Jaguars laps. They needed someone to start alongside Cecil Shorts with Justin Blackmon probably out for the year.

How he fits in – After getting Blake Bortles in the 1^st round, getting him some weapons was the main focus of the Jaguars. Lee should start right away with Blackmon likely out and even if he takes a year to fully recovered. This offense could be clicking by 2015.

61^st overall – WR Allen Robinson 6’2 220 lbs from Penn State – Now this is the type of aggressiveness I like from teams that are trying to change the culture of their team. Allen Robinson is a big WR that will be a solid red zone target to go with Marqise Lee and Cecil Shorts.

How he fits in – The Jacksonville Jaguars are having a great draft. Cecil Shorts and Marquise Lee are good, but neither is a bigger, middle of the field guy, that’s where Robinson comes into play. He can now be the main red zone target.

93^rd overall – OG Brandon Linder 6’6 311 lbs from Miami – Linder is a big nasty guard who was a vocal leader on the team. He plays with a mean streak and has good character. He needs to get stronger and he can become a solid starter.

How he fits in – He needs to get to the 2^nd level faster, so unless he does that, and his the weight room more, he will probably be eased into the starting lineup, but on a team that is rebuilding so fast, he will get an opportunity early.

Tennessee Titans:

54^th overall – RB Bishop Sankey 9’9 209 lbs from Washington – Sankey was my #1 running back in the draft so to me, this was a great selection. He is in the mold of a Matt Forte, someone who can catch, pass block, and has good vision. He is the type of RB that can turn an offense around.

How he fits in – The Titans have said they will go with running back by committee, but most people already know how this will shake out. Bishop Sankey will be on the field on most 1^st and 2^nd downs, if it’s a passing situation, it will be Dexter McCluster, and Shonn Greene will be the short yardage back.

No 3^rd round picks – The Titans did not have a 3^rd round pick due to that pick being sent to the San Francisco 49ers last year to move up and take Justin Hunter. The good part is they will have two picks in round four tomorrow.

Indianapolis Colts:

59^th overall – OG Jack Mewhort 6’6 309 lbs from Ohio State – This was an average, but needed pick for the Colts. Mewhort isn’t explosive, but he is strong. He is another vocal leader and was a team captain on the Buckeyes.

How he fits in – When I wrote the article on the Colts draft needs, OL depth was 1 of the positions I highlighted. Mewhort will provide that as they have to protect their most prized possession, star QB, Andrew Luck.

90^th overall – WR Donte Moncrief 6’2 221 lbs from Mississippi – I had a late 2^nd round grade on Moncrief so this was great value for the Colts getting him at the end of round three. He will provide another big body and red zone target for the high powered Colts offense.

How he fits in – WR was also another one of the positions that I pointed out in the Colts needs article. Reggie Wayne is coming off a serious injury and Hakeem Nicks is coming off a bad year, so Moncrief provides insurance for if anything happens to either.

Tomorrow will be rounds for through seven of the NFL draft. The Houston Texans will kick off their picking in round six with the 177^th pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars 1^st pick will be 114^th, the Tennessee Titans will have two picks in round four, starting with the 112^th pick, and the Indianapolis Colts making their 1^st selection in round five at pick 166. Check back in after the draft is complete for more analysis on the 4^th round through 7^th round picks from Day three.