Draft Grades - AFC South: Titans, Jaguars follow high-profile picks by finding value late
With the 2015 NFL Draft officially complete, theScore's NFL editors handout their initial grades for how teams fared during all seven rounds.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Houston Texans
| Rd | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | CB Kevin Johnson |
| 2 | LB Benardrick McKinney |
| 3 | WR Jaelen Strong |
| 5 | WR Keith Mumphery |
| 6 | LB Reshard Cliett |
| 6 | DT Christian Covington |
| 7 | RB Kenny Hilliard |
The Texans found a way to mitigate the loss of Andre Johnson without burning a first-round pick on the position. Johnson and McKinney should boost a defense that has the chance to be among the NFL's very best. Covington is a very nice value late in the draft. Not much to dislike here, but also not likely any big-time difference-makers.
Grade: B
Indianapolis Colts
| Rd | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | WR Phillip Dorsett |
| 3 | CB D'Joun Smith |
| 3 | DE Henry Anderson |
| 4 | S Clayton Geathers |
| 5 | DT David Parry |
| 6 | RB Josh Robinson |
| 6 | LB Amarlo Herrera |
| 7 | OT Denzell Goode |
The Colts stayed true to their philosophy of choosing the best player available - probably to a fault. Dorsett is a burner, for sure, but he's a redundant player on the Colts' offense. The defenders are nice to have and should pay dividends, but where are the offensive linemen? Andrew Luck has a wealth of weapons around him, but the Colts are playing it far too loose with respect to the protection in front of him. It's unforgivable to emerge from this draft without a potential starter at offensive tackle.
Grade: C-
Jacksonville Jaguars
| Rd | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | LB Dante Fowler Jr. |
| 2 | RB T.J. Yeldon |
| 3 | G A.J. Cann |
| 4 | S James Sample |
| 5 | WR Rashad Greene |
| 6 | DT Michael Bennett |
| 7 | WR Neal Sterling |
| 7 | TE Ben Koyack |
The Jaguars found scheme-altering players with their first two picks (though they may have slipped up anticipating a second-round run on running backs that never arrived) and then scooped up value as the draft progressed. Greene and Bennett stand out as particularly good picks. It's a make-or-break season for this Jaguars regime and they might finally have the ammunition to make a push to the playoffs.
Grade: A-
Tennessee Titans
| Rd | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | QB Marcus Mariota |
| 2 | WR Dorial Green-Beckham |
| 3 | G Jeremiah Poutasi |
| 4 | DT Angelo Blackson |
| 4 | FB Jalston Fowler |
| 5 | RB David Cobb |
| 6 | LB Deiontrez Mount |
| 6 | C Andy Gallik |
| 7 | WR Tre McBride |
The Titans took a big swing by turning down reported blockbuster trade offers to stand pat at second overall and draft a potential franchise passer, even though he's not necessarily an ideal scheme fit. Their pick in the second round was just as gutsy, as Green-Beckham has top-10 upside but major character concerns. Cobb and McBride both presented good value in later rounds. The lack of defensive picks is a little perplexing for a team that wasn't good on defense last season, but the Titans addressed many of their defensive needs in free agency.
Grade: B+