Draft Grades - AFC South: Texans pay up for a passer, Colts reinforce defense
With the 2017 NFL Draft officially complete, theScore's NFL editors hand out 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 | QB Deshaun Watson |
| 2 | LB Zach Cunningham |
| 3 | RB D'Onta Foreman |
| 4 | OT Julie'n Davenport |
| 4 | DT Carlos Watkins |
| 5 | CB Treston Decoud |
| 7 | C Kyle Fuller |
It cost the Texans a ton, including 2018 first- and second-round picks, but they have finally rid themselves of Brock Osweiler and acquired his replacement. That feat, which many thought impossible, instantly makes this draft class a success. In Cunningham, the Texans got a player who could make Brian Cushing expendable. In Foreman, they got the thunder to Lamar Miller's lightning.
Grade: B+
Indianapolis Colts
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | S Malik Hooker |
| 2 | CB Quincy Wilson |
| 3 | DE Tarell Basham |
| 4 | OL Zach Banner |
| 4 | RB Marlon Mack |
| 4 | DL Grover Stewart |
| 5 | CB Nate Hairston |
| 5 | LB Anthony Walker Jr. |
New general manager Chris Ballard's first draft is a smashing success. Hooker at 15th overall stands out as a huge value, as many analysts had the free safety pegged as a surefire top-10 pick. Missing out on edge rusher Tim Williams in the third round by a mere two selections stings a little, but some of the Colts' later picks help numb the pain. Slashing tailback Marlon Mack could be a future starter.
Grade: A-
Jacksonville Jaguars
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | RB Leonard Fournette |
| 2 | OT Cam Robinson |
| 3 | DE Dawuane Smoot |
| 4 | WR Dede Westbrook |
| 5 | LB Blair Brown |
| 7 | CB Jalen Myrick |
| 7 | RB Marquez Williams |
The Jaguars were clearly looking to copy the Cowboys' model when they made Fournette the second running back selected fourth overall in as many years, but they lack the offensive line that helped Ezekiel Elliott lead the NFL in rushing. Cam Robinson will help with that, but with Fournette's deficiencies in the passing game and the Jaguars likely to face many negative game scripts, it's fair to question whether the LSU bruiser will truly transform this offense. The selection of Westbrook, who has multiple domestic violence complaints in his past, drew the ire of many in the draft community and was poorly defended by general manager Dave Caldwell.
Grade: C+
Tennessee Titans
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | WR Corey Davis |
| 1 | CB Adoree' Jackson |
| 3 | WR Taywan Taylor |
| 3 | TE Jonnu Smith |
| 5 | LB Jayon Brown |
| 6 | OL Corey Levin |
| 7 | LB Josh Carraway |
| 7 | OT Brad Seaton |
| 7 | RB Khalfani Muhammad |
The Titans filled their two biggest needs with their first two picks, but might have reached a little in each case. Their pair of third-round picks, both pass-catchers, will be a welcome sight for Marcus Mariota, but they won't do anything to fix the weak spots in the Titans' defense.
Grade: B-