Draft grades and reaction: AFC South

Often one of the least competitive divisions in football, the AFC South needed an injection of talent in this year’s draft. With the Jaguars pushing the Chiefs all the way in the playoffs last year they look like the team to beat. Let’s take a closer look at each team’s draft and how they got on.

Perhaps the toughest draft to grade as the Texans took CJ Stroud at number two overall before trading up to take Will Anderson at number three. Stroud was seen by many as the best QB in the draft so that makes sense, Anderson will need to play at a really high level to justify the price of his trade-up, but he has the potential too. Huge swing early from Houston.

The Texans took two players on day two with incredible names, Juice Scruggs and Tank Dell, the former a center from Penn State and the latter a slot receiver from Houston. Solid players and will hopefully fill some spots on their roster where they’re in severe need of talent.

The Texans were able to secure some more depth pieces on their defense with the selections of edge Dylan Horton from TCU and linebacker Henry To’oTo’o from Alabama. Head coach Demeco Ryans will be keen to start coaching both as soon as possible. The Texans added more depth pieces on O line, WR, and the secondary to close out the draft.

It remains incredibly difficult to judge the Texans draft given they gave up next year’s first-round pick in the Will Anderson trade. If Stroud and Anderson play as well as expected, the trade could well be soon forgotten about, but if they don’t…

With the fourth overall selection, the Colts decided to take Anthony Richardson from Florida. Richardson has the highest ceiling of maybe anyone in the whole class, there just aren’t many 6’4”, 244 lbs QBs who run a 4.4 40-yard dash and have such incredible arm talent. He needs some work, but the talent is there.

Julius Brents and Josh Downs made up the day-two picks for Indy. Brents is a defensive back with rare size who could well come in and start, he was seen by many as a potential first-rounder. Downs is a shift inside receiver who could offer a good underneath option for Richardson.

Adetomiwa Adebawore falling to the fourth round was a surprising slip given his size and speed for a defensive tackle, so a good pick here from the Colts. The rest of the draft was spent bulking up the depth chart with players taken at almost every position. A solid enough strategy.

Ultimately the Colts saw Richardson as a risk worth taking and it’s tough to disagree, with Shane Steichen’s experience coaching Jalen Hurts in Philly, he should be able to get the most out of his new QB. Some nice pieces elsewhere, but this draft hinges entirely on the fourth overall selection.

The Jags trade back twice before eventually taking tackle Anton Harrison from Oklahoma, which had become a serious need after their starting left tackle was banned for PED usage. Harrison is a good prospect, but a tier below the top tackles in the draft, who the Jags had already missed out on.

Tight end Brenton Strange and running back Tank Bigsby were the Jags' day two selections. The Strange pick was perhaps a little bit of a reach, but tight-end depth was a need and he offers enough to address that. Bigsby belies his name and is as shifty as he is powerful, whilst a talented player, this wasn’t a great use of resources.

With 10 picks on day three of the draft, the Jags afforded themselves some swings at players who could well become starters on an improving roster. Defensive lineman Tyler Lacy is probably the most notable selection, Lacy will offer help along the interior of the Jags defensive front and could be a handy pass rusher in time.

A good, if not spectacular draft by the Jags. If Harrison turns into a good starting tackle and helps product Trevor Lawrence’s pocket, then ultimately they will have done a good job. They added some depth pieces for the offense, but they will probably have a limited impact early.

The Titans were able to sit at 11 and take perhaps the best offensive line prospect in the draft in Peter Skoronski. Whether he plays guard or tackle in the pros is yet to be decided, but he is such a polished pass protector that either way the Titans have made a huge improvement to their O line.

After passing on a QB in round one, the Titans traded up for Will Levis at the top of the second round. Linked to Tennessee before the draft, Levis needs some work, but he has a chance to sit and learn for a year, which is the perfect scenario for him. RB Tyjae Spears in the third round could offer explosiveness on an offense lacking just that.

Lacking volume on day three, the Titans had to be a little more careful with who they selected, but by taking a tight-end, offensive tackle and wide receiver, they showed us where their priorities lie. Rebuilding an offense that is suddenly looking devoid of talent.

Whether Levis turns into a franchise quarterback or not, taking him in the second round really negates the risk and shows good process by the Titans. Skoronski in round one is as good a player as there is in the draft and will make any QB’s life easier in the pocket.