Re-examining AFC South draft needs

<p><em>Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky</em></p> <p>Often times mock drafters or fans (or mock drafter fans) who aren't fully aware of a team's depth chart will connect the easiest dots.</p> <p>The Titans, for example, lost <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=3543" target="_new">Albert Haynesworth</a>, therefore a lot of people presume they automatically need a replacement defensive tackle and put them down for one at No. 30.</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="4" cellpadding="0" width="203" align="right"> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td><img src="http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2009/0312/nfl_g_ahaynesworth1_288.jpg" alt="" width="288" height="162" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td align="left"><font size="1" style="line-height: 1em">Mitchell Layton/Getty Images</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td align="left"><font size="1" style="line-height: 1em"><strong>Just because the Titans lost Albert Haynesworth through free agency doesn't mean they are dead-set on a replacement in the first round.</strong></font></td> </tr> </table> <p>Except that the Titans drafted <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11288" target="_new">Jason Jones</a> in the second round last year and he was impressive as a rookie, with five sacks in 13 games. They signed free agent <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8603" target="_new">Jovan Haye</a>, a favorite of defensive line coach Jim Washburn. They like starter <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5480" target="_new">Tony Brown</a> very much, and they like <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8630" target="_new">Kevin Vickerson</a> as their biggest body -- enough so that he got a contract extension during the 2008 season.</p> <p>The Titans may well be in best-player-available mode and if Evander Hood is there at their spot and they see him as a great value they could take him.</p> <p>But it's hardly a foregone conclusion.</p> <p>Similarly, I believe it's a mistake to cross left tackle off the list of potential picks for Jacksonville just because they signed free agent <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1447" target="_new">Tra Thomas</a>. They still need a long-term solution, and if the best tackle at No. 8 is a better value to them than what's left at receiver, defensive tackle or cornerback -- or if they aren't taking a quarterback or trading the pick to someone who wants one -- they may well take a potential offensive line anchor.</p> <p>The Scouts Inc. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/news/story?id=3966657" target="_blank">needs board</a> looks pretty good to me, so I'd keep an eye on that. It gets adjusted based on any new developments.</p> <p>Meanwhile, here's an up-to-date rundown of the primary needs, in my view, for the teams of the AFC South:</p> <p><strong><img src="http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/med/hou.gif" alt="" width="80" height="80" align="right" />HOUSTON TEXANS<br /> </strong></p> <p><strong>Defensive tackle</strong>: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10454" target="_new">Amobi Okoye</a> needs some help inside to be the player the Texans envisioned, and an effective tackle who demands attention will help the continued push to upgrade the line and produce more consistent pass pressure.</p> <p><strong>Defensive back</strong>: There is evidence that <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5748" target="_new">Jacques Reeves</a> wasn't as bad as portrayed last year as the corner opposite <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5535" target="_new">Dunta Robinson</a> once Robinson returned from injury. But competition for the second and third spots would be good to add with Reeves and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10566" target="_new">Fred Bennett</a>. And none of the top three safeties are overwhelming -- <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=4494" target="_new">Eugene Wilson</a> at free and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11407" target="_new">Dominique Barber</a> at strong are the starters, with <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2509" target="_new">Nick Ferguson</a> as depth. The Texans should add the best overall defensive back they can find, maybe a couple.</p> <p><strong>Outside linebacker</strong>: The Texans can use a bigger, more rugged outside 'backer who can rush the quarterback and drop into coverage.</p> <p><strong>Running back</strong>: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11323" target="_new">Steve Slaton</a> was a godsend in the third round last year. Now the Texans need to find a bigger guy to take some of the carries and serve as a heavier changeup.</p> <p><strong><img src="http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/med/ind.gif" alt="" width="80" height="80" align="right" />INDIANAPOLIS COLTS</strong></p> <p><strong>Defensive tackle</strong>: The Colts lost the big bodies in the middle of their line, space-eating run-stuffers <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10542" target="_new">Quinn Pit****</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10727" target="_new">Ed Johnson</a>, right at the start of last season and they need to spend to get quality replacements.</p> <p><strong>Receiver</strong>: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10476" target="_new">Anthony Gonzalez</a> can become a full-time guy with <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=939" target="_new">Marvin Harrison</a> gone, and he or <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2578" target="_new">Reggie Wayne</a> can kick into the slot in the often featured three-wide sets. Still, a third quality wideout is a necessity, and it won't be a surprise if Bill Polian uses No. 27 to address the position.</p> <p><strong>Outside linebackers</strong>: This group needs to be replenished as two guys who've seen significant time in the last two seasons, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9680" target="_new">Freddy Keiaho</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8587" target="_new">Tyjuan Hagler</a>, appear out of the picture. But the Colts restock their linebackers often through the draft and with undrafted rookies.</p> <p><strong>Running back</strong>: Was <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9616" target="_new">Joseph Addai</a> banged up and suffering behind an injured line, or is he not going to be able to carry the load? The Colts like <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11436" target="_new">Mike Hart</a>, who's coming off a bad injury. But they haven't re-signed <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2893" target="_new">Dominic Rhodes</a> and need more.</p> <p><strong><img src="http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/med/jac.gif" alt="" width="80" height="80" align="right" />JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS</strong></p> <p><strong>Receiver</strong>: A perpetual need. They are down <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5534" target="_new">Reggie Williams</a>, a free agent they have no interest in, and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8436" target="_new">Matt Jones</a>, who was cut after a new round of trouble. To get a true read on <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=3636" target="_new">David Garrard</a>, he needs real weapons on the outside.</p> <p><strong>Defensive tackle</strong>: GM Gene Smith has talked a lot about building from the inside-out and the Jaguars thrived when <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=3537" target="_new">John Henderson</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2561" target="_new">Marcus Stroud</a> gave them an identity. Their plans to replace Stroud after a trade failed, and they need a better partner for Henderson that will help toughen them and could be a good influence on him.</p> <p><strong>Cornerback</strong>: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=3633" target="_new">Brian Williams</a> can play opposite <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=4497" target="_new">Rashean Mathis</a> or he can play safety. Free-agent safety addition <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8516" target="_new">Sean Considine</a> is an X factor here. But even if he's in the lineup and the Jaguars have their two starting corners, they need nickel candidates and depth badly.</p> <p><strong>Left tackle</strong>: As mentioned above, the addition of Thomas does not mean the Jaguars are done addressing this spot. Garrard needs not only better weapons but better protection and the offense is built around running back <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9646" target="_new">Maurice Jones-Drew</a>, who needs consistent long-term blocking.</p> <p><strong><img src="http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/med/ten.gif" alt="" width="80" height="80" align="right" />TENNESSEE TITANS<br /> </strong></p> <p><strong>Receiver</strong>: They hope for big things from free-agent addition <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9307" target="_new">Nate Washington</a>, but considering how long they've lacked a dynamic weapon outside, they can't have enough candidates for the role. A legitimate big-play threat can help create things for <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11258" target="_new">Chris Johnson</a>, the running back who's the centerpiece of the offense.</p> <p><strong>Cornerback</strong>: Beyond starters <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9801" target="_new">Cortland Finnegan</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2890" target="_new">Nick Harper</a> and nickel <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8522" target="_new">Vincent Fuller</a>, the Titans have only unproven <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11463" target="_new">Cary Williams</a>. The expectation is the Titans will draft a corner who would be in line to replace Harper in 2010 and they need the depth now after losing <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8570" target="_new">Eric King</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9285" target="_new">Chris Carr</a> in free agency.</p> <p><strong>Outside linebacker</strong>: Stalwart <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2161" target="_new">Keith Bulluck</a> is heading into a contract year and should the Titans have trouble holding on to him or decide not to, they could use an heir in place and it's unclear if <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11381" target="_new">Stanford Keglar</a> can be that guy. Better depth and a player who could be a big special-teamer will be nice to have in 2009.</p> <p><strong>Offensive tackle</strong>: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8564" target="_new">Daniel Loper</a> was a versatile swing guy who backed up both <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8455" target="_new">Michael Roos</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8527" target="_new">David Stewart</a> and could move inside to play guard. He went to Detroit as a free agent. Maybe <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10666" target="_new">Mike Otto</a> is the new third tackle, but a versatile lineman is a need for depth.</p>

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