This is the third in a series of eight posts from Adam analyzing the 2010 NFL Draft and what it means for each franchise.
“This is the Texans’ year.” We have heard that for the past three years and likely will continue hearing it. Perhaps people are bored with the Colts' machine-like consistency, or want to appear on the cutting edge by picking someone else to win this division, but not me. I would rather be right and I would rather have Peyton Manning as my trump card. The Texans have some nice pieces on offense but Andre Johnson is unhappy, Owen Daniels is coming off a knee injury, and Matt Schaub is very good but he is not Peyton Manning. The Jaguars seem to be a team in transition with an odd mix of over-the-hill veterans and underdeveloped young players. They simply do not have a core of prime-aged, star players to carry them through the NFL grind. David Garrrard as a quarterback is up and down, solid at best. Maurice Jones-Drew is electric but may be carrying too heavy a load. Their receivers strike fear into nobody’s heart and their offensive line is a patchwork. The Titans will likely be solid again leaning on Chris Johnson, a solid o-line and Vince Young (whose strip club incident proves he still does not understand leadership) making plays with his legs. Young made a nice comeback last year but I think that his abilities as a passer will begin plateau and not improve much moving forward. He just doesn’t seem to care enough, doesn’t have the maniacal commitment that a Manning, Brees, or Brady have. I see the Colts taking this division easily followed by in this order: Texans, Titans, and Jaguars.
Houston Texans
1.20 Jackson, Kareem, CB, Alabama
2.26 Tate, Ben, RB, Auburn
3.17 Mitchell, Earl, DT, Arizona
4.04 Sharpton, Daryl, LB, Miami
4.20 Graham, Garrett, TE, Wisconsin
5.13 McManis, Sherrick, CB, Northwestern
6.18 Smith, Shelley, OG, Colorado State
6.28 Holliday, Trindon, KR, LSU
7.20 Dickerson, Dorin, TE, Pittsburgh
The Texans continue their steady improvement. Kareem Jackson should start from day one and be quite effective. He comes from a great defense in Alabama, and has competed against NFL-level talent in the SEC. He could be a Pro Bowl player in a few years and will nicely replace Dunta Robinson. Ben Tate is a back with a good blend of size, speed, and production. He will complement the slashing Steve Slaton and could even replace Slaton if his fumbling continues to be an issue. With their next two picks they add two solid players to an emerging front seven that already boasts Mario Williams, Antonio Smith, Amobi Okeye, DeMeco Ryans, and Brian Cushing. Like Daniels, Garrett Graham is an excellent pass catcher at tight end who could be a great value in the fourth round. Trindon Holliday is incredibly explosive and will be a huge asset in the return game if he can stay healthy and if the Texans can resist the temptation to overuse him. Overall, the Texans took another step toward the playoffs and could win anywhere from 9-11 games, but the Colts make a habit of winning 12-14.
Indianapolis Colts
1.31 Hughes, Jerry, DE, TCU
2.31 Angerer, Pat, LB, Iowa
3.30 Thomas, Kevin, CB, Southern Cal
4.31 McClendon, Jacques, OG, Tennessee
5.31 Eldridge, Brody, TE, Oklahoma
7.31 Mathews, Ricardo, DT, Cincinnati
7.33 Conner, Kavell, LB, Clemson
7.39 Fisher, Ray, DB, Indiana
I love what the Colts did with their first pick. When you don’t have many holes you have the chance to enhance a strength, and that is precisely what Jerry Hughes does for Indy. The pass rushing trio of Dwight Freeney, Hughes, and Robert Mathis should be absolutely tenacious. The Colts were already the best edge rushing team in football, and now they add a first round talent that fits their system perfectly. Pat Angerer is a solid linebacker who will likely be in the rotation immediately and help bolster a suspect run defense. Kevin Thomas is a nice athlete at corner and could compete for a nickel back spot, adding to a young secondary. The Colts found a gem in Jerraud Powers last year and by spending six picks on defense in this draft they may have really built a special foundation. The offense will of course be in great hands with Manning, Joseph Addai, Donald Brown, Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, and a line that is aging but solid. If this draft class can make an immediate impact, the Colts deserve to be mentioned among the favorites to win the entire AFC.
Jacksonville Jaguars
1.10 Alualu, Tyson, DE, California
3.10 Smith, D'Anthony, DT, Louisiana Tech
5.12 Hart, Larry, DE, Central Arkansas
5.22 Lane, Austen, DE, Murray State
6.11 Karim, Deji, RB, Southern Illinois
6.34 McGee, Scotty, KR, James Madison
The Jags attempted to solidify defensive tackle in this draft after Marcus Stroud and John Henderson departed in consecutive years, yet there was not a draftnik in the world that didn’t revile when Tyson Alualu went tenth overall. He may turn out to be a dynamic player but he was certainly a reach with Brian Price and Dan Williams still on the board, both viewed as better prospects. D’anthony Smith is a plugger who will complement Alualu’s athleticism inside. Their next two picks were spent on the line as well. Perhaps out of the four picks they get two starters; that would be a fine result. They did not however do nearly enough to add to their anemic offense which still has a dearth of playmakers. Their offensive line could be on the upswing with second year players Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton progressing at offensive tackle. Still, this is a team that will struggle to score points and whose home field advantage is one of the worst in the league. This team looks like a 4-6 win club to me.
Tennessee Titans
1.16 Morgan, Derrick, DE, Georgia Tech
3.13 Williams, Damian, WR, Southern Cal
3.33 Curran, Rennie, LB, Georgia
4.06 Verner, Alterraun, CB, UCLA
5.17 Johnson, Robert, DB, Utah
6.07 Smith, Rusty, QB, Florida Atlantic
6.38 Rolle, Myron, SS, Florida State
7.15 Mariani, Marc, WR, Montana
7.34 Howard, David, DT, Brown
Morgan was a top-ten talent and they get great value snatching him at pick sixteen. He replaces Kyle Vanden Bosch who departed to Detroit. Morgan has great size to play the run, but is also a natural pass rusher and tremendous all-around athlete. Still, defensive lineman is an incredibly hard position to project with its high bust potential. Damian Williams is a very talented wideout that could develop into a nice complement to emerging Kenny Britt. Verner out of UCLA could have gone in the second round so they get good value with him. I think Myron Rolle is an incredibly valuable pick. This former Rhodes Scholar will understand the game, work incredibly hard, and keep his head on straight. He came to the combine in incredible shape, and he will be a tremendous locker room asset. The Titans had a solid draft getting good value in places, but they are still a team in flux to me. Jeff Fisher is a great head coach, and they should be a tough team to play, but I don’t think their passing game will be prolific enough to push them to the playoffs.
“This is the Texans’ year.” We have heard that for the past three years and likely will continue hearing it. Perhaps people are bored with the Colts' machine-like consistency, or want to appear on the cutting edge by picking someone else to win this division, but not me. I would rather be right and I would rather have Peyton Manning as my trump card. The Texans have some nice pieces on offense but Andre Johnson is unhappy, Owen Daniels is coming off a knee injury, and Matt Schaub is very good but he is not Peyton Manning. The Jaguars seem to be a team in transition with an odd mix of over-the-hill veterans and underdeveloped young players. They simply do not have a core of prime-aged, star players to carry them through the NFL grind. David Garrrard as a quarterback is up and down, solid at best. Maurice Jones-Drew is electric but may be carrying too heavy a load. Their receivers strike fear into nobody’s heart and their offensive line is a patchwork. The Titans will likely be solid again leaning on Chris Johnson, a solid o-line and Vince Young (whose strip club incident proves he still does not understand leadership) making plays with his legs. Young made a nice comeback last year but I think that his abilities as a passer will begin plateau and not improve much moving forward. He just doesn’t seem to care enough, doesn’t have the maniacal commitment that a Manning, Brees, or Brady have. I see the Colts taking this division easily followed by in this order: Texans, Titans, and Jaguars.
1.20 Jackson, Kareem, CB, Alabama
2.26 Tate, Ben, RB, Auburn
3.17 Mitchell, Earl, DT, Arizona
4.04 Sharpton, Daryl, LB, Miami
4.20 Graham, Garrett, TE, Wisconsin
5.13 McManis, Sherrick, CB, Northwestern
6.18 Smith, Shelley, OG, Colorado State
6.28 Holliday, Trindon, KR, LSU
7.20 Dickerson, Dorin, TE, Pittsburgh
The Texans continue their steady improvement. Kareem Jackson should start from day one and be quite effective. He comes from a great defense in Alabama, and has competed against NFL-level talent in the SEC. He could be a Pro Bowl player in a few years and will nicely replace Dunta Robinson. Ben Tate is a back with a good blend of size, speed, and production. He will complement the slashing Steve Slaton and could even replace Slaton if his fumbling continues to be an issue. With their next two picks they add two solid players to an emerging front seven that already boasts Mario Williams, Antonio Smith, Amobi Okeye, DeMeco Ryans, and Brian Cushing. Like Daniels, Garrett Graham is an excellent pass catcher at tight end who could be a great value in the fourth round. Trindon Holliday is incredibly explosive and will be a huge asset in the return game if he can stay healthy and if the Texans can resist the temptation to overuse him. Overall, the Texans took another step toward the playoffs and could win anywhere from 9-11 games, but the Colts make a habit of winning 12-14.
1.31 Hughes, Jerry, DE, TCU
2.31 Angerer, Pat, LB, Iowa
3.30 Thomas, Kevin, CB, Southern Cal
4.31 McClendon, Jacques, OG, Tennessee
5.31 Eldridge, Brody, TE, Oklahoma
7.31 Mathews, Ricardo, DT, Cincinnati
7.33 Conner, Kavell, LB, Clemson
7.39 Fisher, Ray, DB, Indiana
I love what the Colts did with their first pick. When you don’t have many holes you have the chance to enhance a strength, and that is precisely what Jerry Hughes does for Indy. The pass rushing trio of Dwight Freeney, Hughes, and Robert Mathis should be absolutely tenacious. The Colts were already the best edge rushing team in football, and now they add a first round talent that fits their system perfectly. Pat Angerer is a solid linebacker who will likely be in the rotation immediately and help bolster a suspect run defense. Kevin Thomas is a nice athlete at corner and could compete for a nickel back spot, adding to a young secondary. The Colts found a gem in Jerraud Powers last year and by spending six picks on defense in this draft they may have really built a special foundation. The offense will of course be in great hands with Manning, Joseph Addai, Donald Brown, Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, and a line that is aging but solid. If this draft class can make an immediate impact, the Colts deserve to be mentioned among the favorites to win the entire AFC.
1.10 Alualu, Tyson, DE, California
3.10 Smith, D'Anthony, DT, Louisiana Tech
5.12 Hart, Larry, DE, Central Arkansas
5.22 Lane, Austen, DE, Murray State
6.11 Karim, Deji, RB, Southern Illinois
6.34 McGee, Scotty, KR, James Madison
The Jags attempted to solidify defensive tackle in this draft after Marcus Stroud and John Henderson departed in consecutive years, yet there was not a draftnik in the world that didn’t revile when Tyson Alualu went tenth overall. He may turn out to be a dynamic player but he was certainly a reach with Brian Price and Dan Williams still on the board, both viewed as better prospects. D’anthony Smith is a plugger who will complement Alualu’s athleticism inside. Their next two picks were spent on the line as well. Perhaps out of the four picks they get two starters; that would be a fine result. They did not however do nearly enough to add to their anemic offense which still has a dearth of playmakers. Their offensive line could be on the upswing with second year players Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton progressing at offensive tackle. Still, this is a team that will struggle to score points and whose home field advantage is one of the worst in the league. This team looks like a 4-6 win club to me.
1.16 Morgan, Derrick, DE, Georgia Tech
3.13 Williams, Damian, WR, Southern Cal
3.33 Curran, Rennie, LB, Georgia
4.06 Verner, Alterraun, CB, UCLA
5.17 Johnson, Robert, DB, Utah
6.07 Smith, Rusty, QB, Florida Atlantic
6.38 Rolle, Myron, SS, Florida State
7.15 Mariani, Marc, WR, Montana
7.34 Howard, David, DT, Brown
Morgan was a top-ten talent and they get great value snatching him at pick sixteen. He replaces Kyle Vanden Bosch who departed to Detroit. Morgan has great size to play the run, but is also a natural pass rusher and tremendous all-around athlete. Still, defensive lineman is an incredibly hard position to project with its high bust potential. Damian Williams is a very talented wideout that could develop into a nice complement to emerging Kenny Britt. Verner out of UCLA could have gone in the second round so they get good value with him. I think Myron Rolle is an incredibly valuable pick. This former Rhodes Scholar will understand the game, work incredibly hard, and keep his head on straight. He came to the combine in incredible shape, and he will be a tremendous locker room asset. The Titans had a solid draft getting good value in places, but they are still a team in flux to me. Jeff Fisher is a great head coach, and they should be a tough team to play, but I don’t think their passing game will be prolific enough to push them to the playoffs.
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