AFC South team needs
Yahoo! Sports has broken down the needs for each team heading into the NFL draft on April 28-29 in New York City.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Team needs: S, OT, WR, DL, CB
Overall pick/round: 10 (1), 73 (3), 107 (4), 144 (5), 183 (6), 218 (7)
S: Neither of their current starters has ideal ball skills or range and the unit has been plagued by missed open-field tackles the past few seasons. A guy such as LaRon Landry would be a near perfect fit, but he could come off the board right in front of them to the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings or Miami Dolphins. They are without a second-round pick, so if they pass on safety in the first, it will be guys like Josh Gattis, Aaron Rouse and Melvin Bullitt that they look at in the third.
OT: They are very hopeful that Charles Spencer can return to top form following a very serious knee injury last year and fellow '06 rookie Eric Winston showed some signs of being a steady right tackle. However, this line is still lacking a true franchise, so Levi Brown could be a strong option if he's still available when the Texans are on the board in the first round.
WR: Veteran Eric Moulds failed to deliver enough big plays, so the Texans are still looking for that second option alongside Andre Johnson. Backups Kevin Walter and speedy Jerome Mathis, if healthy, give them some nice situational players, but they need to use an early pick on a receiver. That, however, might be difficult after dealing away their second-round pick in the deal to obtain Matt Schaub.
DL: Mario Williams is a solid, strong-side defensive end who can also rotate inside on some downs, but he is not the play-making machine to lead a defense on his own. Part of the problem is that he's dealing with a foot injury that should have been addressed last summer before the start of his rookie campaign. The Texans need to find a true edge rusher to play opposite of him, and they could also use some added beef in the middle. Former first-round pick Travis Johnson has been a major disappointment to date.
CB: Anytime your two reserve cornerbacks are veteran Dexter McCleon and journeyman Dexter Wynn, this becomes a position of need. They could use a man cover corner to battle DeMarcus Faggins for the nickel spot.
Indianapolis Colts
Team needs: DT, LB, RB, DB, WR
Overall pick/round: 32 (1), 95 (3), 98 (3), 131 (4), 136 (4), 169 (5), 173 (5), 242 (7)
DT: They have their starters in place for 2007, but could use some depth. It would not be surprising to see the Colts use their first-round pick on a defensive tackle like Tank Tyler. If not, they could move around on the first day to obtain someone like Ray McDonald, Clifton Ryan or wait for Keith Jackson early on day two.
LB: The Colts plan is to have Gilbert Gardner slide over to weak-side linebacker, while second-year pro Freddy Keiaho gets the starting nod on the strong side. Veteran Rob Morris will back up both Keiaho and inside linebacker Gary Brackett, so finding a versatile linebacker that could do the same or push Gardner on the weak side would be ideal. This hole could be addressed later as the Colts have not drafted a linebacker in the first round during Tony Dungy's reign as head coach.
RB: The Colts made perfect use of then rookie Joseph Addai with veteran between the tackles runner Dominic Rhodes. If Rutgers combo back Brian Leonard is still available at No. 32, it would be sound and exciting choice by the Colts. He can play running back, fullback and even some one-back, which would allow the Colts to motion out Addai, who has very good hands and played receiver in college.
DB: Cornerback Kelvin Hayden and free safety Antoine Bethea both saw their games grow by leaps and bounds during the team's postseason run to the Super Bowl. However, losing safety Mike Doss means they would do well to find another aggressive hitter that can play special teams and maybe some on short-yardage situation. The Colts' ability to locate productive mid-to-late round corners should once again come into play as they have a pair of fifth-round choices.
WR: The Colts currently have only a handful of healthy receivers on their roster as they cut ties with Brandon Stokley and backup Aaron Moorehead is still pursuing his options. The receiver position has enough depth that they could find an adequate No. 4 receiver with one of their two fourth-round picks. Keep the names Jemalle Cornelius, Mike Walker and James Jones in mind. However, the best fit for them would be USC's Steve Smith if he would fall to them either late in the third or early on day two.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Team needs: S, DE, WR, OT, FB
Overall pick/round: 17 (1), 48 (2), 79 (3), 113 (4), 150 (5), 194 (6), 229 (7), 251 (7), 252 (7)
S: Deon Grant departed in free agency, Donovin Darius is trying to return from a series of season-ending injuries and Gerald Sensabaugh was arrested earlier this offseason. So safety is definitely an area of concern. The Jaguars had a strong contingent of evaluators and defensive coaches at the workout for Florida junior defensive back Reggie Nelson, who seems like a good fit next to Darius. Since they have nine choices, I would not be surprised to see them use three on defensive backs: two safeties and a possible corner who could play in nickel or dime situations.
DE: The team had a rash of injuries that affected this position a year ago. But even with Reggie Hayward coming back, it would be wise to bring someone on board who can rotate in for 15-20 plays this season and develop into a long-term replacement at right end. Jacksonville could find someone who could fill that void between rounds 2-4.
WR: To date, the Jaguars have focused on size/speed guys like Reggie Williams and Matt Jones, who have failed to consistently produce big plays and have had some injury issues. Players like Sidney Rice, Jason Hill, Craig Davis or Paul Williams could be targeted between rounds 2-3.
OT: The unit lacks quality depth at offensive tackle although the staff has high hopes for un-drafted free agent Richard Collier, who was signed after last year's draft. Look for the Jaguars to select a swingman type that is versatile enough to play both right tackle and guard.
FB: The Jaguars like to run from both the I-formation and two-back set, but did not have the personnel to do so a year ago. Greg Jones was sidelined all season. A blue-collar, lead blocker type would be a good late-round addition.
Tennessee Titans
Team needs: WR, DB, DL, OG, RB
Overall pick/round: 19 (1), 50 (2), 80 (3), 115 (4), 128 (4), 152 (5), 188 (6), 204 (6), 206 (6), 223 (7)
WR: David Givens' recovery from a serious knee injury plus the free-agency losses of Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade have created a hole at receiver. The 19th pick could allow them to find a playmaker such as Robert Meachem, Dwayne Jarrett or Dwayne Bowe. With a total of 10 picks and the depth of this receiver class, they could even come back to select a receiver/return man between rounds 4-6.
DB: The Titans signed veteran Nick Harper, which makes you wonder if they plan to change to more of a zone scheme. But apparently they will lose Adam Jones to a suspension. Either way, they could use another top-flight defender – likely in the first two rounds. It is also likely that they will attempt to find a ball-hawking type free safety within their top-5 choices as Lamont Thompson has failed to make the grade the past two years.
DL: The health issues of Travis Laboy and Antwan Odom, and the free-agency departure of versatile veteran defender Robaire Smith create another void in the middle. The Titans need to find a situational pass rusher within the first few rounds and come back later with a high-motor playmaker.
OG: The Titans released veteran Zach Piller in the offseason, but still have an aging center and starter at right guard. They did not draft an offensive lineman a year ago and now face the reality of needing to draft for both depth and impact. If they draft at this position early, Ben Grubbs could come into focus. Later, they would benefit from taking an interior lineman such as Tala Esera, Uche Nwaneri or Brent Pousson.
RB: Chris Brown is still unsigned; LenDale White recently weighed in at over 260 pounds; and Travis Henry is now with the Denver Broncos. That leaves them without a change-of-pace type back to use on third downs who could be a safety-valve receiver for Vince Young out of the backfield.
