AFC South Draft Needs

dominick donofrio by Contributor Written on April 04, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 26:  Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers is knocked down by Kenny Smith #94 of the Tennesee Titans during a pre-season NFL game at Monster Park on August 26, 2005 in San Francisco, California.  (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
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parted ways with long time receiver Harrison in the offseason, which creates a hole at the receiver position. The Colts do have Wayne who will fill in the number one role, and Gonzalez who will be a very solid number two but other then that there is a real problem as the receivers after have no real playing time experience. The Colts will need to take a receiver to solidify this position and to keep Manning happy. Staying on the offensive side, i think the Colts need to draft offensive line depth. Saturday went down last year to injury and his replacement did play well, but the Colts line needs more depth if they want to make it farther in the playoffs this year. Going on the defensive side of the ball there is some needs here. Last year the defense did not get to the opposing quarterback enough at all. Reid left during free agency, and after Freeny there is no real playmakers on this line. The Colts need to draft defensive lineman that will be able to provide relief for the secondary by getting to the quarterback. Finally the outside backer position needs some help as Philip Wheeler is going to be starting as of right now and he has no real experience at all, so they should draft someone who will be an upgrade at this spot.

The Jacksonville Jaguars took a huge step back last year after surging into the playoffs in 2007. The Jaguars have a lot of holes to fill if they want to make another playoff run this year. Starting on the offensive side of the ball and the receiver spot which was hit hard in the offseason. Jones was released due to trouble with the law, and Williams was lost to free agency so the Jaguars are left with Northcutt, and Williamson who both are not number one receivers. The Jaguars might want to select a receiver with the number one pick. The offensive line was an issue last year as injuries killed them and there was no depth behind them. The line is now healthy but is not young so it is time to start to build for the future at this spot, especially at the right guard position and tackle. Thomas is a nice addition for this year but he is no long time solution. I do believe that the quarterback spot is an question mark for this team. Last year David took a huge step backwards, as he committed way to many mistakes. The Jaguars should definitely give him another chance this year as he is a good quarterback, but they might want to draft a quarterback later in the draft to groom for the future. On the defensive side there is some needs starting at the defensive line. Henderson is now in his thirties, and although he is a good player his best days are certainly behind him so drafting a future replacement is not a bad idea. Also the defensive line struggled last year to get any kind of push so drafting a aggressive lineman would help the defense. Moving to the corner position the Jaguars have a decent amount of talent but the starters are all on the older side so drafting for depth and to insert young talent would help this team greatly.

Finally ending with the defending division champions, the Tennessee Titans. Starting with the defensive side of the ball there is a huge need for a defensive tackle, as the Titans lost Haynesworth in the offseason. The Titans need to draft a replacement who will get the pressure that the defense needs. Moving to the defensive end spot on the line, the Titans need to draft for depth and the future. Kearse and Bosch are both over thirty years old, and they are starting to show signs of slowing down. Drafting a stud end who they can groom and bring into the system slowly will benefit the team greatly here. Moving to the offensive side of the ball, there is not a lot of needs for this team. The one need for this team on offense is at the receiver spot where Gage returns, and newly acquired Washington hopes to bring another playmaker but that leaves a hole at the number three slot, or even number two as im not sure if Washington is a number two. The Titans need to get a good speedy receiver to help this group, or the team will not go anywhere. Finally the quarterback spot is in question. Collins was brought back so at least for this year the quarterback slot will be solid but what happens after this year? Collins cant play forever, and he only has one or two solid years left in him so at that point the ball would be turned over to Vince Young. Young has not shown that he is worthy of that number one pick the Titans selected him with. Im not sure if Young will be the answer for this team so the Titans might want to select a quarterback to groom for the future.

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written on April 04, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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