NFL Draft 2011: Power Ranking the Top 10 AFC South Rookies to Watch in 2011
Although the Indianapolis Colts have had a stranglehold on the division title, the tide is certainly shifting in the AFC South. The Jaguars almost took the Colts down in the division but stumbled in the final month.
In an extremely competitive division, the gap is certainly closing as all four teams are expected to make a run at the crown. The Houston Texans made the biggest leap heading into 2011 following the draft as they had one of my favorite drafts of any team in the league.
The Texans desperately needed defense and landed three impact players to help improve one of the worst defenses in the game last season.
Although you won’t find Blaine Gabbert on this list as I believe he will justly sit for the entire season, you will still find some Jags on this list.
The Colts took my advice and went offensive line early to protect the franchise Peyton Manning. How much of an impact will Anthony Castonzo and Benjamin Ijalana make in 2011?
10. Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars WR
1 of 10"Height: 6’0”
Weight: 205 lbs
Career Stats: 259 receptions, 4,705 yards, 63 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.59
Bench Press – 21.0
Vertical Jump – 34.5
Broad Jump – 114.0
Three-Cone Drill – 6.5
20-yard Shuttle – 4.07
60-yard Shuttle – 11.18
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Blaine Gabbert may not be on this list, but one of his future targets is.
Cecil Shorts hails from the same school as another AFC South wide receiver—Pierre Garcon.
Shorts has fine size and speed, but it is his reliable hands that made him one of the more sought-after mid-round wide receivers. As Mike Sims-Walker heads elsewhere via free agency, the Jaguars desperately needed a No. 2 receiver as Mike Thomas shifts to the lead role. He has a great work ethic and should develop into one of the young leaders for this offense.
9. William Rackley, Jacksonville Jaguars OG
2 of 10"Height: 6’3”
Weight: 309 lbs
40-yard Dash – N/A
Bench Press – 29.0
Vertical Jump – 23.5
Broad Jump – 99.0
Three-Cone Drill – 7.91
20-yard Shuttle – 4.94
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
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After selecting Blaine Gabbert to be the future face of the franchise, Jacksonville needed to show their newest addition that they are willing to help him succeed by drafting an offensive lineman with their second selection in the draft.
William Rackley is one of the better offensive guards in the class with solid size and weight, but also great strength to help keep away defenders. He is the type of player that won’t back down from any defender and will help bring some intensity to an already gritty offense.
8. Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans QB
3 of 10"Height: 6’3”
Weight: 231 lbs
Career Stats: 7,693 yards, 53 touchdowns, 45 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.59
Bench Press – N/A
Vertical Jump – 35.0
Broad Jump – 120.0
Three-Cone Drill – 6.77
20-yard Shuttle – 4.12
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
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The Titans shocked the NFL world by taking Jake Locker No. 8 overall after many wondered if he would even be selected in the first round, let alone the top 10. He is a great physical specimen and showed decent decision-making skills in college.
Still, he has a ton to learn as he needs to make much better reads to beat the coverage, especially since he’ll see some exotic packages in the NFL. More importantly, he needs to develop better accuracy in the pocket if he wants to be a successful starting quarterback.
At least he’ll have Chris Johnson in the backfield…
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7. Jurrell Casey, Tennessee Titans DT
4 of 10"Height: 6’1”
Weight: 300 lbs
Career Stats: 133 tackles, 9 sacks, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles
40-yard Dash – 5.06
Bench Press – 26.0
Vertical Jump – 27.5
Broad Jump – 101.0
Three-Cone Drill – 7.51
20-yard Shuttle – 4.78
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
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Jurrell Casey is a fine athlete and was considered a first-round talent many months ago. He has the talent to be one of the better tackles in a deep, deep class with his on-field motor and determination to fight through blockers.
He should be the clog in the middle the Titans have been looking for since Albert Haynesworth. He has solid quickness off the line of scrimmage initially and will help create space for his teammates to stop the ball.
6. Benjamin Ijalana, Indianapolis Colts OT
5 of 10"Height: 6’4”
Weight: 317 lbs
40-yard Dash – 5.20
Bench Press – N/A
Vertical Jump – 25.5
Broad Jump – 08'09'
Three-Cone Drill – 7.75
20-yard Shuttle – 4.70
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
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In efforts to secure one of the top offensive lines in the league and protect Peyton Manning, the Colts secure two of the best offensive lineman in the draft. Benjamin Ijalana had first-round potential due to his durability and versatility. He has the ability to play tackle or guard, which is ideal for the Colts after the amount of recent injuries suffered to the line.
A high-character player on and off the field, he has quick feet and strong legs, which help him fend off attackers. He is a smart player, which is another ideal characteristic for Indianapolis’ no-huddle offense. Expect him to be a staple on this offensive line for years to come.
5. Akeem Ayers, Tennessee Titans OLB
6 of 10"Height: 6’3”
Weight: 254 lbs
Career Stats: 177 tackles, 11 sacks, 6 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.88
Bench Press – 18.0
Vertical Jump – 31.0
Broad Jump – 116.0
Three-Cone Drill – 7.49
20-yard Shuttle – 4.28
60-yard Shuttle – 11.93
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At the beginning of the mock season, I had Ayers pegged as the second best outside linebacker and a sure-first first-rounder. Some character concerns emerged as some do not feel that he gives it all on the field and so he fell to the second round.
He is one of the most talented outside linebackers in the class with fine sideline-to-sideline speed and the ability to drop back in coverage. He is a sound tackler and has the athleticism to become a playmaker for this Titans defense.
4. Brandon Harris, Houston Texans CB
7 of 10"Height: 5’10”
Weight: 191 lbs
Career Passing Stats: 129 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 4 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.53
Bench Press – 13.0
Vertical Jump – 35.5
Broad Jump – 113.0
Three-Cone Drill – 6.77
20-yard Shuttle – 4.12
60-yard Shuttle – 11.31
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Brandon Harris was my No. 4 cornerback heading into the draft and may have inexplicably fallen to the third round if the Texans didn’t trade back into the round for him. This was an incredible move for a team that consistently put out one of the worst secondary units imaginable last season. Harris will already be the No. 1 cornerback on the team.
He is a sound tackler but also has great instincts at the position, which allows him to bat away passes. He has fine speed and will be assisted by the Texans’ much improved pass rush. Expect him to be among the rookie league leaders in interceptions as he’ll see a lot of balls thrown his way.
3. JJ. Watt, Houston Texans DE
8 of 10"Height: 6’5”
Weight: 290 lbs
Career Stats: 106 tackles, 11 sacks, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles
40-yard Dash – 4.84
Bench Press – 34.0
Vertical Jump – 37.0
Broad Jump – 120.0
Three-Cone Drill – 6.88
20-yard Shuttle – 4.21
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
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J.J. Watt is a powerhouse of a defensive end with a great motor and work ethic. He will continuously rush the passer as he has a relentless, nonstop motor. He is a high character player and should bring the team closer together with his drive for the game.
He is one of the stronger defense ends in the class and will power his way through blockers on his way to the quarterback. He will be a staple on the line and open space for Wade Phillips’ blitzing linebackers. With Watt and second-rounder Brooks Reed on board, Mario Williams will be among the league leaders in sacks in 2011.
2. Brooks Reed, Houston Texans DE/OLB
9 of 10"Height: 6’3”
Weight: 263 lbs
Career Stats: 107 tackles, 15 sacks
40-yard Dash – 4.68
Bench Press – 30.0
Vertical Jump – 30.5
Broad Jump – 113.0
Three-Cone Drill – 7.11
20-yard Shuttle – 4.28
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
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I had Brooks Reed penciled in for the first round as I feel he is one of the safest players in this draft. He reminds many of Green Bay’s Clay Matthews for the similar appearance, but he also replicates him on the field as well. Reed has a nonstop motor and remarkable work ethic, which will allow him to flourish in this league on and off the field.
He is a great pass-rusher with fine speed and great power. He has the innate knack to get to the quarterback quickly off the edge and has the versatility to play outside linebacker and defensive end. He will make an immediate impact on the field to improve one of the worst defenses in the league last season.
1. Anthony Castonzo, Indianapolis Colts OT
10 of 10"Height: 6’7”
Weight: 311 lbs
40-yard Dash – 5.23
Bench Press –28.0
Vertical Jump – 29.5
Broad Jump – 105.0
Three-Cone Drill – 7.25
20-yard Shuttle – 4.4
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
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Anthony Castonzo was my No. 3 overall offensive tackle heading into the draft. While I feel Tyron Smith is the better pass-blocker and Gabe Carimi is the better run-blocker, Castonzo is probably the best all-around tackle in the class.
He is very good in both run- and pass-protection and will be a staple on this Colts offensive line for the next decade and more.
Indianapolis desperately needed to beef up their offensive line, and they went full force early in the draft. Castonzo should quickly become a leader on this offensive line and is just the perfect fit for this Colts team.
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