2018 NFL Draft Review: AFC South

The AFC South has come a long way in just the past couple of years. It was quite the mess of awful quarterback play and lackluster skill-position players galore for too long. Now, with the quarterback situations (if Andrew Luck returns) all but figured out for the division, things might get interesting here soon. In fact, the offenses in the AFC South were so close to complete coming into this season that none of them took an offensive skill position inside the top 60 picks overall. That isn’t the sexiest outcome for rookie draft discussion but let’s break this division down.

Jacksonville Jaguars

DJ Chark, WR LSU (Round 2, Pick 29)

Tanner Lee, QB Nebraska (Round 6, Pick 29)

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The Jaguars were the first team in the division to select a skill-position player in the entire NFL Draft. Their selection of DJ Chark at pick 61 overall felt like a reach to some, but he has all the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. Chark logged the fastest 40-time at the NFL Combine among all wide receivers. He leaped the highest among the position group as well with a 40-inch vertical. He may be a bit raw as a route runner, but if he pulls things together, he could shine early.

The team already has several seemingly competent wide receivers on the roster, but with the departure of Allen Robinson to Chicago, they needed to bring in a true lead wide receiver body type. It’s hard to tell what the wide receiver depth chart will look like with Chark in the mix, but picking the right one could be a fantastic value in dynasty leagues. Chark won’t cost much in rookie drafts, and the other Jags wide receivers are fairly cheap in trades and start-up drafts as well.

Tanner Lee was a rather peculiar pick in round six of the NFL Draft. He had quite the terrible draft season (one of the worst QBs at the Senior Bowl) and projects to be no more than a career backup, at best. The Jaguars seem to possess more confidence in the ability of Blake Bortles than the general public. Don’t be fooled into thinking Tanner Lee is any more than a cheap backup to groom behind the Jaguars long-term fixture at quarterback.

Tennessee Titans

Luke Falk, QB Washington State (Round 6, Pick 25)

The Titans just simply didn’t have very many draft picks this season. In fact, they entered the draft tied for the fewest draft picks, and left with two fewer than that. Last season general manager Jon Robinson added serious offensive depth with Corey Davis, Taywan Taylor, and Jonnu Smith. All three should see an uptick in usage in 2018.

This year was clearly the year the Titans wanted to fix their defense, taking an inside linebacker, edge rusher, and a safety with their first three picks. It wasn’t until round six that the Titans finally took an offensive player in Luke Falk.

Falk should never have fallen to the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He set all kinds of production records in the PAC-12 going from a walk-on to absolute stud in just a few short seasons. Falk possesses elite-level football intelligence with possibly some of the best pre-snap ability in this draft class. However, his limitations in the NFL won’t be mental, they’ll be physical. Falk definitely lacks ideal NFL arm strength and athleticism for the typical quarterback. If he succeeds at all, it will be as one of the best perennial backups in the league.

The Titans needed to start grooming a cheap backup quarterback for Marcus Mariota before his second contract destroys the team’s cap space. Luke Falk will immediately be one of the better backups in the league, and will most likely stay that way. If Mariota goes down, don’t panic-sell all of your Titans skill players. Falk can handle the job when called upon.

Houston Texans

Jordan Akins, TE UCF (Round 3, Pick 34)

Keke Coutee, WR Texas Tech (Round 4, Pick 3)

Jordan Thomas, TE Mississippi State (Round 6, Pick 37)

The Texans look to have their franchise quarterback in Deshaun Watson. They clearly have their lead wide receiver in DeAndre Hopkins. They still also look to have a decent supporting cast at running back and wide receiver. However, the Texans still felt they needed to put the finishing touches on their offense this year.

It’s not too often that a draft has two former minor league baseball players get drafted at the same position. But both the Ravens’ Hayden Hurst and the Texans’ Jordan Akins took that route. Akins is a bit old (already 26) thanks to his detour in baseball, but don’t let that deter you from drafting him. Akins was a solid receiving tight end for Central Florida over the past couple seasons. He could plug in right away as the lead receiving tight end for the Texans.

Keke Coutee is a tiny little burner of a wide receiver, but he can make plays at every level. The problem is that the Texans might not need him to be an every down contributor at wide receiver thanks to their other solid options. Coutee provides the Texans with a speedy depth piece who may have some special plays drawn up just for him.

Jordan Thomas was just a late pick to add depth at a position where the Texans just saw CJ Fiedorowicz retire. Thomas will likely compete for the final tight end roster spot, but is more of a blocking option at the next level anyway. Don’t expect Jordan Thomas to contribute many fantasy points any time soon.

Indianapolis Colts

Nyheim Hines, RB North Carolina State (Round 4, Pick 4)

Daurice Fountain, WR Northern Iowa (Round 5, Pick 22)

Jordan Wilkins, RB Mississippi (Round 5, Pick 32)

Deon Cain, WR Clemson (Round 6, Pick 11)

Last, and quite possibly least, the Indianapolis Colts looked to bolster an uninspiring skill position group by adding two running backs and two wide receivers. The Colts roster had all sorts of holes in it coming into this year’s NFL Draft. And sadly, the depth of this roster is still incredibly shallow. However, because of that, any number of these later round draft picks could end up making an impact early.

Nyheim Hines comes in as the matchup nightmare that the Colts desperately need. Hines started out as a wide receiver for NC State, but then transitioned into a role at running back. He can line up at tailback or slide out into the slot. Thanks to his 4.38 forty, Hines should break free on some big plays early on in his career. Even if Marlon Mack holds onto the lead role for the Colts, Hines should have some standalone value as a pass catcher right away.

Jordan Wilkins, on the other hand, looks like a much-needed depth running back who could also fall into the end zone when called upon. It took him four years to break out in college, and when he finally did, his numbers were still not incredibly impressive. Wilkins is already 24 years old, so if he’s going to make an impact in the pros he better hope to make it quick.

It’s interesting that the Colts took Daurice Fountain ahead of Deon Cain in the NFL Draft. Fountain was an FCS wide receiver who didn’t even receive an invite to the NFL Combine. Cain is a former blue blood recruit fresh out of Wide Receiver University (Clemson). However, Fountain’s route running and underrated athleticism (displayed at his pro day) may make him the new Colts wide receiver to own. Cain struggled immensely with focus drops, and never truly produced consistently for Clemson. Outside of TY Hilton there really isn’t a trust wide receiver on the entire roster. One of these wide receivers is likely going to produce quickly. Let’s hope you choose the right one.

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