AFC South Mock Draft – Version One
Houston Texans
01.26 – Dwight Jones (WR –North Carolina) – The Texans grab Dwight Jones at number 26 after taking Duane Brown at the same spot when they moved down in 2008. A core fundamental of the zone-blocking scheme is down-field blocking by the wide receiver. The sure-handed Jones possesses that run-blocking ability and dependable route execution. He could break camp as no less than number three on the depth chart for looks behind Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels.
02.58 – Casey Hayward (CB – Vanderbilt) – The penchant to take a larger cornerback continued under Wade Phillips’ watch in 2011. With the exception of Brice McCain in 2009, every cornerback the Texans have taken since 2009 has been at least 5’10” and 188 pounds. Look for that trend to continue as the team selects Casey Hayward to compete with Kareem Jackson for the starting role opposite Jonathan Joseph. Hayward is a sure tackler who plays the run hard, traits that the Texans have annually sought in the position.
The Texans could look to trade down in the first round and to defensive tackle with one of their first two picks, also.
Indianapolis Colts
01.01 – Andrew Luck (QB – Stanford) – No surprise here. The Colts are able to replace one franchise signal-caller with the most touted quarterback prospect in years with the selection of the Houston native. With Peyton Manning’s future with the club undecided, Luck should have a strong chance to start week one.
02.33 – Mohamed Sanu (WR – Rutgers) – Reggie Wayne is a free agent and unlikely to return to a team, so new General Manager Ryan Grigson decides to give Luck a pass-catcher he can grow with in Sanu. His versatility should help solidify the wide receiver depth chart with Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie.
Jacksonville Jaguars
01.07 – Riley Reiff (OT – Iowa) – Head Coach Mike Mularkey’s first order of business will be to keep Blaine Gabbert upright. Reiff bookends across from Eugene Monroe to give Gabbert more time to work, albeit with a mediocre crop of wide receivers.
02.38 – Juron Criner (WR –Arizona) – Mularkey gets his next wide receiver project the Wildcat receiver. Criner injects immediate life into the Jaguar passing game with hopes that Marcedes Lewis can rediscover his Pro Bowl form. The Jaguars could for further reinforcements with Mularkey’s former team and pluck Harry Douglas away from the Falcons.
Tennessee Titans
01.20 – Janoris Jenkins (CB – North Alabama) – The Titans take Jenkins to possibly replace Cortland Finnegan, who is set to hit free agency. Jenkins likely lasts until this pick due to character issues that saw him removed from the Florida program, only to resurface at North Alabama in 2011.
02.52 – Nick Toon (WR – Wisconsin) – Toon beefs up a mediocre receiving corps in Tennessee with his selection at number 20. His large frame could start opposite Nate Washington and, along with Jared Cook, providing solid options for Jake Locker if the Titans move in that direction in 2012.
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