Post by bullseye on May 23, 2017 1:48:19 GMT -5
I've wanted to post this on an active board for a while.
In the aftermath of the 2017 draft, here are my thoughts in how the division fared overall.
1. I think it's interesting that while the division generally seems to be going in a more physical direction, the Colts went in a less physical direction with its first picks. Houston is clearly the most physical defense, and will run the ball until they get their QB stabilized. With their windfall of picks resulting from last year's trade down with the Rams, Tennessee established themselves as a physical run the ball/stop the run team. Jacksonville seems to be headed in that direction this year. But the Colts seem to be doubling down in the previous Colts philosophy of taking the lead with an explosive passing attack, then defending against the pass to close the game out. Both Malik Hooker and Quincy Wilson are good cover DBs with good range and ball skills, but neither are tacklers. They added a pass rusher in the 3rd, but aside from Hankins, I still can't help but see the Colts as a soft defense. It should be interesting watching Henry, Fournette, et al running through their secondary. Though they drafted the massive T from So. Cal in Zach Banner, I don't think he has the feet to be the answer at RT.
2. I was less impressed with Tennessee's draft this year than I was last year. Their first two draft picks address needs at skill positions outside, and as a whole, providing Mariota some weapons is smart. But while Adoree Jackson has some explosive speed and acceleration, I'm not sure he's a shut down CB, nor am I sure he matches up favorably against bigger, more physical receivers like Hopkins or Robinson. While Davis is clearly an upgrade over the receiver deprived Tacks, I wonder how he will fare against the talented secondaries this division now offers.
3. The Texans better hope they hit on the Watson pick, because they run the risk of wasting a great defense. But until he gets up to speed, you have to think they will rely on the running attack. They are better equipped to run the ball with the D'Onta Foreman pick. Still a Q at RT, despite the drafting of Davenport. I liked the Watkins pick.
4. While the Jaguars apparent goal was to make the Jaguars a more physical offense, I don't think they went as far as they could have(or perhaps should have) in achieving that goal. They got off to a great start with the selections of RB Leonard Fournette and T Cam Robinson. Fournette epitomizes the Coughlin power back who has drawn lofty comparisons to Bo Jackson and Adrian Peterson. But even if he "only" becomes Eddie George, he'll be well worth the pick. Robinson is a huge, physical man with the versatility to play as many as four positions along the OL, but I think he is good enough to thrive at LT along the lines of former Bills, current Eagles LT Jason Peters and current Bills LT Cordy Glenn. His style of play can help kick start the moribund Jaguars ground attack. However, at this point is where the Jaguars stopped short of establishing the desired physical attack. Whereas I would have gone G in the 3rd round (Feeney or D. Johnson) and then TE in the 4th, the Jaguars went with a backup DE in Smoot and a small fast WR with character issues in Westbrook. I think the Jaguars offense got better, but they could have gotten more.
5. One interesting aspect of this division is how the various WR corps have evolved over the years. There was once a time where the Colts had a virtual monopoly on explosive WR play-Andre Johnson notwithstanding. Now, at least three of the teams easily boast at least three explosive WRs, with Tennessee not far behind if Davis holds up.
6. Bottom line-I would give the Colts the highest grade, followed by the Jaguars, Tacks and Texans, with the caveat that if the Texans hit on Watson, it could net them a Super Bowl within the next 3-4 years.
In the aftermath of the 2017 draft, here are my thoughts in how the division fared overall.
1. I think it's interesting that while the division generally seems to be going in a more physical direction, the Colts went in a less physical direction with its first picks. Houston is clearly the most physical defense, and will run the ball until they get their QB stabilized. With their windfall of picks resulting from last year's trade down with the Rams, Tennessee established themselves as a physical run the ball/stop the run team. Jacksonville seems to be headed in that direction this year. But the Colts seem to be doubling down in the previous Colts philosophy of taking the lead with an explosive passing attack, then defending against the pass to close the game out. Both Malik Hooker and Quincy Wilson are good cover DBs with good range and ball skills, but neither are tacklers. They added a pass rusher in the 3rd, but aside from Hankins, I still can't help but see the Colts as a soft defense. It should be interesting watching Henry, Fournette, et al running through their secondary. Though they drafted the massive T from So. Cal in Zach Banner, I don't think he has the feet to be the answer at RT.
2. I was less impressed with Tennessee's draft this year than I was last year. Their first two draft picks address needs at skill positions outside, and as a whole, providing Mariota some weapons is smart. But while Adoree Jackson has some explosive speed and acceleration, I'm not sure he's a shut down CB, nor am I sure he matches up favorably against bigger, more physical receivers like Hopkins or Robinson. While Davis is clearly an upgrade over the receiver deprived Tacks, I wonder how he will fare against the talented secondaries this division now offers.
3. The Texans better hope they hit on the Watson pick, because they run the risk of wasting a great defense. But until he gets up to speed, you have to think they will rely on the running attack. They are better equipped to run the ball with the D'Onta Foreman pick. Still a Q at RT, despite the drafting of Davenport. I liked the Watkins pick.
4. While the Jaguars apparent goal was to make the Jaguars a more physical offense, I don't think they went as far as they could have(or perhaps should have) in achieving that goal. They got off to a great start with the selections of RB Leonard Fournette and T Cam Robinson. Fournette epitomizes the Coughlin power back who has drawn lofty comparisons to Bo Jackson and Adrian Peterson. But even if he "only" becomes Eddie George, he'll be well worth the pick. Robinson is a huge, physical man with the versatility to play as many as four positions along the OL, but I think he is good enough to thrive at LT along the lines of former Bills, current Eagles LT Jason Peters and current Bills LT Cordy Glenn. His style of play can help kick start the moribund Jaguars ground attack. However, at this point is where the Jaguars stopped short of establishing the desired physical attack. Whereas I would have gone G in the 3rd round (Feeney or D. Johnson) and then TE in the 4th, the Jaguars went with a backup DE in Smoot and a small fast WR with character issues in Westbrook. I think the Jaguars offense got better, but they could have gotten more.
5. One interesting aspect of this division is how the various WR corps have evolved over the years. There was once a time where the Colts had a virtual monopoly on explosive WR play-Andre Johnson notwithstanding. Now, at least three of the teams easily boast at least three explosive WRs, with Tennessee not far behind if Davis holds up.
6. Bottom line-I would give the Colts the highest grade, followed by the Jaguars, Tacks and Texans, with the caveat that if the Texans hit on Watson, it could net them a Super Bowl within the next 3-4 years.
