2010 NFL Draft Grades – AFC South

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Houston Texans
2010 NFL Draft Overall Draft Grade: C
20. Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Value Board #: 34
Grade: B-
He was rising fast up draft boards, but why was he taken before Kyle Wilson? Maybe because he played at Alabama instead of Boise State. I’m not big on the bigger the college, the better the player philosophy, but level of competition sometimes seems to move players ahead of others who are better.

58. Ben Tate, RB, Auburn
Value Board #: 57
Grade: A
The Texans get a very good running back in Tate, who can carry the load for them or split time with Slaton.

81. Earl Mitchell, DT, Arizona
Value Board #: 184
Grade: C
Big reach, Mitchell was gaining some steam, but not enough to vault him into the 3rd round. He’s a former tight end who made the switch after his sophomore year to DT. He’s a liability in the run game, which isn’t good for a DT.

102. Darryl Sharpton, ILB, Miami
Value Board #: projected 7th round
Grade: D
Another reach for a less talented player. Sharpton does not even come close to the value of this pick.

118. Garrett Graham, TE, Wisconsin
Value Board #: 150
Grade: B
A slight reach here. Owen Daniels is coming off of injury last season, so the Texans were drafting for need here.

144. Sherrick McManis, CB, Northwestern
Value Board #: FA
Grade: F
He’s nowhere near 5th round value. Terrible reach.

187. Shelley Smith, G, Colorado State
Value Board #: 235
Grade: C
Another reach. Texans aren’t getting much value out of this thing. Yea, they’re addressing needs, but the reaching is ridiculous.

197. Trindon Holliday, KR/PR, LSU
Value Board #: 7-FA
Grade: B
How did this guy slip past Al Davis? Houston gets a boost in their return game from the fastest man in the draft (4.21 40).

227. Dorin Dickerson, TE, Pittsburgh
Value Board #: 61
Grade: A+
Another speed demon. How did Dickerson drop this far? Very versatile and will be switched to WR.

Indianapolis Colts
2010 NFL Draft Overall Grade: B-
31. Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU
Value Board #: 22
Grade: A
Great value for the Colts. Polian knows what he’s doing. Hughes will be able to eventually replace the aging Freeney and Mathis. What are they doing? They need to implode their offensive line and start over!

63. Pat Angerer, ILB, Iowa
Value Board #: projected 5th round
Grade: C
Too much of a reach. This pick was made for depth, but couldn’t have been best available. Questionable. Angerer can’t protect Manning. Indy needs a whole new offensive line.

94. Kevin Thomas, CB, USC
Value Board #: 151
Grade: B-
Thomas had a wide draft range, but I had him rated lower than here. His stock had been rising, so he ended up at 94. I thought Polian needed an offensive line who’d protect Manning. Using picks on defense won’t help!

129. Jacques McClendon, G, Tennessee
Value Board #: FA
Grade: D
Gah! Finally. I was beginning to think that whole thing about the offensive line costing the Colts the Super Bowl was false…

162. Brody Eldrige, TE, Oklahoma
Value Board #: FA
Grade: D+
Good size for a tight end and speed. Not good value again.

238. Ricardo Matthews, DT, Cincinnati
Value Board #: FA
Grade: B
Colts getting depth for their defense. Last season it showed that it needed it. They dropped to 18th overall.

240. Kavell Conner, LB, Clemson
Value Board #: projected 5-6
Grade: A
More depth. Not much the Colts can do with all of these picks at the end. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Polian found a few gems.

246. Ray Fisher, CB, Indiana
Value Board #: FA
Grade: B
Only 5-8, 172, but has good speed. Special teamer.

Jacksonville Jaguars
2010 NFL Draft Overall Grade: B-
10. Tyson Alualu, DT, California
Value Board #: 51
Grade: C+
C, but a plus for having balls. For now, this pick gets a C+, but down the line I have a feeling it’ll be an A because in an interview after he was drafted, Alualu said that the Patriots, Eagles, Falcons, and Titans were considering him with their first round picks. He doesn’t have the strength to be dominant inside, but he’s relentless and quick. Also, why do you think Miami traded out after the Jaguars selected him, then drafted Jared Odrick?

74. D’Anthony Smith, DT, Louisiana Tech
Value Board #: 107
Grade: B-
He apparently takes some plays off, but he has the ability to become a good DT.

143. Larry Hart, DE, Central Arkansas
Value Board #: projected 7th round
Grade: D+
Hart is considered one of the top pass rushing prospects this year. He’s comparable to the smallish defensive ends in Indianapolis. Hart could surprise immediately.

153. Austen Lane, DE, Murray State
Value Board #: 108
Grade: A
GM Gene Smith really wanted to rebuild that defensive line huh? Well, the Jaguars did rank last in sacks last year with 14, so I don’t know why everyone is in such a bad mood since they’re trying to fix it. They were STARTING undrafted free agents and waiver wire pick ups by season’s end. And still ended up with 7 wins.

180. Deji Karim, RB, Southern Illinois
Value Board #: 173
Grade: A-
Leading rusher from FCS. But mostly will probably be a kick returner for Jacksonville and 3rd running back.

203. Scotty McGee, KR, James Madison
Value Board #: FA
Grade: B
Small schools were the name of the game for Gene Smith’s second draft. Of course, last year he got Derek Cox (William & Mary), Terrence Knighton (Temple), and Rashad Jennings (Liberty), so it’s no surprise that Smith does his homework. This will be the most controversial team draft, but could be looked back on as genius.

Tennessee Titans
2010 NFL Draft Overall Grade: B
16. Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Value Board #: 11
Grade: A
Morgan is a very good DE, but he’s just not spectacular. He got almost shut down against Bryan Bulaga and Iowa. Never the less, he is a steal at this juncture.

77. Damian Williams, WR, USC
Value Board #: 37
Grade: A
I really like Williams and think he doesn’t have many negatives to his game, and any negatives that are there are able to be fixed. VY has a new weapon in addition to Britt.

97. Rennie Curran, OLB, Georgia
Value Board #: 131
Grade: B-
Good prospect. They need an eventual replacement for Keith Bullock, but Curran will be on the outside.

104. Alterraun Verner, CB, UCLA
Value Board #: 149
Grade: B
A tad slow for a corner (4.52 40), but still a decent pick.

148. Robert Johnson, FS, Utah
Value Board #: 212
Grade: C+
Tennessee will definitely have an improved secondary after this draft. It’s just they’re not getting the most value out of where their picks are at.

176. Rusty Smith, QB, Florida Atlantic
Value Board #: FA
Grade: F
Terrible pick. He’s athletic, but if they have him in mind for backing up VY, then I’d try to go a different route. Chris Simms can’t be relied upon at all. If VY goes down, they are done.

207. Myron Rolle, SS, Florida State
Value Board #: 211
Grade: B+
Good pick. Rolle has had his committment to football questioned because he went away to study at Oxford for a year, but that’s done. He’s about football now. He will no doubt be a good player.

222. Marc Mariani, WR, Montana
Value Board #: FA
Grade: B
Mariani’s stock had been rising close to the beginning of the week of the draft. Tough guy.

241. David Howard, DT, Brown
Value Board #: FA
Grade: B
Will have to blow up in training camp in order to make roster.