AFC South Draft Needs

Jacksonville Jaguars (#8)
Word on the street is that USC QB Mark Sanchez won't make it past #8. Whether he makes it that far is still up for debate, but regardless of whether the Jags get a new quarterback in the first round or not, they have a subpar receiving core, even with newly added Torry Holt, and they lost a valuable piece of their running game when RB Fred Taylor was cut. For a team that has struggled in recent years scoring passing touchdowns inside the red zone, an athletic tight end could be on the wish list also.

Jacksonville has a leaky pass defense that gave up 25 touchdowns through the air, and a league-worst 17 plays of 40 yards or more. CB Rashean Mathis has fallen off the past two seasons, and doesn't have much help in the secondary now that Drayton Florence is in Buffalo. LBs Justin Durant and Clint Engram have both shown promise, but are far from being elite level players. No one would fault the Jags for taking Ohio State LB James Laurinitis at #39, if he's still available.

WR, DB, OL, LB, TE

Houston Texans (#15)
Because they gave up 49 plays of 20+ yards, and only registered 12 interceptions all season long, the Texans #1 concern in this draft should be the defensive backfield. Adding DE Antonio Smith to tandem with Mario Williams should increase the pressure on the opposing quarterback, and by adding LB Cato June to help Demeco Ryans and Xavier Adibi round out the linebacker corps, the defense is not in terrible condition. Elite defenses get off the field on third down more than 61% of the time though, so the Texans have to be looking to upgrade on this side of the ball. Any of the USC linebackers (Clay Matthews, Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga) could wind up in Houston this year.

What do we say about the offense? Surprisingly enough, Houston was 4th in the league in passing (1st in their own division, which includes the pass-happy Colts), and if not for being -12 in turnover differential, might have been even better than that. RB Steve Slaton also turned in a good rookie campaign, with over 1,200 yards. And the offensive line has been better the past two seasons than we give them credit for, due in part to last year's first round pick LT Duane Brown. But they still need a complement to WR Andre Johnson, and after Steve Slaton, the running backs are questionable (though they did add Chris Brown from the Titans).

Needs: DB, LB, WR, RB

Indianapolis Colts (#27)
Bill Polian is calling the shots here, and because this is an offensive-minded team that just appointed an offensive-minded coach the heir to Tony Dungy's throne, all roads point to this being an offensive-minded draft for the Colts. Especially when you consider the fact that the offense took a step backwards last year. Only 23.6 points per game, a tepid-at-best running attack, injuries along the offensive line, free agent defections: the jig is up for the Colts offense, right? Not quite. On a positive note, they did convert 67.2% of the time on third down (tied with the Dolphins for league-best), and QB Peyton Manning won his third MVP. The team cut ties with future HOFer Marvin Harrison, and RB Joseph Addai showed again his inability to handle the full-time job. The Colts added three offensive linemen in last year's draft, and will probably be looking more at the skill positions this year.

On defense, everyone knows that this is not a strong suit for Indy, and never has been. That said, they're covered at defensive end, with two Pro Bowlers in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. The run defense digressed last season, partly because of a lack of depth at DT, and partly because of an undersized linebacker corps. The Colts have a compensatory 4th round pick (#136), and always do well in the later rounds, so look for them to address their defensive needs on Day Two. Day One is for offense.

Needs: WR, DL, LB, DB

Tennessee Titans (#30)
Slow, steady improvement by the Titans in each of the last three seasons finally paid off last season with a division title and the best record in the NFL. Remarkably, this is a team that is far from complete. QB Vince Young hasn't materialized as of yet as a premiere playmaker, there is no deep threat in the receiver corps, and the man under center last season will turn 37 next season. The offensive line is in good shape, even with 38 year old Kevin Mawae playing center. Depth up front is always a good thing though, and the Titans will probably add some in the Draft.

Tennessee is one of only two teams to receive 4 compensatory picks in this year's Draft (# #135, 173, 206, and 242). Considering the fact that coach Jeff Fisher favors the defensive side of the football, don't be surprised if winds up using a lot of those picks shoring up his D. The defensive backs and linebackers are underwhelming on paper, and Pro Bowl DT Albert Haynesworth signed a mega deal with the the Washington Redskins.

Needs: WR, OL, DB, LB