April 16 AFC South Draft Previews

HOUSTON: Texans' O'Brien prepares for 1st draft as general manager

As Bill O’Brien prepares for his first draft as both coach and general manager of the Houston Texans, he isn’t sure how much any rookie will contribute this season with the nationwide sports shutdown because of the new coronavirus.

“I think that this year with the unique position that we’re in, I truly believe that this is a veteran type of year,” O’Brien said. “I think it’s going to be really difficult for rookies (to contribute) without offseason practicing on the field and being able to do all the things that you do during that five weeks stretch after the draft.”

O’Brien has worked as both the team’s coach and general manager since Brian Gaine was fired in June after less than 1 ½ years on the job. He was officially made general manager by team owner Cal McNair in January, not long after the Texans squandered a 24-0 lead in a 51-31 loss to Kansas City in the playoffs.

Now he’s getting ready for a most unique draft which will be done virtually because all NFL facilities are closed due to the pandemic. The Texans don’t have a first-round pick after shipping it to Miami last season in the package that brought left tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Kenny Stills to Houston in August.

Houston’s first pick in next week’s draft will come at No. 40, a pick the team received in the surprising deal that sent star receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona last month. The Texans had the 57th pick, too, but dealt it to the Rams for receiver Brandin Cooks last week.

O’Brien said his team has plenty of needs, including on the defensive line and in the secondary, but need won’t be the overriding factor on who the Texans will draft.

“You’re going to draft on who is the best player for your team when you’re picking at that pick,” he said. “And if there are a bunch of players there that you think fit your team, then maybe you think about doing some other things within the draft.”

THE REST OF THE DRAFT

Along with the 40th pick, the Texans have six other selection. They have a pick each in the third (90), fourth (111) and fifth (171) rounds and three selections in the seventh round.

REPLACING HOPKINS

O'Brien was asked how the team will replace the production of Hopkins, who had 8,602 yards and 54 touchdowns in seven seasons with the team. Though the draft is chock-full of talented receivers, O'Brien indicated he likes the receivers on the roster and likely won't use a draft pick to get another one.

Houston signed free agent Randall Cobb before trading for Cooks, who has had four 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his first six NFL campaigns. The Texans also have Will Fuller, a first-round pick in 2016 who has great talent, but has struggled with injuries, and Stills, who had 561 yard receiving last season.

ADJUSTMENTS

O'Brien calls NRG Stadium his “home away from home." So not being able to go there because of the coronavirus has forced him and his staff to make many adjustments as they evaluate players. He's done a number of FaceTime calls and video meetings as well as kept in near-constant contact with his staff by phone.

He said defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, offensive coordinator Tim Kelly and special teams coordinator Brad Seely each emailed their list of rankings for the draft to him on Wednesday.

“They've adapted to this unique time and they're working hard and they've had a lot of good input into the draft," O'Brien said.

NO FIRST-ROUND PICK AGAIN

This won't be the only year the Texans won't have a first-round pick. They also sent next year's pick in the opening round to Miami in the Tunsil/Stills trade. They won't have a second-round pick in 2021 barring another trade after including that spot in that trade, too.

-- By Kristie Rieken, AP

40. HOUSTON (11-7)

LAST SEASON: Won AFC South for second straight year and fourth time in five seasons behind strong play of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Beat Bills in wild-card round before squandering 24-0 lead in 51-31 loss to Kansas City in divisional round.

FREE AGENCY: Traded WR DeAndre Hopkins, Didn’t re-sign RBs Carlos Hyde or Lamar Miller, NT D.J. Reader. Acquired RB David Johnson and WR Brandin Cooks in trades. Signed OTs Roderick Johnson and Brent Qvale, CBs Vernon Hargreaves, Bradley Roby and Phillip Gaines, WRs Randall Cobb and DeAndre Carter, QB AJ McCarron, Ss Eric Murray and Jaylen Watkins, TE Darren Fells, K Ka’imi Fairbairn, LB Tyrell Adams, LS Jon Weeks.

THEY NEED: CB, S, WR, DL.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB, TE.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Auburn CB Noah Igbinoghene, Alabama CB Trevon Diggs, Clemson CB A.J. Terrell.

OUTLOOK: Texans don’t have first-round pick after sending it to Miami last year in deal that netted LT Laremy Tunsil and WR Kenny Stills. Sent this year’s second-round pick (No. 57) to Rams in trade for Cooks but got higher second-round selection (No. 40) in deal for Hopkins. Could use that pick to address need at CB after ranking 29th in NFL by allowing 267.2 yards passing a game. Team also needs pass rusher after managing just 31 sacks last year in first season without Jadeveon Clowney.

TENNESSEE: No big holes to fill as Titans look for depth in draft

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans find themselves in a position unseen by this franchise in a long time.

Thanks to an unexpected run to their first AFC championship game in 17 years, the Titans hold the No. 29 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. It's the latest they've selected since 2008 when they last won the AFC South title.

The Titans already have signed quarterback Ryan Tannehill to a new four-year deal. NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry also signed his franchise tag for 2020, meaning Tennessee returns nine offensive starters from its 35-24 loss to Kansas City.

So general manager Jon Robinson, hired in January 2016 to rebuild a team that won five games combined the previous two seasons, finds himself needing to retool the roster for coach Mike Vrabel.

“We have to add pieces to the team," Robinson said. "We have a lot of good football players on this football team that have bought into the philosophy of how we want to play the game, to the culture that we have here in Nashville, and we've got to continue to add pieces to this core.”

While Henry helped run the Titans to the AFC title game, it wasn't a complete fluke. The Titans have four straight 9-7 seasons during Robinson's tenure behind only the Patriots (19), Seattle Seahawks (eight) and now Super Bowl champion Chiefs (seven) for the NFL's longest active streaks of winning seasons.

That only increases the pressure to use the seven draft picks to help the Titans host their first playoff game since January 2009. The Titans have three selections in the top 93 and added their seventh overall by trading five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jurrell Casey to Denver last month for a seventh-round pick.

NO NEED FOR QB, AT LEAST NOT EARLY

For the first time in years, quarterback is not an issue. Tannehill earned a four-year, $118 million deal after going 9-4 as a starter coming off the bench, including 7-3 in the final 10 games of the regular season to turn around a 2-4 start. Depth still is needed behind the man who led the NFL with a franchise-best 117.5 passer rating.

Logan Woodside, who played eight games in the AAF for San Antonio, is the only other quarterback on the roster. He spent last season on Tennessee's practice squad with an injury.

BACKING UP HENRY

The Titans waived veteran Dion Lewis just before the start of free agency, so they need someone to back up the man who led the NFL with 1,540 yards rushing. Someone with good hands would help because Henry had his best year catching the ball in 2019 but still had only 18 catches. That makes a dual-threat running back an attractive option.

MORE PASS RUSH

The Titans signed Vic Beasley Jr. from Atlanta in free agency, taking a chance the linebacker will look more like the man who led the NFL with 15 1/2 sacks in 2016 working with Vrabel and outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen. His eight sacks last year would have ranked second only to Harold Landry Jr. in Tennessee.

They also brought back outside linebacker Kamalei Correa who tied for second with five sacks last season. D'Andre Walker spent his rookie season on injured reserve after being a fifth-round pick out of Georgia. But the AFC championship game exposed the Titans' need for more speed on the outside.

OFFENSIVE HELP

The Titans signed veteran Dennis Kelly to a three-year deal to replace right tackle Jack Conklin, who left for Cleveland. Wide receiver Tajae Sharpe was the other starter from the AFC championship game lost when he signed with Minnesota. The Titans need depth on the offensive line and made Nate Davis, a third-round pick out of Charlotte a year ago, the starter at right guard midway through the season.

A.J. Brown led all rookies with 1,051 yards receiving, and Tennessee also has Corey Davis and veteran Adam Humphries. Kalif Raymond is back after a big TD catch in a divisional win at Baltimore, but Tennessee could use more speed.

REPLACE RYAN

The Titans already have Jeffery Simmons, the 19th pick overall a year ago, to fill the gap left by trading Casey. Logan Ryan is a free agent and not expected back after the cornerback started every game he played the past three seasons. Malcolm Butler is back after finishing the season on injured reserve, and Adoree Jackson is going into his fourth season.

Three starting cornerbacks, not two, is a must these days.

-- By Teresa M. Walker, AP

29. TENNESSEE (11-8)

LAST SEASON: Titans reached first AFC championship in 17 years after benching QB Marcus Mariota in mid-October to become only third team to reach conference title game after starting 2-4 or worse. Former Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill jump-started anemic offense and combined with NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry to help Titans clinch AFC's sixth seed. Titans made playoffs despite NFL's worst field goal unit, using five kickers and not even attempting a field goal in four straight games.

FREE AGENCY: Released TE Delanie Walker, K Ryan Succop, RB Dion Lewis, LB Cameron Wake. Lost Mariota, RT Jack Conklin, WR Tajae Sharpe, CB LeShaun Sims, WR Darius Jennings. Re-signed Tannehill and RT Dennis Kelly. Used franchise tag on Henry. Traded DL Jurrell Casey to Denver. Agreed to deals with LB Vic Beasley Jr., TE MyCole Pruitt, OL Ty Sambriello, LB Nick Dzubnar, LB Kamalei Correa, DL Jack Crawford, DB Chris Milton.

THEY NEED: CB to replace three-year starter Logan Ryan, RB, WR, DL, OL, K.

THEY DON’T NEED: RB, LT, P.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: With no gaping holes to fill, Titans can pick best player available, so Houston OT Josh Jones, Clemson CB A.J. Terrell, TCU CB Jeff Gladney or Iowa DE A.J. Epenesa.

OUTLOOK: Titans want much more after two playoff appearances in three seasons, and having to play three straight road games in postseason drove home need to win AFC South to host at least one playoff game. Titans return 17 starters from AFC championship game and need only to fill depth in quest for franchise's first division title since 2008.

INDIANAPOLIS: Colts could still be in quarterback market on draft weekend

INDIANAPOLIS — Philip Rivers, Jacoby Brissett and Chad Kelly all have one year left on their contracts.

Brian Hoyer, who was released last month, and Andrew Luck, who retired in August, still count against the Indianapolis salary cap this year.

And yet, despite being charged $56.5 million for five quarterbacks, the Colts may be looking for yet another one in next week's NFL draft.

“You know how we feel about this. We are always looking hard at the quarterbacks," coach Frank Reich said recently. “You identify one, two, three guys who you like, you think fit. There’s no guarantee you'll get them because there are 31 other teams who can get them."

They may not have a choice.

After Luck's sudden retirement, Brissett took over as the starter for the second time in three years and struggled after injuring his left knee. The result: Indy finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.

Last month, the Colts re-calibrated by signing 38-year-old free agent Rivers, delegating Brissett the backup and releasing Hoyer.

So suddenly the Colts are staring at a 2021 roster that doesn't include a single quarterback — and without a first-round pick next week to land one.

Ballard and Reich haven't dropped any hints about what they intend to do with two second-round picks, Nos. 34 and 44 overall. Or whether they might consider moving back into the first-round — for the right price and right guy.

What they will do is study, game plan and likely land a quarterback with one of their seven picks.

“I think it is a good group and it has good depth at all levels," Ballard said during the league's annual scouting combine in February. “We all know that position usually gets pushed up, but I’ve talked about this before, you’ve got to be true to your evaluation. I think more mistakes are made when you push that position up."

TOP TARGETS

If the Colts don't take a quarterback in the first two rounds, it may be because they're trying to improve the receiving corps.

Yes, Reich and Ballard still like T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle. Yes, they appreciate Zach Pascal's steady progression. And, yes, they expect Parris Campbell and Daurice Fountain to come back strong after injuries.

But the departures of tight end Eric Ebron and receiver Devin Funchess in free agency leave some holes. Plus, Hilton has struggled with injuries each of the past two seasons, turns 32 in August, and like the three quarterbacks is entering the final year of his contract.

GRADING THE DEFENSE

Ballard prefers building through the draft but already has made some splashy moves this offseason.

In addition to signing Rivers, an eight-time Pro Bowler, he acquired star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from the 49ers for the 13th overall selection next week and quickly signed Buckner to a lucrative contract extension. Then he added defensive tackle Sheldon Day, an Indy native who played with Buckner in San Francisco, and cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes and T.J. Carrie.

What do those moves mean for the draft?

Ballard now has the ability to go as heavy on offense as he did last year the other way, when he used seven of 10 picks on defensive players.

FULL HOUSE

Reich made no secret of his desire to stick with the ground game last season. Apparently that's not changing.

Last weekend, the Colts made another uncharacteristic move by signing free agent fullback Roosevelt Nix. Indy, like many teams, had opted not to carry a fullback on the roster. But now, it seems, the Colts have a plan for Nix.

“We’ve got a couple things going, a couple things we can work, train and practice at," he said Monday. “We are going to keep it all under wraps right now, but for the most part just doing my job. Whatever they call upon me to do I will give it my best bet and we will see what happens.”

NO DECISION YET

Perhaps the biggest lingering question for the Colts is whether they will re-sign placekicker Adam Vinatieri, the NFL's career scoring leader.

Vinatieri, a free agent, has been recovering from season-ending surgery on his plant leg and has not yet signed with any team.

-- By Michael Marot, AP

34. INDIANAPOLIS (7-9)

LAST SEASON: After fast start following Andrew Luck's surprise August retirement, quarterback Jacoby Brissett injured left knee and Colts lost seven of last nine, missing playoffs for fourth time in five years.

FREE AGENCY: Lost TE Eric Ebron, WR Devin Funchess, OL Joe Haeg, OL Josh Andrews. Didn't re-sign S Clayton Geathers, DE Jabaal Sheard, K Adam Vinatieri, WR Chester Rogers, WR Dontrelle Inman. Released CB Pierre Desir. Acquired DT DeForest Buckner in trade. Signed QB Philip Rivers, CB Xavier Rhodes, DT Sheldon Day, CB T.J. Carrie. Re-signed LT Anthony Castonzo and OL Le'Raven Clark.

THEY NEED: WR, QB, TE, S.

THEY DON’T NEED: RB, CB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Clemson WR Tee Higgins, Southern California WR Michael Pittman Jr., Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet.

OUTLOOK: Colts significantly upgraded defensive line — and eliminated major need — with addition of Buckner, but traded No. 13 overall pick to get him. GM Chris Ballard still has seven picks, including two second-rounders (Nos. 34 and 44), which could be used to upgrade receiving corps or perhaps find long-term successor for Luck. Ballard may not be done dealing, either.

JACKSONVILLE: Jaguars turn to NFL draft to rebuild once-stout defense

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville’s once-stout defense, which carried the franchise to the brink of the Super Bowl in 2018, is a shell of itself these days.

The Jaguars traded Calais Campbell, A.J. Bouye, Jalen Ramsey and Dante Fowler. They cut Marcell Dareus, Tashaun Gipson and Malik Jackson. They lost Telvin Smith and Paul Posluszny to retirement.

They could be without disgruntled pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue next.

Rebuilding the unit is a must in the upcoming NFL draft. The Jaguars have 12 picks, including seven in the first four rounds, and no one would be surprised to see general manager Dave Caldwell and coach Doug Marrone use both first-round selections (Nos. 9 and 20) on defenders.

“It’s huge,” Caldwell said via Zoom on Thursday. “This is the most draft capital we’ve had here and we need to hit on all 12, and that’s our philosophy. Our thought process is that we want to make every one of them count.”

Jacksonville created most of its defensive holes, some in hopes of improving a fractured locker room and others with the belief that it’s better to get rid of aging and expensive veterans a year too early than a year too late.

The Jags declined an option in Dareus’ contract, letting the team’s best run-stopper go. Then they traded Bouye to Denver, parting ways with a 2018 Pro Bowl starter, and dealt five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Campbell to Baltimore.

Those moves created $45 million in salary cap space. They also added to a defensive void that started with the release of Gipson and Jackson in 2019, grew bigger when Smith abruptly stepped away from football last May and became untenable when Ramsey forced a trade in October following exchanges with Marrone, Caldwell and former executive Tom Coughlin.

Caldwell signed five defenders in free agency, but three of those are considered stop-gap guys in case the draft doesn’t go as planned. He added middle linebacker Joe Schobert and defensive tackle Rodney Gunter to long-term deals and brought in nose tackle Al Woods, cornerback Rashaan Melvin and pass-rusher Cassius Marsh on one-year contracts.

Jacksonville tried to land cornerback Darqueze Dennard, agreeing to terms on a three-year deal worth $13.5 million, but he failed his physical. Losing Dennard left Jacksonville with a starting duo comprised of journeyman Melvin and third-year pro Tre Herndon.

Cornerback and defensive line are clearly Jacksonville’s most pressing needs heading into the draft. Long-term solutions at both spots could be found during the seven-round draft that begins April 23.

Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown and South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw are considered viable options at No. 9. LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton and Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs should be there at No. 20.

Having a dozen selections gives Jacksonville the ability to move around and target certain guys.

“It gives you a lot of flexibility,” Caldwell said.

Here are some other things to know about Jacksonville as it prepares to select in the top 10 for the 12th time in the past 13 years:

NGAKOUE UPDATE

The Jaguars don’t appear to be close to trading Ngakoue, who has made it clear he wants out of Jacksonville. There have been rumors about him landing in Philadelphia or Seattle, but Jacksonville has no plans to let him go for less than a first-round draft pick. He has not signed his franchise tender.

MINSHEW MANIA

Numerous mock drafts have Jacksonville taking a quarterback at No. 9 even though Caldwell traded Nick Foles to Chicago and took on $18.75 million in 2020 dead money — signs that the team is moving on with Gardner Minshew. Marrone did little to put those rumors to rest Thursday.

“Right now, if we went to play, Gardner Minshew is our guy, and I’m excited about that," Marrone said. “But do I want competition for him? Absolutely. You want competition for everyone, though.”

SEC STREAK

The Jaguars have used their first two draft picks in each of the past three years on players from the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. It's a turnabout from the previous regime, which between 2009 and 2012 used 16 of its 26 picks on guys from non-Power Five college programs while not drafting a single SEC player.

-- By Mark Long, AP

9, 20. JACKSONVILLE (6-10)

LAST SEASON: Another debacle for franchise that has one winning season (2017) in last 12 years. Lost QB Nick Foles on opening drive, thrusting rookie Gardner Minshew into starting role. Were forced to trade disgruntled CB Jalen Ramsey. Lost five consecutive games in lopsided fashion after being in contention in AFC South at midway point. Fired top executive Tom Coughlin in December after NFLPA torpedoed reputation. Kept coach Doug Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell despite back-to-back losing seasons.

FREE AGENCY: Traded CB A.J. Bouye, DE Calais Campbell and QB Nick Foles to stockpile draft picks for rebuild. Signed LB Joe Schobert, DL Rodney Gunter, LB/DE Cassius Marsh, DT Al Woods and CB Rashaan Melvin. Marsh, Woods and Melvin got one-year deals. Also brought back G/C Tyler Shatley and DT Carl Davis. Agreed to terms with Cincinnati CB Darqueze Dennard, but the deal fell apart nine days later.

THEY NEED: DT, CB, LT, DE, WR, S, RB, LB, TE.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB, C, PK, P.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Auburn DT Derrick Brown, South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw, Georgia LT Andrew Thomas, Louisville LT Mekhi Becton, Iowa LT Tristan Wirfs.

OUTLOOK: Jaguars have 12 picks, including seven in first four rounds, and huge defensive holes to fill. Need to replace four starters: Campbell, Ramsey, Bouye and DT Marcell Dareus. Franchise-tagged DE Yannick Ngakoue also wants out. Jacksonville could be active movers because it has enough capital to go get guys they covet. Expect team to address lines of scrimmage in first round and add CB and WR later; Jags are considered deeper at those positions.