Draft preview: AFC South
published: April 23 2009 04:34 PM updated:: April 23 2009 05:05 PM

For some teams, Draft Day 2009 is a chance to fill in holes or replace parts in a unit that already contains the formula for success. For others, that day is a chance to find new, young talent that will help rebuild their team from the ground up. Here's a look, in my opinion, of how the teams of the AFC South can best utilize this draft:

Jacksonville Jaguars: Nothing seemed to go right for Jacksonville in 2008, resulting in the eighth-overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. One of the problems was a complete lack of targets for David Gerrard to look to, which crippled their offense. The Jags are desperate for a wide receiver at this point. Matt Jones, a former first-round pick, has been released, more because off-the-field issues than anything else and Dennis Northcutt won't be returning, leaving the Jaguars' receiving corps empty. If Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree falls far enough, expect Jacksonville to take him without hesitation.

Houston Texans: Normally the perennial cellar-dwellers of this division, the Texans managed to take a step up in 2008 and will look to continue their so-so success in 2009. Houston's biggest need at this point is to fill out the few remaining holes in its defense. They need a solid cornerback who can play opposite Dunta Robinson to help cover the entire field. State's Malcolm Jenkins would be ideal, should he fall that far, but the Texans will realistically be looking at Illinois' Vontae Davis, who may be significantly less talented than Jenkins. Another alternative for the Texans would be drafting defensive tackle Peria Jerry from Mississippi to replace draft bust Travis Johnson.

Indianapolis Colts: The bad news is that the Colts released long-time Manning target, Marvin Harrison. The good news is, they lost Harrison for almost a full season to a knee injury, giving Manning plenty of time to develop a rapport with his remaining receivers. Unfortunately, after Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez, there is little talent to be found. The Colts will need to find a third receiver in this draft, or their offense could be in the same kind of trouble they were in early in 2008. Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey or North Carolina's Hakeem Nicks would be an ideal replacement, though the Colts may have to drop down to drafting Ohio State's Brian Robiskie.

Tennessee Titans: The Titans seemed to have all the pieces of a Super Bowl team going into the postseason last year, but they weren't quite able to make it that far. Albert Haynesworth's loss is almost irreplaceable, but the issue is not as urgent as it seems. Comparing the Titans' 2007 results when Haynesworth was out of the game to their 2008 results shows that the Titans have already made moves to fill this vacancy. The defensive line as a whole, however, along with their continuing wide receiver issues, needs to be addressed in this draft. The Titans will likely look to the free agency pool to find another quality receiver to line up with Justin Gage and Nate Washington. Expect them to look at a defensive end such as Georgia Tech's Michael Johnson to groom as a replacement for Jevon Kearse and Kyle Vanden Bosch.

 

Editor: Grant Ramey
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2008 AFC South Standings

Tennessee Titans - (13-3)

Indianapolis Colts - (12-4)

Houston Texans - (8-8)

Jacksonville Jaguars - (5-11)

2009 AFC South Draft Order

Jaguars - 8th Overall

Texans - 15th Overall

Colts - 27th Overall

Titans - 30th Overall

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