Houston Texans

Team Needs: LB, DE, RB, CB, S

’09 Selections:

1st – LB Brian Cushing
2nd – DE Connor Barwin
3rd – OC Antoine Caldwell
4th – S Glover Quin, TE Anthony Hill
5th – TE James Casey
6th – CB Brice McCain
7th – S Troy Nolan

Analysis: The Texans did a nice job of staying consistent throughout the entire draft and not reaching too far to grab a player they like earlier than he would have been picked. Getting Cushing and Barwin on day one was a coup I think, as they’ll both be dominant players right from the start this fall. I would have liked to have seen a CB or Safety here, but I can’t complain all that much.

Their best pick on day two was Casey even though they already have a great tight end in Owen Daniels. Having two good players never hurts though, so I think that overall, Houston did well to address it needs across the board.

Final Grade: B+

Indianapolis Colts

Team Needs: DT, WR, OG, RB, CB

’09 Selections:

1st – RB Donald Brown
2nd – DE Fili Moala
3rd – CB Jerraud Powers
4th – WR Austin Collie, DT Terrance Taylor
6th – QB Curtis Painter
7th – PK Patrick McAfee, OG Jaimie Thomas

Analysis: The Colts did a good job of picking players that will help them stick around the AFC as one of the top level teams, and addressed several key needs in the process. I like Brown and what he can do at RB, but taking him in the first round when Indy’s real need is on their D-line frustrated me a bit. That being said, they did well to get Moala in the second so it’s really a wash when you look at it now.

Day two brought one of the best receivers still on the board in Collie, who will contribute immediately in the Colts high powered offense. Painter is nothing more than a clipboard holder, but depth is always good, so I can’t fault the pick. Overall, it’s a nice bit of work but it could have been better if they had taken a DT earlier than round two.

Final Grade: B-

Jacksonville Jaguars

Team Needs: WR, OT, RB, DE, DT

’09 Selections:

1st – OT Eugene Monroe
2nd – OT Eben Britton
3rd – DT Terrance Knighton, CB Derek Cox
4th – WR Mike Thomas
5th – WR Jarrett Dillard
6th – TE Zach Miller
7th – RB Rashad Jennings, WR Tiquan Underwood

Analysis: The Jags had a need for an offensive tackle headed into this draft, although I’m surprised it was bad enough that they would need to draft two on the first day. That being said, they got two of the best, so I can’t fault them too much for those moves. Having too many good tackles is never a bad thing.

Jacksonville had an outstanding day two, snatching up WRs in Thomas, Dillard, and Underwood that should be able to contribute right away, and they somehow found one of my favorite players in Jennings still on the board in the 7th. Those three picks solidified an otherwise ho-hum class, and that should help them be much improved offensively next season.

Final Grade: B+

Tennessee Titans

Team Needs: WR, DT, QB, CB, DE

’09 Selections:

1st – WR Kenny Britt
2nd – DT Sen’Derrick Marks
3rd – TE Jared Cook, CB Ryan Mouton
4th – ILB Gerald McRath, OT Troy Kropog
5th – RB Javon Ringer
6th – CB Jason McCourty, WR Dominique Edison
7th – OG Ryan Durand, S Nicholas Schommer

Analysis: Everytime I turned around the Titans were picking up a highly touted player, and while that doesn’t always translate into success on the field, it can’t hurt to bring in as much talent as possible. They finally took at receiver at the top of their draft and Britt should be a starter from day one.

The 4th round was where they buttered the bread so to speak, with picks of McRath and Kropog solidifying their LB corps and O-line respectively. Getting Ringer in the 5th was another solid move, as LenDale White is still inconsistent from week to week. Overall, this is as solid of a class as you can get, so the Titans take home the top grade in this group.

Final Grade: A

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