AFC South 2008 Draft Needs, Team by Team

Indianapolis Colts
Top needs: DT, DB, OL
Calling any of these positions areas of need might be a stretch. The Colts appear on paper to be one of the most complete teams in the league heading into draft day. Their biggest needs are depth on the lines and in the defensive backfield. Of course those depth needs are pretty big in some spots. But if you can go into the NFL draft saying your starting spots are all sewn up and you are trolling for backups or for guys that might become starters a year or two down the road you’re in pretty damn nice shape. Good luck in your new stadium, Tony Dungy.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Top needs: DE, WR, DT
The Jacksonville Jaguars could be the second or third best team in the AFC right now if David Garrard can repeat his success from a year ago. But there are some holes to fill, especially along the defensive line. Sometimes-stud tackle Marcus Stroud went to Buffalo and end Bobby McCray signed with New Orleans. John Henderson and Paul Spicer remain but the Jags need to fill those holes before the season starts. Jacksonville also still needs a game-breaking receiver. Matt Jones and Reggie Williams remain but they’ve been far from great. Ernest Wilford, a guy I thought should have played more on this team, left for Miami. Jerry Porter could help if he stops being a whiny bitch, but Troy Williamson is unlikely to be a long-term answer, despite being reunited with Mike Tice, who coached the fumble-fingered wideout when both were in Minnesota.

Tennessee Titans
Top needs: WR, DE, G
This team went 10-6 last season and made the playoffs despite having few weapons for supposed-franchise savior Vince Young. A deep threat is probably more of a need than another possession receiver, which the roster seems to be loaded with. Someone to go with new TE find Alge Crumpler would really help the young QB develop. Whether that need or the Titans’ dearth of defensive ends is the most pressing spot is a toss-up. Not that Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy are studs, but breaking news, it helps to have one or two ends on the team to field a complete defense. The Titans also lost guard Jacob Bell to St. Louis, so they’ll need to grab a couple linemen as well.

Houston Texans
Top needs: RB, DL, DB
Ahman Green and Darius Walker? Chris Brown? While one half of the Zoneblitz duo invested in some Walker rookie cards somewhere along the line, if those are the top three guys on your RB depth chart heading into 2008, it’s definitely a top need. The up-and-coming Texans are unlikely to make many strides offensively if they can’t keep QB Matt Schaub healthy and one way to do so would be to develop a running game that can at least tease a defense once in awhile. The Texans also need a DT and DE to team with Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye, two young, budding superstars. Finally, with Dunta Robinson nursing injuries that could go into the season and the defensive coming off a season in which it intercepted just 11 passes, this improving team is likely to work the D-backfield into play on draft day.