AFC South Draft Review

Houston Texans: It’s win or else for coach Gary Kubiak in 2009, and so it made perfect sense for the Texans to target with the first two picks guys like linebacker Brian Cushing and defensive end Connor Barwin, who can make an impact right away. Adding a trio of defensive backs makes sense, as long as one of them can at least carry Dunta Robinson’s jock. But now the pressure to win really is on. If the Texans don’t get to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, Kubiak (and possibly G.M. Rick Smith) will be gone. Indianapolis Colts: It might have made more sense to target defensive tackle Ziggy Hood with the 27th overall pick instead of running back Donald Brown. Though Brown might be a solid player, the Colts had greater needs at defensive tackle. They came back later in round two, targeting Fili Moala and then in round four, taking Terrance Taylor. Drafted to be a punter, Pat McAfee arguably is a better kicker. And there’s an outside chance that he’ll end up getting a shot to perform both roles after Adam Vinatieri calls it quits. Jacksonville Jaguars: Last year, the Jags loaded up in the first two rounds on defensive ends. This year, they did it with tackles. So now they have Tony Pashos and Tra Thomas to go with newcomers Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. Hopefully for the Jags, the back-to-back wideouts they took in rounds four and five (and the one they added in round seven) will do a better job of catching the ball than higher profile draft picks from past year. It might have been wise to target a developmental quarterback. But if the Jags don’t turn things around soon, coach Jack Del Rio won’t be there to develop even a case of the swine flu. Tennessee Titans: With eleven draft picks, the Titans addressed three key needs with three of their first four picks -- receiver (Kenny Britt), defensive tackle (Sen’Derrick Marks), defensive back (Ryan Mouton). The decision to take tight end Jared Cook in round three was a strike of genius insofar as it scared tight end Bo Scaife into signing his franchise tender. And they also did their perfunctory selection of a running back -- Javon Ringer. If he develops, he might be the long-term answer to LenDale White.