Instead of a traditional 2016 NFL mock draft, let’s look at the top three picks for each club as if the author was the GM for each team. Now: the AFC South. One last note before we begin: players can be picked more than once but only outside of the division. So, look at this as a mock draft in and of each division.
Indianapolis Colts
1. Shaq Lawson, DE/OLB Clemson
2. Germain Ifedi, OL Texas A&M
3. Kenyan Drake, RB Alabama
The Colts are at a crossroads. They loaded up with vets for a title run, but it’s blown up in their faces. Now they still have big holes and are legitimately questioning if Andrew Luck is the future.
All three of these prospects are projects. Lawson is the most pro ready one and should be a starter for them at OLB. Ifedi and Drake need time and to time the right role in their offense.
The Colts just have to admit that they haven’t been drafting well outside of Hilton and Luck. Whether they’re able to do that is a fair question. The odds are that they’ll blame Pagano for everything and think that firing him will fix their problems.
Houston Texans
1. Corey Coleman, WR Baylor
2. OJ Howard, TE Alabama.
3. Landon Turner, OL UNC
The Texans might have found themselves a QB in TJ Yates and Brian Hoyer. At least, they’ve found guys who can be functional at the position.
Coleman and Howard are all about maximizing what they can get from Yates/Hoyer. Coleman is a local guy who’s a good prospect to pair with Nuk Hopkins. Butt can contribute something as a receiver as well.
Turner is good value in round 3. He’s a polished guard who will remind you of last year’s 3rd rounder AJ Cann.
Jacksonville Jaguars
1. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB Florida
2. Tyler Matakevich, LB Temple
3. Le’Raven Clark, OL Texas Tech
The Jags have some talent, especially with the development of Blake Bortles. They do need some tweaking. Hargreaves finally starts the fix of their secondary.
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Especially with Dante Fowler returning from injury, their defense could become one of the best in the league suddenly if they could get prospects like Hargreaves and Matatkevich.
Clark is a project but one who knows how to pass block well. If you can teach him to run block and use leverage properly then you have a starter on your hands.
Tennessee Titans
1. Laremy Tunsil, OL Ole Miss
2. Spencer Drango, OL Baylor
3. Nick Martin, OL Notre Dame
Needless to say, I believe that the offensive line should be the top priority for the Titans this offseason. Lewan is a decent right tackle, but his attitude gets him into trouble on the field.
Tunsil allows him to move to the right side. Drango and Martin should start day 1 as well.
Martin is Zach Martin’s little brother and while he’s not seen as nearly as talented as his brother, he’s seen as a quality center prospect who could be a starter very quickly.