2024 NFL Draft- AFC South Grades

All 257 picks have been made in the NFL Draft. Who won? Who lost? Draft Nation is here to let you know who stretched too far for a player and who found a diamond in the rough.

Today we review the AFC South:

Houston Texans

Round 2 (42) CB- Kamari Lassiter, Georgia

The Texans add to a secondary that is being rebuilt. They signed Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson and now add Lassiter who can step in the nickel package. 

Round 2 (59) T- Blake Fisher, Notre Dame

Blake Fisher is a sturdy and reliable right tackle who will be given ample opportunity to start over Charlie Heck.

Round 3 (78) S- Calen Bullock, USC

Bullock is an exciting prospect but has some bust potential. He comes to a good situation in Houston and can sit behind Jalen Pitre and Jimmy Ward for a season or two.

Round 4 (123) TE- Cade Stover, Ohio State

Houston makes a strong pick with Cade Stover who should team with Dalton Schultz to make a nice 1-2 punch at tight end. 

Round 6 (188) LB- Jamal Hill, Oregon

Jamal Hill adds some depth to the linebacking corp and has the makeup of someone who can produce on special teams coverage.

Round 6 (205) RB- Jawhar Jordan, Louisville

Jordan is undersized and did not produce the kind of testing numbers to get you excited. He will need to show the Texans he can be another option after Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce.

Round 7 (238) DE-Solomon Byrd, USC

Solomon Byrd is a high ceiling prospect who couldn’t seem to take that next step at USC. He can learn from Will Anderson, Jr. and Danielle Hunter without being pressed early on. 

Round 7 (247) DT- Marcus Harris, Auburn

Marcus Harris excels at stopping the run and this is an excellent value pick at #247. He could play a part in a rotation on early downs for the Texans.

Round 7 (249) G-LaDarius Henderson, Michigan

Henderson was the weak link on the Michigan offensive line and really struggled down the stretch. He could be a nice practice squad project.

Final Grade- (B-)

The Texans were able to fill some needs without a first round pick. Lassiter and Stover should be a productive part of the Texans in 2024. The picks of Byrd and Harris in the 7th round were very strong.

Indianapolis Colts

Round 1 (15) DE- Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Laiatu Latu was the first defensive player off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. and was most productive pass rusher over the past two seasons in college football. If not for medical red flags, he would have been considered a top-10 prospect.

Round 2 (52) WR- Adonai Mitchell, Texas

The Colts get a steal at #52. Mitchell was a late first round talent in some mocks and he will step right into the starting lineup across from Michael Pittman. He has strong hands and is an instant weapon in the red zone with his size.

Round 3 (79) T- Matt Goncalves, Pitt

Matt Goncalves may not be as sexy a pick as the other top tackles, but his versatility is what the Colts value. He can be a “swingman” and add depth at right and left tackle before starting down the road. 

Round 4 (117) C- Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin

This pick has a chance to be a steal for Indianapolis. Bortolini only allowed 1 sack in 2023 and was a name heard a little more in draft circles when talking about centers. He has a chance to be the long term answer at center for the Colts.

Round 5 (142) WR- Anthony Gould, Oregon State

Another pick later in the draft who could be a part of the offense. Gould is only 5’8” but has top notch speed to take the top off of defenses. His 4.39 time in the 40 will be a welcome addition to the Colts pass offense. 

Round 5 (151) LB- Jaylon Carlies, Missouri

Jaylon Carlies struggled with his tackling but was excellent in coverage while at Missouri. He could grow into a quality situational linebacker on passing downs.

Round 5 (164) DB- Jaylin Simpson, Auburn

Jaylin Simpson adds versatility to the backend of the Colts secondary. He started his college career as a cornerback before moving to safety. He may need a year or two to add some weight and muscle but has upside.

Round 6 (201) DB- Micah Abraham, Marshall

Micah Abraham has plenty of experience, logging over 3,000 defensive snaps at Marshall. He was productive but many question how he will translate over to the NFL. His 5’10” 185 lbs frame may not be NFL ready.

Round 7 (234) DT- Jonah Laulu, Oklahoma

Laulu transferred from Hawaii and more than held his own at Oklahoma. He does not offer much in the way of a pass rush and may struggle to crack the 53-man.

Final Grade (B+)

The Colts got some great value with Adonai Mitchell and Anthony Gould while pulling in the best pass rusher in the class with Latu. Overall, Indy helped build the offense around young signal caller Anthony Richardson which will help him develop.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Round 1 (23) WR-Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

The Jaguars add a top notch weapon to help Trevor Lawrence and the offense. Brian Thomas was one of Draft Nation’s favorite receivers coming out and his speed and ability to win one-on-one battles will make him a WR1 sooner than later. 

Round 2 (48) DT- Maason Smith, LSU

The Jaguars may have reached a bit for Smith this early in the draft. However, this is a need and Smith has a high ceiling at defensive tackle. He has trouble with footwork but is physically gifted.

Round 3 (96) CB- Jarrian Jones, Florida State

Jarrian Jones is an effective slot defender who has the ability to have success in a nickel package like Mike Hilton has done in his career.

Round 4 (114) OL- Javon Foster, Missouri

Foster has played right and left tackle and some see as a possible guard in the future. His versatility will help Jacksonville’s depth on the offensive line and give him time to learn the guard position.

Round 4 (116) NT- Jordan Jefferson, LSU

This is Jacksonville’s 3rd LSU player, and 2nd LSU interior defensive lineman. They reached for Smith in the second round but got a solid value pick here in the 4th. Jefferson is one of the strongest players in this class and his ceiling is as high as any other pick in the 4th round. 

Round 5 (153) DB- Deantre Prince, Ole Miss

Deantre Prince is a versatile cornerback who can line up either out wide or in the slot. He was effective at Ole Miss in stopping the run. He will play as a reserve in year one and is another great value pick.

Round 5 (167) RB- Keilan Robinson, Texas

Jacksonville more than likely selected Robinson for his kick returning ability. He was underwhelming at Texas in the ground game, but averaged 23.5 per kick return. Robinson will have to showcase his return ability to make the squad in 2024.

Round 6 (212) K- Cam Little, Arkansas

Cam Little was the 3rd kicker off the board and he was brought in to compete against veteran Joey Slye for the kicking job. Little was 7-11 from 50 or more in his career at Arkansas.

Round 7 (236) DE- Myles Cole, Texas Tech

Myles Cole has a high motor and has been productive at Texas Tech. He is still on the raw side but has definite upside for a 7th round pick.

Final Grade (C+)

The Jaguars did a nice job moving back in round one and still landing Brian Thomas. Their draft beyond Thomas was a mixed bag of value picks and reaches.

Tennessee Titans

Round 1 (7) T- J.C. Latham, Alabama

The Titans had a glaring need at tackle and with Joe Alt off the board, they went with J.C. Latham. Latham is a mammoth tackle who will be counted on from day one to protect the blind side of Tennessee’s young quarterback Will Levis. Adding Latham to the offensive line will make a huge difference in how the Titan’s offense will look in 2024.

Round 2 (38) DT- T’Vondre Sweat, Texas

The Titans keep their strong draft going by selecting another huge individual in T’Vondre Sweat. He will step right in and be a starter at nose tackle and will be a handful for interior offensive lineman to contain. He is able to stop the run and puts ample pressure on the quarterback, especially for a 362 lb. man.

Round 4 (106) LB- Cedric Gray, North Carolina

Tennessee adds another player to a position of great need. Cedric Gray is a tackling machine who is great value at this point in the draft. Should become a future starter in the middle for the Titans.

Round 5 (146) DB- Jarvis Brownlee, Jr., Louisville

Brownlee is an aggressive player who excelled at stopping the run at Louisville. He can line up as a cornerback but will most likely see the field sooner as a nickelback. This is another excellent pick by the Titans brass.

Round 6 (182) WR- Jha’Quan Jackson, Tulane

Jha’Quan Jackson is a speedy receiver who didn’t produce big numbers at Tulane. His speed could be a weapon as a 4th or 5th receiver. He returned 2 punts for touchdowns in his Green Wave’s career, which may be his best chance to stick in Tennessee.

Round 7 (242) LB- James Williams, Miami, Fla

This is an excellent lottery pick in the 7th round. Williams was a top safety early in his career but a position change to linebacker has slowed his progress. He needs a year or two to develop and learn and has the skills to be productive on special teams in the meantime.

Round 7 (252) LB- Jaylen Harrell, Michigan

Jaylen Harrell is a big-time value pick at #252. He had a solid Senior Bowl week and was productive at Michigan last season. Harrell can be out of position from time to time but has the ability and potential to play in the NFL.

Final Grade (A-)

Tennessee had a phenomenal draft. There is not a pick on this board that is a reach or does not make sense. Williams and Harrell on the backend could potentially make this draft class elite.