With the NFL Draft completed, we continue our division-by-division breakdown, looking at how each team performed, with grades and a quick look ahead.
The AFC South did not produce many headline-grabbing moments. Outside of Tennessee picking near the top, no team selected within the top 20, and both Indianapolis and Jacksonville were without first-round picks due to prior trades.
Still, this class offered nice depth across all three days, and several teams found value beyond the first round. Even so, the gap between the top and bottom classes in this division is fairly clear.
Here’s how the AFC South stacks up.
Tennessee Titans
Round 1 (No. 4): WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Round 1 (No. 31): EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Round 2 (No. 60): LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Round 5 (No. 142): OG Fernando Carmona, Arkansas
Round 5 (No. 165): RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Round 6 (No. 184): DT Jackie Marshall, Baylor
Round 6 (No. 194): C Pat Coogan, Indiana
Round 7 (No. 225): TE Jaren Kanak, Oklahoma
Few expected Tennessee to go wide receiver at No. 4, but Carnell Tate is worth the swing. He is one of the most efficient and fluid route runners in the class, and his elite hands allow him to win out of the slot and in open space. He is just as effective outside, using his 6-foot-2 frame to body defenders on boundary throws. Tate is the kind of big-play target Cam Ward needs.
The next two picks look to help an ailing defense. Keldric Faulk was one of the most polarizing edge prospects in this class. He is a massive, powerful run defender, but his lack of bend and burst limits his pass rush upside. He will have time to develop, which is key. As for Anthony Hill Jr., he projects as the centerpiece of the defense. He has the range to impact both the run and pass and should take on a leadership role as the green dot play-caller.
Tennessee used the later rounds to add depth across the roster. Fernando Carmona is a quality interior option who could push for snaps early, while Nicholas Singleton adds a well-rounded presence to the backfield. In a vacuum, this class addresses most of the team’s needs. However, several picks lean more on projection than production, and passing on higher-end talent in a few spots keeps this from grading higher.
Grade: B+
Indianapolis Colts
Round 2 (No. 53): LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Round 3 (No. 78): S A.J. Haulcy, LSU
Round 4 (No. 113): OG Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
Round 4 (No. 135): LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
Round 5 (No. 156): EDGE George Gumbs Jr., Florida
Round 6 (No. 214): EDGE Caden Curry, Ohio State
Round 7 (No. 237): RB Seth McGowan, Kentucky
Round 7 (No. 254): WR Deion Burks, Oklahoma
Indianapolis traded its 2026 first-round pick to the Jets in the Sauce Gardner deal, leaving it short on premium draft capital. Even so, the Colts benefited from CJ Allen’s slide. He projects as the starting middle linebacker, bringing elite closing speed and excellent instincts. Coverage remains a concern, but his ability to play sideline to sideline should make an immediate impact.
A.J. Haulcy is another player who could step into a starting role right away. Slotted in as the likely strong safety, he is a true ballhawk with eight interceptions over the past two seasons and will bring needed playmaking presence to the secondary.
The middle portion of the draft brought in some decent pieces that could pay off. Jalen Farmer, Bryce Boettcher, George Gumbs Jr., and Caden Curry should all compete for rotational snaps, even if they are unlikely to lock down starting roles. The late-round skill additions offer a bit more upside. Yes, the Colts still have Jonathan Taylor and Seth McGowan won’t threaten for significant playing time, but he will provide value in spots, while Deion Burks has the speed to carve out a situational role.
The floor of this class is relatively high, but the overall ceiling is more limited, with several picks projecting more as contributors than difference-makers.
Grade: B-
Houston Texans
Round 1 (No. 26): OG Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
Round 2 (No. 36): DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Round 2 (No. 59): TE Marlin Klein, Michigan
Round 4 (No. 106): OG Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma
Round 4 (No. 123): LB Wade Woodaz, Clemson
Round 5 (No. 141): S Kamari Ramsey, USC
Round 6 (No. 204): WR Lewis Bond, Boston College
Round 7 (No. 243): LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana
Houston heavily emphasized the trenches on Day 1 and Day 2. Many viewed Keylan Rutledge as a Day 2 guard, but taking him at No. 26 is defensible. He can play all three interior offensive line spots and is a physical run blocker who can climb to the second level. Pass protection is the concern, particularly against speed, where he can struggle to sustain blocks.
Their best pick came in the second round with Kayden McDonald. The second-best defensive tackle in the class, he brings a balanced mix of run defense and pass rush in a 6-foot-3, 326-pound frame. Houston’s defense is built around speed on the edge and at linebacker, so adding a player who can absorb double teams should help the unit operate more effectively.
The only other notable additions are Marlin Klein and Febechi Nwaiwu. Klein projects as the No. 2 tight end and should see snaps behind Dalton Schultz. Nwaiwu adds needed depth along the offensive line, and while he lacks high-end athleticism, his versatility and experience stand out, with starts at four positions in college. The rest of their picks were average at best.
It is a steady class that reinforces key areas, but overall impact remains modest.
Grade: C+
Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 2 (No. 56): TE Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M
Round 3 (No. 81): DT Albert Regis, Texas A&M
Round 3 (No. 88): OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Round 3 (No. 100): S Jalen Huskey, Maryland
Round 4 (No. 119): LB Wesley Williams, Duke
Round 5 (No. 164): TE Tanner Koziol, Houston
Round 6 (No. 191): WR Josh Cameron, Baylor
Round 6 (No. 203): WR CJ Williams, Stanford
Round 7 (No. 233): EDGE Zach Durfee, Washington
Round 7 (No. 240): LB Parker Hughes, Middle Tennessee
Jacksonville was also without its 2026 first-round pick, but unlike Indianapolis, the Jags did not benefit from any premium talent sliding. Nate Boerkircher is a scheme-specific selection that could thrive within Liam Coen’s system. He is a blocker-first tight end who should help power multi-tight end run sets, but he offers limited upside as a receiver and likely would have been available later.
The strongest additions came in the trenches. Albert Regis is not a high-end pass rusher, but he provides a steady presence against the run and fills a clear need on the defensive line. Emmanuel Pregnon will most likely go down as their best pick of this cycle. A 51-game starter across three programs, he consistently displaces defenders in the run game. His range and first-contact quickness will need to improve, but his experience gives him a solid foundation.
Only one other selection stands out. Tanner Koziol adds size as a pass catcher, though his vertical upside is limited. Josh Cameron and CJ Williams could compete for snaps depending on how the receiver rotation develops, particularly if Travis Hunter remains focused on defense.
Without a first-round pick, the margin for error was smaller, and Jacksonville whiffed. There are a few useful pieces here, but very little to get excited about.
Grade: D
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
AFC West
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
NFC West
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