Grading the 2008 NFL Draft: AFC South

This is the sixth in my eight part series that re-grades the 2008 NFL Draft. For previous versions, see below.
AFC West, NFC West, NFC South, NFC North, NFC East

Houston Texans
1(26)   - OT Duane Brown, Virginia Tech
3(79)   - CB Antwaun Molden, Eastern Kentucky
3(89)   - RB Steve Slaton, West Virginia
4(118) - LB Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech
5(151) - DT Frank Okam, Texas
6(173) - S Dominique Barber, Minnesota
7(223) - QB Alex Brink, Washington State
Thoughts: Brown emerged as a Pro Bowl level player this season for the playoff bound Texans (and probably should have replaced D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who had a sub-standard year). Molden was never able to crack the starting lineup in Houston, but got two starts and two interceptions for New England this past year. After a breakout rookie season (1,282 yards rushing, 9 TD), fumbling issues and the emergence of Arian Foster made him expendable, as he was waived mid-season, winding up as a reserve for Miami. Like Molden, Adibi was largely a reserve linebacker, recording 8 starts and 63 tackles with his three years in Houston, spending the 2011 season as a reserve for the Vikings. Okam has recorded 33 tackles and no sacks in his career while fighting to keep his weight (listed at 350 pounds) under control. Barber has spent his entire four year career as a reserve, while Alex Brink spent one season on the Houston practice squad, and most recently played in the CFL. Other than Brown (and to a lesser extent Slaton), this particular draft didn't produce much in the way of significant contributors.
Grade: C


Indianapolis Colts
2(59)   - C Mike Pollak, Arizona State
3(93)   - LB Philip Wheeler, Georgia Tech
4(127) - TE Jacob Tamme, Kentucky
5(161) - DE Marcus Howard, Georgia
6(196) - TE Tom Santi, Virginia
6(201) - C Steve Justice, Wake Forest
6(202) - RB Mike Hart, Michigan
6(205) - WR Pierre Garcon, Mount Union
7(236) - C Jamey Richard, Buffalo
Thoughts: Pollak slid to guard his rookie season, and has started 41 of 58 games played, though his play has not been consistent with a second round pick. While Wheeler has been largely a reserve, he's a solid tackler when given ample playing time. Tamme (like most of the team) struggled without Peyton Manning throwing to him, as he recorded just 177 yards in 16 games this season (9 starts). Howard recorded 14 tackles and 1.5 sacks in his one season with the Colts. Santi appeared in nine games over two seasons (171 yards, 1 TD). Justice spent one season with Indy (8 games, 1 start) and has spent the past three seasons in the UFL. Hart spent three seasons bouncing between the active roster and practice squad, recording 264 yards and 2 TD in his three year career. Garcon has been the gem of this group, as he was the Colts beest receiver this past season, recording just under 1,000 yards despite the absence of Peyton Manning. Richard has been largely a backup to Jeff Saturday at center, but has been solid in a reserve role. Garcon, Pollak and Wheeler help prevent their grade from being worse.
Grade: C+

Jacksonville Jaguars
1(8)     - DE Derrick Harvey, Florida
2(52)   - DE Quentin Groves, Auburn
5(155) - LB Thomas Williams, Southern California
5(159) - CB Trae Williams, South Florida
7(213) - RB Chauncey Washington, Southern California
Thoughts: Harvey was a disappointment in Jacksonville (8 sacks in three seasons), and spent last year as a reserve with Denver. Groves also struggled with the Jaguars (2.5 sacks in two seasons), and has spent the last two seasons as a reserve outside linebacker for the Raiders. Thomas Williams has bounced around the league as a reserve and special teams player, while Trae Williams has been on three teams' practice squads (Eagles, Seahawks, Bills) over the past four years. Washington has been on the Cowboys' practice squad several times over the past four seasons. Not a single impact player from this draft, as both of their first two round picks have been huge disappointments.
Grade: F

Tennessee Titans
1(24)   - RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina
2(54)   - DT Jason Jones, Eastern Michigan
3(85)   - TE Craig Stevens, California
4(103) - DE William Hayes, Winston-Salem State
4(126) - WR Lavelle Hawkins, California
4(134) - LB Stanford Keglar, Purdue
7(229) - CB Cary Williams, Washburn
Thoughts: Chris Johnson has been a standout for the past three seasons, including rushing for over 2,000 yards and breaking Marshall Faulk's yards from scrimmage record in the process. Jones has started 28 games the past two seasons, and has 15.5 career sacks as he transitioned to defensive end. Stevens has been a solid starter in Tennessee as largely a blocking tight end, while former Cal teammate Hawkins proved himself to be a solid depth receiver this past season (47 catches, 470 yards). Hayes (like Jones) transitioned to defensive end, and has been a solid reserve, totaling 8.0 sacks in his career. Keglar was a special teamer for both the Titans (2008-2009) and Texans (2010), but didn't play in the league in 2011. After two quiet seasons as a reserve with Tennessee, Williiams has been with the Ravens since mid-2009, and actually started all sixteen games this past season. Good to stellar production out of their first five picks gives them a very solid grade.
Grade: A-