Round 1 of the 2010 NFL draft is in the books. The Titans took Derrick Morgan with the 16th overall pick, but I thought I'd also share my thoughts on the 1st round picks of the Titans' 2010 opponents, starting with the divisional foes.
Jacksonville Jaguars, Cal DT Tyson Alualu, 10th overall: Probably the biggest surprise pick of the night, as Alualu was considered at highest a borderline 1st/2nd round pick and a tweener between the 3-4 he played in in college and the 4-3 the Jaguars have (sensibly) returned to as their base defense. He'll probably be the penetrating under tackle role, akin to what Jason Jones was doing this year before he got hurt. If Alualu works out as expected, the Titans interior offensive linemen will have their hands full over the next half decade or more dealing with him and massive run stopper Terrance Knighton, who had a fine rookie season. This pick also makes DT mainstay John Henderson pretty expendable, and he could be dealt as soon as tomorrow during the 2nd or 3rd round.
Houston Texans, Alabama CB Kareem Jackson, 20th overall: Another mini-surprise pick, as the Texans bypassed Kyle Wilson and Devin McCourty to take Jackson. It fit a clear need, as the Texans were thin at corner after losing Dunta Robinson and Glover Quin's future may be instead at free safety. Jackson's considered excellent in press coverage and very good in zone coverage, so he sounds more like a cover-2-type corner. He ran well at the combine, but that apparently didn't match the tape and he's considered more quick than fast. I'd guess Houston may be playing more zone this year.
Indianapolis Colts, TCU DE Jerry Hughes, 31st overall: The Colts replace the DE depth they lost when Raheem Brock left as a free agent. Like Alualu, Hughes was considered a 3-4 OLB/4-3 DE tweener, but the Colts are a team that won't care about his lack of size as neither Freeney nor Mathis is very big. With Brock gone and Freeney and Mathis getting older and injured this past season, Hughes definitely fits a need and with great initial quickness and lack of size fits right in. For more, see the prospect profile Andrew did.