ESPN NFL

This year’s Irrelevant Week XXXVIII is tentatively set to kick off on June 18. It will honor the Indianapolis Colts’ Justice Cunningham, a tight end from South Carolina who was the 254th pick.

I’ve never really plugged into the fanfare of Mr. Irrelevant. It just seems goofy to me to spend a bunch of time celebrating the last pick in the draft, who’s typically a long shot to make his team.

Today, Doug Williams of ESPN Playbook changed my mind a bit by detailing the rationale for the whole deal: To treat the last as if he were first.

Mr. Irrelevant is treated like royalty, and basically gets what he wants.

Cunningham also is a new teammate with last year’s Mr. Irrelevant, Colts quarterback Chandler Harnish.

Writes Williams:

Because Cunningham has been to California only once -- without ever going near the water -- [Irrelevant Week CEO Melanie Salata] Fitch says he’ll get as much surfing, swimming and boating as he can handle.

“His favorite food is hot wings,” Fitch says. “Hot, hot wings. So he will be provided with several servings of them throughout the week.”

A late look at Todd McShay’s thinking on the best and most questionable draft pick of each team in the AFC South.

Houston Texans

Best: Safety D.J. Swearinger, 57th overall

Most questionable: Receiver DeAndre Hopkins, 27th overall:

My thoughts: McShay says that Hopkins “delivered against subpar competition in the ACC and a lot of his big gains came on broken plays.” I’m not going to downgrade him for other teams busting coverages. What I’ve seen and read suggests he’s got as good a chance as anyone available in this draft to help the Texans at the position right away.

Indianapolis Colts

Best: Center Khaled Holmes, 121st overall

Most questionable: Guard Hugh Thornton, 86th overall

My thoughts: I liked the Colts determination to continue addressing the offensive line. McShay sees Holmes competing with Samson Satele for the starting job but thinks Thornton went a round too early and that they could have found help at another need position. But I’m not seeing a corner taken around there who jumps out. Maybe Will Davis from Utah State who went to the Dolphins?

Jacksonville Jaguars

Best: Offensive tackle Luke Joeckel second overall

Questionable: Cornerback Dwayne Gratz, 64th overall

My thoughts: The more time I’ve had with it, the less objection I have to the Joeckel pick. They needed a sure thing more than they needed to fill a more notable or significant need. And they got one. I’ll revisit the Gratz question in an additional post soon.

Tennessee Titans

Best: Wide receiver Justin Hunter, 34th overall

Questionable pick: Zaviar Gooden, 97th overall

My thoughts: If the Titans had their board right, they got their top guard, their top receiver and their top center. Hunter is a big swing at a potentially dynamic player. I was a bit confused by Gooden, but as I pondered him, I gained a better feel for it.

The Titans' selection of Zaviar Gooden in the third round confused me a bit.

The Missouri linebacker was the fastest player in his position in the draft, but the Titans just drafted that guy last year in Zach Brown.

Given some time to consider the move, I can envision a smart way to use him if he’s ready to play on defense as a rookie.

Last year, linebacker injuries meant the Titans often used a nickel linebacker who wasn’t part of the base defense. I suspect they may go that direction in 2013 -- by choice.

Akeem Ayers may blitz plenty out of three-linebacker sets. But he may move up and function some as an end in rush situations. Or, he could yield to Gooden in nickel when the Titans look to get their best, fastest coverage backers on the field.

Ayers was typically off the field in nickel last season.

Injury-prone middle linebacker Colin McCarthy would be protected by being on the field a bit less when healthy. He probably should be the first backer off the field when an extra defensive back comes on.

So there is room for Gooden to play on defense, even at the start. And the Titans can now withstand an injury to Brown.

Reading the coverage ...

Houston Texans

Links to stories on all the Texans draft picks from during their college careers, compiled by Patrick Starr of State of the Texans.

Projecting the initial 53-man roster of the 2013 Houston Texans, with Starr.

A closer look at third-round offensive tackle Brennan Williams, from Battle Red Blog.

Indianapolis Colts

It’s a time for using pencil, not pen, when writing up the Indianapolis Colts’ roster, says Mike Chappell.

Fifth-round nose tackle Montori Hughes is a calculated risk for Ryan Grigson, says Marcus Dugan of Colts Authority.

What to expect from Hugh Thornton and Khaled Holmes, from Nate Dunlevy of Colts Authority.

Jacksonville Jaguars

All the disingenuous expressions of remorse (subscription required) can't mask what Justin Blackmon really is right now, says Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union.

Gus Bradley was very careful not to tip off the Jaguars’ interest in Florida safety Josh Evans, the team’s sixth-round pick, says Alfie Crow of Big Cat Country.

One issue for Denard Robinson is how his bulk is distributed, says Crow.

Tennessee Titans

Presuming his knee is well and he avoids further injury, Justin Hunter will be the best wide receiver the Titans have had since landing in Tennessee, predicts David Climer of The Tennessean.

Undrafted running back Dontel Watkins, who played at Utah State and Bowling Green, grew up in Nashville and expects to make the Titans, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.

A 2007 fifth-round pick of the Titans, Antonio Johnson wound up playing for the Colts. Now a free agent, he was back in Nashville to visit his old team, says Wyatt.

The Indianapolis Colts announced Tuesday that they have signed nine undrafted rookie free agents:

• OT Emmett Cleary, Boston College
• K Brandon McManus, Temple
• RB Dan Moore, Montana
• RB Denodus O’Bryant, Lindenwood
• CB Sheldon Price, UCLA
• LB C.O. Prime, Wagner
• WR Rodrick Rumble, Idaho State
• WR Lanear Sampson, Baylor
• CB Daxton Swanson, Sam Houston State

The team also waived RB Alvester Alexander, FB Robert Hughes and LB Shawn Loiseau.

Pro Football Talk has pointed out since Justin Blackmon's suspension that contractual language would allow the team to release him now without any further financial burden.

That’s an interesting bit of news.

But I know for sure the Jacksonville Jaguars have no intention of releasing him.

New general manager Dave Caldwell and new coach Gus Bradley might have inherited Blackmon from the previous regime, but that doesn’t mean they don’t like him.

Blackmon was widely regarded as the best receiver in the draft last year, and Jaguars GM Gene Smith traded up to draft him fifth overall. It was a bold move that addressed a very weak roster spot.

Blackmon might have issues, but he’s also got something the Jaguars need a lot more of: talent.

He came on in the latter part of his rookie season and appears to be on his way to be a solid pro, provided, of course, he can get his issues in order and be available on Sundays.

ESPN Stats & Information said among rookie receivers in 2012, Blackmon ranked first with 128 targets, tied for first with 64 receptions, first with 865 yards and tied for second with five touchdowns.

The drinking and driving on his résumé and a four-game suspension for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy isn't enough to prompt this team -- and I doubt any team -- to give up on that talent in just his second season.

Statement from Blackmon: "I’ve made a mistake and I have no excuse. I am truly sorry and disappointed in myself for putting the Jaguars in this situation, and I look forward to putting this behind me and maturing and growing as a person. I will have a productive training camp and preseason with my team, and during the suspension I will work hard to stay in top football shape and be ready to help the Jaguars when I return. I have chosen to be accountable for my poor decision, and I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches, the front office and Jaguars fans for the impact of my mistake on the team."

Statement from Caldwell: “Coach Bradley and I have spoken with Justin, and he is well aware of our disappointment. I don’t think there is any question that Justin is embarrassed and remorseful, and Coach Bradley and I are both confident he understands the obligations ahead of him, to himself, the franchise and the fans. We will support him throughout the process and continue to work to educate him and all of our players on making the right decisions. The Jaguars have made a lot of progress over the past three months, and we will not allow this news to slow us down.”

What I think they are thinking at the headquarters of the Tennessee Titans…

We love what we did in the draft. Chance Warmack was second on our entire board and we got him at No. 10, which was a huge value. He will be central to our transformation and help set a tone for us at right guard for years and years. Brian Schwenke could give us a rookie starter beside Warmack at center as well. He’s a very physical guy who will also do a lot for our attitude and identity. Those two were our No. 1 players at their position, as was Justin Hunter. He’ll take the top off defenses, making plays deep downfield and helping create room for other targets and ball-carriers. Blidi Wreh-Wilson could start, and that will put us in a better nickel situation with Alterraun Verner focused on the slot where he has a real knack. Zaviar Gooden gives us another lightning-fast linebacker, which could be something we really feature when opponents are in obvious passing downs. We added some quality size at defensive end in Lavar Edwards. Yes, he can help the rush, but he is also a sturdy run defender who can help ease the workload of our starting ends, who played too many snaps last season.

Adam Schefter just tweeted that Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon is being suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season.

He violated the league's substance abuse policy.

The Jaguars are not particularly deep anywhere. Blackmon and Cecil Shorts are the two starting receivers. Mohamed Massaquoi would be next in line outside.

The best guy after that is likely to be fourth-round draft pick Ace Sanders from South Carolina, a small slot guy at 5-foot-7 and 173-pounds.

Jacksonville's first five games are against Kansas City, at Oakland, at Seattle and against Indianapolis.

The Jaguars are planning on staying out West between the games against the Raiders and Seahwaks. So beyond missing four games, Blackmon will miss a big bonding week on the road.

What I think they are thinking at the headquarters of the Jacksonville Jaguars…

We love what we did in the draft. Luke Joeckel is an absolute stud, and once people see this sure thing in action, he’ll erase any questions about why we were so willing to go with an offensive tackle at No. 2. We will be better at quarterback, better at running back and better at guard because of his presence. We need elite players, and he is one. Johnathan Cyprien will be a great strong safety for us, showing nice instincts while playing a key role in stopping the run. We needed size and a starter at cornerback, and Dwayne Gratz definitely gives us one and we expect he’ll give us both. While Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts and Maurice Jones-Drew will be productive players on offense for us, we needed more explosive speed. We got that with receiver Ace Sanders, who will also return punts, and with running back Denard Robinson, who will also return kicks. They’ll scare defenses. Out last three picks will all have a chance to stick and have roles in the secondary, and area where we lost a lot between free-agent defections, expired contracts and releases.

The draft didn’t do much to change the views of the panel that votes on ESPN.com’s NFL Power Rankings.

Our four teams moved a grand total of two spots -- the Colts dipped to 10 from nine; the Jaguars rose from 32 to 31.


I don’t know that I would have moved anyone any distance, either. Everybody gets better in the draft and no one gets so much better than the rest as to make a large gain.

We don’t see another version of these until we have far more to go on. We will have seen a good share of training camp.

Here's how the voters voted from Mike Sando.

What I think they are thinking at the headquarters of the Indianapolis Colts…

We love what we did in the draft. Bjoern Werner is going to be a force as an outside linebacker in short order. People are comparing him to Paul Kruger, but he’ll be better than that. Between Robert Mathis, Erik Walden and Werner, we will get productive play from out top outside backers. Hugh Thornton and Khaled Holmes are going to help us complete the retooling of our offensive line, which was our No. 1 priority this offseason. Andrew Luck is unquestionably our most important commodity, and we’re going to prevent him from getting hit so much. These two were drafted, as well, with an understanding of what our new offense will be like, and they are well suited to it. Montori Hughes helps ensure we will have the sort of nose tackle we need to work. John Boyett will be healthy and give us a new depth at safety. For all the outside concern about us not drafting a corner, we gain a good cover player with him and he may be on the field in sub packages. We’ll throw to our running backs far more than we did last year, and Kerwynn Williams will be a help in that area.

What I think they are thinking at the headquarters of the Houston Texans…

We love what we did in the draft. DeAndre Hopkins is just the receiver we wanted to pair with Andre Johnson, and Hopkins is going to make us a lot better on offense. He’ll be the most immediately impactful new guy on offense we’ve had in some time. And D.J. Swearinger is a big-hitting safety who is really going to create doubt in players on opposing offenses. That dime look with three corners and three safeties is going to be tougher than last year’s version, with Ed Reed and Swearinger replacing Glover Quin and Quintin Demps. We’ll be a lot better against the league’s top tight ends. We’ve got an upgraded alternative at right tackle in Brennan Williams, with Derek Newton ranking as an injury concern coming off a serious knee operation. The linebacking corps can shake out in different ways, but we can be fine kicking Brooks Reed inside and allowing Sam Montgomery and Trevardo Williams to take over strongside duties. We won’t miss any of the veterans we lost and should wind up better equipped to matchup with the teams we’ll need to beat if we’re going to go further in the playoffs.

Reading the coverage ...

Houston Texans

The NFL preaches tolerance for gays, but some players haven’t fallen in line with the policy, says Tania Ganguli of the Houston Chronicle.

Looking back at Sam Montgomery’s media session at the scouting combine with John McClain of the Chronicle.

Indianapolis Colts

Jerry Hughes, traded to Buffalo, will cost the Colts $2.1 million in dead money in 2013, says Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.

A sampling of draft grades for the Colts from around the country, from the Star.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Anyone who thinks the Jaguars should rethink their stance on Tim Tebow was in denial, says Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union.

“In front of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the (Florida) Senate on Monday killed any chance the Jacksonville Jaguars had of getting a sales tax rebate for stadium improvements,” says Matt Dixon of the Times-Union.

Tennessee Titans

Jake Locker welcomes the offseason emphasis on adding to the offense, per Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.

In addition to Eric Winston and Israel Idonije, the Titans visited with cornerback Jason Allen, says Wyatt.

General managers making moves fire coaches when the season ends. They fire scouts after the draft.

When he took over as the general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, David Caldwell fired coach Mike Mularkey and most of his staff. Now he’s let go the top two members of the scouting staff he inherited as well as a scout.

Per Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union, the Jaguars have parted ways with director of player personnel Terry McDonough, director of pro personnel Louis Clark and southwest regional scout Chris Prescott. Prescott is the son of Jaguars former chief financial officer Bill Prescott.

Caldwell will now bring in his own people for those posts, and perhaps more.

One prime candidate is likely to be Chris Polian.

Caldwell worked for Bill Polian in Indianapolis, and Chris Polian was on the staff there. Caldwell came to Jacksonville from Atlanta, where the Falcons hired Chris Polian after the Polians were fired by the Colts following the 2011 season.

There will be other candidates with expiring contracts or who come free in similar moves with other new regimes.

The Titans were completely serious when they said they were not finished adding free agents.

Just two days after they finished adding eight draft picks, they had at least two veteran visitors: Former Bears defensive end Isreal Idonije and former Texans and Chiefs right tackle Eric Winston.

The Titans could use better veteran depth at end, where they've done little to upgrade but did add fifth-rounder Lavar Edwards of LSU.

They've added a ton at guard/center.

Starting left tackle Michael Roos and starting right tackle David Stewart, who's recovering from a broken leg, have been presumed safe with Mike Otto and Byron Stingily as the primary backups.

Winston could provide a serious challenge to Stewart if he joined the Titans.

While he's been on the market for some time, I'd still expect he'll find himself in play for a team that would offer a better opportunity and an easier route to the starting right tackle job.