[2023] Division Preview: AFC South

[Piercewise1]

AFC SOUTH
 

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Year: 14-3 (division champion)

Additions:

N/A

Departures:

N/A

Key Progressions:

OG Quincy Wile +5 (64, 2)
WR Akrum Robinson +5 (58, 2)
CB Randy Espino +3 (85, 5)
WR Charles Brown -3 (84, 9)
FS Arnold Loken -3 (73, 10)

Rookie to Watch:

DE Garrison Hoes

Overview:

Jacksonville had the lowest average progression in the league at 0.98 OVR per player, but that roster is still one of the best. The team has 19 players of 73+, including 3 receivers and 3 cornerbacks. Guys that would be starters on other teams are rotating in for Jacksonville, all in the hope of winning a Super Bowl. But that talent comes at a price; the Jaguars currently have fewer than 50 players on the roster due to cap limitations.

Strengths:

Wide receiver
Cornerback

Weaknesses:

Special teams

Outlook:

Jacksonville remains one of the premier teams in the AFC and seems likely to return to the playoffs in 2023. A surprise loss to Cincinnati ended last season earlier than expected – could this be the year they put it all together?

 

Team: Tennessee Titans
Last Year: 12-5 (wild card)

Additions:

OG Nicholas Conti (75, 7)

Departures:

FB Todd Thibodeaux (73, 11)
ILB Jack Ousley (72, 11)
TE John Hendrickson (76, 6)

Key Progressions:

QB Wayne Reimer +4 (67, 4)
TE Randy Wright +6 (80, 5)
OG Joseph Kolodny +5 (75, 5)
C Richard Campos +4 (71, 5)
RB John Knighten -4 (76, 11)

Rookie to Watch:

CB Robert Canady

Overview:

The big story in Tennessee is John Knighten and how he’ll fare in the last two years of his current contract. The big back put up huge numbers last year as he carried the team to the playoffs behind an impressive offensive line, but he might have lost a step entering his 11^th season. Even an improved Reimer might have trouble moving the ball through the air with his current receivers…can Knighten continue to be the workhorse the Titans need?

Strengths:

Offensive line

Weaknesses:

Wide receiver
Linebacker
Safety

Outlook:

The Titans are great in the trenches, so look for them to make the most of those position groups this season. Conversely, let’s see if opposing offenses play aggressively and try to minimize the impact of the run game with some early scoring.

 

Team: Houston Texans
Last Year: 5-12 (3^rd in division)

Additions:

N/A

Departures:

N/A

Key Progressions:

QB Jerome Morrison +6 (68, 3)
RB Hue Khan +3 (74, 3)
FB Ryan Johnson +5 (69, 2)
DE Rey Easton +5 (59, 2)

Rookie to Watch:

CB Austin Bledsoe

Overview:

The Texans have some promising future stars in their offensive backfield, and an up-and-coming defensive end in Easton to pair with James Kiger (85). But the rest of their defense looks pretty bereft – at least that should means lots of playing time for their high draft picks.

Strengths:

Defensive line

Weaknesses:

Wide receiver
Offensive line
Linebacker
Defensive backfield

Outlook:

The Texans look like an early candidate for the #1 overall pick, with only a handful of starters higher than 63 OVR. If their backs can control time of possession, they might be able to hang around in a few games.

 

Team: Indianapolis Colts
Last Year: 2-15 (4^th in division)

Additions:

RB Michael Fulmer (75, 5)

Departures:

RB Carl Frost (69, 4)

Key Progressions:

QB Rashaan Lyons +4 (62, 2)
TE Enrique Rodriguez +5 (69, 4)
WR Daniel Elswick +6 (78, 4)
OT Bradley McPherson +6 (72, 3)
OLB Tony Davis -3 (73, 9)

Rookie to Watch:

WR Jakeem Erlin

Overview:

There are already glimmers of what this team could become, especially on offense with the addition of Fulmer and the development of Elswick and Rodriguez. Lyons was thrown into the fire as a rookie, but hopefully has developed a rapport with some of these other young starters. Not having a 1^st round pick stings, but both Erlin and DT Blake Hamilton should see a lot of the field in preseason and maybe even beyond that.

Strengths:

Offensive tackle
Defensive line

Weaknesses:

Defensive backfield

Outlook:

There’s still a long road ahead for the Colts, but they’ve taken strides as a team and will at least have the benefit of a 4^th-place schedule this year. If that offense gels they might have enough firepower to escape the basement – the first of hopefully many small steps in the right direction.

[Sarge]

Love my guy Klemm but I need the Colts to selfishly not take a step forward. Erlin is gonna be so fun to follow though, loved that Indianapolis got him.

Morrison on the Texans might be a stud if he keeps growing. Really excited to see how things pan out for Houston.

It'll be interesting to see in the next 2-3 years if the aging rosters of the titans/Jags flip positions with Houston and Colts. There's definite a half and half going on in this division rn.