I hope you are well during these crazy times. Continuing with my divisional analysis, it’s now the AFC South’s turn!
This division gave us many surprises last season. Starting with the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck and ending with the Titans reaching the conference final.
I am sure there will be many more surprises in this division this season. Let’s get right into it!
Houston Texans
Key Arrivals
RB David Johnson, WR Brandin Cooks, WR Randall Cobb, OT Brent Qvale, S Jaylen Watkins, S Eric Murray
Key Departures
RB Carlos Hyde, RB Lamar Miller, WR DeAndre Hopkins, NT D.J. Reader, S Jaleel Addae
Best Draft Picks
Ross Blacklock, TCU, DT (Rd 2)
Jonathan Greenard, Florida, OLB (Rd 3)
Charlie Heck, North Carolina, OT (Rd 4)
John Reid, Penn State, CB (Rd 4)
Analysis
The Texans didn’t start free agency off very well. They traded the NFL’s best WR, DeAndre Hopkins, to the Cardinals in exchange for a fourth-round pick and RB David Johnson, in what has been one of the worst moves in recent years.
To replace Hopkins, they paid a second-round pick to bring in WR Brandin Cooks. Paying more for Cooks than they received for Hopkins doesn’t seem like a good move at all.
On the defensive side, I believe the Texans are going to struggle this year. They have a rookie defensive coordinator in Anthony Weaver and due to injuries, JJ Watt is no longer that dominant player he once was.
QB Deshaun Watson is a very dangerous weapon and with his great ability can win some games by himself. Even so, it will be a tough season for Houston, and I do not see them winning the AFC south or making the playoffs this season.
2020 Projection: 8-8
Indianapolis Colts
Key Arrivals
QB Philip Rivers, TE Trey Burton, DT DeForest Buckner, DT Sheldon Day, CB Xavier Rhodes, CB T.J. Carrie.
Key Departures
QB Brian Hoyer, RB Jonathan Williams, WR Devin Funchess, TE Eric Ebron, OT/G Joe Haeg, CB Pierre Desir, K Adam Vinatieri.
Best Draft Picks
Michael Pittman Jr., USC, WR (Rd 2)
Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin, RB (Rd 2)
Julian Blackmon, Utah, S (Rd 3)
Jacob Eason, Washington, QB (Rd 4)
Analysis
The Colts were badly affected last season with Andrew Luck’s retirement but remained competitive. This season, the Colts brought in veteran QB Phillip Rivers. Rivers didn’t look great last season, but hopefully, Rivers being reunited with Frank Reich helps him out this season.
With Indianapolis, Rivers will have a top-five ranked offensive line and a high-level defense reinforced this year by DeForest Buckner. My prediction is that under a great line and Reich’s coaching, he will revive his career and lead the Colts to win the AFC South.
2020 Projection: 10-6
Jacksonville Jaguars
Key Arrivals
QB Mike Glennon, RB Chris Thompson, TE Tyler Eifert, DE Cassius Marsh, DE Aaron Lynch, DT Al Woods, LB Joe Schobert, CB Rashaan Melvin.
Key Departures
QB Nick Foles, WR Marqise Lee, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, DT Calais Campbell, DT Akeem Spence, CB A.J. Bouye.
Best Draft Picks
C.J. Henderson, Florida, CB (Rd 1)
K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU, OLB (Rd 1)
Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado, WR (Rd 2)
Davon Hamilton, Ohio State, DT (Rd 3)
Analysis
Jacksonville has come from more to less in recent years. The Nick Foles experiment didn’t work, but they discovered a diamond in the rough, Gardner Minshew, who seems to have a good future as an NFL quarterback.
I believe that this team’s problem is Doug Marrone. Marrone does not have the leadership that is needed to lift this team and the general management is not determined to make a move.
They have some great players, mainly on the defensive side, but the players are unhappy and are not performing at 100 percent because of it. I think it will be a long season for them and they will be at the bottom of the AFC South.
2020 Projection: 5-11
Tennessee Titans
Key Arrivals
OT Ty Sambrailo, DE Jack Crawford, DE/OLB Vic Beasley, LB Nick Dzubnar, CB Johnathan Joseph.
Key Departures
QB Marcus Mariota, RB Dion Lewis, TE Delanie Walker, OT Jack Conklin, DT Jurrell Casey, DE/OLB Cameron Wake, LB Wesley Woodyard, CB Logan Ryan, K Ryan Succop.
Best Draft Picks
Isaiah Wilson, Georgia, OT (Rd 1)
Kristian Fulton, LSU, CB (Rd 2)
Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State, RB (Rd 3)
Larrell Murchison, NC State, DT (Rd 5)
Analysis
Tannehill has received a boost of confidence after a successful 2019-20 season. Tannehill will be the starting QB of the Titans week one, however, I don’t think it’s the long-term answer for the team.
Last season, it was RB Derrick Henry who carried the team and was supported by a great defense. This season, however, the defense has lost many valuable players in all its lines, and I do not think they have the same success as last season.
Don’t misunderstand me, I think they will be in the playoffs, but I don’t see them winning the AFC South.
2020 Projection: 10-6
See you next week with the analysis of the next Division, cheer up, and take good care of yourselves!!!
