Youth at quarterback is the theme of the AFC South. This is part three of my division preview series. The division consists of the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans.
If you haven’t already, check out my reviews on the AFC East and AFC North.
Jacksonville took the division last year with a 9-8 record, with everyone else finishing below .500. Things will change this time around, as the South looks a bit wide open than people think.
1) Jacksonville Jaguars (11-6)
An outstanding run to the divisional round capped a surprise 2022 for the Jaguars. From squeaking into the playoffs with a 9-8 record to falling to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs? Nothing to be ashamed of if you’re Trevor Lawrence and Co.
Their off-season was a bit quiet, with their biggest move being bringing back tight end Evan Engram. They drafted first-round tackle Anton Harrison to replace Jawaan Taylor, who was let go into free agency.
For the Jaguars, they improved their wideout corps before the trade deadline last year. Funny enough, the man they acquired didn’t play last season due to a suspension. Regardless, Calvin Ridley comes from Atlanta and gives Lawrence another weapon to work with. Him along with Christian Kirk and Zay Jones? Not too bad, huh?
Oh, and Travis Etienne Jr. is still here. Him and rookie Tank Bigsby will be a solid duo this year running the ball.
Defensively, Travon Walker will look to improve from a 3.5 sack season last year. The 2022 first overall pick was scouted to be a solid pass rusher but with time. Maybe 2023 is the breakout year.
Linebackers Devin Lloyd and Josh Allen will be two other players to watch. With Lloyd being a tackling machine and Allen getting to the quarterback, the pass rush is in good hands.
The secondary will be solid too, with Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams on opposite sides. Safety Andre Cisco will be someone I’ll watch for at free safety.
11-6 is a big improvement from 9-8. It will be enough to clinch the division, but can they repeat and make another appearance in the divisional round?
2) Tennessee Titans (8-9)
It was a terrible 2022 for the Titans, who finished 7-10. Despite an outstanding year from Derrick Henry (349 carries, 1,538 yards, 13 touchdowns), an underwhelming receiving corps was the downfall for this team.
Signing DeAndre Hopkins will help the Titans improve an offense that average 17.5 points per game last year. First-round pick Peter Skoronski will help improve an offensive line that let quarterback Ryan Tannehill 33 times last year.
Speaking of quarterback, I still don’t understand the pick of QB Will Levis. Why would you draft him when you already have a young quarterback in Malik Willis? Both of these men don’t deserve to be backups. Not now or in the future. There’s a future for Willis. He was thrown into the fire too early last year and struggled. Drafting Levis was a big mistake, and we’ll see how things work out.
Did I mention Harold Landry III yet? Who can forget about his 12 sack season in 2022.
In all, defensively this team is a top 10-15 unit. Offensively, is signing Hopkins enough to help this offense soar? It may be another year of depending on Derrick Henry. Giving him 300+ carries is something he won’t mind. But, the team should have his health and longevity in mind as the season progresses. A subpar offense outside of Henry will be the reason why Tennessee will miss the playoffs once again.
3) Indianapolis Colts (5-12)
First-round quarterback Anthony Richardson will be thrown right into the fire. The rookie was announced as the starter recently. Gardner Minshew will take a back seat. With his ability to hurt you with his legs, it will be exciting to see Richardson grow.
He does has some help around him. Well, unless Jonathan Taylor (192 carries, 861 yards, four touchdowns) gets traded. Michael Pittman Jr. Is the clear WR1, with Alec Pierce working opposite of him. It will be interesting to see how much of an impact rookie Josh Downs will make. The North Carolina product is shifty and fast, which could help him overpass Pierce as Richardson’s second favorite target.
Defensively, their pass rush is filled with solid names like DeForest Buckner (eight sacks in 2022), Samson Ebukam (five sacks with SF in 2022), and Kwity Paye (six sacks). Tackling machine Shaquille Leonard is still the anchor despite only appearing in three games last year.
The inexperience in the secondary scares me. Darrell Baker Jr has yet to appear in a regular season game. He is slated to start opposite of Kenny Moore II at cornerback. Rodney Thomas II (four interceptions) looks solid at free safety, and will work with Julian Blackmon to form a duo.
Colts fans won’t be happy with a 5-12 record in 2023. But, there will be growing pains with a rookie QB like Richardson. Exciting plays will happen with him, yes. But, with the shaky situation with Taylor and not many proven weapons around Richardson, it may be tough to get some wins. A healthy season from Leonard will be critical too.
4) Houston Texans (5-12)
Houston is similar to Indianapolis in many ways. A rookie quarterback, a solid running back, and limited, proven weapons.
Wideouts Nico Collins, Robert Woods, and Noah Brown aren’t the best trio for C.J. Stroud to have in your first professional season. But, you have to work with what you got right? I do see rookie Tank Dell and John Metchie III making some noise and overpassing one or two of the incumbent starters ahead of them.
At least Dameon Pierce (220 carries, 939 yards, four touchdowns) is a bright spot for this offense. The second-year pro surprised many last season with his play, and will be depended on by this offense heavily as Stroud settles in. Even with Devin Singletary coming from Buffalo, he shouldn’t threaten Pierce too much.
I loved their selection of Will Anderson Jr this past draft. Trading up for him was a great move, as you drafted basically the quarterback of this defense. Anderson showed out at Alabama, racking up 34.5 sacks during his time with the Crimson Tide.
The rookie will line up opposite of defensive end Jonathan Greenard (eight sacks in 2021), who looks to rebound after missing nine games in 2022.
Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr will look to grow from his rookie year, where he finished with five pass deflections in just nine games played. Known as a shutdown cornerback in college, he will look to show that in 2023. Veteran Steven Nelson (seven pass deflections) will line up opposite of him.
Safety duo Jalen Pitre (147 tackles, five interceptions) and Jimmie Ward (three interceptions) form a solid duo as the last line of defense. Ward reunites with head coach DeMeco Ryans from their days in San Francisco.
Like Indianapolis, growing pains will come and go with Stroud under center in Houston. The limited weapons will hurt, and along with a subpar offensive line will hurt the team’s chances to move the ball down the field.
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Featured image by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images
