Staff posted: " Houston Texans by Joshua Manes Justin Rex/AP Key Additions: CB Desmond King, CB Bradley Roby, QB Tyrod Taylor Key Departures: DE J.J. Watt, WR Will Fuller V, TE Darren Fells The Texans have had one question circling them for most of the of"
Key Departures: DE J.J. Watt, WR Will Fuller V, TE Darren Fells
The Texans have had one question circling them for most of the offseason, and it's still there: will Deshaun Watson be on the field for them? There were trade rumors before the questions of Watson's availability for the season, and both of those are still around Houston. There's still talk of moving Watson before the season starts, but even if it doesn't happen, it's unclear if Watson will be behind center this season for the Texans. They've appeared to be moving toward a rebuild after letting go of Deandre Hopkins last offseason and the departure of JJ Watt this year. The best thing for Houston is for the franchise to move forward, with Watson off the field even if not traded. Not saying tank yet, but things aren't looking bright in Houston at the moment.
Key Additions: QB Carson Wentz, OT Eric Fisher, EDGE Kwitty Paye
Key Departures: EDGE Denico Autry, OT Anthony Castonzo, EDGE Justin Houston
The Colts needed a new QB, and they acquired Carson Wentz. After a bad, injury-plagued 2020 season, the former MVP candidate will hope to rejuvenate his career in Indianapolis. With the Colts, he will have all the opportunities to do so. Wentz will reunite will head coach Frank Reich. Reich was the Eagles' offensive coordinator during their 2017 Super Bowl run and has a great relationship with Wentz. Additionally, Wentz will hopefully find a better time recovering from injuries to his foot than he would have with the Eagles. The Colts have consistently boasted one of the league's best offensive lines over the past few years. Despite left tackle Anthony Castonzo retiring, free agent signing Eric Fisher should be a worthy replacement. The Colts RB duo of Marlon Mack and Jonathan Taylor will return. Wentz will also have a decent receiving trio to throw to, including Michael Pittman Jr., Zach Pascal, and T.Y. Hilton. The trio will be an upgrade despite Hilton not being the player he once was. As for the defense, the Colts lost key pieces to what was the 10th ranked unit in the NFL in 2020. The Indianapolis pass rush was particularly hurt, with the losses of Denico Autry and Justin Houston. However, the Colts drafted Kwitty Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo with their first two picks. If those two picks can replace the production of Autry and Houston, the Colts could be contenders not only for the AFC South but for a trip to the Super Bowl.
Key Departures: LB Joe Schobert, WR Keelan Cole, TE Tyler Eifert
Fans of the Jaguars are without a doubt excited for this season. Trevor Lawrence, perhaps the top rookie QB prospect in a decade is their new starter. Jacksonville hopes Lawrence and running back James Robinson, who had a surprising rookie season, rushing for 1,070 yards will be a dynamic duo for years to come. Lawrence will also have exciting young receivers to throw to, in Laviska Shenault Jr. and D.J. Chark Jr. The addition of veteran pass-catcher Marvin Jones will also help Lawrence develop. All five starters on the offensive line will return in 2021, but they will have to be better than last season. Jaguars' quarterbacks were sacked 44 times in 2020, and for Lawrence to grow into their QB of the future, he will need more time to throw the ball. QB was not the only position that the Jaguars added to this offseason. Jacksonville was one of the highest spending teams this offseason, signing Shaquil Griffin and Rayshawn Jenkins to bolster their secondary. The Jaguars allowed both the 2nd-most points and yards a season ago. New head coach Urban Meyer is used to winning at his previous stops at Florida and Ohio State. In order to continue this streak, he may need a bit more patience. While the Jaguars might not contend in 2021, Lawrence, Robinson, and several younger offensive playmakers make this team exciting on offense. If the defense can improve, Jacksonville could begin to take a step out of the AFC South basement.
Key Departures: TE Jonnu Smith, DE Jadeveon Clowney, WR Corey Davis
The Titans surprised a lot of people last season in the playoffs when they made it to the AFC Championship before losing to the Chiefs. This year they won't have the luxury of sneaking up on the rest of the conference. Ryan Tannehill continues his free-from-Gase revival and seems to have the least amount of question marks of any QB in the conference. They boosted the receiving corps by bringing in veteran Julio Jones to pair with third-year man A.J. Brown on the outside but lost dependable TE Jonnu Smith in free agency. Regardless of all that, the offense still runs through Derrick Henry — and thrives when Henry is running through opposing defenses. But the defense is where Tennessee needed to improve after ranking 28th in total defense last season. With the additions of Bud Dupree and Janoris Jenkins among others, the pass rush and secondary should be at least slightly upgraded.
Predictions
Ean:
This division will be a dogfight between the Colts and the Titans. Both teams' offenses should be prolific. Indianapolis has one of the best offensive lines in the league, and if they can protect Carson Wentz, the Colts could be a playoff team. But without the same pass rush as last year, the defense could falter, causing them to miss the playoffs. The Titans trio of Derrick Henry, Julio Jones, and A.J. Brown is downright scary. But their defense could be the difference between a 2nd-straight AFC South title and missing the playoffs. The Jaguars and Texans will likely be at the bottom of the division, looking to build towards the future.
X-Factor:Carson Wentz's health. An honorable mention should go to the Titans' defense, but they've proven last year that they can win the division. The Colts will need a bounce-back season for Carson Wentz. The offensive line should keep him healthier than in Philadelphia, but they won't be perfect. If Wentz can return to form, Indianapolis could not only win the AFC South but a trip to the Super Bowl.
Josh:
Tennessee is going to end up running away with this division. With Wentz's surgery and being placed in protocol during camp, he won't be ready to lead the Colts to the division even is healthy — especially without TY Hilton for the start of the season. We've seen what Houston looks like without Watson behind center, and that's what they'll look like this season, and the number one overall pick is going to stay in the AFC South. Speaking of, Jacksonville will be improved, how can they not be? But it's going to be a reality check for Urban Meyer when he doesn't have the best athletes on the field in his huddle. And even with a few more wins this season, the Jags will still be the Khan's third favorite toy behind Fulham F.C. and AEW.
X-Factor:Deshaun Watson. If somehow Watson is on the field for the Texans, all bets are off. Even with a lack of offensive weapons and defensive issues, Watson is good enough to make the difference in a few games. And really, that's the only chance of the Titans not taking the division barring injuries.
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