What NFL Teams Need/Want In The Offseason: AFC South
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Texans: They rose from the cellar in amazing fashion last season, with the advent of great rookie seasons from C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr., and Tank Dell. Time to take the next step. They have five picks in the draft's first four rounds (two picks in the fourth), including Cleveland's first-rounder at No. 23 overall. And they have a whopping $73 million in salary cap space. Now is the time to use it while Stroud still has three years on his rookie contract. They could easily benefit by adding some running back help, addressing the question of re-signing TE Dalton Schultz, addressing the question of re-signing defensive end Jonathan Greenard, and stocking the interior defensive line. Opportunity abounds.
Houston should look to get QB C.J. Stroud more offensive weapons. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Jaguars: The Calvin Ridley trade was solid and over 1K receiving yards and 8 TDs is a good return on the investment but the price for re-signing Ridley as a free agent becomes the question. The Jaguars later in the offseason will finalize an extension for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. It could be a record-breaker and make him the NFL's highest paid player. The problem is he hasn't played like the NFL's best player and definitely didn't last season when he took a step back from 2022. The other issue is the Jaguars have kind of blown it with edge rusher Josh Allen. They could have signed him to an extension before last season. They didn't. He delivered a franchise record 17.5 sacks. So they can re-sign him or franchise tag him. But the price on both has gotten higher as the salary cap increased by 13 percent for 2024. So it makes sense Allen will increase his asking price on a long-term deal by, you guessed it, 13 percent.
Colts: The Colts are in a good spot in that they have nearly $80 million in salary cap space to address some important issues. Those include keeping backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, who almost led the team to the playoffs in 2023. They include keeping or upgrading from receiver Michael Pittman. And also keeping cornerback Kenny Moore. Those moves would be to hold serve. Upgrade? The pass rush broke an Indy record with 51 sacks but anyone who saw C.J. Stroud's dismantling of the defense late in the year understands Indy needs more rush help. That's particularly true in a division with Stroud, Lawrence and the possibility Will Levis develops. The major problem this team faces is the roster is largely a win-now group but quarterback Anthony Richardson has only played four games.
Titans: Their offensive line has been a disaster, but not to worry. It'll get fixed. Or should. The club hired Brian Callahan as it's head coach. He coached Bengals right tackle Jonah Williams, a free agent, who just had a good season and makes perfect sense as an addition. The Titans have some $85 million in salary cap space at their disposal, so they can afford to address anything they want. And, Brian just hired his dad, Bill Callahan, who happens to be perhaps the best offensive line coach in the league. And, more coincidence, it's a great year for offensive tackles in the draft, too. It would be good for the Titans to add a center somehow. The Titans are rebooting. Rebuilding. And it's going to start from the inside out.