In 2023, the AFC South unfolded unexpectedly. Initially, the Jacksonville Jaguars seemed destined for a division win, but a late-season slump saw them miss the playoffs, allowing the Houston Texans to clinch the title with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Indianapolis Colts narrowly missed out, finishing with a 9–8 record. As the new season approaches, the Texans are favored to repeat as division champions, with the Colts and Jaguars close behind. The Tennessee Titans face uncertainty due to changes in their roster, notably with second-year quarterback Will Levis.
Here’s an overview of each team’s offseason performance:
Houston Texans:
Grade: B
Notable additions include Danielle Hunter, Stefon Diggs, Blake Fisher, Joe Mixon, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Denico Autry. Key departures include Blake Cashman, Maliek Collins, Jonathan Greenard, and Sheldon Rankins. While the Texans strengthened their roster, the decision to make Diggs an unrestricted free agent after 2024 raised eyebrows. Defensive acquisitions like Autry and Hunter are significant, but losses in linebacker depth are notable.
Indianapolis Colts:
Grade: B
Significant signings include Joe Flacco and Laiatu Latu, while notable departures include Zach Moss and Gardner Minshew II. The Colts focused on retaining key players like Zaire Franklin, Michael Pittman Jr., and Kenny Moore II. However, concerns linger regarding their secondary, especially after failing to secure L’Jarius Sneed. The success of their season may hinge on the performance of their revamped defense.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Grade: C
Key signings include Mitch Morse, Darnell Savage Jr., Ronald Darby, Arik Armstead, Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas Jr., and Devin Duvernay. Notable departures include Calvin Ridley and Brandon McManus. While the Jaguars made some astute signings, their strategy regarding the secondary raises questions. The team appears to be banking on offensive prowess while hoping for a quick defensive turnaround.
Tennessee Titans:
Grade: C-
Major acquisitions include Calvin Ridley, L’Jarius Sneed, Lloyd Cushenberry, JC Latham, Tony Pollard, and Chidobe Awuzie. Notable departures include Denico Autry, Derrick Henry, Kristian Fulton, and Azeez Al-Shaair. While the Titans added talent, the hefty contracts for Ridley and Sneed raise concerns about long-term sustainability. The draft selections were a mix of hits and misses, indicating a focus on immediate improvement at the cost of future flexibility.
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