The understanding of the AFC South has altered considerably.
Not too long back, it was one of the NFL’s most unimportant departments. It had the worst cumulative strength. In the past 10 seasons (2014-present), the AFC South has a integrated 43.9% winning rate, worst amongst the league’s 8 departments, according to Sportradar. Coupled with a lack of headlining skill, the AFC South has generally broughtin little attention from nationwide audiences.
That began to modification in a huge method last season, with C.J. Stroud putting together probably the finest novice quarterback season in NFL history. He’s the mostsignificant star inthemiddleof a crop of gifted, young quarterbacks in the department who haveactually drawn intrigue.
We’re at a point now where we’re talkingabout an arms race in the AFC South.
The Texans gotten star broad receiver Stefon Diggs from Buffalo in a sensational trade Wednesday, strengthening their case of having one of the finest lineups in the AFC, if not the finest. They’ve likewise traded for previous Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, and included in complimentary company star pass-rusher Danielle Hunter, defensive lineman Denico Autry and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
Like the Texans, the Titans haveactually been strongly structure their lineup. They traded for and extended L’Jarius Sneed, one of the leading cornerbacks in the NFL last season. They offered large receiver Calvin Ridley and center Lloyd Cushenberry enormous agreements in complimentary firm. They’ve likewise made huge financialinvestments in cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, running back Tony Pollard and linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr.
The Jaguars sanctuary’t been rather as active as the Texans and Titans, however they’ve reacted to their 2023 collapse by putting resources into the trenches. Most especially, they’ve included Arik Armstead to a protective line that currently includes Josh Allen and Travon Walker, who led all NFL duos with 27.5 sacks last season. Gabe Davis has likewise gothere in Jacksonville through totallyfree company, and the previous Bills receiver figures to be another leading target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The Colts’ technique to enhancement, ontheotherhand, couldn’t be more various from the rest of the department.
Indianapolis’ most considerable external finalizings haveactually been a backup quarterback (Joe Flacco) and a backup defensive dealwith (Raekwon Davis). The Colts rather re-upped with their own gamers, re-signing or extended the likes of Michael Pittman Jr., nickelback Kenny Moore II, linebacker Zaire Franklin, nose dealwith Grover Stewart and security Julian Blackmon. After falling a videogame brief of the playoffs, Indianapolis is banking on connection moving the group forward. It’s greatly banking on second-year QB Anthony Richardson’s healthy return and continued advancement.
Are the Texans a leading competitor with Stefon Diggs?
The latter point speaks to the style in all this: The young quarterbacks are the focal point of decision-making in the AFC South.
“You appearance at the quarterbacks we have in our department,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson stated at the NFL Combine, “these are some young, athletic guys. … The AFC South, I believe, is in great hands when it comes to the quarterback position.”
The Texans have packed their lineup, raising it to Super Bowl-caliber (on paper), since they have a franchise quarterback in Stroud on a novice agreement. The Titans have likewise boosted their group to figure out if Will Levis is what Stroud has currently developed himself to be.
The Jags have focused greatly on the interior offensive line (extended guard Ezra Cleveland, reorganized guard Brandon Scherff’s agreement, signed veteran center Mitch Morse) to raise their short-yardage execution and the run videogame, which would take pressure off Lawrence. And the Colts have mostly stood pat duetothefactthat they feel they currently have the core of an offense that can assistance Richardson, whom they hope can remain healthy in2024 Keep in mind that Richardson and star running back Jonathan Taylor played simply 2 snaps together last season.
Colts RB Zack Moss talks Anthony Richardson, Shane Steichen
The AFC South groups have likewise ran in a method to sluggish down the department’s young quarterbacks who are not their own.
On paper, the Texans and Jaguars have 2 of the top pass-rushing defensive lines in the NFL. The Titans have one of the league’s finest cornerback spaces, all the more substantial in the wake of Diggs’ arrival in the AFC South.
The department is filled with top getting skill — Diggs, Ridley, Davis, Pittman, DeAndre Hopkins, Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Christian Kirk.
The AFC South is anticipated to be one of the NFL’s most competitive departments in 2024.
The spotlight hasactually gottenhere.
Ben Arthur is the AFC South pressreporter for FOX Sports. He formerly worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the Titans beat author for a year and a half. He covered the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) prior to moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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