AFC SOUTH TEAM NEEDS HEADING INTO THE 2024 NFL DRAFT

The Colts were surprisingly terrible this year, and everyone knows the Texans are one of the worst teams in the NFL. But can they all turn it around? Today, we’ll analyze the needs for each team in the division and how they can get more competitive for next season

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS TEAM NEEDS

CB - Jacksonville has some disruptive players on the defensive line in Josh Allen, Arik Armstead, and Travon Walker. If they can improve the pass coverage on the back end then they have a chance to be a problem for opposing offenses.

Draft fit: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa, 1st round.
Whether DeJean ends up being an outside corner, a nickel, a safety, or a combination of all three at the NFL level he is a high-floor player that would upgrade the defensive backfield in Jacksonville as a rookie.

WR - The Jags wanted to re-sign Calvin Ridley to a deal even with the addition of Gabriel Davis from Buffalo. With Ridley now in Tennessee, Jacksonville should be looking to add one of the many talented receivers from the 2024 class.

Draft fit: Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU, 1st round.
If the Jaguars decide to go with a receiver in round one, Thomas Jr would provide a size-speed vertical threat to complement the current receiving weapons.

OL - Staying on the offensive side of the ball, Jacksonville could look to invest in the line. They could stand to get younger on the inside with Scherff and Morse both over 30.

Draft fit: Graham Barton, Duke, 1st round.
Another option for the Jaguars at pick 17, Barton would offer the flexibility to start at guard or center in Duval.

TENNESSEE TITANS TEAM NEEDS

OT - The Titans have done their best to surround Will Levis with pass catchers, now they need to build the lineup front to protect the young quarterback. Peter Skoronski has not worked out so the Titans still need to find an answer at tackle.

Draft fit: Joe Alt, T, Notre Dame, 1st round.
Joe Alt is a high football IQ player. He is young yet experienced with three years as a starter under his belt. He also has incredible length at 6’9 with 34-inch arms.

EDGE - As the Titans continue to build on defense they should prioritize adding another edge rusher to play across from Harlod Landry on the line.

Draft fit: Mohamed Kamara, EDGE, Colorado State, 3rd round.
Kamara doesn't have the most exciting measurable traits in terms of length or height. But he shows on tape the ability to burst off the line and drive lineman back with a bull rush and plays with a very high motor. Also very productive with 29.5 career sacks.

S - After locking up the corner spot with the signing of L’Jarius Sneed, the Titans can now look to the safety position to further upgrade the backfield.

Draft fit: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota, 2nd round.
Nubin has solid size for the position and has the flexibility to play down close to the line of scrimmage or as a deep safety.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS TEAM NEEDS

CB - The Colts have assembled an impressive group of defensive line talent headlined by Deforest Buckner. Improving the currently mediocre cornerback group would help slow down the pass for the pass rush to get to the opposing quarterbacks.

Draft fit: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama, 1st round.
Arnold is a long corner with recovery speed and showed off his ball skills with five interceptions this season.

TE - Anthony Richardson will return from season-ending surgery this coming season. Adding an upgrade to the tight end position to work with Michael Pittman and Josh Downs would make life easier for Richardson as he cuts his teeth in the NFL.

Draft Fit: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas, 2nd round.
Sanders can be a dangerous vertical threat over the middle of the field for the Colts. He has room to improve as a blocker but the hands and burst is there.

LB - The Colt's front seven could make use of an off-ball linebacker to replace some of the playmaking ability and leadership that they once had with Darius Leonard.

Draft fit: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan, 3rd round.
Colson can be a starting off-the-ball linebacker in the NFL and be excellent in the run game. Could be better in coverage, but has enough instincts to be fine in zone coverage.

HOUSTON TEXANS TEAM NEEDS

O Line - The rebuild in Houston has been so successful, after finding franchise quarterback CJ Stroud, the Texans are now in a position to be a regular playoff team. The pass-catching weapons are in place now after the trade for Diggs. Texans should be aiming to upgrade the offensive line to give Stroud all of the help they can.

Draft fit: Zach Frazier, C, 2nd round.
Ideal fit and value for the Texans in round 2. Frazier would be a starter from day one at center in Houston.

CB - On the defensive side of the ball the Texans could target an outside corner to line up across from Derek Stingley Jr.

Draft fit: Kyree Jackson, CB, Oregon, 2nd round.
Jackson is a long and athletic player standing at 6’3. Only started 14 games in college so he’s not the most experienced, but with development he can become a physical press corner who can make plays against the run.

DT - Sheldon Rankins left the team in free agency this offseason, leaving the Texans with room for a young interior defender to plug and play.

Draft Fit: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas, 4th round.
Off-the-field issues aside, Sweat would be an ideal fit for the Texans as a dominant run defender on the interior.