AFC South clearly conference’s weakest after free agency
The AFC South is collectively failing to produce a single contender despite a flurry of moves in NFL free agency last week.
We’re through the main crux of 2021 NFL free agency, and the AFC South isn’t presenting a powerhouse stance.
A litany of AFC teams have improved including the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots (among others). Meanwhile, the South has largely either spent a lot to accomplish very little (Houston Texans), brought in stars while losing others (Tennessee Titans) or virtually done nothing (Indianapolis Colts).
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The only team to have significantly improved is the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they also have the No. 1 overall pick, so the climb back to respectability is a long one. The signings of edge rusher Roy Robertson-Harris and cornerback Shaquil Griffin are quality ones. However Jacksonville is almost bereft of talent otherwise on the defensive side.
Houston has also been extremely busy as noted before. In fact, no team has signed more free agents than the Texans. Although one could argue they didn’t bring on a single impact player.
This leaves the Colts and Titans, who both reached the postseason last year. Each could have made large moves, and to be fair, Indianapolis made its big move in February with the acquisition of quarterback Carson Wentz. How that plays out, time will tell.
However, the Colts have largely stood pat through the beginning of free agency, leaving receiver T.Y. Hilton, cornerback Xavier Rhodes and edge rusher Justin Houston on the open market. They also watched as versatile defensive lineman Denico Autry left for the Titans on a three-year deal.
Read: Baltimore Ravens Must Add Receiver in NFL Free Agency
Speaking of Tennessee, the signings of edge rusher Bud Dupree and Autry are terrific moves, but the losses off the rest of the roster are not minimal.
The Titans watched as receiver Corey Davis signed with the New York Jets, while New England snatched up tight end Jonnu Smith. Tennessee also released corner Adoree Jackson. Between Jackson, Davis and the recently-traded Isaiah Wilson, that’s three recent first-round picks who are all gone without a second contract.
All told, each of the other three AFC divisions all have a team that could reasonably win the Super Bowl. In the AFC South, a division that didn’t win a playoff game in 2020, nobody improved save for Jacksonville, and those upgrades to a 1-15 squad were marginal.
If the AFC South wants respect, it’ll need some fantastic draft classes.
