NFL DRAFT NEEDS: AFC SOUTH

2023 saw the Titans and Colts step backward and the Jaguars capture the division. This division will be very active in the Draft since 3 of these teams own 4 of the first 12 picks. The Texans showed heart last season considering their limited roster. If the organization can actually function professionally, the rebuild won’t take forever. The Colts were an epic mess last season in every facet last season and it will take organizational soul searching to rebound. Their revival attempt begins with the 4th overall pick. The Titans also appear to be in a free fall and it doesn’t look promising. They have major questions at QB, WR, OL, TE, LB, CB and Pass Rushers. They need to rip off the bandaid and start the rebuild because the team is just Derrick Henry. The Jaguars got off the proverbial mat in mid season and charged toward a division title. They have the Head Coach, Quarterback, playmakers and defense to really grow and grab hold of the division. This draft is about stockpiling depth that allows sustainable success and trajectory for deep playoff journeys.

I have laid out the current state of each franchise in the AFC South below. We’ll review their current issues, draft needs and draft prospect targets for their first draft selection in 2023. I could see the Texans trading down from 12, the Colts down from 4 and the Titans down from 11 to increase their draft capital in 2023 and 2024. The Jaguars are in a spot to trade up for an immediate player.

If you are looking for positional rankings of the draft eligible players on offense and defense, we have you covered at Spinnable Sports. You can also find my Top 105 NFL Draft Prospects and Mock Draft 2.0: 3 Round Mock Draft in the same spot. The Irrational Confidence Podcast (@IRConfidencePod on Twitter) will be dropping our Live Mock Draft Episode very soon. You can find The Irrational Confidence Podcast on any podcast platform as well as the Spinnable Sports YouTube Channel.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS:

CURRENT ISSUES:

• PRESSURE TO DEFEND THE AFC SOUTH AND NOT BE 1 YEAR WONDERS
• LACKING ROSTER DEPTH
• GOOD PROBLEM IS THAT THEY HAVE THE BEST ROSTER IN THE DIVISION

TEAM DRAFT NEEDS:

• EDGE
• S
• CB
• DL
• WR
• TE

TARGETS FOR 1ST RD SELECTION:

• DL. CALIJAH KANCEY. (PITTSBURGH)
• EDGE. MYLES MURPHY. (CLEMSON)
• EDGE. NOLAN SMITH. (GEORGIA)
• CB. KELEE RINGO. (GEORGIA)
• S. BRIAN BRANCH. (ALABAMA)
• TE. MICHAEL MAYERN. (NOTRE DAME)

TENNESSEE TITANS:

CURRENT ISSUES:

• QUARTERBACK UNCERTAINTY
• YEARLY INJURIES TO KEY PLAYERS
• OUTSIDE OF DERRICK HENRY, LACK OF PLAYMAKERS ON OFFENSE
• ON THE CUSP OF HAVING THEIR WINDOW SLAMMED SHUT

TEAM DRAFT NEEDS:

• WR
• TE
• OL
• CB
• QB
• LB

TARGETS FOR 1ST RD SELECTION:

• OT. PARIS JOHNSON JR. (OHIO STATE)
• OT. BRODERICK JONES. (GEORGIA)
• WR. JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA. (OHIO STATE)
• QB. WILL LEVIS. (KENTUCKY)
• QB. ANTHONY RICHARDSON. (FLORIDA)
• WR. QUENTIN JOHNSTON. (TCU)

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS:

CURRENT ISSUES:

• 2023 SEASON WILL BE 6TH STRAIGHT SEASON WITH A DIFFERENT QB TO START THE OPENER
• LACK OF DEPTH ACROSS THE ROSTER
• NEW COACHING STAFF LED BY A ROOKIE HEAD COACH

TEAM DRAFT NEEDS:

• QB
• CB
• RT
• WR
• LB
• S
• DL

TARGETS FOR 1ST RD SELECTION:

• QB. WILL LEVIS. (KENTUCKY)
• QB. ANTHONY RICHARDSON. (FLORIDA)

HOUSTON TEXANS:

CURRENT ISSUES:

• ORGANIZATIONAL DISFUNCTION FOR YEARS
• LACK OF DEPTH ACROSS THE BOARD
• NEW COACHING STAFF WITH ROOKIE HEAD COACH

TEAM DRAFT NEEDS:

• QB
• WR
• OL
• DL
• CB
• EDGE

TARGETS FOR 1ST ROUND SELECTIONS ( 2 PICKS IN TOP 12):

• QB. BRYCE YOUNG. (ALABAMA)
• QB. CJ STROUD. (OHIO STATE)
• WR. JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA. (OHIO STATE)
• WR. QUENTIN JOHNSTON. (TCU)
• EDGE. TYREE WILSON. (TEXAS TECH)
• EDGE. NOLAN SMITH. (GEORGIA)

This is the first installment of my draft need odyssey through the 8 NFL divisions. The next division in line is the electric AFC East. They will be followed the AFC North and the AFC West. We’ll dive into the NFC after that.