What does your team REALLY need? (AFC South)
Before I jump into the abyss that is the AFC South I just want to take a look at few events that happened today. The Denver Broncos traded to get Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez for a conditional draft pick. Which, may seem insane to some but for such a low price the Broncos picked up a QB with multiple starts in the NFL with decent upside. Sanchez is better than drafting a rookie with zero starts or trying to wade further into a meager free agent QB pool. Also, the Cleveland Browns finally parted ways with Johnny Football. I am going to stop at that because I have nothing good to say about him, nor, should anyone. *Lecture over* Now, let us journey into a division that had a had an overall record of 25-39. Aim'n High!
Indianapolis Colts (8-8, 18th overall pick) Need: Outside LB/End
The Colts had an identity crisis last year with franchise quarterback Andrew Luck on the mend. Luckily for them they had newly retired Matt Hasselbeck to guide them to a par .500 season. Now, that Luck is back and healthy the Colts actually need to concern themselves with the other side of the ball. Indy could lose starting linebacker Jerrell Freeman to free agency; who, by the way, was second on the team in tackles. They already missed out on re-signing safety Dwight Lowery who just signed with San Diego. Now, the Colts have to look to help aid a linebacker core that, in my opinion, is one of the poorest in the league. After D'Qwell Jackson the talent falls of quick. The next mention-able guy is 8th on the tackle list in Eric Waldon. Lets just say the kids in Indy aren't rushing out to buy his jersey anytime soon. Any help would be an improvement, so, who can they sign out of free agency? A few names come to mind that would fit into the Colts scheme; one is Mike Neal from Green Bay. Neal is solid in coverage and racked up 36 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble last year. At 27, he is old enough to be a veteran without age being liability but at the same time he has four solid years of starting under his belt. Or maybe inside linebacker Tennessee Titian, Zach Brown. He has started three out of four seasons since he has been in the NFL and last year he had a above average season with 77 tackles and two interceptions. Heck! Why not throw a one year deal at Dwight Freeny? He may enjoy his last few years with the team that drafted him and brought him his only Super Bowl ring. If Indy wants to build at this spot via the draft, this would be an ideal year to do it. Leonard Floyd, outside linebacker, from Georgia could help bring an edge to this lack luster linebacker core. The words that scouts and pundits have used to describe Floyd are: elite, explosive, extremely fast and an extreme athlete, just to name a few.
Houston Texans (9-7, 22nd overall) Need: Center/Guard
It goes without saying that the Texans made the 'biggest' free agent news when they signed Brock Osweiler away from the Denver Broncos. They also made sure he had someone to hand the ball off to and additionally signed former Dolphin Lamar Miller. Lets not forget who already is on the Texans roster, DeAndre Hopkins. Despite 5,000 different quarterbacks starting in Houston last year Hopkins had an eye opening 1,521yds and 11TD. Now they just need some guys to help protect their offense assets. Even with the Texans opening up their wallets this off season they let their starting center, Ben Jones, get picked up the Titans. That needs to be addressed before this offense can even begin to have delusions of grandeur. The market is pretty thin but there are a few interior lineman that could fill out the Texans' line. Evan Mathis from the Broncos and Jahri Evans from the Saints are both long time vets that could fill in for the time being. Neither really scream long term solution. Best bet? Stephen Wisniewski from Jacksonville. Wisniewski is a true center, knows AFC South defenses and is a few years younger than Evans and Mathis. However, if the Texans wait until the draft there are two lineman that may suit their needs a bit better. First is Max Tuerk out of USC. He was a three year starter and played every position on the offensive line while at USC. Or just as good, Nick Martin from Notre Dame who was a team captain and played both center and guard.
Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11, 5th overall pick) Need: Cornerback
Last division up in this series? AFC West.
Stats, facts, and figures: NFL.com, ESPN.com, USCTrojians.com, ProFootballTalk.com, CBSSports.com
Indianapolis Colts (8-8, 18th overall pick) Need: Outside LB/End
The Colts had an identity crisis last year with franchise quarterback Andrew Luck on the mend. Luckily for them they had newly retired Matt Hasselbeck to guide them to a par .500 season. Now, that Luck is back and healthy the Colts actually need to concern themselves with the other side of the ball. Indy could lose starting linebacker Jerrell Freeman to free agency; who, by the way, was second on the team in tackles. They already missed out on re-signing safety Dwight Lowery who just signed with San Diego. Now, the Colts have to look to help aid a linebacker core that, in my opinion, is one of the poorest in the league. After D'Qwell Jackson the talent falls of quick. The next mention-able guy is 8th on the tackle list in Eric Waldon. Lets just say the kids in Indy aren't rushing out to buy his jersey anytime soon. Any help would be an improvement, so, who can they sign out of free agency? A few names come to mind that would fit into the Colts scheme; one is Mike Neal from Green Bay. Neal is solid in coverage and racked up 36 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble last year. At 27, he is old enough to be a veteran without age being liability but at the same time he has four solid years of starting under his belt. Or maybe inside linebacker Tennessee Titian, Zach Brown. He has started three out of four seasons since he has been in the NFL and last year he had a above average season with 77 tackles and two interceptions. Heck! Why not throw a one year deal at Dwight Freeny? He may enjoy his last few years with the team that drafted him and brought him his only Super Bowl ring. If Indy wants to build at this spot via the draft, this would be an ideal year to do it. Leonard Floyd, outside linebacker, from Georgia could help bring an edge to this lack luster linebacker core. The words that scouts and pundits have used to describe Floyd are: elite, explosive, extremely fast and an extreme athlete, just to name a few.
Houston Texans (9-7, 22nd overall) Need: Center/Guard
It goes without saying that the Texans made the 'biggest' free agent news when they signed Brock Osweiler away from the Denver Broncos. They also made sure he had someone to hand the ball off to and additionally signed former Dolphin Lamar Miller. Lets not forget who already is on the Texans roster, DeAndre Hopkins. Despite 5,000 different quarterbacks starting in Houston last year Hopkins had an eye opening 1,521yds and 11TD. Now they just need some guys to help protect their offense assets. Even with the Texans opening up their wallets this off season they let their starting center, Ben Jones, get picked up the Titans. That needs to be addressed before this offense can even begin to have delusions of grandeur. The market is pretty thin but there are a few interior lineman that could fill out the Texans' line. Evan Mathis from the Broncos and Jahri Evans from the Saints are both long time vets that could fill in for the time being. Neither really scream long term solution. Best bet? Stephen Wisniewski from Jacksonville. Wisniewski is a true center, knows AFC South defenses and is a few years younger than Evans and Mathis. However, if the Texans wait until the draft there are two lineman that may suit their needs a bit better. First is Max Tuerk out of USC. He was a three year starter and played every position on the offensive line while at USC. Or just as good, Nick Martin from Notre Dame who was a team captain and played both center and guard.
Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11, 5th overall pick) Need: Cornerback
What a shock, the Jaguars are picking in the top 10! I don't believe it. Despite showing some improvement last year they still finished 3rd in the AFC South while tallying five wins. However, they were another team that took advantage of an above average FA market. So far they have signed running back Chris Ivory, defensive tackle Malik Jackson, punter Brad Nortman (kickers are people too), and safety Tashaun Gipson who left the Browns for the Jags because he said he "wanted to win." Mmhmm... Well, at least the weather and uniforms are better, I will give him that. Jacksonville should be happy to add this guy after having one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. The Jags let up 4,291yds and 30TD through the air while only having NINE total interceptions. Three of those came from linebacker Paul Posluszny. Okay. So, while writing this Adam Schefter of ESPN just tweeted that Jacksonville agreed to a one year deal with former Giant cornerback Prince Amukamara... so... lets talk draft. With such a high pick they have a chance to score one of the best players in the draft, cornerback Jallen Ramsey from FSU. Even if they had an elite secondary Ramsey would still be a great pick. A true elite athlete who also had a great track and field career with the Seminoles. Ramsey won the ACC long jump in both indoor and outdoor track. And was the anchor on their 4x100 team that also was first in the ACC. He has amazing upside and worst case can be a long time nickel and special teams player. Either way. He has serious draft value.
Tennessee Titans (3-13, 1st overall pick) Need: Offensive line
It's almost like the Titans picked in the top 5 last year. Oh wait. They did! And they took quarterback Marcus Mariota who had a so-so first year. So, in order to help out young Marcus the Titans recently singed receiver Rishard Mathews from Miami and the aforementioned center, Ben Jones out of Houston. And then they traded to get running back DeMarco Murry from Philly. Now the Titans need (very similar to the Texans) to reinforce their offensive line. In free agency there is a laundry list of previously injured tackles that could make some mild impact. But, with the first overall pick the Titans should be looking at the 2016 draft class instead. If Tennessee is careful they could build a young team and become a formidable opponent. Or. If they breathe in all the hype of certain players and pick on impulse they could send their newly revamped offense into the trash and could be eventually picking first overall again in 2017. Now who can they take? A lot of people say Laremy Tunsil, offensive tackle, from Ole Miss. Tunsil is that rare caliber player that has all the qualities of an eventual all-pro. Or is he a future Robert Gallery? Joey Bosa, defensive end, from Ohio State may also go first. He is 6'5, a major threat off the edge and looks NFL ready. He maybe great for Tennessee or maybe a royal bust like Vernon Gholston (also an OSU guy.) If they are smart they take Tunsil and continue to help grow a 'potentially' solid offense. Last division up in this series? AFC West.
Stats, facts, and figures: NFL.com, ESPN.com, USCTrojians.com, ProFootballTalk.com, CBSSports.com
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