WAY Too Early Talk: AFC South Needs
It's amazing how time changes all. Five years ago if I told you Eric Decker or Julius Peppers were a free agent you would beg for your team to sign them. Now, Decker is a shadow of what he used to be and Peppers is 38 just coming off shoulder surgery. WR- Other than Decker, Danny Amendola is going to be a FA... chomping at the bit? Not quite. He's on the wrong side of 30, injury issues and is a third option at best. Jarvis Landry wants to come back to the Dolphins but, he won't be cheep! Look for teams to free up some cap space to get their hands on this receiving threat. Other receivers of note are both Jaguars WR Allen Robinson (who tore his ACL to start 2017) and Marqise Lee. And then there is as Sammy Watkins. He is interesting. Other than ONE 1,000yd season he has been a tad of a disappointment. Maybe in the right system (Patriots, Chargers, Eagles) he could be a real threat. DE- Marcus Lawrence is one of the crown jewels of this free agent pool. Lawrence is coming off a 15 sack season and is the real deal. He knows how to contain, how to rush the passer and how to stuff the run. Alex Okafor tore his Achilles last year but, still had some impact for the Saints. No going to set the world on fire but, a sold starter for any 3-4 defense. Then there are the two vets in Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah who racked up 12 sacks and the invincible Julius Peppers who totaled 11 sacks in 2017. My guess is that Peppers wants to end his career with the Panthers.
AFC South
Jaguars (1st AFC South) NEED: WR- As I mentioned above the Jags will have two of their key receivers possibly hit the FA market. No! No! No! Jacksonville does not need to replace Blake Bortles. The Buccaneers won a SB with Brad Johnson and the Ravens won a SB with Trent Dilfer. Enough Said. Bortles ended the regular season with 21TD/13INT, threw 3TD in the post season and ZERO interceptions. Is he the end all QB? NO! But, some teams would kill for that C+ QB play. So, instead replacing him. Replace his targets. In the draft I like Texas A&M WR, Christian Kirk. A threat as a KR/PR, an outstanding route runner, great hands and will be a great option for Bortles. In the FA market I like them to offer 1/2yr deals to Decker or Amendola. WHAT? Yes, they are sure handed vets that could help mentor a young receiver. The Jags are set to make it back to the playoffs already and I think two new receivers are key.
Titans (2nd AFC South) NEED: OG- Tennesse has a ton of cap space and look for them to flex it this off-season. They made the f&^%ing playoffs this year! I couldn't believe it. Marcus Mariota has to prove this year he is better than is 13TD/15TD regular season in 2017. No better way to instill confidence in a QB then to upgrade is confidence in his offensive line. In the draft (TEN has the 25th pick) I like University of Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn. Undersized for tackle in the NFL I like him on the interior at guard opening up holes for DeMarco Murry and Derrick Henry. He needs some work on his pass pro due to his footwork. In free agency *drum roll* look for them to throw a huge contract at Andrew Norwell from the Panthers. Norwell maybe one of the best guards in the NFL and is a leader on the line. He won't be cheap but, is worth the investment. With 45.7mil worth of cap space, the Titans are the front runner for Norwell.
Colts (3rd AFC South) NEED: OT- Semi-breaking news... Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich has agreed to become the Colts new head coach. Last week when I saw Josh McDaniels turn tail from Indy I was NOT surprised. It's clear to me that in an organization that loves consistency it only makes sense that they want to know who their head coach will be after Bill Belichick retires in the years to come. Now with a head coach at the helm it will be interesting to see what his priorities are right off the bat. You have two options. One, scrap Andrew Luck and his noodle shoulder and start from scratch. Two, you believe in Luck and you have to protect him with a better offensive line. Lets say his shoulder is better, you need to keep him upright. In the draft (with the third pick) you have your choice of Texas OT Connor Williams or trade back and get OT Orlando Brown from Oklahoma. Both would be plug and play starters and a step in the right direction for the Colts. In free agency I think Patriots OT Nate Solder is a great choice. He's 30, he has had some injury issues but, is a leader. A great mentor for any young Indy lineman and has the ability to be a starter at left tackle for at least a few more seasons.
Texans (4th AFC South) NEED: QB- HOT TAKE ALERT. I think if J.J. Watt doesn't play a full season in 2018 the Texans need to look to supplement their DL or cut him. He did great things for the city and he has an engine that won't stop BUT, Watt hasn't played a full season since 2015. He has a total of 1.5 sacks through the last two years and has played in eight total games. But, their more immediate need is at quarterback. But, alas they don't have a first or second round pick after trading them away to get QB DeShaun Watson! Sadly, Watson's ACL turned to pudding and was out for the rest of 2017. Which is a shame because he had that team ROLLING! So, with a injury liability at QB and a defense that can win playoff games you NEED to have a solid back up, true 1-A QB. In the draft I like Mason Rudolph, QB from Oklahoma State. On my board he is the sixth best quarterback in the draft. A Rock Hill native, this QB maybe around in the third round and has a lot of upside. My only issue with teams like OK State/Texas Tech/Hawaii etc... they all have QB friendly systems that allow for gaudy stats. In the FA market there are some solid choices. Geno Smith is somehow in the league but, he is a C-C+, won't cost a bundle and knows his role... he's a backup. OR, and this a big or, they spend a bunch more and roll the dice on Teddy Bridgewater. The Vikings have three QBs that may go to market and Bridgewater is the best 'long term' option. However, he is coming off an injury as well. Sorry Tom Savage and T.J. Yates... enjoy starting for the Tallahassee Swamp Things in the XFL.
AFC East teaser: The Patriots look to get younger QUICK, the Bills endless quarterback saga should be fixed this year, Jay Cutler maybe done with the Dolphins and the Jets are just happy to be in the league.
AFC South
Jaguars (1st AFC South) NEED: WR- As I mentioned above the Jags will have two of their key receivers possibly hit the FA market. No! No! No! Jacksonville does not need to replace Blake Bortles. The Buccaneers won a SB with Brad Johnson and the Ravens won a SB with Trent Dilfer. Enough Said. Bortles ended the regular season with 21TD/13INT, threw 3TD in the post season and ZERO interceptions. Is he the end all QB? NO! But, some teams would kill for that C+ QB play. So, instead replacing him. Replace his targets. In the draft I like Texas A&M WR, Christian Kirk. A threat as a KR/PR, an outstanding route runner, great hands and will be a great option for Bortles. In the FA market I like them to offer 1/2yr deals to Decker or Amendola. WHAT? Yes, they are sure handed vets that could help mentor a young receiver. The Jags are set to make it back to the playoffs already and I think two new receivers are key.
Titans (2nd AFC South) NEED: OG- Tennesse has a ton of cap space and look for them to flex it this off-season. They made the f&^%ing playoffs this year! I couldn't believe it. Marcus Mariota has to prove this year he is better than is 13TD/15TD regular season in 2017. No better way to instill confidence in a QB then to upgrade is confidence in his offensive line. In the draft (TEN has the 25th pick) I like University of Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn. Undersized for tackle in the NFL I like him on the interior at guard opening up holes for DeMarco Murry and Derrick Henry. He needs some work on his pass pro due to his footwork. In free agency *drum roll* look for them to throw a huge contract at Andrew Norwell from the Panthers. Norwell maybe one of the best guards in the NFL and is a leader on the line. He won't be cheap but, is worth the investment. With 45.7mil worth of cap space, the Titans are the front runner for Norwell.
Colts (3rd AFC South) NEED: OT- Semi-breaking news... Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich has agreed to become the Colts new head coach. Last week when I saw Josh McDaniels turn tail from Indy I was NOT surprised. It's clear to me that in an organization that loves consistency it only makes sense that they want to know who their head coach will be after Bill Belichick retires in the years to come. Now with a head coach at the helm it will be interesting to see what his priorities are right off the bat. You have two options. One, scrap Andrew Luck and his noodle shoulder and start from scratch. Two, you believe in Luck and you have to protect him with a better offensive line. Lets say his shoulder is better, you need to keep him upright. In the draft (with the third pick) you have your choice of Texas OT Connor Williams or trade back and get OT Orlando Brown from Oklahoma. Both would be plug and play starters and a step in the right direction for the Colts. In free agency I think Patriots OT Nate Solder is a great choice. He's 30, he has had some injury issues but, is a leader. A great mentor for any young Indy lineman and has the ability to be a starter at left tackle for at least a few more seasons.
Texans (4th AFC South) NEED: QB- HOT TAKE ALERT. I think if J.J. Watt doesn't play a full season in 2018 the Texans need to look to supplement their DL or cut him. He did great things for the city and he has an engine that won't stop BUT, Watt hasn't played a full season since 2015. He has a total of 1.5 sacks through the last two years and has played in eight total games. But, their more immediate need is at quarterback. But, alas they don't have a first or second round pick after trading them away to get QB DeShaun Watson! Sadly, Watson's ACL turned to pudding and was out for the rest of 2017. Which is a shame because he had that team ROLLING! So, with a injury liability at QB and a defense that can win playoff games you NEED to have a solid back up, true 1-A QB. In the draft I like Mason Rudolph, QB from Oklahoma State. On my board he is the sixth best quarterback in the draft. A Rock Hill native, this QB maybe around in the third round and has a lot of upside. My only issue with teams like OK State/Texas Tech/Hawaii etc... they all have QB friendly systems that allow for gaudy stats. In the FA market there are some solid choices. Geno Smith is somehow in the league but, he is a C-C+, won't cost a bundle and knows his role... he's a backup. OR, and this a big or, they spend a bunch more and roll the dice on Teddy Bridgewater. The Vikings have three QBs that may go to market and Bridgewater is the best 'long term' option. However, he is coming off an injury as well. Sorry Tom Savage and T.J. Yates... enjoy starting for the Tallahassee Swamp Things in the XFL.
AFC East teaser: The Patriots look to get younger QUICK, the Bills endless quarterback saga should be fixed this year, Jay Cutler maybe done with the Dolphins and the Jets are just happy to be in the league.
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