Ben Arthur
AFC South Reporter
The notion of the AFC South has modified drastically.
Not too way back, it was one of many NFL’s most irrelevant divisions. It had the worst collective energy. Up to now 10 seasons (2014-present), the AFC South has a mixed 43.9% successful fee, worst among the many league’s eight divisions, based on Sportradar. Coupled with a dearth of headlining expertise, the AFC South has sometimes attracted little consideration from nationwide audiences.
That began to vary in an enormous approach final season, with C.J. Stroud placing collectively arguably the perfect rookie quarterback season in NFL historical past. He is the most important star amid a crop of proficient, younger quarterbacks within the division who’ve drawn intrigue.
We’re at some extent now the place we’re discussing an arms race within the AFC South.
The Texans acquired star large receiver Stefon Diggs from Buffalo in a surprising commerce Wednesday, bolstering their case of getting top-of-the-line rosters within the AFC, if not the finest. They’ve additionally traded for former Professional Bowl working again Joe Mixon, and added in free company star pass-rusher Danielle Hunter, defensive lineman Denico Autry and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
Just like the Texans, the Titans have been aggressively constructing their roster. They traded for and prolonged L’Jarius Sneed, one of many prime cornerbacks within the NFL final season. They gave large receiver Calvin Ridley and heart Lloyd Cushenberry huge contracts in free company. They’ve additionally made large investments in cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, working again Tony Pollard and linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr.
The Jaguars have not been fairly as energetic because the Texans and Titans, however they’ve responded to their 2023 collapse by pouring assets into the trenches. Most notably, they’ve added Arik Armstead to a defensive position that already options Josh Allen and Travon Walker, who led all NFL duos with 27.5 sacks final season. Gabe Davis has additionally arrived in Jacksonville through free company, and the previous Payments receiver figures to be one other prime goal for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The Colts’ method to enchancment, in the meantime, could not be extra totally different from the remainder of the division.
Indianapolis’ most important exterior signings have been a backup quarterback (Joe Flacco) and a backup defensive deal with (Raekwon Davis). The Colts as an alternative re-upped with their very own gamers, re-signing or prolonged the likes of Michael Pittman Jr., nickelback Kenny Moore II, linebacker Zaire Franklin, nostril deal with Grover Stewart and security Julian Blackmon. After falling a sport wanting the playoffs, Indianapolis is banking on continuity propelling the crew ahead. It is closely banking on second-year QB Anthony Richardson’s wholesome return and continued growth.
Are the Texans a prime contender with Stefon Diggs?
The latter level speaks to the theme in all this: The younger quarterbacks are the focus of decision-making within the AFC South.
“You take a look at the quarterbacks we’ve got in our division,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson mentioned on the NFL Mix, “these are some younger, athletic guys. … The AFC South, I feel, is in good arms with regards to the quarterback place.”
The Texans have loaded their roster, elevating it to Tremendous Bowl-caliber (on paper), as a result of they’ve a franchise quarterback in Stroud on a rookie contract. The Titans have equally bolstered their crew to determine if Will Levis is what Stroud has already established himself to be.
The Jags have centered closely on the inside offensive line (prolonged guard Ezra Cleveland, restructured guard Brandon Scherff’s contract, signed veteran heart Mitch Morse) to raise their short-yardage execution and the run sport, which might take stress off Lawrence. And the Colts have largely stood pat as a result of they really feel they have already got the core of an offense that may help Richardson, whom they hope can keep wholesome in 2024. Needless to say Richardson and star working again Jonathan Taylor performed simply two snaps collectively final season.
Colts RB Zack Moss talks Anthony Richardson, Shane Steichen
The AFC South groups have additionally operated in a solution to decelerate the division’s younger quarterbacks who are usually not their very own.
On paper, the Texans and Jaguars have two of the highest pass-rushing defensive strains within the NFL. The Titans have one of many league’s finest cornerback rooms, all of the extra vital within the wake of Diggs’ arrival within the AFC South.
The division is crammed with prime receiving expertise — Diggs, Ridley, Davis, Pittman, DeAndre Hopkins, Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Christian Kirk.
The AFC South is anticipated to be one of many NFL’s best divisions in 2024.
The highlight has arrived.
Ben Arthur is the AFC South reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a yr and a half. He lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to shifting to Tennessee. You possibly can observe Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
Get extra from Nationwide Soccer League Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
