The first waves of free agency have come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 18th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s continue with the AFC South.
Houston Texans
Key acquisitions: RB David Johnson, WR Brandin Cooks, WR Randall Cobb, S Eric Murray, DT Timmy Jernigan, S Jaylen Watkins, OT Brent Qvale
Re-signed: CB Bradley Roby, K Kai’imi Fairbairn, TE Darren Fells, DL Brandon Dunn, LB Tyrell Adams, CB Phillip Gaines
Departures: WR DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals), DT D.J. Reader (Bengals), RB Taiwan Jones (Bills), LB Barkevious Mingo (Bears)
Remaining free agents: CB Johnathan Joseph, RB Carlos Hyde, RB Lamar Miller, OT Chris Clark, S Jahleel Addae
Analysis: Texans fans absolutely HATE Bill O’Brien right now. You trade away the best receiver in the game and don’t even get a first-round pick. That’s a sign of a poorly-run organization. He really let his emotions get ahead of himself, which is why coaches should never be general managers. There was tension between Hopkins and O’Brien, and instead of working it out with the star receiver, he just shipped him off to Arizona for David Johnson, his massive contract and a second-rounder. While yes they got a talented running back, but you don’t trade your best player when you are consistent playoff contenders. You just don’t.
That wasn’t the only receiver trade they made, as the Texans acquired former Rams, Patriots, and Saints receiver Brandin Cooks for a second-rounder. Cooks has now been traded three times, and becomes one of their top receivers, alongside fellow newbie and former Packer and Cowboy Randall Cobb. With Cooks and Will Fuller on the outside, Cobb will play the slot in what is a pretty injury-prone receiving core. Cooks has had concussion issues the past few seasons, while Fuller is only known for his injuries, as he’s never played a 16-game season and hasn’t topped 700 yards in a season.
Enough about the offense, they also made a couple additions on defense, with safety Eric Murray, formerly of the Browns and Chiefs, and defensive lineman Timmy Jernigan, formerly of the Eagles and Ravens. Murray adds upside as either a starter or third safety alongside Tashaun Gipson and Justin Reid. Jernigan joins a defensive line that just lost star nose tackle D.J. Reader to the Bengals, but still has J.J. Watt with emerging young starter Charles Omenihu. They re-signed the former Bronco Bradley Roby to a three-year deal after a solid season as a starter, while Johnathan Joseph is still a free agent, leaving Lonnie Johnson, Gareon Conley, and Vernon Hargreaves as the remaining corners, which isn’t even that bad.
Conclusion: Well with all the additions and subtractions, this still isn’t that bad of a roster. Johnson is a bit overpaid, but if he can get back to his old self, will be a major weapon for the Texans. Carlos Hyde had a great year for them last year, but he’s still on the market, and Johnson could be viewed as an upgrade. If Hopkins wasn’t previously on this roster, you’d be impressed with the receiving core of Cooks, Fuller, Cobb, Kenny Stills, and Keke Coutee, but we’re never going to get over that. The offensive line is still iffy. Laremy Tunsil will be looking for a new contract soon, and since they gave up so much draft capital, they need to lock him down long term, so open up those wallets. They did good in the draft last year, getting their starting left guard in Max Scharping and right tackle Tytus Howard. Nick Martin is solid at center, but they may look to upgrade over Zach Fulton at right guard.
On defense, I already highlighted on Watt, Omenihu, and Jernigan, but their linebackers are pretty solid too. Zach Cunningham is a fast tackling machine alongside Bernardrick McKinney, and Whitney Mercilus and Jacob Martin are decent edge rushers. Look for them to add another pass rusher in the draft, but not til the second round. Their DBs are actually really good, with a lot of former first-round castoffs and veteran starters, but solid players nonetheless.
Yes, this was not a good offseason for Texans fans, losing your prized wide receiver to the Cardinals based on the dumb decision by your head coach/wannabe general manager. They’ve got to straighten things out in this organization, because O’Brien is on his way out if things don’t. They attempted to make moves to make up for it, a good effort, but nothing will replace the talent that is DeAndre Hopkins.
Indianapolis Colts
Key acquisitions: QB Philip Rivers, DL DeForest Buckner, CB Xavier Rhodes, DT Sheldon Day, CB T.J. Carrie, FB Roosevelt Nix
Re-signed: OT Anthony Castonzo, OT Le’Raven Clark
Departures: TE Eric Ebron (Steelers), CB Pierre Desir (Jets), WR Devin Funchess (Packers), DT Margus Hunt, OT Joe Haeg (Buccaneers), QB Brian Hoyer (Patriots)
Remaining free agents: S Clayton Geathers, DE Jabaal Sheard, WR Chester Rogers, RB Jonathan Williams, K Adam Vinatieri
Analysis: The Colts have been arguably the smartest organization in terms of drafting and free agency the past couple seasons. They are always near the top in cap space and make smart moves, not always the biggest moves, but smart moves. Among those moves this year was bringing in longtime Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers on a one-year deal. I’m curious about the years on the deal, as this would indicate the Colts feel they are contenders. I don’t disagree, but based on their record last year, would question whether ornot they may be fully ready, especially with the competition within the division. Or I could be overlooking something. Maybe they see the Texans as taking a step back (for obvious reasons) and don’t see the Titans as much of a threat, and it’s their time. Who knows. Anyway, Rivers is now the starter, which send Jacoby Brissett back to the bench. They also brought back starting left tackle Anthony Castonzo, who contemplated retirement this offseason. Rivers has got to be excited to play behind this offensive line.
On defense, the Colts brass pulled one of the bigger trades this offseason, acquiring Pro Bowl defensive lineman DeForest Buckner from the 49ers for a first-rounder. Buckner is a beast, and has been since entering as the seventh overall pick in 2016. They also signed him to a four-year extension, locking up the 26 year old long term. They also brought in former 49ers and Jaguars DL Sheldon Day to replace Margus Hunt.
Indy also made a deal for another former first-round Pro Bowler, this time from the Vikings, signing cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes was once the best corner in the league, but really stunk last year, and was eventually cut in a cap-saving move. He signs on a one-year prove-it deal to lead the secondary after the team cut starter Pierre Desir. They also brought in former Browns and Raiders corner T.J. Carrie.
Conclusion: The key to the Colts free agent strategy that I’ve figured out recently is one-word: patience. In the 2018 draft, they stayed pat with the sixth pick and got a Hall of Fame-caliber guard in Quenton Nelson, then a star linebacker in the second round in Darius Leonard. In 2019 free agency, they had the most cap space, and didn’t make any big moves in the first wave. Then they had a player fall into their lap when the Chiefs cut Justin Houston. Then they traded back in the draft, and got really good players in the second round. This year, Rhodes got cut, and Indy scooped him up. Now they’ve got a sneaky really good secondary. The additions of Rhodes and Carrie, along with Rock Ya-Sin, Marvell Tell, and nickel Kenny Moore form a very good cornerbacks room. Safety Clayton Geathers likely won’t be back as fourth-rounder Khari Willis outplayed him last year, so he’ll be the starter alongside former first-rounder Malik Hooker. The defensive front is solid, with Houston, Buckner, Kemoko Turay, and Denico Autry. The linebackers are also among the best, with Leonard, Anthony Walker, Bobby Okereke, and Matthew Adams. Outside of Leonard, these aren’t well-known guys, but I guarantee you, you will soon.
The offense is a question mark, with injuries surrounding the uncertainty. Marlon Mack has proven he can be the starter, but hasn’t played 16 games yet. Mack, along with passing back Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins form a solid trio, plus the addition of former Steelers Pro Bowl fullback Roosevelt Nix help the Colts with their running identity. The receivers are a bit lacking. T.Y. Hilton is an elite receiver, but missed six games, and second-rounder Parris Campbell missed nine games. Zach Pascal is a fine player, but they need more weapons for Rivers, who had Keenan Allen and Mike Williams at his disposal in LA. The Devin Funchess experiment was an incomplete, as he only played one game and would’ve fit perfectly in this offense, but he’s now in Green Bay. Eric Ebron is also gone, so its the Jack Doyle show now.
I like the Colts. I like what they’ve been doing the past few seasons in free agency, and even more in the draft. They don’t have a first-round pick because of the Buckner trade, but they do their best work in the second round, where they have two picks, one of which was acquired last year after trading out of the first round. I think they’ll add a receiver, which is perfect because this draft is loaded, and they should get a good one in the second round. Colts fans should trust the organization that they’re making the right moves. They had so much hope after 2018 that they’d be back, but the surprise retirement of Andrew Luck really crushed their hopes. With Rivers under center, and with everyone hopefully healthy, the Colts should be ready to make another run.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Key acquisitions: LB Joe Schobert, DT Rodney Gunter, TE Tyler Eifert, CB Rashaan Melvin, DT Al Woods, OLB Cassius Marsh
Re-signed: DE Yannick Ngakoue (franchise), C Tyler Shatley, DT Carl Davis
Departures: CB A.J. Bouye (Broncos), DE Calais Campbell (Ravens), QB Nick Foles (Bears), TE Geoff Swaim, OT Cedric Ogbuehi (Seahawks), TE Seth DeValve (Panthers), TE Nick O’Leary (Raiders)
Remaining free agents: DT Marcell Dareus, LB Preston Brown, TE Ben Koyack
Analysis: There are few fan bases that have had it more rough than Jaguars fans. After losing in the AFC Championship in 2017, it’s been a free fall for Duval County. They’ve since traded both their starting corners, their star defensive lineman, the quarterback they gave a huge contract to, and now they’re reportedly shopping their franchise tagged edge rusher and starting running back. Not sure who’s running the show in Jacksonville, but they’ve got to have it rough right now.
You would think that a team that is selling as much as the Jaguars are, they wouldn’t be spenders, but they are, which I guess brings some hope to Jaguars fans. They signed former Browns Pro Bowl linebacker Joe Schobert to a five-year deal. Schobert is a quiet playmaking linebacker who’s a tackling machine. He’ll join Myles Jack, Quincy Williams, and Leon Jacobs in that room after Telvin Smith stepped away before 2019. They also signed former Cardinals defensive lineman Rodney Gunter and former journeyman Al Woods, who’ll take the place of Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus, but not really. They also signed DE Cassius Marsh, along with CB Rashaan Melvin. Melvin will likely be a starter, due to necessity, alongside Tre Herndon and nickel D.J. Hayden. They also got some help on offense, with former Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert.
Conclusion: This was a rough offseason for Jaguars fans, even rougher than Texans fans, to an extent. They are in full rebuild with no direction and holes all over the roster. They traded Foles, leaving some to presume that Gardner Minshew is the starter, but I’m not even convinced of that. I think they could take a quarterback in the first round, maybe Tua or Jordan Love. They have two picks there, so why not. I also think they’ll go cornerback. Herndon was a nice player last year, but you need at least three good corners on a roster, and they barely have one. Look for C.J. Henderson to be a target, if not one of the other several projected in the first round, like A.J. Terrell, Kristian Fulton, and Trevon Diggs among others. Honestly, if they take any position outside of running back and offensive tackle, that’d be smart. They had a good draft last year with a couple players that fell into their laps in DE Josh Allen and OT Jawaan Taylor, so hopefully they’ll be smart.
The parts I do like are their receivers. D.J. Chark was a breakout star last year, with a 1,000-yard season and a Pro Bowl, along with Dede Westbrook, but they could use more. I like Fournette, but he can’t keep his mouth shut, and could be traded. They have a couple young defensive players they can rely on, like Josh Allen, Taven Bryan and Quincy Williams, and some now veteran leaders in LB Myles Jack and safety Jarrod Wilson.
It’ll be a long road ahead for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The next few years will be rough, guaranteed, but keep your heads up.
Tennessee Titans
Key acquisitions: OLB Vic Beasley, OT Ty Sambrailo, LB Nick Dzubnar, DE Jack Crawford
Re-signed: QB Ryan Tannehill, RB Derrick Henry (franchise), OT Dennis Kelly, TE MyCole Pruitt, OLB Kamalei Correa
Departures: OT Jack Conklin (Browns), QB Marcus Mariota (Raiders), TE Delanie Walker, RB Dion Lewis (Giants), DE Cameron Wake, NT Austin Johnson (Giants), WR Tajae Sharpe (Vikings), K Ryan Succop, CB LeShaun Sims (Bengals)
Remaining free agents: CB Logan Ryan, LB Wesley Woodyard, CB Tramaine Brock
Analysis: The Titans are finally good! They finally found a franchise quarterback in Ryan Tannehill, and all it took was the benching of former No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota and trading for a former Dolphins starter while giving up a fourth-round pick. They also got their franchise running back in Derrick Henry, who had a dominant 2019 season, and received the franchise tag. Those guys are entrenched in the franchise now, so it’s time to fill out the rest of the roster.
Unfortunately, more holes were created than filled in free agency. Starting right tackle Jack Conklin departed for the Browns, so recently re-signed swing tackle Dennis Kelly will likely be the full-time starter. They brought in Ty Sambrailo to take Kelly’s swing role. The also lost a couple skill guys in longtime tight end Delanie Walker, backup running back Dion Lewis, and backup receiver Tajae Sharpe.
On defense, they cut Cameron Wake and lost NT Austin Johnson to the Giants. To fill a hole at edge rusher, the Titans signed former NFL sack leader Vic Beasley, the former first-rounder of the Falcons. Harold Landry led the team in sacks with 9.0, followed by Jurrell Casey (traded to the Broncos for a…7th?!) and Kamalei Correa with 5.0. They need help there, and Beasley can give you that, as long as he’s used correctly in the right scheme. Crawford is a nice depth player and Dzubnar is a solid special teamer.
Conclusion: The Titans found their identity in 2019 as a run-first, pound it right down your throat type offense. While teams were becoming smaller and faster, the Titans got bigger and stronger, zig vs. zag. Tannehill was definitely let loose last year, no longer under that first-round pressure of being in Miami (and away from Adam Gase) and he really played well. They can’t always have Henry run the ball, teams will pick up on that and game plan for him. They’ve got some nice receivers. A.J. Brown was a STEAL in the second round and outplayed former fifth overall pick Corey Davis. Humphries is a good slot receiver, but missed six games including playoffs. I really like Jonnu Smith, and he’s ready to be the starter. The offensive line is really good, but they’ll have new starters at right tackle with Kelly and right guard with 2019 third-rounder Nate Davis, who started the final 12 games of the season.
On defense, they aren’t losing much from Wake, and are only losing depth with Johnson as DaQuan Jones is the starting nose tackle. They got Jeffery Simmons in the first-round last year, he missed most of the season, but before his pre-draft injury was considered a top 10 pick. He’s now healthy, and will join Landry, Beasley, Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown in a solid front seven. In the secondary, their safeties are really good with Kevin Byard and Kenny Vaccaro with Amani Hooker as a young third safety. The cornerbacks are questionable, as Logan Ryan is still a free agent, and Malcolm Butler hasn’t quite lived up to his contract and missed seven games with a broken wrist. I really like Adoree’ Jackson. He took a step forward as a starter and finished as PFF‘s 8th-best corner. They need depth there, so I think they’ll take a corner or defensive tackle with the 29th pick.
This is a talented roster in a rough-looking division. I’d be shocked if they aren’t the division winners in 2020. They are a team with an identity and a great head coach. The Titans are finally good NFL fans, deal with it.
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