NFL Draft 2021: AFC South Team Needs
The AFC South has become an interesting division over the past few seasons. The Titans and Colts still look to be at the top of it with the latter having just traded for Carson Wentz. The division will gain new excitement at the end of the month with the Jaguars likely having a certain someone from Clemson under center this season. And all the drama in Houston adds another layer to this division race. Let’s see how all four teams can improve via the NFL draft.
Tennessee Titans
Offensive line may be the biggest need for the Titans after whiffing on last year’s first-round pick. Isaiah Wilson barely touched the field last season before being traded to the Dolphins then being cut. The Titans should look into the position again as finding a Jack Conklin replacement is still necessary.
Wide receiver is also a big need for the Titans as they lost both Corey Davis and Adam Humphries. Davis was the big loss of the two as he left for the New York Jets in free agency. There are some good choices in the late first round at this spot like Rashod Bateman and Rondale Moore.
Indianapolis Colts
Secondary may be the biggest need here for the Colts. You can say either this or wide receiver, but seeing as they drafted Michael Pittman Jr. early last year and he’s been a success, the Colts should look into the secondary.
Specifically, a replacement for Xavier Rhodes would be ideal; he is now 30 years old and not really a cornerback for the future in Indianapolis.
The Colts could potentially look to beef up their offensive line to protect new starting quarterback Carson Wentz, but they should attack that in the middle of the draft.
Houston Texans
Is it wrong to say “everything?”
The Texans are one of the more confusing teams to analyze, and they don’t even have a first-round pick in this draft.
Should the Deshaun Watson drama continue to escalate, maybe Houston should look to draft his replacement or at least a fill-in. The Texans did little at quarterback this offseason despite all the rumors, bringing in Tyrod Taylor during free agency.
Finding an edge rusher could also be a need here, as they just lost franchise icon J.J Watt after releasing him at the start of the offseason. They could look to start their draft there or possibly at receiver but figuring out where to start is a tough question to answer for this team.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Let’s get the obvious part out of the way first. The big need is quarterback but that is almost certainly going to be filled by drafting Trevor Lawrence. He and new head coach Urban Meyer should be a perfect pairing down in Jacksonville as they look to lead the Jaguars into a new era.
Elsewhere, drafting someone to help protect Lawrence could be done as early as the first round with the Jaguars possessing the No. 25 overall pick from the Rams. The Jaguars gave up the fourth most sacks in the league last year, which was one of the many reasons every quarterback that Jacksonville stuck under center struggled.
Secondary could also be a place to look at as the Jaguars look to rebuild their defense back to the old Sacksonville days.
The Jaguars have two first-round picks and the first pick in the second round as well, so the draft capital is there to help turn this team around.
Logan Bourandas is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.
