Around the AFC South

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts and Andrew Luck are all but locked into marriage at the #1 pick in the upcoming 2012 NFL draft. Manning is most likely finding a job with another team too. With that said, they have a lot of other holes to fill. Is new head coach Chuck Pagano going to call a 43 defense or make the drastic change to his beloved 34 defense? What is going to happen with Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon and Jeff Saturday? Andrew Luck ran a run first offense at Stanford, and Pagano’s Baltimore ravens team went through Ray Rice. The Colts arguably do not have a running back on the roster to carry the load. With all those holes and scheme changes it looks like the Colts are going to be irrelevant in the division for at least another year.

Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars need to find someone for Gabbert to throw to. That means they need to go out and sign a #1 or #2 receiver in free agency and get the other in the first couple rounds of the draft. Their only receiving threat, if that can even be said, is Mike Thomas. He is best suited for the slot because of his lack of size. If they truly believe in Gabbert they need to invest in some help for him. Mercedes Lewis and Maurice Jones-Drew can’t be the only guys defenses need to focus on if the Jags want to be successful in today’s NFL.

Tennessee Titans: The Tennessee Titans don’t have any glaring holes at any position, but they certainly need upgrades. Their lack of quarterback sacks and pressures needs to be addressed in free agency and early in the draft. If a play making defensive lineman isn’t available with the first round pick look for them to snag Mark Barron or the best wide receiver available. Contract negotiations with Jason Jones have all but stalled, and the negotiations with safety Griffin and cornerback Cortland Finnegan haven’t even launched yet. The Titans can afford to lose those three players, but not without adding a couple significant free agents that can come in and make a difference immediately. Best case scenario would be to throw the bank at defensive end Mario Williams, but Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis of the Colts will do just fine. Add in another solid draft class and the Tennessee Titans are back in the playoff picture.

Houston Texans: The Texans are another team that will benefit from the upcoming draft because they don’t have any glaring holes either. Wade Phillips’ defense was outstanding and their offense only lacks another wide receiver to compliment the all-world Andre Johnson. Retaining Mario Williams is unlikely, but it will not be too detrimental considering how well Brooks Reed and Conner Barwin performed last season. They do have a couple core players with expiring contracts in running back Arian Foster and center Chris Meyers. I think both will be resigned to long term deals, but they need to be done soon because both will be hot commodities on the open market.

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