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AFC South offseason grades 2023
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

AFC South Offseason Grades 2023

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Tennessee Titans’ 2023 offseason moves:

Draft Highlights:

Free Agency Signings:

  • DeAndre Hopkins, WR: Two-year contract (through 2024)
  • Chris Hubbard, OT: Signed as an unrestricted free agent
  • Jaleel Johnson, DT: Signed as an unrestricted free agent
  • Chris Moore, WR: Signed as an unrestricted free agent
  • Ben Niemann, LB: One-year contract (through 2023)
  • Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB: One-year contract (through 2023)
  • Arden Key, LB: Three-year contract (through 2025)
  • Azeez Al-Shaair, LB: One-year contract (through 2023)
  • Luke Gifford, LB: Two-year contract (through 2024)
  • Andre Dillard, OT: Three-year contract (through 2025)
  • Daniel Brunskill, OT: Two-year contract (through 2024)
  • Trevon Wesco, TE: One-year contract (through 2023)

Re-Signings:

Losses:

Outlook for 2023:

The Titans made some significant moves in free agency, including the signing of star WR DeAndre Hopkins and several key additions to the offensive line and linebacker corps. The draft choices, including QB Will Levis, add depth and potential future starters to the roster. The loss of Bud Dupree and the retirement of Josh Lambo are notable, but the team has made efforts to address key areas of need.

Offseason Grade: B

The Titans made some strong signings in free agency and appear to have focused on adding depth and talent through the draft. The addition of DeAndre Hopkins is a standout move that could have an immediate impact on the offense.

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Houston Texans’ 2023 Offseason

Draft Picks:

  • Round 1 (2): QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
  • Round 1 (3): EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
  • Round 2 (62): C Juice Scruggs, Penn State
  • Round 3 (69): WR Nathaniel Dell, Houston
  • Round 4 (109): EDGE Dylan Horton, TCU
  • Round 5 (167): LB Henry To’o To’o, Alabama
  • Round 6 (201): C Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
  • Round 6 (205): WR Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
  • Round 7 (248): S Brandon Hill, Pittsburgh

Free Agency Signings:

Losses:

  • QB Jeff Driskel, QB Kyle Allen
  • RB Royce Freeman
  • WR Brandin Cooks, WR Chris Moore, WR Phillip Dorsett
  • TE Jordan Akins, TE O.J. Howard
  • G A.J. Cann, G Justin McCrary
  • DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE/DT Rasheem Green
  • LB Blake Cashman, LB Neville Hewitt, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis
  • CB Tavierre Thomas, S Jonathan Owens

Outlook for 2023:

The Texans made significant moves in the draft, selecting QB C.J. Stroud and trading up to take EDGE Will Anderson Jr. These two picks could define the franchise’s future. The addition of veteran experience on both sides of the ball, including TE Dalton Schultz and S Jimmie Ward, adds stability and leadership.

The loss of WR Brandin Cooks is notable, but the team has attempted to address the receiving corps with the addition of Robert Woods and the drafting of Nathaniel Dell. The offensive line has also seen improvements, and the defense has been bolstered with new signings.

The focus for the Texans in 2023 appears to be on developing young talent and building a foundation for the future. The success of the season may be measured more by the growth of core players rather than wins and losses.

Offseason Grade: B-

The Texans made some bold moves in the draft, selecting a potential franchise quarterback and trading up for a premier edge defender. The free agency signings add experience and depth, but the loss of key players and the lack of a true alpha receiver may limit the immediate impact of the offseason moves. The trade up for Anderson also cost them their 2024 first-round pick, adding pressure on the young players to perform. The grade reflects a positive direction but acknowledges the risks and uncertainties in the Texans’ approach.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2023 Offseason

Draft Highlights:

  • Round 1 (27): T Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
  • Round 2 (61): TE Brenton Strange, Penn State
  • Round 3 (88): RB Tank Bigsby, Auburn
  • Round 4 (121): LB Ventrell Miller, Florida
  • Round 4 (130): EDGE Tyler Lacy, Oklahoma State
  • Round 5 (136): EDGE Yasir Abdullah, Louisville
  • Round 5 (160): S Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M

Free Agency Signings:

Re-Signings:

  • TE Evan Engram: Extension
  • QB C.J. Beathard: Extension
  • RB JaMycal Hasty: Extension
  • S Andrew Wingard: Extension
  • CB Tevaughn Campbell: Re-signed
  • CB Tre Herndon: Re-signed
  • DL Adam Gotsis: Re-signed

Losses:

  • TE Dan Arnold: Unsigned
  • WR Marvin Jones Jr.: Unsigned
  • DL Corey Peters: Unsigned
  • DL Dawuane Smoot: Unsigned
  • RT Jawaan Taylor: Signed with Kansas City Chiefs
  • TE Chris Manhertz: Signed with Denver Broncos
  • OLB Arden Key: Signed with the Tennessee Titans

Outlook for 2023:

The Jaguars made some significant moves in the draft, including selecting T Anton Harrison to replace the departing Jawaan Taylor. The addition of RB Tank Bigsby is expected to improve the short-yardage and goal-line situations. The re-signing of TE Evan Engram, who was an effective weapon last season, is also a key move.

The loss of Jawaan Taylor and other free agents may have an impact, but the Jaguars have made efforts to fill those gaps. The addition of WR Marvin Jones Jr. and other free-agent signings adds depth and experience to the roster.

With a strong draft class and some key free-agent signings, the Jaguars look poised to build on their success from last year. The young pieces on the offensive line will need to fit in quickly, and the team will want more from 2022 first-overall selection Travon Walker.

Offseason Grade: B

The Jaguars have made some smart moves in the draft and free agency, focusing on building depth and addressing key areas of need. The re-signing of Evan Engram and the addition of Tank Bigsby are standout moves. However, the loss of some key players and the uncertainty around some of the new additions prevent a higher grade. The Jaguars appear to be on the right track, but the success of their offseason will depend on how well the new pieces integrate into the team.

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Indianapolis Colts’ 2023 Offseason

Draft Highlights:

  • Round 1 (4): QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
  • Round 2 (44): CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
  • Round 3 (79): WR Josh Downs, North Carolina
  • Round 4 (106): T Blake Freeland, BYU
  • Round 4 (110): EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern
  • Round 5 (138): CB Darius Rush, South Carolina
  • Round 5 (158): S Daniel Scott, Cal

Free Agency Signings:

  • WR Pharaoh Brown
  • DI Taven Bryan
  • EDGE Samson Ebukam
  • RB Darrynton Evans
  • P Matt Gay
  • WR Isaiah McKenzie
  • QB Gardner Minshew

Losses:

Best Move of the Offseason:

  • Drafting Anthony Richardson: The Colts took a giant leap of faith by drafting Richardson with their first-round pick. The Florida product has significant accuracy and experience concerns, but he is built like Cam Newton and runs like Lamar Jackson. If Richardson can improve his accuracy, he has the tools to be one of the league’s elite.

Outlook for 2023:

The main dilemma for the Colts in 2023 will be deciding how soon to hand the reins over to Richardson. Gardner Minshew could start and is certainly capable of carrying the load while the rookie gets acclimated, but Indianapolis could also opt to thrust Richardson into the NFL experience immediately.

The Colts appear to be too thin on defense, particularly in the secondary, to be able to contend in the AFC South. Safety depth is a concern, and the team may need to consider signing a veteran to bolster the group.

The drafting of WR Josh Downs was a great value pick in the third round and could be ready for action early. The competition between Downs and Isaiah McKenzie will be an early position battle to watch.

Offseason Grade: A+

The Colts made some significant moves in the draft, including taking a chance on a potential franchise quarterback in Anthony Richardson. The free agency signings were not splashy, but they were strategic, and the team still has significant cap space for the future. The drafting of Richardson, along with other key selections like CB Julius Brents and WR Josh Downs, sets the Colts up with young talent that could make an immediate impact. The grade reflects a strong and well-executed offseason strategy that positions the Colts well for both the present and the future.

Ryan

Ryan