The AFC South has changed a bit, especially in Indianapolis. Carson Wentz is out, and Matt Ryan is in with the Colts. The Titans have been the steadiest and most consistent team in the division. The Jaguars are drafting first overall again, but they have a new head coach in Doug Pederson. And the Texans are in Year 2 of a massive rebuild after finishing 4-13 last season. We explore team needs and draft prospects that make sense in our AFC South NFL Draft preview.
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AFC South 2022 NFL Draft Preview
Will the Texans find an impactful defensive player? Can the Titans get help at wide receiver? What can the Colts do without a first-round pick? Is Aidan Hutchinson the next Jaguars top overall pick? What’s going on in the AFC South?
Tennessee Titans: Team needs, draft targets, salary cap, and prospects to watch
Cap Space (as of April 22)
$1.779 million available
2022 NFL Draft Picks
1-26, 3-90, 4-131, 4-143, 5-169, 6-204, 6-219
The AFC South champions in back-to-back seasons, the Titans haven’t won a playoff game for two years in a row. They went 12-5 a year ago and were the top seed in the AFC.
It may be time to find an eventual replacement for Ryan Tannehill.
Matt Corral? Sam Howell? Desmond Ridder?
Indianapolis Colts: Team needs, draft targets, salary cap, and prospects to watch
Cap Space (as of April 22)
$13.487 million.
2022 NFL Draft Picks
2-42, 3-73, 4-122, 5-159, 5-179, 6-216, 7-239
Moving on from Wentz and acquiring Ryan likely puts off finding a long-term answer at quarterback for a year.
The Colts don’t have a first-round draft pick. It was sent to the Philadelphia Eagles last season as part of the failed Wentz trade.
While the Colts have star running back Jonathan Taylor back and signed veteran corner Stephon Gilmore, it’s time to fortify the offensive line and tight end positions.
Houston Texans: Team needs, draft targets, salary cap, and prospects to watch
Cap Space (as of April 19)
$24.566 million
2022 NFL Draft Picks
1-3, 1-13, 2-37, 3-68, 3-80, 4-107, 4-108, 6-183, 6-205, 6-207, 7-245
The Texans, after trading three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson, have plenty of draft capital, but they’re coming off a 4-13 season.
Davis Mills is QB1 after a strong finish to his rookie campaign, even though he went 2-9 as the starter.
Lovie Smith was promoted to head coach from defensive coordinator after the Texans fired coach David Culley.
The Texans need help at defensive end (how about Kayvon Thibodeaux or Travon Walker), offensive line (perhaps Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu), or cornerback (maybe Cincinnati’s Ahmad Gardner).
Jacksonville Jaguars: Team needs, draft targets, salary cap, and prospects to watch
Cap Space (as of April 22)
$6.816 million
2022 NFL Draft Picks
1-1, 2-33, 3-65, 3-70, 4-106, 5-157, 6-180, 6-188, 6-197, 6-198, 7-222, 7-235
The Jaguars have the first overall pick for the second year in a row.
A year after drafting franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence, they have a lot more heavy lifting to do after a 3-14 season and plenty of turmoil. Head coach Urban Meyer was replaced by Doug Pederson, but personnel boss Trent Baalke survived.
The Jaguars were a player in free agency, an over-payer for Christian Kirk, Brandon Scherff, and Foyesade Oluokun as the team committed over $175 million in guaranteed money to signings.
The Jaguars could use a top-flight defensive end such as Michigan edge rusher Hutchinson to work in tandem with Josh Allen.
Another direction they could go? Offensive line. Alabama’s Neal or North Carolina State’s Ekwonu would fit the bill at first overall quite nicely.
There’s really no other position or player that makes a lot of sense for the Jaguars at No. 1 overall. And it’s not like any NFL team is going to pay a king’s ransom to trade up for that spot. Hence, they’ll be picking, and my money is on Hutchinson being the guy.
