What is the top offseason storyline for each AFC South team in 2020?

With the 2020 NFL Draft in the books, the attention will now turn to the offseason. As coaches slowly return to their offices, every team will have a storyline that could make or break the impending season. In our last article, we looked at the top 2020 storylines for the AFC North, with our attention now turning to the AFC South.

What do you make of the AFC South? The Texans will try to contend for their third division title after trading away All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans impressed everyone with the postseason run, but will they repeat the magic in 2020? What about Philip Rivers, who is looking to revitalize his career with the Colts after a poor final year in Los Angeles? As for Jacksonville, could Gardner Minshew actually win enough games to blow the tanking season?

In our new series for PFN, lead NFL writer Cole Thompson and NFL columnist Tommy Call III will be breaking down each team’s top offseason storyline. Here’s what fans of the AFC South should be looking towards in the coming months.

Top storylines in the AFC South

Houston Texans

Replacing DeAndre Hopkins production 

There’s no doubt Deshaun Watson is one of the leagues most electrifying quarterbacks. On paper, the former first-round draft pick should be in the conversation for this season’s Most Valuable Player. However, will Watson have the tools around him to compete with Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes?

After shockingly trading away one the league’s top pass catchers in Hopkins, the Houston Texans’ offense will look quite different. The additions of Brandin Cooks, David Johnson, and Randall Cobb could help make up for some of Hopkins’ production, but there’s no replacing a high caliber player like Hopkins.

After accounting for over 1,100 yards receiving in each of the last three seasons, the Texans will have a notable gap in their once high-powered offense. Watson will have to get creative without his first-team All-Pro target on the outside.

Indianapolis Colts

Retooled offense, different results 

We know about the Colts offensive line. We know about their two-headed rushing attack with Marlon Mack and Jonathan Taylor. Yet, the 2020 Indianapolis Colts season starts and ends with No. 17.

The Colts check off multiple boxes when it comes to dark horse playoff contender, but at 38-years-old, how much does Rivers have left in the tank? Late in his career, moving to a new franchise could re-energize the longtime Chargers signal-caller. Playing behind one of the league’s best offensive lines should make the transition easy for Rivers. After only allowing two sacks per game in 2019, the Colts will return all five-starting offensive lineman from last season.

Related | Indianapolis Colts 2020 win total: Will the new faces improve the team?

The additions of Taylor alongside Mack in the backfield, paired with Quenton Nelson‘s group upfront, should give the veteran quarterback time to find T.Y. Hilton and Michael Pittman Jr. With the proper pieces around him, the pressure will be on Rivers to produce.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Gardner Minshew ruining the tank

Looking up and down the AFC South divisional docket, a trio of teams will have thoughts of the playoff picture on their mind. However, when it comes to the Jacksonville Jaguars — it’s a different story.

The Jags look like a team competing for a chance at drafting Trevor Lawrence as opposed to looking at the playoffs. Yet, their coach and quarterback could have plans of their own.

After back-to-back poor campaigns for Doug Marrone, the former Syracuse coach is heading into 2020 with the ever-loathed “hot seat” label. If plans in Duval County are to aim at “Tanking for Trevor,” Marrone will need to use 2020 as an audition for the esteemed role of future head coach of the Clemson Heisman hopeful.

Minshew, however, can play spoiler to that plan. The Jaguars rolled the dice when they handed the former sixth-round pick the keys for 2020. In 12 starts last season, Minshew flashed at times, leading the Jaguars to six wins as the signal-caller.

While many signs point towards the 2021 NFL Draft for the Jaguars, how Minshew and Marrone pair in 2020 could have a dramatic impact on the franchise’s future.

Tennessee Titans

Ryan Tannehill 2.0

Question — what player in the NFL has the most “pressure” to perform at a high level in 2020? Aaron Rodgers with Jordan Love waiting in the wings? Tom Brady in a new city? I’m sure there are some other good options, but let’s insert Ryan Tannehill into that conversation.

The Texas A&M product parlayed 22 touchdowns and six interceptions over 12 games into a Comeback Player of the Year nod and a four-year extension worth $118 million. While Tannehill helped guide the Titans to the AFC Championship, Derrick Henry had a critical say in Tennessee’s success. Out of the 12 quarterbacks in the 2019 playoff dance, Tannehill only ranked above Jimmy Garoppolo with 20.0 pass attempts per game. Henry led the playoffs in rushing attempts with 27.7 per game.

Related | Is Derrick Henry a legitimate NFL MVP candidate?

With the book out on the Titans gameplan, how will Tannehill respond when he’s forced to throw early and often? Can Tannehill feed sophomore standout, A.J. Brown? Both are important questions that should be quickly answered once the 2020 season is underway.

Cole Thompson and Tommy Call III serve as the lead NFL writer and NFL columnist, respectively, for Pro Football Network. Follow them on Twitter at @MrColeThompson, @Tommy_III, and @PFN365 for all up to date NFL content.