In the latest of our analysis of the NFL Draft. We look at who’s in and who’s out across the AFC South Division teams. Plus, we’ll compare the DraftKings’ odds swing between pre-draft and current Super Bowl odds to decide are the winners and losers of the NFL Draft.
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Indianapolis Colts
Division Odds: +138
Pre-Draft Super Bowl 55 odds: +2800
Current Super Bowl 55 odds: +2800
| Colts’ Ins/Outs | Players |
|---|---|
| Key Re-signings | Anthony Castonzo, OT; Le’Raven Clark, OT |
| Key Trade Acquisition | DeForest Buckner, DT |
| Key Free Agent losses | Joe Haeg, OG; Eric Ebron, TE; Pierre Desir, CB; Josh Andrews, OG; Brian Hoyer, QB; Devin Funchess, WR; Trevon Coley, DT |
| Key Free Agent signings | Philip Rivers, QB; Sheldon Day, DT; Xavier Rhodes, CB; Travis Carrie, CB; Roosevelt Nix, FB; Trey Burton, TE |
| Key Draft Pick | Michael Pittman, Jr. (1st round); Jonathan Taylor, RB (2nd round); Jacob Eason, QB (4th round) |
It is somewhat shocking to see the Colts listed as slight favorite to win the AFC South. After all, the QB position didn’t get any better with Rivers under center. Sure, Rivers will likely find his way into Canton someday, but the best days of his career are gone. Luckily, the rest of the roster is pretty damn talented; if Rivers can manage to hold onto the ball, perhaps Indy will have a fighting chance.
Once again, the Colts knocked their draft out of the park. Pittman and Taylor have game-breaking talent that could help the team immediately while Eason can learn and get reps from an experienced QB. Indy is getting better year by year, but this won’t be the time for them to win the division. It could be close, but no cigar.
Tennesse Titans
Division Odds: +150
Pre-Draft Super Bowl 55 odds: +2800
Current Super Bowl 55 odds: +2800
| Titans’ Ins/Outs | Players |
|---|---|
| Key Re-signings | Ryan Tannehill, QB; Dennis Kelly, OT; MyCole Pruitt, TE; Chris Milton, CB; Kamalei Correa, LB; Tye Smith, CB |
| Key Free Agent Losses | Jack Conklin, OT; Marcus Mariota, QB; Dion Lewis, RB; Tajae Sharpe, WR; LeShaun Sims, CB; Austin Johnson, DT; Darius Jennings, WR |
| Key Free Agent Signings | Vic Beasley, DE; Ty Sambrailo, OG; Nick Dzubnar, LB; Jack Crawford, DT |
| Key Draft Picks | Isaiah Wilson, OT (1st round); Darrynton Evans, RB (3rd round) |
| Franchise Tag | Derrick Henry, RB |
The Titans will look to build off an improbable playoff run last season that saw them win consecutive games on the road against the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens before losing in KC. In a shocking move, Tennessee inked QB Ryan Tannehill to a huge contract extension loaded with guarantees. Henry was the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,540 yards and this entire offense hinges around him now, especially with Dion Lewis going to New York.
It will also take another strong showing from Tennessee’s defense that got even better in the offseason. The team beefed up a little more within the front seven, and that will make it harder for opposing defenses to move the ball. The level of competition isn’t great in the AFC South, so if the Titans regain that magic it would be the path to the playoffs a lot smoother.
Houston Texans
Division Odds: +350
Pre-Draft Super Bowl 55 odds: +5000
Current Super Bowl 55 odds: +5000
| Texans’ Ins/Outs | Players |
|---|---|
| Key Re-signings | Ka’imi Fairbairn, K; Darren Fells, TE; A.J. McCarron, QB; Bradley Roby, CB; Roderick Johnson, OT; Vernon Hargreaves, CB; Tyrell Adams, LB |
| Key Trade Acquisitions | RB David Johnson; Brandin Cooks |
| Key Trade Departure | WR DeAndre Hopkins |
| Free Agent Signings | Randall Cobb, WR; Eric Murray, S; Jaylen Watkins, CB; Brent Qvale, OT; Timmy Jernigan |
| Key Free Agent Losses | D.J. Reader, DT; Taiwan Jones, RB; Barkevious Mingo, LB |
| Key Draft Picks | Ross Blacklock, DT (2nd round) |
Year after year the Texans can’t get it right when it counts. Last year’s second-round playoff loss the Kansas City Chiefs was heartbreaking in so many ways. Houston held an early 24-0 lead in KC but managed to get bodyslammed for the remainder of the contest, resulting in an eventual 51-31 loss. The team traded superstar WR DeAndre Hopkins and a draft pick to Arizona and got RB David Johnson and two draft picks in return. Houston also landed WRs Brandin Cooks in a trade and Randall Cobb in free agency.
There have been many issues with this team for years, and that will not change until the Texans replace Bill O’Brien as head coach. QB Deshaun Watson must hate life now without Hopkins and O’Brien still there. Luckily, Houston is in the AFC South and there will always be a fighting chance to win the division.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Division Odds: +1400
Pre-Draft Super Bowl 55 odds: +15000
Current Super Bowl 55 odds: +15000
| Jaguars’ Ins/Outs | Players |
|---|---|
| Key Re-signings | Tyler Shatley, OG; Terry Godwin, WR; Carl Davis, DT |
| Key Trade Departures | A.J. Bouye, CB; Calais Campbell, DE; Nick Foles, QB |
| Free Agent Signings | Joe Schobert, LB; Rodney Gunter, DE; Tyler Eifert, TE; Al Woods, DT; Rashaan Melvin, CB; Cassius Marsh, DE |
| Key Free Agent Losses | Cedric Ogbuehi, OT; Seth Devalve, TE; Nick O’Leary, TE; Marquise Lee, WR |
| Key Draft Picks | CJ Henderson, CB (1st round); K’Lavon Chaisson, LB (1st round); Laviska Shenault, Jr., WR (2nd round) |
| Franchise tag | Yannick Ngakoue, DE |
If you’re looking for a sleeper pick to win a division, look no further than the Jaguars. Only the Bengals and Panthers are bigger longshots to win their respective divisions, so the value that we’re getting here is quite alright. There is no clear-cut favorite to win the AFC South, and it’s possible that Jacksonville pulls a Sneaky Pete to prevail on top. Hopefully, QB Gardner Minshew ends up being the real deal; if he doesn’t’ live up to expectations or get hurt, the Jags could very well end up being the worst team in the NFL. There is absolutely no depth behind him.
Jacksonville will always lean on the defensive side of the ball, and they bolstered that side of the ball early in the draft with Henderson and Chaisson. It could also end up being the final year for head coach Doug Marrone in Duval County. That type of motivation could have the coach at his best, and possibly get the best out of his team in the process.
