2020 Offseason Team Needs: AFC South

Colts

Projected Cap Space: $86,162,964

Draft Picks: 8

• 1st (No. 13)
• 2nd (No. 34, from WAS)
• 2nd (No. 44)
• 3rd (No. 75)
• 4th (No. 112)
• 5th (No. 143)
• 6th (No. 174)
• 7th (No. 205)

Notable Free Agents:

• LT Anthony Castonzo, TE Eric Ebron, DE Jabaal Sheard, K Adam Vinatieri, WR Devin Funchess, S Clayton Geathers, WR Chester Rogers, WR Dontrelle Inman, RB Jonathan Williams, G Joe Haeg.

Team Needs:

1. Wide Receiver

The Colts passing offense took a major step back in 2019 and it wasn’t all due to the surprise retirement of Andrew Luck. Indianapolis’ receiving corps was ravaged by injuries and have left the Colts needing to make more additions to help Jacoby Brissett or whoever the quarterback is in 2020. At 30, T.Y. Hilton‘s days as the No. 1 receiver are numbered and injuries limited 2019 second-round rookie Parris Campbell to just a handful of games. Adding weapons will be a priority.

1. Defensive Tackle

Colts GM Chris Ballard was most disappointed by the number of big plays the Colts gave up on defense in 2020. Ballard put most of the blame for that on a lack of interior pass rush, as Indianapolis didn’t get what it was expecting from Denico Autry, Tyquan Lewis or Margus Hunt. The Colts have the second-most cap space in the NFL and could spend a chunk of that on some interior pass-rushing help in free agency, or dip into a strong defensive line class in the draft. 

1. Offensive Tackle

The Colts have still not received word from starting left tackle Anthony Castonzo if he will even suit up in 2020. If he doesn’t retire, Castonzo is still slated to be a free agent this year and will turn 32 in August. The Colts believe in being deep and strong on both lines, so expect Ballard to try and bolster the team’s depth at offensive tackle, even if they don’t need to find a new starting left tackle. 

Jaguars

Projected Cap Space: –$3,419,464

Draft Picks: 8

• 1st (No. 9)
• 1st (No. 20)
• 2nd (No. 42)
• 3rd (No. 73)
• 4th (No. 106)
• 6th (No. 170)
• 6th (No. 187, from SEA)
• 7th (No. 201)

Notable Free Agents:

• DE Yannick Ngakoue, LB Preston Brown, DT Akeem Spence, TE Seth DeValve, TE Nick O’Leary, LB Najee Goode, TE Ben Koyack, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, LB Lerentee McCray, DL Carl Davis, C Tyler Shatley, S Cody Davis.

Team Needs:

1. Defensive Line

Jacksonville’s first priority as one of two NFL teams currently projected to have negative cap space will be salvaging enough cap space to be able to afford the franchise tag for DE Yannick Ngakoue. The second will be salvaging the relationship between Ngakoue and the Jaguars to where the young star pass rusher is willing to sign an extension. If he stays, Jacksonville can focus on the interior of its defensive line which was manhandled in 2019. Marcell Dareus is almost certain to be cut for $20 million in cap savings and DT Abry Jones also makes sense to let go in exchange for $4 million in cap space. 

1. Linebacker

Jaguars LB Myles Jack was bad in 2019, which is not an encouraging sign after just signing a four-year, $57 million extension on the eve of the regular season. Jacksonville has little choice but to hope he snaps out of it given that contract, but the team can boost the other linebackers around him who were even worse for the most part. Jacksonville was the NFL’s second-worst team defending the run last year. 

1. Tight End

Outside of 2019 third-round rookie Josh Oliver, who was hurt for most of the season, there’s not a single tight end on the Jaguars’ roster who’s guaranteed to be back in 2020. Jacksonville can save $4 million by cutting Geoff Swaim, James O’Shaughnessy is coming off a torn ACL, and Ben Koyack, Seth DeValve and Nick O’Leary are all pending UFAs. Jacksonville could use some of their precious cap space toward addressing the position in free agency. 

Texans

Projected Cap Space: $55,192,117

Draft Picks: 8, including three compensatory picks according to Over The Cap’s projections.

• 2nd (No. 57)
• 3rd (Comp)
• 4th (No. 101, from MIA)
• 4th (No. 121)
• 5th (No. 154)
• 7th (No. 218)
• 7th (Comp)
• 7th (Comp)

Notable Free Agents:

• DT D.J. Reader, CB Bradley Roby, CB Johnathan Joseph, RB Carlos Hyde, S Jahleel Addae, RB Lamar Miller, TE Darren Fells, QB A.J. McCarron, LB Barkevious Mingo, DT Brandon Dunn, K Ka’imi Fairbairn, S Mike Adams, CB Phillip Gaines, OT Chris Clark.

Team Needs:

1. Outside Linebacker

Houston did okay after dealing away star pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, but the hole it left in the defense was really exposed when J.J. Watt missed time. The Texans have a few nice complementary rushers but could really use another star talent to elevate their defense and prepare for a life without Watt in the future. 

1. Cornerback

This position was targeted by Texans personnel czar and HC Bill O’Brien during the season, as he made a trade with the Raiders for CB Gareon Conley and claimed CB Vernon Hargreaves off waivers from the Buccaneers. Starting CBs Bradley Roby and Johnathan Joseph are set to hit free agency, meaning there’s a good chance O’Brien isn’t done reshaping the position. 

1. Guard

Texans G Zach Fulton was a bottom-quartile player at his position according to Pro Football Focus. Fulton’s name has also come up as a potential cap cut, so Houston could be looking to change things up at right guard regardless after making strides to solidify its offensive line in 2019. 

Titans

Projected Cap Space: $50,708,536

Draft Picks: 7

• 1st (No. 29)
• 2nd (No. 61)
• 3rd (No. 93)
• 5th (No. 157)
• 6th (No. 189)
• 7th (No. 214, from BUF)
• 7th (No. 221)

Notable Free Agents:

• QB Ryan Tannehill, QB Marcus Mariota, OT Jack Conklin, RB Derrick Henry, CB Logan Ryan, LB Wesley Woodyard, OT Dennis Kelly, LB Kamalei Correa, G Kevin Pamphile, DT Austin Johnson, WR Tajae Sharpe, CB Tramaine Brock, CB Tye Smith, LB Daren Bates, TE MyCole Pruitt. 

Team Needs:

1. Quarterback

The biggest decision the Titans will have this offseason will be at the quarterback position. Ryan Tannehill was a revelation down the stretch, but was his strong play a mirage? Do the Titans take a crack at some of the other veteran passers who might be available? It’s a good bet the Titans use the franchise tag on Tannehill, but they still need to find a backup after Marcus Mariota presumably leaves. 

1. Pass Rusher

The Titans got a breakout season from outside linebacker Harold Landry with nine sacks in his second year. Apart from Landry, though, Tennessee didn’t have another high-quality pass rusher to draw attention from offenses. Ravens castoff Kamalei Correa had five sacks, but might sign elsewhere. Cameron Wake (2.5 sacks) is also likely a cap cut. 

1. Running Back

Tennessee has some pending free agents at other positions that could turn into bigger needs, like Logan Ryan at cornerback or Jack Conklin and Dennis Kelly at offensive tackle. But given what the Titans’ identity became on offense in 2019, it’s harder to put those ahead of running back if Tennessee doesn’t re-sign RB Derrick Henry. Even if Henry comes back, the Titans will need a backup, as Dion Lewis is a prime cap casualty candidate. The recent history of major running back contracts and the importance of the running back position to the Titans also puts more weight on finding a quality No. 2 back.