AFC Notes: Colts, Texans, Titans

Colts

• NJ.com’s Mike Kaye named the Colts as a potential suitor for Eagles TE Zach Ertz. The two teams already discussed a potential trade earlier this offseason and reuniting Ertz with Colts HC Frank Reich and QB Carson Wentz makes a lot of sense. 
• Colts DC Matt Eberflus said there will be an “open competition” for the third cornerback role behind Xavier Rhodes and Kenny Moore.(Zak Keefer)
• Keefer notes Colts CB Rock Ya-Sin has played inconsistently the past two years, while CBs Marvell Tell and Isaiah Rodgers are two players to watch going forward who could unseat him. 

Texans

Texans HC David Culley referred to veteran WR Brandin Cooks as a “leader” in their locker room and thinks he can be an even better receiver for them. 

“He’s a pro’s pro,” said Culley, via Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk790. “He’s been in this league for a little while. He’s had success in this league. He’s a leader. He’s exactly what our football team needs moving forward. Looking forward to him not only being the kind of player that he’s been before, but even being better. Obviously, our young guys that are coming in here basically are going to learn how to do things quickly because he’s a pro’s pro.”

Cooks said he’s hopeful about proving himself to the coaching staff and wants to help the organization win more games. 

“For me, it’s one of those things that finishing strong and being able to show that just doing that game in and game out and having that confidence and letting the coaches know that’s just who I am,” Cooks said. “I ball when my number’s called and I’m going to be there for you, so let’s continue to do that. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to do it together with others around me and around one another. It’s not about myself, but it’s about all of us and what’s best for the team and just us going out there and trying to win games. How do we get that done, it doesn’t matter as long as we win.”

When asked about the Texans’ quarterback situation, Cooks said it “doesn’t matter” who the starter is. 

“For me, it doesn’t matter who’s throwing me the ball,” Cooks said. “I’m going to get on the same page with you and figure out how you like things to be done. I put my spin on it and we’re going to go out there and ball. I think I’ve shown that time and time again over the years and whatever the case is, I’m going to continue to show that.”

Titans

• The Tennessee Titans officially promoted scouting assistants Blaise Taylor to pro scout and Matt Miller to college scout. The organization also hired Mical Johnson as a scouting assistant.
• Beyond that, Tennessee named Kiara Mayo as their Women in Football intern. Kylan Butler was named as the team’s Bill Walsh Offensive Fellowship coach for 2021.