AFC South Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans

Colts

An NFL executive tells Mike Sando of The Athletic that the Colts’ decision to draft RB Jonathan Taylor indicates they’re looking to become a more physical team, which could help them develop a young quarterback.

“Getting the big, physical back can change them into more of a physical team overall,” the executive said. “They were Peyton Manning, they were Andrew Luck and it was the passing game. Your defense is being built and now they are building that offense minus Luck. That could help transition you even moreso to develop a young quarterback when they have one ready to take over for Philip (Rivers).”

“They will have the defense, they will have the running game and now it is almost like, just insert the quarterback,” the exec said. “I love what they did, drafting Pittman and the runner. The defense feeds off the offense when you have a back like that.”

• Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan mentions that TE Mo Alie-Cox and T Le’Raven Clark have the ability to make the roster and could be critical reserve players for the Colts next season.
• According to Bowen, the incoming free agents and draft class could add extra competition for players such as RB Jordan Wilkins, DT Tyquan Lewis, and QB Chad Kelly.

Jaguars

Mike Sando of The Athletic spoke to an NFL executive, who believes Jaguars first-round CB C.J. Henderson could end up being a better pro than No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah. 

“Okudah was obviously better than Henderson in college, but I feel like Henderson could be a better pro,” the executive said. “He has better NFL corner movement. Okudah has played harder and is more physical. From there, they can see if the pass-rusher (Chaisson) becomes a better version of Yannick Ngakoue. The quarterback Jake Luton was a good get that late.”

A separate executive eas surprised that LSU pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson fell to Jacksonville at No. 20 overall. 

“I think they took the best player on the board when they got Chaisson,” the executive said. “I couldn’t believe he was there. There were teams ready to trade up for that guy if he slipped much further. He certainly gives them leverage with Ngakoue.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer points out the Cowboys’ one-year, $7 million deal for QB Andy Dalton should indicate how little interest the Jaguars and Patriots had in the veteran, as both teams would have given a much greater chance for playing time. 

Texans

By drafting DT Ross Blacklock, the Texans made it four years in a row drafting a player from the Houston area. Houston drafted FB Cullen Gillaspia last year, LB Duke Ejiofor in 2018 and RB D’Onta Foreman in 2017. 

“The feeling is so surreal, being from the city, representing and playing for my favorite team growing up as a child,” Blacklock tweeted after he was drafted, per ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. “The love I have for this city and the love it gives back is unreal!”