AFC South Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans, Titans

Colts

• The Athletic’s Zak Keefer expects the Colts to utilize RB Nyheim Hines a lot more in 2020 with the addition of QB Philip Rivers. Hines could fill a similar role to Rivers as Chargers RB Austin Ekeler has for the past few seasons. 
• Keefer also expects the Colts to try to add more wide receivers and tight ends around Rivers, as T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle are the only two established players at those positions. 
• Per Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman, an AFC assistant coach thinks the Colts make sense as a landing spot for QB Cam Newton: “He’d beat both of them [Rivers and Jacoby Brissett] out. He’s significantly better than both.”

Jaguars

If the Jaguars’ season started tomorrow, former 2018 UDFA CB Tre Herndon would be the No. 1 guy in Jacksonville. Herndon stepped into a larger role last season after the team traded away Jalen Ramsey and he’s looking at an even bigger role after Jacksonville also traded A.J. Bouye. Jacksonville added Rashaan Melvin and will likely draft another player or two but for now Herndon is confident in his abilities to replace Ramsey and Bouye. 

“I think those guys did a great job mentoring me,″ Herndon said via John Reid of the Florida Times-Union. ″That was a time for me to learn and grow from him [Ramsey] during the times he was sitting out and I was playing his role. He kept giving me tips, study habits, those kinds of things. A.J., we kind of have the same story as being undrafted guys. He’s always been a motivation for me. Out here in Georgia, I train with A.J. every other day, so I’m still getting those tips from him.″

Texans

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes his understanding is the Texans are looking at a three-year extension for LT Laremy Tunsil adding to his 2020 fifth-year option at a salary of $10.35 million. 
• Given Tunsil is looking at cracking $20 million a year, that would let the Texans give Tunsil something like a three-year, $60 million extension and spread it over four seasons. 
• Texas A&M DT Justin Madubuike had a Top 30 visit scheduled with the Texans before the shutdown. (Aaron Wilson)

Titans

• Houston OT Josh Jones was able to get in a Top 30 visit with the Titans before the shutdown. (Justin Melo)