AFC South Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Titans

Colts

Colts HC Frank Reich said on the “Dan Patrick Show” this week that while rookie receivers tend to struggle in the NFL, they believe second-round pick Michael Pittman Jr. can make an immediate impact for them. The same goes for second-round RB Jonathan Taylor. 

“History and stats will tell you it’s a little bit harder for receivers to have an impact early on but I think—and this is one of the reasons we love Michael— he’s got a physical and emotional maturity about him that we think can come in and make a more immediate impact than most receivers do,” Reich said, via Coltswire.com. “Obviously we think Jonathan can come in a make a big impact as well so we feel really good about both of them.”

Jaguars

As the Jaguars look to find a consistent starting lineup along the offensive line, the plan for 2020 is to move OL Will Richardson from right guard to left tackle. Richardson platooned at guard with A.J. Cann in 2019 and had some flashes. But Jaguars HC Doug Marrone said the goal is to find one place for Richardson to thrive. 

“The one thing about Will is that he’s shown progress, shown the ability to play and be consistent when we kept [him] in one position,” Marrone said via John Reid of the Florida Times-Union. “I think if we stick him at one position, he can grow.”

For Jacksonville, that pretty much leaves left tackle, where former second-round OT Cam Robinson has struggled to find consistency, whether it’s from injury or poor play. Otherwise, Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell believes the rest of the line is set, with Andrew Norwell at left guard, Brandon Linder at center and 2019 second-round pick Jawaan Taylor showing promise at right tackle. 

“Andrew played at a high level,” Caldwell said back in February. “Linder probably played at an extremely high level at center. A.J. did a nice job as a rotating guard, and we have a guy that we feel like has a high ceiling in [Jawaan] Taylor.”

Titans

Titans GM Jon Robinson said last week on “Good Morning Football” that they want to ensure franchise RB Derrick Henry is “around for a long time.”

“We want Derrick around for a long time,” Robinson said. “We’re working on that. We continue to have back and forth with his representation. He’s a core part of what we do. He’s really good at running the football.”