AFC South Notes: Colts, Texans, J.J. Watt

Colts

The Colts put a premium on upgrading their defense this offseason. With the addition of CB Rock Ya-Sin in the draft and the extension for slot corner Kenny Moore, the Colts are showing their intent to play more man coverage in 2019.

“It allows you to open up your package,” Colts DC Matt Eberflus said via 1070TheFan’s Kevin Bowen. “Every defensive scheme has a man coverage concept to it, either split safety man or single-high man…whatever that concept is. It enables us to look at those things and see how they look, look at the skillsets of our players.”

• Eberflus added the Colts were happy with Denico Autry and Margus Hunt, both who check in under 300 pounds and played some defensive end last year, at defensive tackle: “We really like what we have in there. We like the skillset of what we have at defensive tackle.”

Texans

• According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans are unlikely to part with a first- or second-round pick in a trade for Patriots executive Nick Caserio, given that his contract is set to expire next year. 
• McClain could, however, see them offering a third-round pick or something lower for Caserio. 
• If the Texans opt to keep their current structure in place for the 2019 season, McClain writes that HC Bill O’Brien would have final say on personnel.
• If the Texans opt to continue interviewing candidates for their GM position, McClain lists Scott Pioli, Reggie McKenzie, Alonzo Highsmith and Eliot Wolf potential candidates to go along with Ray Farmer and Martin Mayhew, who have already interviewed for the job. 

J.J. Watt

Texans DE J.J. Watt says he feels more confident in his body as he enters his second year removed from major injury. 

“You have more of a confident stance, and I think that’s where I’m at this year,” Watt said via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “I’m very confident, whereas last year I was confident but kind of hesitant. So this year that hesitancy is gone, not having come off a bad injury but coming off of a solid season. It’s good to have that feeling, and it’s good to be going into a season without those doubts.”