AFC South Notes: Colts, Texans, Titans

Colts

The Colts were elated to land CB Rock Ya-Sin in the second round of last year’s draft, as he would have been their pick in the first round if they hadn’t pulled off a trade down. Though the plan was initially to ease Ya-Sin into the lineup, injuries meant that the rookie played 82.3 percent of the defensive snaps. Like any rookie, plenty of those snaps were rough, but his ability to compartmentalize and move on drew the team’s attention. 

“He had some really good moments, and he had some ugly moments,” Colts GM Chris Ballard said via 1075TheFan.com’s Kevin Bowen. “Let me tell you what I love about this kid, he’s exactly what we thought he was going to be in terms of grit, toughness. Holy crap you line up 16 games and you’re asked to play some great players. All he does is work. Good day, I’m going to keep working. Bad day, I’m going to keep working. That’s why he’s going to get better.”

• The Athletic’s Stephen Holder says to keep an eye on Eagles WR Nelson Agholor as a free agent target, as he’s not expected to be kept by Philadelphia and has been linked to Indianapolis due to connections with former coaches Reich and Mike Groh. 
• While the team says there’s no final decision by Colts LT Anthony Castonzo on if he’ll retire or play in 2020, Holder predicts the two sides will come to an agreement on an extension. 
• Holder adds the Colts will likely exercise S Malik Hooker‘s fifth-year option. 
• Holder believes the Colts will trade CB Quincy Wilson and end up releasing DL Margus Hunt. 
• While Colts owner Jim Irsay is used to elite quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, Ballard says he’s not demanding him to go get Tom Brady or Philip Rivers: “Jim gives us everything we need to be successful. He’s supportive, gives us great advice along the way. I couldn’t ask for a better owner; he lets (HC Frank Reich) and I make the decisions. You can’t ask for anything better.” (Mike Wells)

Texans

• According to James Palmer, the Texans will have a big hole to fill at cornerback this offseason, with just three players currently on their roster at the position.
• Given that Houston’s first draft pick will come in the second-round, Palmer expects the Texans to most likely look to the free agent market for cornerback help.
• Bradley Roby is an impending free agent, coming off of his one year deal with the team, and will likely be looking to get a large contract. The team’s other starter, Jonathan Joseph, is turning 36 years old and is also set to become a free agent.
• Houston brought in former Raiders first-round pick Gareon Conley via trade midway through the season, as well as former Buccaneers first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves.
• Hargreaves has already been cut by the team this offseason, with Houston not wanting to pay him $9.5 million, but Palmer mentions he could re-sign with the team for less during free agency.
• The Houston Chronicle’s John McClain and Aaron Wilson both have the Texans taking an edge rusher over secondary help with their first pick in the second round.

Titans

• According to John Glennon of The Athletic, the Titans may not pick up the fifth-year option for WR Corey Davis after next season. The option would cost the Titans around $15.8 million and Glennon says that Davis is yet to prove he is worth that kind of money. 
• As for CB Adoree’ Jackson, Glennon believes Tennessee will exercise their fifth-year option on him, which would cost them around $10 million for the 2021 season.