AFC Notes: Colts, Texans, Titans

Colts

• Andrew Walker of the team’s official site writes that while he wouldn’t rule out the Colts adding another receiver, Indianapolis is comfortable moving forward with their current receiving corps after drafting WRs Michael Pittman Jr. and Dezmon Patmon.
• Walker expects the Colts’ top four receivers to be: T.Y. Hilton, Zach Pascal, Parris Campbell, and Pittman Jr.
• As for Colts’ new CB T.J. Carrie, Walker says he would “ideally” compete for the backup nickel cornerback role behind Kenny Moore II. Walker also expects Carrie to compete for punt and kickoff return specialist duties. 
• Walker believes Hines, who has drawn comparisons to veteran RB Darren Sproles, could be on the verge of a “huge year.” 

Texans

Texans QB Deshaun Watson said he is excited to work with the team’s new receivers Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks and thinks their experience will help the lockerroom. 

“We’re excited about the veteran weapons, the new weapons that we have,” Watson said, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “Over the past couple of years, we haven’t had too much veteran depth, especially in the receiving room. For us to get a couple of guys to come in and be able to help us produce and play a lot of football, not just to elevate their game, but our game as a whole organization as a whole offense and as a quarterback, I’m very excited about it. I’m looking forward to it.”

Watson said Texans’ recently promoted OC Tim Kelly is off to a “great start” and is confident the coach will do well with play-calling duties in 2020. 

“Tim is going to kill it,” Watson said. “He’s going to do great. We’re already on a great start. We built a great relationship starting last year being together each and every day. I’m looking forward to it, and we’ve been doing well.”

Kelly mentioned that their additions of Cooks and Cobb will lead to a “diversified route tree” for the Texans given they can line up as outside or slot receivers. 

“Obviously, there’s versatility that goes along with playing that wide receiver position, being able to play inside and outside and do some different things and have a diversified route tree. It’s all things that are going to help us basically take the next step here as an offense.”

• The Texans hired Curtis Goodwin as a performance data scientist. Goodwin previously was the chair of the math department at Boswell High. (Seth Walder)
• Houston also hired former Arizona Coyotes Research & Data Development Data Engineer Kevin Clark as a Football Data and Applications Engineer. (Walder)

Titans

• Jim Wyatt of the Titans’ official site expects I expect TE Jonnu Smith and WR Corey Davis to have “solid years” in 2020 and for second-year WR A.J. Brown to “take his game to another level.”
• As for the Titans’ backup center role behind Ben Jones, Wyatt says Jamil Douglas, Daniel Munyer, and Aaron Brewer will be competing for the job.