NFL Preview 2023: AFC South Division
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The 2023 edition of the National Football League is right around the corner. Only a trio of weeks stand between fans and their dear, long awaited professional football. Every offseason there are major changes in nearly every NFL roster, front office, and coaching staff. Who improved on paper? Who could be in for a long season? Today, we’ll continue our NFL preview with the AFC South division. From the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts to the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars, we’ll take a deep dive in the division in an attempt to find a clearer picture of the 2023 AFC South.
Tennessee Titans
Major additions: WR Deandre Hopkins, T Andre Dillard, OLB Arden Key, T/G Peter Skoronski (draft)
Major losses: T Taylor Lewan, G Nate Davis, WR Robert Woods, DE Demarcus Walker< C Ben Jones
Where they were:
An older team crippled by injuries at key positions, success was not in the cards for the 2023 Titans. Star RB and Titans offensive focal point Derrick Henry missed time, and QB Ryan Tannehill missed extended time. Injuries affected all facets of the ball, including the defense and an aging offensive line. Still, the Titans remained competitive for the division until the end, finishing 2nd in the South with a 7-10 record.
Where they are:
There’s been a changing of the guard on the Titans offensive line in 2023, as longtime starters Taylor Lewan, Ben Jones, and Nate Jones will all not be with the team this season. If the new look offensive line can hold up, the Titans could see some success in 2023.
With Tannehill and Henry returning along with the addition of free agent WR Deandre Hopkins, the Titans offense has some interesting pieces in 2023 and the defense remains solid on paper. Draftkings has set the Titans win total over/under at 7.5 wins, which feels a bit low for a Tennessee squad that has been so solid for the past few seasons.
Grade: Underrated
Indianapolis Colts
Major additions: QB Anthony Richardson, DE Samson Ebukam
Major losses: WR Parris Campbell, LB Bobby Okereke, EDGE Yannick Ngakoue
Where they were:
It was a nightmare season for a Colts team with reasonable expectations after just barely missing the playoffs in 2021. First, superstar RB Johnathan Taylor went down with an ankle injury, never looking the same even when he returned. Injuries crippled a formerly excellent defense, and veteran QB Matt Ryan was benched for former 6th round pick Sam Ehlinger during the season as the Colts stumbled to a 4-12-1 record.
Where they are:
The NFL is geared to give terrible teams hope, and with the 4th pick of the NFL Draft the Colts got just that in physical phenomenon QB Anthony Richardson.
While the future is bright, the present is quite cloudy in Indy this season. Jonathan Taylor remains in a heated dispute with Colts owner Jim Irsay, and has requested a trade, all while still feeling the effects of his lingering ankle injury. While Richardson has all the tools, he’s a raw product at the QB position, which could lead to a very long and difficult season for Colts fans. Draftkings has set the Colts win total over/under at 6.5 wins, which could be generous for an Indianapolis squad so clearly in a rebuild.
Grade: Overrated
Houston Texans
Major additions: QB CJ Stroud (draft), EDGE Will Anderson Jr (draft), WR Tank Dell (draft), WR Robert Woods, TE Dalton Shultz, S Jimmie Ward, DT Sheldon Rankins
Major losses: DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Where they were:
Futility continued in H-town in 2022 as the Texans were once again horrendous, only barely missing the #1 overall pick. Houston played rookies and 2nd years all across the field and struggled to a 3-13-1 record due to simple lack of talent.
Where they are:
As with the Colts, there’s a new hope in Houston. QB CJ Stroud was the Texans #2 overall draft selection, but the Texans weren’t done moving on draft night, leaping up to the very next pick via trade to select edge rusher Will Anderson at pick 3.
It’s an incredibly young new look Texans squad with a lot of hope for the future. But, also like the Colts, the future is not the present for Houston. As the Texans get their new core acclimated to the NFL, there will be plenty of stumbling blocks for such an inexperienced team. Draftkings has set the Texans win total over/under at 6.5, which seems to be the top level of expectation for a young Houston squad.
Grade: Properly rated
Jacksonville Jaguars
Major additions: WR Calvin Ridley (trade), T Anton Harrison (draft)
Major losses: T Jawaan Taylor, OLB Arden Key, CB Shaq Griffin
Where they were:
The Jaguars were the last man standing in the AFC South in 2022, making the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The young and flashy Jags even won a playoff game in dramatic fashion, coming from behind to stun the Los Angeles Chargers in the wildcard round. Despite only managing a 9-8 record on the season, it was clear that the Jaguars had found their groove in the latter half of the season.
Where they are:
The Jags have another year of experience under their belt, and a flashy offensive weapon to go with it. Star WR Calvin Ridley was acquired from the Falcons in the offseason, giving 3rd year emerging star QB Trevor Lawerence a true #1 WR for the first time.
Draftkings has set the Jaguars win total over/under at 9.5 wins, which feels entirely reasonable for the clear cut favorite in the AFC South.
Grade: Properly rated
The Least of the Best can compete with the Rest
While the South is clearly the worst division in the AFC this season, that doesn’t mean they can’t play. Jacksonville can and will compete with any team in the NFL, and the Titans have proven that they win football games over the past few years. While the Texans and Colts seem to be rebuilding, perhaps one of the two will take strides and arrive on the NFL scene ahead of schedule. Either way, the AFC South will be a fun division to watch in 2023.
