It takes a lot of effort to have the Houston Texans in your division and a different team gets the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Such is the fun of the AFC South. There’s a stark dividing line in this division, with the Titans and Colts ranking ads definitively #good and the Colts and Jaguars sitting somewhere in and around “dumpster fire” territory. Nevertheless, everyone gets to add players in the NFL Draft (though Houston has to wait a very long time) so who should they add for fantasy football purposes? Let’s take a look at the AFC South’s moves so far this offseason and figure out where the four teams in this division should go to bolster our fantasy football squads.
Houston Texans (4-12)
Picks: #67, #109, #147, #158 (NE), #195 (DAL via NE), #203 (WAS via LAS/MIA), #212 (NO), #233 (CIN)
Key Additions: Andre Roberts & Chris Conley (WR), Phillip Lindsay & Mark Ingram (RB), Tyrod Taylor (QB)
Key Losses: Will Fuller (WR), Deshaun Watson (?) (QB)
2021 NFL Draft Fantasy Football Wish List: Offensive Line
The Houston Texans lost their star wide receiver to Miami in free agency and responded by hoovering up a bunch of barely league-average wide receivers and running backs to add to their stable of barely league-average wide receivers (Brandin Cooks excepted) running backs and tight ends. All this team really has to go for it is Deshaun Watson, which, uhh…
The Texans, still dealing with the Bill O’Brien hangover, need an offensive lineman. They had a bottom-ten line per Pro Football Focus, despite star Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil on the blindside. This is a mostly hands-off team that I have no idea how to fix through the NFL Draft for the 2021 NFL season, especially when the Deshaun Watson Sword of Damocles hanging over the whole franchise.
Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
Picks: #21, #54, #127, #165, #206, #248
Key Additions: Carson Wentz (QB)
Key Losses: Philip Rivers (QB), Anthony Costanzo (LT)
2021 NFL Draft Fantasy Football Wish List: Left Tackle
The Indianapolis Colts hit a reset button after a year of Philip Rivers, and they hope that rejoining Carson Wentz with Doug Pederson will reset his career back to his near-MVP levels with the Eagles. Unfortunately, that season came before Wentz tore his ACL and stopped running and became a completely different player. But, that’s their big gambit. Other than that, they mostly ran it back with one sole exception: long-time Left Tackle Anthony Constanzo retired. Nailing the left tackle spot at #21 (or, more likely, trading up into the early teens) is their best bet to make sure that Carson Wentz stays as protected as possible with the Colts.
The Colts could use a stud tight end, but they already have a stable of pass catchers that need to sort out their pecking order before Indy goes out and adds another set of hands to the mix.
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15)
Picks: #1, #25 (LAR), #33, #45 (MIN), #65, #106, #130 (LAR), #145, #170 (CLE), #249 (TEN)
Key Additions: Marvin Jones & Phillip Dorsett (WR), Carlos Hyde (RB)
Key Losses: Keelan Cole & Chris Conley (WR)
2021 NFL Draft Fantasy Football Wish List: Quarterback, Backup Running Back, Offensive Line
Rest in Peace, Minshew Mania, we hardly knew thee. The Jaguars will move on from their second meme quarterback in the last five years with the first overall pick. Rumors have it that Trevor Lawrence already has the playbook, and Lawrence might be the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck. Understandably, they surrounded him with weapons, snagging Marvin Jones to add to D.J. Chark and Laviska Shenault in the passing game. They also jettisoned the flotsam and jetsam we tried to convince ourselves were fantasy relevant in the past (Keelan Cole & Chris Conley).
The Jaguars had the eleventh-worst line last season and would be smart to try to add guys to protect Trevor Lawrence. After all, last year’s #1 overall pick, Joe Burrow, tore his ACL due to bad offensive line play. The Jaguars also need a real running back threat to spell James Robinson, and Carlos Hyde isn’t it.
Tennessee Titans (11-5)
Picks: #22, #53, #85, #100, #126, #205, #215 (KC), #232 (ATL via MIA)
Key Additions: Josh Reynolds (WR)
Key Losses: Corey Davis & Adam Humphries (WR) and Jonnu Smith (TE)
2021 NFL Draft Fantasy Football Wish List: Pass Catcher, Real Depth Running Back
The Tennessee Titans quietly had a disastrous free agency period. They lost Jonnu Smith and Corey Davis, who absconded off to the Jets and Patriots, respectively. They also parted ways with Adam Humphries. With those losses, they no longer have Ryan Tannehill’s #2, #3, and #4 targets since he took over for Marcus Mariota. Derrick Henry and his 1.7 targets per game over the last two years sits as the Titans’ #3 passing game option, which isn’t what you want. They desperately need to add a wide receiver because Josh Reynolds isn’t the answer. He isn’t! I’m sorry, the Rams went out and got 35-year-old DeSean Jackson instead of re-signing Josh Reynolds.
A depth running back remains a persistent issue for the Titans, as their perceived backup, Darrynton Evans, can’t stay healthy.
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