Inside AFC South: Analyzing Positions

The weekly series on AFC South Division developments with the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans focuses on important position groups that have exceeded or fallen short of expectations so far.

As the NFL continues constant rescheduling in October, let’s review how the AFC South Division teams have addressed positions of need.

Those entrusted with writing about the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans were asked to assess one position group that has been better or worse than expected.

Three of the four reports accentuated a positive.

The Texans offensive line has struggled so far this season :: Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans

Matt Galatzan/Texans Daily

After signing left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a three-year, $66-million extension in April to make him the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman, the Texans had high expectations for the O-line. Per Pro Football Focus, the 2019 Texans were the only team that had an entire offensive line finish with a pass block grade higher than 70.

Fast forward to Week 5, and the offensive line has been a major disappointment, and their star quarterback is paying the price. Deshaun Watson, who just received a four-year, $160 million extension, has been sacked 16 times, more than any other quarterback. Outside of the sacks, Watson has been hit 37 times, and that does not include when he’s scrambling for yardage.

The Texans rank 25th in the NFL in total offense, last in rushing, and 28th out of 32 teams in scoring at just 20 points per game.

The Colts defensive line is off to a strong start :: Trevor Ruszkowski/USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis Colts

Phillip B. Wilson/AllColts

The most-publicized offseason splash was the March acquisition of All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from San Francisco in exchange for the Colts’ first-round choice in April’s NFL draft. Adding Buckner as a cornerstone three-technique tackle raised expectations for a defensive line that had been average at best in recent years.

After four games, the Colts defense leads the NFL in several key categories, including fewest points and total yards allowed. Buckner has made a habit of throwing aside offensive linemen when not double-teamed. He was named to the Pro Football Focus “Team of the Week” after the past two games. Buckner has a team-high eight quarterback hits and ranks third with 18 total tackles. His 1.5 sacks includes one for a safety. He’s also tipped a pass for an incompletion.

More importantly for the Colts, Buckner’s presence has created opportunities for linemates. Defensive end Justin Houston sees mostly solo blocks and has a team-high 3.5 sacks. He’s had at least a half sack in six consecutive games dating back to last season. Defensive end Denico Autry has two sacks.

The Colts rank eighth in sacks per pass attempt, but the pressure has been constant — the defense ranks No. 1 in passing defense as well as interceptions (seven). During the three-game winning streak, Colts opponents have been limited to 11 or fewer points in each game. The last time that happened was 2013, which is also the last year the Colts started a season 3-1.

Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson has led an improved O-line :: Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville Jaguars

John Shipley/JaguarReport

There are several position groups that are currently struggling in Jacksonville — the defensive line has recorded just three sacks, the defensive tackles are consistently getting washed out of plays, and the cornerback group has been torn apart by opposing quarterbacks every week. Most of those groups were expected to struggle due to youth and recent departures.

Let’s highlight a group that has exceeded expectations: the offensive line.

The Jaguars returned all five starters and their top backup from a year ago, but the team surprised many by not picking an offensive lineman until backup guard Ben Bartch in the fourth round. Head coach Doug Marrone consistently stated the offensive line would take a leap in the second year under position coach George Warhop — so far, Marrone has been right. They have given up a pressure rate that ranks within the top-12 in the league, as well as 13 sacks through four games, but a good portion of those sacks and pressures have been due to quarterback Gardner Minshew having happy feet in the pocket.

Left tackle Cam Robinson has improved substantially as he has regained his rookie form following years of knee injuries. Left guard Andrew Norwell has been one of the AFC's best guards after serious issues the last two seasons, while right guard A.J. Cann is having the best start to any season of his career. Brandon Linder needs to get healthy and Jawaan Taylor needs to find some consistency but overall, it’s been a good unit which has led the way for an effective rushing attack with James Robinson.

Titans tight end Jonnu Smith has three TD receptions :: Andrew Nelles/USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Titans

David Boclair/AllTitans

In the previous two years, the Titans learned to do without Delanie Walker. This season, they have to live without the three-time Pro Bowler and the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions by a tight end.

So far, so good.

The tight ends are not a centerpiece of the passing game, as Walker was from 2013-17, but they have been integral to the success of the offense. Jonnu Smith, Anthony Firkser, and MyCole Pruitt have combined for 22 receptions, which is roughly 31 percent of the team’s total. They also have produced four of the Titans’ six touchdown receptions, three by Smith and one by Pruitt. In fact, they were the only ones to get to the end zone in the first two weeks.

Tennessee’s longest play from scrimmage was Smith’s 63-yard catch-and-run on the first snap of the Week 2 victory over Jacksonville.

Injuries limited Walker to eight games played in 2018 and 2019, which allowed Smith, Pruitt, and Firkser the opportunity to carve out an identity individually and collectively on the field. All the while, though, there was still the sense that Walker was that group’s main man.

Those three no longer are stuck in Walker’s shadow and – together – they offer everything a team needs from tight ends. Smith is a big body who has good hands, can run after the catch, and is a capable blocker. Pruitt is the more traditional on-the-line tight end who can contribute to the passing game when asked. And Firkser is a factor in passing situations as a trusted target for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

(Phillip B. Wilson has covered the Indianapolis Colts for more than two decades and authored the 2013 book 100 Things Colts Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die. He’s on Twitter @pwilson24, on Facebook at @allcoltswithphilb and @100thingscoltsfans, and his email is phillipbwilson24@yahoo.com.)