Jaguars’ Pursuit of AFC South Title Heats Up As Titans Add DeAndre Hopkins

The Titans made a big splash in the AFC South on Sunday, adding former All-Pro and Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

The AFC South got a bit more interesting on Sunday.

The same day the Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to terms with tight end Evan Engram on a new three-year deal, the Jaguars saw their biggest rival add to their own offense as the Tennessee Titans signed former All-Pro and Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. 

Considering the state of both the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans -- each of whom is set to be led by a rookie quarterback -- the Titans are the most legitimate to the Jaguars' pursuit of another AFC South title. And now, the Titans have added one of the best wide receivers of a generation in hopes of pushing Jacksonville. 

The Jaguars beat the Titans in each of their head-to-head battles last year, including a defensive struggle in Week 18 that saw the Jaguars defeat Josh Dobbs to secure an AFC South crown. 

Since then, the Titans have made serious changes to the coaching staff, front office, and now the roster as they gear up to compete with the Jaguars.

Hopkins, who has spent the last three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, is not the top-tier threat he once was, but he does now give the Titans and quarterback Ryan Tannehill another weapon to compete against the Jaguars with.

As for the Jaguars, they were never in the Hopkins race due to their own depth at wide receiver. 

"I mean it's hard to speak on guys, obviously, cause we got a really good room right now and it's hard to add someone of his caliber, his talent to a room that's already talented," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said this offseason. 

"We consider everything, but at this time it's not a reality for us to bring someone like that in."

Hopkins has slowed down in terms of production the last two seasons, appearing in just 19 games and recording 106 catches for 1,289 yards and 11 touchdowns. This included 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns, with Hopkins tying a career-low in yards per reception with 11.2.