Next up in our survey of each NFL team's need is the AFC South. This is a division that has been dominated by the Texans in recent history, but the Colts now appear primed to threaten Houston in the near future. In the mean time, the Titans and Jaguars will attempt to return to the days when they were the ones taking home the division titles.
Houston Texans
The Texans have taken some major steps in building a succesful franchise over the past several seasons. The next step for the Texans is making a deep playoff run, and that could very likely come with one more successful offseason.
Primary Needs
Outside Linebacker
Losing Mario Williams didn't keep the Texans out of the playoffs, but having a one man pass rush likely played a role in their earlier than desired exit. JJ Watt is the best defensive lineman in the league, but even Watt can't produce enough pressure on the quarterback for one team.
The Texans drafted Whitney Mercilus last season to rush the passer, but early returns haven't been to promising. He'll get a fair amount of reps again in 2013, and needs to show some serious improvement. Brooks Reed and Conner Barwin both can certainly be upgraded, and regardless of Mercilus' development the Texans need to add some playmakers to the position.
Right Tackle
The offensive line as a whole is a strength for the Texans, but that doesn't mean it can't be improved. After parting ways with Eric Winston last season, Houston settled with Derrick Newton at right tackle, and it didn't exactly work.
Wide Receiver
After spending pretty much his whole career as the only real receiving threat the Texans could boast of, it's high time for Houston to add another threat to the offense to play with Andre Johnson. Johnson has had a great career so far, but his full potential isn't being fulfilled when he's the only receiver for the opposing defense to focus on.
The Texans clearly made a mistake in letting Jacoby Jones go, and they should pursue a similar sort of player during the offseason. Much like at outside linebacker, the Texans felt they had found one potential solution in draft with Devier Posey. Posey is coming off a torn Achilles tendon though, and his six catches in 2012 aren't exactly inspiring.
Additional Needs
Inside Linebacker
Brian Cushing is solid, but when he was out it was quickly revealed that the Texans have little depth behind him. The Texans should be primed for a run to a Super Bowl, and they can't afford to let shakey depth knock them off that path late in a season.
Indianapolis Colts
One solid off season took the Colts from the top pick in the draft to making the playoffs in just one season. If things go the same way in year two, the Texans could be feeling some serious pressure from Andrew Luck and the Colts very, very soon.
Primary Needs
Outside Linebacker
Dwight Freeney is an all time great in Colts' history, but last season proved that he's not a natural outside linebacker. Both he and Robert Mathis, as well as Jerry Hughes, struggled at outside linebacker and it's time to look for different options.
In addition to the offensive line, outside linebacker is set to be a huge priority for the Colts both in the draft and free agency. There are plenty of gaps to be filled as they look to solidify their defense.
Offensive Guard
The Colts made great progress in rebuilding the offense over the past year, but the work isn't done yet. The offensive line was a big problem for Indianapolis all season long, and while it can't be pinned on one player, the focus needs to be on offensive guard.
Mike McGlynn and Jeff Linkenbach were equally awful in 2012. The Colts will likely be slowing moving to a more run oriented offense in 2013, and neither guard is cut out for playing in such an awful. Indianapolis needs to add some maulers to the offensive line.
Cornerback
Adding Vontae Davis was a great first step in rebuilding a pretty poor secondary, but there's still work to be done. Cassius Vaughn, who plays opposite of Davis, is one of the worst starting corners in the league and was exploited time and time again last season.
Darius Butler didn't see a ton of action last season, but when he did see the field he played well. He's a free agent, however. The Colts should re-sign him and at least give him a shot at seeing a full time role in 2013. Adding at least one more corner will be important, regardless.
Additional Needs
Defensive End
The transition to a 3-4 defense is now starting it's second year, and key part in that transition will be getting some defensive ends that can step up the Colts' running defense. Finding younger five techniques should be a pretty high priority for Chuck Pagano and the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars
With the struggles of Blaine Gabbert piling up and a new coaching staff, it's almost back to square one for Jacksonville. They do have a few good young pieces on offense, and with a good off season they could be headed quickly in the right direction.
Primary Needs
Quarterback
The Jaguars have begun to put together some nice pieces on offense. Maurice Jones-Drew is still a good running back, and they've got a nice pair of young receivers with Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts. The next step in building the offense needs to be finding the right signal caller.
For a team that so recently spent a first round pick on Blaine Gabbert, taking another quarterback so soon in the first round will be a tough pill to swallow. Seeing Geno Smith fall to the #2 spot in the draft could ease that pain somewhat, however. Will Jacksonville be that fortunate?
Linebacker
Jacksonville's defense is in need of some serious remodeling, and it starts at linebacker. Darryl Smith has been one of the few bright spots on their defense over the past several years. However, injuries cut his season short and he's now going to become a free agent. His return to the team is questionable at best.
Aside from Smith there's not much to build on in the inside or the outside. Kyle Bosworth and Julian Stanford were weakness outside and need to be replaced. Paul Posluszny is far from irreplaceable himself, but Jacksonville may have too much invested in him to make a serious move there this offseason.
Left Guard
Left guard was a tremendous weakness for Jacksonville in 2012. Eben Britton and Mike Brewster rotated at there for most of the season, and neither one played well enough to consider the job theirs moving forward.
2011's starting left guard, Will Rackley, is returning to the team after spending the season on injured reserve. However, that doesn't mean he's a lock to win the job. Rackley's first season as a starter in 2011 wasn't exactly a resounding success. All the current candidates for left guard leave much to be desired, and Jacksonville is certainly going to need to address it moving forward.
Additional Needs
Defensive Line
The Jaguars have struggled to stop the run for several years now, and a big part of the problem has been on the defensive line. Many fans will be looking for a quarterback with their first round selection, but it'd make plenty of sense for the Jaguars to draft Star Lotulelei to anchor their defensive line.
Tennessee Titans
For a team that has had so many struggles in the past several seasons, there's not too many glaring holes on the Titans' roster. If Jake Locker develops as the team hopes, brighter days could be around the corner. There's still work for Tennessee's front office, however.
Primary Needs
Strong Safety
Michael Griffin might be the most frustrating player on the Titans' roster. He has the talent to be one of the best free safeties in the league, but too many poor angles and otherwise head scratching plays keep him from reaching that potential. With safety play in the league at a less than high level, however, it doesn't make much sense for Tennessee to make what would more than likely end up being a lateral move.
Strong safety could be drastically improved, however. Jordan Babinuex was benched in multiple games last season. Al Afalava was the man to replace him in those games, but neither guy is a long term solution. Markelle Martin was drafted to potentially be the successor here, but there's no guarantee he'll fill that role.
Interior Offensive Linemen
The Titans have a solid duo of offensive tackles in Michael Roos and David Stewart, but outside of that the offensive line is pretty close to a disaster. Chris Johnson certainly shoulders some of the blame for the up and down rushing attack, but no running back could expect to have serious success behind this offensive line.
Historically, Tennessee hasn't put a high priority on drafting offensive linemen, especially on the inside. They passed on David Decastro last year, but they would be wise to break from tradition and draft Chance Warmack in the first round this year.
Defensive End
Defensive end Derrick Morgan appears to have finally found his stride. Although he's still not putting up big sack numbers, he did a good job of pressuring the quarterback consistently for the first time in his career.
That's about where the consistent defensive end play stopped, however. Kamerion Wimbley was a disappointment in his first year playing exclusively as a defensive end, and the Titans next best pass rushing threat at end was linebacker Akeem Ayers playing with his hand in the dirt. You can't win in this league with a poor pass rush, and it needs to be improved in 2013.
Additional Needs
Middle Linebacker
Colin McCarthy has the talent to be one of the best middle linebackers in the league. Unfortunately, he's just been unable to stay healthy to this point in his career. As of yet his injuries haven't been related to each other and it'd be unfair to label him as a bust. He's too talented to give up on, but the Titans need to make sure they have a safe option behind him on the depth chart.
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