2025 AFC South offseason grades: Division masses up throughout draft with Cam Ward, Travis Hunter as high arrivals

We have reached the uncommon interval on the NFL calendar the place issues decelerate. Whereas some offseason exercises are being carried out throughout the league, free company and the draft are within the rearview mirror, which means the primary avenues for roster constructing are behind us. Now, golf equipment are getting their new assortment of expertise collectively and focusing extra on making ready for the 2025 marketing campaign. 

With this threshold crossed, it is a respectable time to take a step again and take inventory of how groups fared throughout the offseason and the way they’ve retooled their respective rosters. 

With the AFC South, this division was probably the most lively throughout the NFL Draft. The Titans bought issues began by taking Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 total choose, however have been shortly usurped after the Jaguars traded as much as No. 2 total to pick huge receiver/nook combo Travis Hunter. In the meantime, Indy took arguably the highest tight finish within the draft in Tyler Warren, and the Texans made an array of trades up and down the board, which fetched them a number of proficient gamers, together with Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. 

Whereas these have been the primary fireworks, there have been loads of different strikes all through the offseason. Under, we’ll now take a full take a look at what every AFC South membership was in a position to do that offseason and hand out our grades. 

Houston Texans: B-

• Gamers retained: EDGE Danielle Hunter (extension), CB Derek Stingley Jr. (extension), CB Jalen Pitre (extension), LB Jake Hansen, IDL Mario Edwards Jr.  
• Notable additions: WR Christian Kirk, LT Cam Robinson, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson Jr.
• Notable losses: LT Laremy Tunsil, WR Stefon Diggs, OG Kenyon Inexperienced, 
• Notable draftees: WR Jayden Higgins, OT Aireontae Ersery, WR Jaylin Noel, CB Jaylin Smith

Houston had itself a puzzling offseason. Its offensive line struggled all through the marketing campaign, however its reply to that was buying and selling away left deal with Laremy Tunsil, its greatest lineman, to the Commanders. The Texans did add Robinson in free company and Ersery within the draft to assist enhance the unit and cushion the blow of dropping Tunsil, nevertheless it’s onerous to say they’ve improved alongside the road. In the meantime, they’ve revamped their huge receiver room with Higgins and Noel out of Iowa State and Christian Kirk in a commerce with the Jaguars. That trio now is available in to work behind Nico Collins, and sure foreshadows an extended restoration window for Tank Dell. Once more, these strikes are thrilling, but when C.J. Stroud would not have time to get them the soccer, their additions will likely be moot. Extending Hunter and Stingley have been sensible and logical strikes. 

• Gamers retained: OT Braden Smith, TE Mo Alie-Cox
• Notable additions: CB Charvarius Ward, S Camryn Bynum, QB Daniel Jones
• Notable losses:  OL Will Fries, EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo, C Ryan Kelly, LB E.J. Pace, QB Joe Flacco
• Notable draftees: TE Tyler Warren, EDGE JT Tuimoloau, CB Justin Walley, OT Jalen Travis

Indy’s secondary was tough in 2024, permitting 229.4 passing yards per recreation throughout the common season (seventh-worst within the NFL). Provided that obvious weak spot, it is smart that it was a essential emphasis throughout free company, bringing in nook Charvarius Ward and security Camryn Bynum. Their arrivals immediately increase he flooring of the go protection. Whereas the Colts did a superb job fixing the secondary, I’ve some severe questions concerning the offensive line. Regardless of dropping Ryan Kelly and Will Fries in free company, they did not take a lineman till the fourth spherical (Jordan Travis, OT, Iowa State). In the meantime, there may be now a looming quarterback battle with Daniel Jones coming in to compete with Anthony Richardson. But when Jones really wins the job, will the Colts actually be proud of that final result? Meaning their former No. 4 total quarterback in Richardson is a misplaced trigger. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: B

• Gamers retained: OT Cole Van Lanen
• Notable additions: C Robert Hainsey, WR Dyami Brown, S Eric Murray, CB Jourdan Lewis, OL Patrick Mekari
• Notable losses: WR Christian Kirk, TE Evan Engram, S Andre Cisco, TE Luke Farrell, QB Mac Jones
• Notable draftees: WR/CB Travis Hunter, CB Caleb Ransaw, OT Wyatt Milum, RB Bhayshul Tuten

James Gladstone was daring in his first offseason on the helm in Jacksonville. In free company, he bolstered the secondary with Jourdan Lewis and Eric Murray and gave Trevor Lawrence added safety with Patrick Mekari. The Jags are very excessive on Dyami Brown as a big-play risk, given his $10 million contract for 2025. Whereas free company was stable, it was the NFL Draft the place they made their largest splash, leaping as much as the No. 2 total choose to pick Travis Hunter, who was probably the most proficient participant within the class. The Heisman Trophy winner goes to try to play each methods, and if he can come near replicating his Colorado manufacturing, this can be a residence run for Jacksonville, even when it was pricey to maneuver up. Particularly on offense, I am past excited to see the receiver duo of Brian Thomas Jr. and Hunter. The back-to-back picks of Milum and Tuten within the third and fourth rounds have been additionally sturdy. 

Tennessee Titans: C+

• Gamers retained: IDL Sebastian Joseph-Day
• Notable additions: OT Dan Moore Jr., LB Cody Barton, OL Kevin Zeitler, IDL Dre’Mont Jones, S Xavier Woods, WR Tyler Lockett
• Notable losses: EDGE Harold Landry, LB Kenneth Murray, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
• Notable draftees: QB Cam Ward, EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo, S Kevin Winston Jr., WR Chimere Dike, TE Gunnar Helm

Has there been much less hype surrounding a quarterback that went No. 1 total than Cam Ward? The Miami QB was immediately one-upped by the Jaguars buying and selling as much as choose Hunter, after which the following free fall of Shedeur Sanders. Whereas the remainder of the league sleeps on Ward, the Titans are hoping they’ve discovered their quarterback of the long run, so there may be some pleasure about this new period. In truth, this offseason is all about Ward. If he is who the Titans hope he’s, they’re in a great spot. If not, they continue to be within the basement. That mentioned, I did just like the choice of third-round security Kevin Winston Jr. As long as he is wholesome, he’ll be a playmaker within the secondary. In free company, handing Dan Moore Jr. a four-year, $82 million deal would not precisely get you excited.