NFL and fantasy football fans are eagerly awaiting the end of this quiet period of the NFL offseason, between the “legal tampering” period of free agency and the three-day extravaganza of the NFL Draft. It’s the “eye of the storm.” Between now and the start of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28, we’re going division-by-division to look at what moves teams still need to make that will have an impact on 2022’s fantasy rosters. We’ve already touched on the AFC North, NFC North, AFC East, and NFC East. It’s time to turn relatively south-ish, as we examine the AFC South in order of 2021 final standings.

Note: All 2021 fantasy point totals and rankings are PPR unless otherwise noted.

Tennessee Titans: AFC South Champions

The Titans certainly lived up to their mythical moniker for most of the 2021 season. Not only did they capture the AFC South crown, but they also ruled over the entire AFC after claiming the top seed entering the playoffs. A punishing run game and hard-nosed defense (DST10) made the Titans a fearsome opponent for the lesser gods of the AFC. But just as Zeus defeated Cronus in the Titanomachy, the Titans would fall to the upstart Bengals in the Divisional round of the playoffs. The return of Derrick Henry (RB1 in PPG), a Promethean effort by A.J. Brown, and an astonishing nine sacks(!) by the Titan defense weren’t enough. Three Ryan Tannehill interceptions proved too much to overcome. The Titans were once again banished to the NFL underworld.

Henry’s strong fantasy output and the defense’s capable performance belied a number of issues for the team, however. While the offensive line performed like Perses when run-blocking, they absolutely wilted in pass sets. This dichotomy earned them a ranking of 16th from Pro Football Focus in their year-end offensive line rankings. Brown (WR32) and number two receiver Julio Jones both struggled with injuries. And while Tennessee was able to continue running the ball strong after Henry’s season-ending foot injury, the offense just wasn’t the same feared unit it had been over the season’s first half.

Titans’ Bottom Line

Heading into the offseason, Tennessee needed pass-catchers. Brown is as good as you’ll find in the league, but unlike Atlas, he can’t shoulder the load alone. With Jones gone in free agency, Tennessee traded for Robert Woods (WR17 in PPG) to immediately improve the receiver room. Signing former Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper should help as well. But Woods is coming off a season-ending injury of his own and Brown is one of a handful of high-profile wide receivers stirring up unrest over his current contract situation. The Titans don’t have a ton of draft capital. They likely won’t take a shot at a highly-ranked prospect unless a shocking draft-day trade takes place, but another legitimate receiver would take some of the pressure off if Woods is slow in his return to action or the Brown situation reaches crisis mode.

A healthy Taylor Lewan and second-round pick Dillon Radunz should help at the tackles, but Tennessee probably needs to look hard at finding their starting left guard in this draft with one of their first two picks. Stronger pass blocking would certainly be welcomed by Tannehill as he looks for his new receivers.

Speaking of Epimetheus Tannehill… The god of afterthought who had nothing special left to offer humans (you had ONE JOB, dude,) Epimetheus went on to marry Pandora. You may have heard how that went. Anyway, Tannehill has certainly been a quarterback for the Titans, although never a fantasy star. His performance in the playoff loss has some questioning his ability to get them to the top. For this year, he’s the Titans’ starter, but really shouldn’t be on your fantasy roster outside of Superflex/two-QB leagues. If nothing else, a more dynamic backup would help preserve the other Titans’ fantasy values should anything happen to Tannehill.

Indianapolis Colts: Second Place AFC South

Much to former punter Pat McAfee‘s delight, Carson Wentz is now a Washington Commander. Matt Ryan will be the new starting quarterback for Indianapolis. If nothing else, Matty Ice should offer a bit less of an emotional roller coaster as he brings his steady throwing hand to Indy. Playing behind a much better offensive line (#12 PFF) with a much stronger running game should allow Ryan to flourish even as he nears the twilight of his career. He may even approach low fantasy-starter numbers.

A full season of healthy Quenton Nelson will only improve things on that line. Jonathan Taylor looked like a worthy heir-apparent to King Henry as possibly the best running back in the AFC South. Michael Pittman, Jr. (WR17) showed he can be a threat in the passing game. Cult hero Rodrigo Blankenship missed most of last season but should return. The team brought back free-agent tight end Mo Alie-Cox after losing Jack Doyle to retirement. The Colts, their fans, and fantasy managers are ready to put last season behind them.

Colts’ Bottom Line

While their horseshoe logo may be a traditional symbol of good luck, not everything is hitting on all cylinders for the Colts. That highly-ranked offensive line actually under-performed in 2021. Indy will be looking for new starters at left tackle, right guard, and possibly at center. Wentz is no Michael Vick but looks practically Tarkentonian compared to the stationary Ryan. Maintaining a high level of offensive line play will be critical to the Colt offense. Taylor will get him, but protecting Ryan will maximize the talent of all involved. The Colts don’t pick until the middle of round two but could find line help still on the board there. A still-healthy cap situation could allow them to continue seeking help on the dwindling free-agent market.

Otherwise, pass catchers are a must. Alie-Cox is an athlete and an intriguing red zone target, but not an elite option. The depth chart at receiver after Pittman falls off a veritable cliff. There have been rumors of a possible Ryan-Julio Jones reunion. (Honestly, not the worst idea given the talent level currently in the room and that cap space.) Jarvis Landry may be a bit rich for the Colts’ blood, but would also elevate the receiver position. While there aren’t many exciting free-agent tight ends left, there are still a number of guys who could be useful between the 20s. Jared Cook and Kyle Rudolph come to mind as possible streamer options if running routes for Ryan.

Houston Texans: Third Place AFC South

Bill O’Brien is gone, enrolled in Nick Saban’s Coaching Reputation Rehab Program in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. That does not mean, however, that the shadow of his tenure as head coach and general manager does not still loom over NRG Stadium and its surrounds. The Texans are still digging out of the hole in which O’Brien’s personnel decisions left them. A dearth of talent on both sides of the ball means there are needs everywhere. It’s B.P.A. time in Houston and looks to be for the foreseeable future.

The needs are many because the foundation is so weak. Brandin Cooks (WR20) was the only useable fantasy piece on the roster in 2021. Indeed, he was seemingly about the only NFL-caliber player on the field for the Texans at times. A logjam of has-beens, also-rans, and never-weres in the backfield failed to find any running room behind the league’s 29th-ranked offensive line. Tyrod Taylor, in a shockingly-unsurprising non-twist, suffered an early-season injury that essentially led to coach David Culley handing the keys to the offense to rookie Davis Mills. Mills’ performance, while certainly a feel-good story outside of Houston, did nothing to make Texans fans forget about the glory days of Deshaun Watson leading the team to back-to-back division titles in 2018-2019.

Texans’ Bottom Line

Finally trading Watson to Cleveland for an Astrodome-sized haul will certainly help the rebuild. While the bulk of that bounty ripens in future drafts, Houston does have seven of the first 108 picks in this week’s NFL Draft and one of the top salary cap situations in the league with which to work immediately.

Mills will presumably get another season to prove he can be the quarterback of the future. That’s nice for him, but for the experiment to be truly unbiased, the Texans HAVE to surround him with more playmaking talent. Cooks, fresh off a contract extension, remains a threat at receiver. The rest of the receiver room needs work. Nico Collins looks like he has some potential, but another top-level threat across the formation from Cooks would do wonders for Mills’ development. For that matter, so would a tight-end upgrade. Brevin Jordan looks to have talent but needs to be targeted more to be on the radar of opposing defenses and fantasy managers alike. A starting-type tailback needs to be found as well. They’ve waited long enough for someone to rise from the morass of mediocrity, and Arian Foster ain’t walking through the door anytime soon.

Then there’s that “offensive” line (pick a definition- any definition.) Getting a full year of Laremy Tunsil will help, but both guard positions need looking at, as well as a right tackle. Former Bengals’ first-rounder Cedric Ogbuehi may be able to contribute, but additions are needed regardless. Past that, an upgrade from Ka’imi Fairbairn (K29) at kicker wouldn’t hurt.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Fourth Place AFC South

It’s a time for new beginnings in Jacksonville. Again.

You have so many relationships in this life

Only one or two will last

You go through all the pain and strife

Then you turn your back and they’re gone so fast

-Hanson, “MMMBop”

Urban Meyer is gone, although the memories remain. And while we may never know the entire story of the circus that was Jacksonville’s 2021 season, it may be best for everyone to just move on. With four picks in the top 70 of the upcoming draft (including the first overall,) a young quarterback on a rookie contract, and a new head coach, the Jaguars have an opportunity to restart the rebuild they thought was going to be overseen by Meyer. Meyer’s professional coaching career ended after just 13 games, only two of which were wins. Doug Pederson will be the one to try to revive the franchise while undoing any damage done to Trevor Lawrence’s development.

Holes exist up and down the roster in all three phases of the game, but Jacksonville has been surprisingly proactive in free agency. An offensive line ranked 24th by PFF should be a little better just by default this season after adding guard Brandon Scherff and retaining a hopefully healthy Cam Robinson with the franchise tag. Evan Engram, Zay Jones, and Christian Kirk were brought in to give Lawrence some new targets. They should also have Travis Etienne, Jr. back from injury.

Jaguars’ Bottom Line

Better offensive line play will be key to Lawrence’s continued development as the franchise quarterback. Jacksonville will still need to find a starting guard and tackle to elevate this group’s performance. While the betting money is on the Jaguar’s going defense with the first pick, they could look to snap up an offensive lineman at the top of the second round. There should be plenty of quality options still available.

This is a sneaky-talented group of receivers, but they still need a true number one. Kirk is getting paid like a top guy, but this receiver room is like a baseball pitching staff with no true ace. You’ve got a bunch of threes and fours, maybe even a two. You don’t have anyone that can really light it up, but somebody’s got to start Opening Day by default. That’s Kirk. The two Joneses, Marvin, and Zay are probably up next. Laviska Shenault, Jr. has “stuff”, but needs to put it all together. Cap dollars are in short supply in north Florida, so the draft may be the best way to add a top fantasy option here.

Matthew Wright (K28) was not necessarily an improvement over Josh Lambo. Middling accuracy on a scuffling offense isn’t a recipe for fantasy gold. They probably need to keep looking, or at least keep their options open.

Finally, some health for Etienne and James Robinson would be nice, as they could be a fun backfield if healthy.

Check back with Belly Up Fantasy Sports for more fantasy analysis and to see what teams in the rest of the league still need to add to make fantasy managers’ championship dreams come true. Up next: the NFC South. Got something to say? Leave a comment below and follow me on Twitter @SttChaseFFB.