NFL: Intriguing Players to Watch in the AFC south
With the start of the NFL season just around the corner. We are going to highlight a player from every franchise that intrigues us. That can be a rookie asked to start, a player set to breakout or a league star who’s just fun to watch.
Today we have the AFC South…
Houston Texans - Calen Bullock, S
The Texans look primed for a playoff run under the guidance of quarterback CJ Stroud. Still, the more pressing concerns are likely on the other side of the ball, particularly in the secondary, where the group is best described as youthful. One of my draft darlings, Calen Bullock, has beaten out more experienced options at the safety position, and it will be vital he hits the ground running. He displayed plenty of range and athleticism in his USC days, but it was the equivalent of shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic. He’ll get more support in this scenario, but with that comes pressure to not give up game-changing plays.
Indianapolis Colts - Kwity Paye, EDGE
The Colts exercised Kwity Paye’s fifth-year option this offseason, and results are starting to come for the edge rusher out of Michigan. Having lost much of his senior season to injury, it took time for Paye to adjust to the NFL and live up to the first-round hype. Last season, however, he ramped up production with 28 hurries and 8 sacks. The Colts aimed to give him pass-rush help with this year’s first-rounder Laitu Latu. His early flashes mean this duo could be formidable if Paye continues his upward trajectory.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Brian Thomas Jr., WR
Having Trevor Lawrence as quarterback has allowed the Jaguars to be in and around the playoff conversation in recent seasons. With that in mind it was perhaps a fairly sizeable gamble to now revamp the wide receiver room. Out goes Calvin Ridley, more on that later, and in comes Gabe Davis from Buffalo and first-round pick Brian Thomas. Thomas is a fantastic combination of size and speed at 6’5, 205lbs. His 17 touchdowns for LSU showed what a dynamic threat he was. Can he prove to be more nuanced than a straight deep-threat early in his NFL career? If he can, Lawrence may have found his receiver no.1.
Tennessee Titans - Calvin Ridley, WR
Ron Carthon and Brian Callahan have quietly built a solid roster down in Tennessee. Savvy free agent additions and draft prospects who should have immediate impact make a Titans turnaround a possibility. To me, the glaring hole on the roster is wide receiver. That was why prying Calvin Ridley away from divisional rivals, the Jaguars, was so important. Ridley, rebounded from a season-long suspension, logging over 1,000 receiving yards and eight TDs in 2023. Now, he’ll have to shoulder the load for the Titans where his support comes from an ageing duo in DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd. Ridley needs to be the best version of himself if the Titans are to be a contender.
Rory-Joe Daniels
NFL & Cfb contributor
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.