What's the biggest weakness remaining on each AFC South roster?
Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns and spent the last 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of "The Football Today Podcast."
The time between the end of the draft and the start of training camp is one for eternal optimism among NFL fans. Their favorite team is going to be so much better in the coming season. That club fixed its problems through free agency and the draft. Its incoming crop of rookies will all work out wonderfully. Injured players from the year before will return better than ever. No one will get hurt in 2017. You get the idea.
Unfortunately, this is most likely the best your favorite team's roster will look all season. Much will happen between now and the Super Bowl, and much of it will be negative. With that in mind, this is a divisional series highlighting the biggest area of concern for each team right now. Here is the AFC South.
Texans - Offensive Line
With J.J. Watt hopefully returning to elite status, Houston’s defense could be as good as any in football. The Texans went out of their way an offseason ago to fortify the offense with a variety of playmakers. And in this year's draft, they secured their quarterback of the future in Deshaun Watson.
But by focusing so much on fixing their QB situation - including sending Cleveland a premium draft pick just to rid themselves of Brock Osweiler - the Texans were unable to truly address their second-biggest need: the offensive line. With a presumably great defense and skill players galore, you would think Houston will not ask a great deal from its quarterback in 2017. But that plan would be a lot more palatable if the line wasn’t such a concern.
Left tackle Duane Brown came back strong from injury last year, but he turns 32 this summer. Right tackle is the weakest starting position on this roster. Houston does get Nick Martin, last year’s second-round pick, back at either guard or center, but this will be his first year in the league and the rest of the interior is average at best.
It also should be noted that Houston might have had the worst special teams in the NFL last year, but did little to address that area in the offseason.
Colts - Inside Linebacker
The Colts' defense is in much better shape now than it was when the 2016 season ended - and it looks as though this organization is finally going in the right direction from a personnel standpoint under Chris Ballard. But this project is far from complete, as Indianapolis still has several areas of need.
The right side of the offensive line is weak, and the Colts are still looking for a viable successor to running back Frank Gore. On defense, the secondary saw a major influx of young talent and the defensive front added some proven veterans, as well as standout Ohio pass-rusher Tarell Basham in the third round. But the second level remains a major area of weakness.
The Colts' approach makes sense. If you need to rebuild a defense that was lacking in quality players at all positions, addressing the front and the secondary should come first. But with basically just Sean Spence, Antonio Morrison, and Anthony Walker at inside linebacker, surely the Colts will have to find major help here next offseason.
Jaguars - Tight End
Jacksonville's offensive line is far from perfect - and so is the quarterback situation. Jacksonville drafted Cam Robinson and added Branden Albert to address the offensive line issues (though Albert is in search of a new contract), while QB Blake Bortles is going to get another season to see what he can do.
But with Julius Thomas gone, the Jaguars' tight end spot is a problem area. Mychal Rivera was added to pair with 34-year-old Marcedes Lewis; neither player is a difference-maker or matchup problem for opposing defenses.
While the Jaguars look well stocked at wide receiver and running back, Bortles needs all the help he can get right now. Don’t expect him to get it from his tight ends.
Titans - Cornerback
What are you talking about? Cornerback? The Titans spent big money on Logan Ryan and then used a first-round pick on Adoree' Jackson. How can this be an area of concern?
Well, they were weak at the position a year ago, and that was before they released Jason McCourty. They may have a wealth of slot cornerbacks, but who are the true outside starters?
Ryan did his best work in New England in the slot; he does have the size and physical makeup for perimeter duties, but that's not an area of strength for him. Jackson has rare speed and athletic ability, but doesn’t possess a thick or strong frame. Plus, Dick LeBeau’s history suggests that rookie cornerbacks have a tough time getting on the field in his defense.
In a league where you need three or four quality cornerbacks, Tennessee only has LeShaun Sims and Brice McCain - both of whom are also best in the slot - competing for serious playing time alongside Ryan and Jackson.
Biggest Weakness Remaining