We are now just four weeks away from the 2025 NFL Draft, which will be hosted in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the rosters of the 32 NFL teams are now starting to take shape following free agency.
Will Levis reacts after being sacked against the Houston Texans. Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images
The AFC South division, which was one of only two in the AFC to not have multiple teams qualify for the postseason last year, holds particular intrigue heading into the draft given that the Tennessee Titans, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Indianapolis Colts will all be picking in the top 15, while the Houston Texans sit with the 25th pick.
All four teams still have significant needs to address, so let's take a look at those needs for the four AFC South teams ahead of the draft.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans were able to retain their AFC South title last season after finishing 10-7, but there is still a clear need for the Texans to improve their offensive line given the fact C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times last season (second-most in the NFL).
Laremy Tunsil drops back to block against the Dallas Cowboys Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images
Laremy Tunsil drops back to block against the Dallas Cowboys Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images
To make matters even worse, they decided to trade away their five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders, further emphasising their need to bolster their offensive line and protect their Pro Bowl-calibre quarterback.
They signed Cam Robinson to a one-year deal and added veterans Trent Brown and Laken Tomlinson in free agency, but it would still be a wise idea for the Texans to address their offensive line needs with the 25th overall pick, or even look to use the draft capital acquired in the Tunsil trade to move up and grab one of the top tackles in the class.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts managed to address their problems in the secondary during free agency by signing Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum to long-term contracts, but they still have major concerns at quarterback.
Tyler Warren in action against the Boise State Broncos. Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Tyler Warren in action against the Boise State Broncos. Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images
They used the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Anthony Richardson, but the former Florida Gator has not lived up to his draft hype thus far, emphasised by the fact that the Colts felt the need to make Daniel Jones the highest-paid backup quarterback in the league this offseason to offer some competition to Richardson.
Regardless of which quarterback wins the starting job, the Colts could do with getting their quarterbacks some weapons to work with and they will likely be targeting one of the top tight ends with the 14th overall pick, more specifically either Penn State's Tyler Warren or Michigan's Colston Loveland who would both be great fits in Indianapolis.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Following two consecutive winning seasons in 2022 and 2023, the Jacksonville Jaguars took a huge step back last season as they finished 4-13, with plenty of issues concerning the roster arising.
Mason Graham in action against the Michigan State Spartans. Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Mason Graham in action against the Michigan State Spartans. Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/Getty Images
The Jags needed to improve both their offensive and defensive lines and opted to address the offensive line during free agency with the additions of Robert Hainseyand and Patrick Mekari. Therefore, the interior of their defensive line should be their priority with the fifth overall pick, and it looks likely that they will be able to add Mason Graham from Michigan.
The Jags' new Jaguars GM, James Gladstone, who spent nine years with the Los Angeles Rams, saw firsthand how destructive Aaron Donald was on the interior of the defensive line, and while Graham may not have the ability Donald had, he is still the consensus best interior defensive lineman in the draft, and would be a great addition to this improving Jags roster.
Tennessee Titans
The one consolation of having the worst season out of any team in the NFL last season is that the Tennessee Titans now hold the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and therefore have the freedom to select whichever player they please.
Cam Ward watches on against the Wake Forest Deacon Demons. Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Cam Ward watches on against the Wake Forest Deacon Demons. Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
As the draft draws near, it appears increasingly likely that the selection will be Cam Ward from Miami. This is largely because Will Levis has not demonstrated the requisite development after two seasons in the NFL, as well as the fact that the Titans have only two quarterbacks on their roster ahead of the draft.
With Ward, the Titans would get a young quarterback with plenty of upside to build their franchise around, with their next priority being to get him some weapons with their picks in the later rounds given the departures of Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Tyler Boyd in free agency.