NFL Draft Review: AFC South
It's a bold new era in Jacksonville but do they have enough to take down the Texans?
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NFL DRAFT RECAP SERIES: NFCE || AFCE || NFCN || AFCN || NFCS
AFC SOUTH 2025 NFL DRAFT RECAP
The Houston Texans have been on the brink of taking down the AFC heavyweights, falling just short against the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL Divisional Round. The organization was sure to address any needs this past offseason, doubling-down at several spots via the draft. With a re-worked supporting cast on offense and improved depth on defense, the Texans are capable of competing with any team on a weekly basis. Houston general manager Nick Caserio has been one of the more accurate decision-makers, since taking over the helm in 2023. They will enter 2025 as the clear division favorites and deservedly so.
Welcome to a new era in Jacksonville, led by baby-faced general manager James Gladstone. Just 34 years old, Gladstone came across as wise beyond his years! Pulling off a draft day trade to land the premier player in the entire draft with Travis Hunter took major cahones. You have to admire the boldness, along with the confidence and aggressiveness to execute such a grand plan. Additionally, a major emphasis was placed on special teams, an area that few franchises invest in. A commitment to the almighty third phase of the game, demonstrates a team-building philosophy that highly successful teams have in common. There is a precise plan in tact in Jacksonville and times they are a changing.
With quarterback questions abound within the division, none are more bigger than the dilemma that Indianapolis has on their hands. The Colts rolled the dice on Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick in 2023 and thus far, he has yet to deliver on the potential. Hence, veteran Daniel Jones was signed as an insurance policy. Both options could be code for ‘doom.’ Thankfully, the selection of tight end Tyler Warren will provide a valuable security blanket and a weapon over the middle. Most notable was the boost in the trenches, as Indy added some bodies on both the offensive and defensive line. The sneaky selection of DJ Giddens gives them an added bonus of another dangerous runner who possesses size, speed, power and elusiveness.
While we have seen hot-shot signal-callers arrive to the NFL and take the league by storm, such as the aforementioned Stroud, that is not the expectation in Tennessee. Despite a new franchise signal-caller in tow with Cam Ward, the Titans would appear to be at least another year away from being able to contend. They likely plucked two additional defensive starters on the second day of the draft, while stockpiling some new targets on offense for Ward on Day 3. With such a depleted roster, you could certainly see a handful of undrafted rookie free agents also contend for a spot.
Overall, the AFC South is the Texans division to lose. The Jaguars could be factors, depending on the health status of Trevor Lawrence, while the Colts are stuck in quarterback purgatory and the Titans have just hit reset on an all-in rebuild. Should the division race become close, then Week 18 could become a play-in tournament, as the Colts visit the Texans and the Titans visit the Jaguars during the final week of the regular season.
HOUSTON TEXANS
ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL
Rd.2 No.34. Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State — A big boundary wideout with explosive speed, Higgins is a much-needed playmaker who adds another long, tall target to pair up with Nico Collins on the boundary.
Rd.2 No.48. Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota — Watch out for Ersery who brings mammoth size and quickness. A fundamentally sound player with great power, he certainly possesses the upside to start sooner, rather than later.
Rd.3 N0.79. Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State — The Texans offense wasn’t as lethal when Tank Dell was out of the lineup. The team ensured themselves of a slot threat weapon with the selection of Noel, in addition to the offseason signing of Christian Kirk.
Rd.3 No.97. Jaylin Smith, CB, USC — A late bloomer who has played every spot in the secondary, Smith settled in at cornerback this past season for the Trojans, owns top-notch speed and should compete for a nickleback role in Houston.
Rd.4 No.116. Woody Marks, RB, USC — One of the best pure pass catchers at the running back position, Marks is a shifty runner, who is a threat out of the backfield, or can line up in the slot.
Rd.6 No.187. Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State — It seemed to be a common theme for the Texans to double down at certain positions in both free agency and the draft. After signing CJ Gardner-Johnson this offseason, Reed provide tremendous depth.
Rd.6 No.197. Graham Mertz, QB, Florida — Considered more of a developmental signal-caller, Mertz was a heralded recruit who fizzled at Wisconsin before getting injured at Florida past season but he has size and tools to work with.
Rd.7 No.224. Kyonte Hamilton, DT, Rutgers — Labeled as a ‘reject’ by NFL scouting services in the preseason, Hamilton enjoyed a monster season for the Scarlet Knights and then crushed the draft process. His arrow is pointing up.
Rd.7 No.255. Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa — Prior to his ACL injury two years ago, Lachey was bandied about as a potential top 100 selection. His size, inline blocking and pass-catching ability makes him a real sleeper.
OVERALL IMPACT = 3 Average Impact
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL
Rd.1 No.14. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State — What a great weapon for the Colts offense, regardless of who wins the quarterback job, Warren will be the safety valve underneath that the team needs. Plus, he can help boost the run game with his blocking.
Rd.2 No.45. JT Tuimoloau, ER, Ohio State — An experienced edge rusher with a high motor and savvy technique, Tuimoloau has a limited ceiling but can be a solid starter for a long time.
Rd.3 No.80. Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota — A four-year starter, Walley projects as a slot cover man. However, buyer beware, as opposing quarterbacks completed 42% of their attempts on him this past season.
Rd.4 No.127. Jalen Travis, OT, Iowa State — On the final day, general manager Chris Ballard found excellent value, starting with Travis who brings prototype size, smarts and experience. He stands a very good chance to win a starting job in training camp.
Rd.5 No.151. DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State — An explosive runner with a bit of an upright style, Giddens is a change of direction slasher with power who can spell Jonathan Taylor when needed.
Rd.6 No.189. Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame — If the shoe fits … with no clear cut starter, why not inject the heady Leonard into the mix, who is also a dual-threat quarterback like Richardson and Jones.
Rd.6 No.190. Tim Smith, DT, Alabama — A reliable run-stuffer who gets by on size, strength and technique, Smith projects as an early, two-down run-stuffer.
Rd.7 No.232. Hunter Wohler, S, Wisconsin — A college safety who flies to the football, the Colts plan on transitioning Wohler over to linebacker, where his size and instincts can be better utilized.
OVERALL IMPACT = 4 High Impact
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL
Rd.1 No.2. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado — A true generational talent, Hunter is the type of prospect that pro personnel scouts spend an entire lifetime trying to uncover. This has the makeup of a franchise-defining moment for the organization.
Rd.3 No.88. Caleb Ransaw, CB, Tulane — Look for Ransaw to fill the role of core special-teamer, as he plays all units, while bringing the experience to step in and player either safety spot, or nickelback.
Rd.3 No.89. Wyatt Milum, OG, West Virginia — The Jaguars are expected to kick Milum inside, where he will compete for the starting left guard job. He has a strong foundation and solid hand placement as a former wrestler.
Rd.4 No.104. Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech — It will be a committee approach in Jacksonville, as Tuten possesses elite level speed and is a home run threat every time he touches the ball.
Rd.4 No.107. Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame — With Ransaw and then Kiser, team brass is indicating that special teams will be a major focal point, as Kiser had 962 career reps on special teams, more than any player in the draft.
Rd.6 No.194. Jalen McLeod, LB, Auburn — A fierce competitor, McLeod brings an aggressive style of play but tends to take poor angles and had a slew of missed tackles, so he may begin on the practice squad.
Rd.6 No.200. Rayuan Lane III, S, Navy — We salute Lane III, who was a four-year starter for the Midshipmen. With a well-rounded skill-set, he adds versatility in the secondary, plus special teams practicality.
Rd.7 No.221. Jonah Monheim, C, USC — This was viewed as a value pick, as Monheim owns vast experience as a starter at every position along the offensive line. He played center this past year but could also step in at tackle or guard.
Rd.7 No.236. LaQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse — The Jaguars added their lightning in Tuten with the thunder in Allen. A hard-nosed, bruising runner, Allen could specialize in short-yardage and goal line situations.
OVERALL IMPACT = 4 High Impact
TENNESSEE TITANS
ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL
Rd.1 No.1. Cam Ward, QB, Miami — Over the past three seasons, the Titans started Mason Rudolph, Will Levis, Malik Willis, Joshua Dobbs and Ryan Tannehill. They expect Ward to stop the bleeding.
Rd.2 No.52. Oluwafemi Oladejo, ER, UCLA — One of the premium value picks of the entire draft, Oladejo is a raw pass-rusher whose best football is ahead of him. He switched from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher halfway through his final season and hasn’t looked back since.
Rd.3 No.82. Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State — A lengthy, physical safety who can step up and stuff the run and is adequate in pass coverage, Winston missed this past season due to an ACL injury.
Rd.4 No.103. Chimere Dike, WR, Florida — A twitched up route runner with top-flight speed, Dike is a deceptive receiver who could be a third down weapon to help move the chains.
Rd.4 No.136. Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford — There will be some coaching needed for Ayomanor to expand his route tree but the athletic wideout has a propensity to make the acrobatic catch look easy.
Rd.5 No.167. Jackson Slater, OG, Sacramento State — The Titans did a nice job solidifying their offensive line during free agency and Slater adds to the interior depth.
Rd.6 No.183. Marcus Harris, CB, California — An elite level athlete, Tennessee is betting on the pedigree and traits of Harris to provide some depth in the slot on defense but will primarily be a special teams player in year one.
Rd.6 N0.188. Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan — There is not much thread on the tires for Mullings who has struggled with injuries but is a powerful runner who can push the pile when healthy.