The AFC South has a bad reputation for being one of the worst divisions in the NFL. While the AFC South has not had a team represent the AFC in the Superbowl since the 2009 Indianapolis Colts, the division has been consistently making deep runs in the playoffs and wild card berths. The Colts in 2014, Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017, and Tennessee Titans in 2019 are all teams that were one game away from the Superbowl. In fact, the AFC South is the only division in the NFL to have multiple teams make the playoffs for the past three seasons.
The 2020 season is filled with interesting storylines within the AFC South. The Houston Texans traded away DeAndre Hopkins and have revamped their entire offense. The Indianapolis Colts added one of the best interior defensive linemen, added two rookie playmakers on offense, and signed Philip Rivers to a one-year contract to make a run for a championship. The Titans have basically kept the same team as last year, but after making the AFC Championship Game, they are looking to improve with a full season under Ryan Tannehill. The Jaguars have traded away, released, or allowed their best players to leave via free agency. It is possible they are #TankingForTrevor.
The AFC South has talent dispersed all throughout the division. Because of this, 2020 is expected to be a very competitive season.
Top 10 Players in AFC South
1. Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans): Quarterback
The entire NFL is underrating how good Watson truly is. The problem is he will forever be compared to Patrick Mahomes who was drafted in the same draft as him. Watson may not be as good as Mahomes, but he is still one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Even without DeAndre Hopkins, Watson is on his way to entering elite status. He can make all the throws as well as extend the play from outside of the pocket. As a matter of fact, if it was not for Deshaun Watson, the Texans would be arguably the worst team in the NFL. Unfortunately for Watson, he also has to overcome playing for Bill O’Brien. Watson will look to improve off of his spectacular 2019 season. During the past year, he was just under 4,000 yards with 26 touchdowns including a divisional title.
2. Quenton Nelson (Indianapolis Colts): Guard
Yes, a guard is the second-best player in the AFC South. One of the Top 10 Players in the AFC South in 2020. This is not because of the lack of talent in this division, but rather Quenton Nelson is just that good. In his first season with the Colts, they went from the worst offensive line in the league to one of the best. He is already a two-time All-Pro and is widely considered the best guard in the NFL. Also, Nelson is the leader of this Colts offensive line which is high praise considering his age of 24 years. If anyone is skeptical of Nelson’s ranking in this article, watch Jonathan Taylor run behind him in 2020.
3. J.J. Watt (Houston Texans): EDGE
If it was not for injuries, J.J. Watt would be the best player in the AFC South. Unfortunately, injuries are something that must be kept in mind so Watt has to settle in at number three. Last season, Watt only tallied up four sacks and four tackles for loss. However, he is only two years removed from a 16 sack season with 18 tackles for loss. Watt is a complete player who lacks a weakness. He is the kind of player offensive coaches hate to gameplan against with his ability to wreck plays in the backfield. As long as Watt is healthy, he is going to be a problem for all offenses in 2020.
4. Darius Leonard (Indianapolis Colts): Outside Linebacker
Better known as the Maniac, Darius Leonard is the prototypical linebacker in the NFL in 2020. With his ability to cover the field sideline to sideline, sho0t the gaps to stuff a run, and make plays against the pass shown by his five interceptions last season, it is easy to see why players call him the Maniac. Leonard is also a two-time All-Pro player in as many seasons. He is a tone-setter for the Colts defense and a tackling machine. In two seasons, Leonard racked up 284 tackles, 12 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, and seven interceptions. At only 25 years old, there is still a lot of room for growth for the Maniac.
5. DeForest Buckner (Indianapolis Colts): Defensive Tackle
The Colts recently gave up a 2020 First Round pick for the services of DeForest Buckner. He still has not played in the division yet, but if his time with the San Francisco 49ers is any indication of the future, he might take over Watt as the best defensive lineman in the division. After being an All-Pro in 2018 with 19.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss in the last two seasons, Buckner is looking to bring the same intensity to a Colts defensive that needs talent in the middle of the line.
6. Kevin Byard (Tennessee Titans): Safety
Byard typically flies under the radar, but make no mistake, he is one of the best safeties in the league. After cashing out in 2019 with a $70.5 million contract, he had another great season with 84 tackles, nine pass breakups, and five interceptions. Byard can play as a single-high safety, or he can line up in the box if called upon. A player like that is needed in today’s NFL that places such high value in versatility. Byard played a vital role for the Titans in stopping the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens running games in the playoffs last season and looks to continue that level of play.
7. Laremy Tunsil (Houston Texans): Tackle
When a team has a franchise quarterback, the next step is to secure his blindside. That is exactly what the Texans did by trading for Laremy Tunsil for two First Round picks from the Miami Dolphins. Only giving up three sacks in 2019, Tunsil was able to turn the tide for the Texans offense. For someone so big, it is almost hard to believe to see him move so fast when a screen is called. With a duo in Watson and Tunsil, the Texans are poised for success for the next decade.
8. Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans): Running Back
Derrick Henry almost ran the Titans into the Super Bowl in 2019 if it was not for Patrick Mahomes. He bulldozed his way to 182 and 195 yards against the Patriots and Ravens, respectively. In his first season truly getting a workhorse role, Henry was able to flourish with over 1500 yards and 16 touchdowns. There are not a lot of miles on the body of Henry. It is safe to expect the same out of him considering he will be the focal point of the offense.
9. Josh Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars): EDGE
As one of the best young pass rushers in the NFL, it is a shame Josh Allen is stuck on the Jaguars who look like they are punting the 2020 season away. in the 2019 Draft, Allen was considered by many as the top pass rusher in the draft. He did not disappoint in his first season with 10.5 sacks. What is shocking is he accumulated those sacks in a reserve role as he only started for four games. With Yannick Nagkoue now out of Jacksonville, this defense belongs to Josh Allen.
10. Justin Houston (Indianapolis Colts): EDGE
Entering his 10th season, Justin Houston is still a capable playmaker. With 11 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback hits, he is proving he still has plenty left in the tank. In his first season with the Colts, Houston provided stability on the line with a consistent pass rush and ability to stop the run from the outside. With a final year on his contract, Houston is going to look to ball out to try and cash in on one more contract in the NFL.
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