Two Big Questions: AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS
Is Deshaun Watson the quarterback of the future or now? It seems like every year since Peyton Manning left Indianapolis the Houston Texans have been a quarterback away from making a serious tun to a Super Bowl. After the failed experiment of Brock Osweiler last season the Texans used their first round pick on Clemson QB Deshaun Watson but is he ready to take a team to the Super Bowl and if not is he still the best option for the team to win?
Can their two biggest defensive stars stay healthy? Since Jadeveon Clowney was drafted in 2014 he and former Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt have combined to miss 30 games. When healthy they are apart of one of the best defenses in the NFL and have carried this team to the playoffs and will need to be on the field to keep this team in contention.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Which Andrew Luck will play in 2017? Luck can't throw double digit ints and can't miss multiple games if the Colts want to return to the postseason. The Colts didn't improve much at the running back position which means teams will continue to play the pass and force Luck to make tough throws. If he is what we thought he was which is a top tier caliber qb then he has to perform that way consistently.
Will the rookies have immediate impact in the secondary? The Colts address their secondary issues in the first two rounds with S Malik Hooker and CB Quincy Wilson. The two rookies will look to improve the 27th ranked pass defense that gave up 27 tds and had only 8 ints. Opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of 97.5 in 2016 which was 5th worst.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Is this Blake Bortles last chance in Jacksonville? The number of excuses for the fails of Bortles are quickly decreasing. With draft picks in RB Leonadrd Fournette, OT Cam Robinson, and WR Dede Westbrook gives Bortles a potentially very strong running game and a much improved offensive line. Many thought the Jags would potentially draft a quarterback but the elected not to meaning they are sticking with Bortles for now. However, with the additions they made in the draft coupled with what was already in place and the 5th best defense in yards per game the Jags should be taken serious in the AFC South.
Can the defense create turnovers? While having the 5th best defense overall, the Jags only created 13 turnovers. Of those 13 turnovers only seven came by int and he league leader in ints had 7. Enough said. Adding Calais Campbell could help and CB Jalen Ramsey has a year under his belt and should have a breakout season.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Will the rookie receivers produce? Delanie Walker and DeMarco Murray were second and third on the team in catches last season. So what did the Titans do? Draft WRs Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor in the first and third round respectively. The ground game will produce with Murray and Derek Henry but the passing game was 25th and will need the two rookies to step up big and early.
What will be Adoree' Jackson's biggest impact? In between Davis and Taylor the Titans selected CB Adoree' Jackson who will probably be used majority on defense and special teams but does have the ability to play on offense as well. The Titans needed help in the secondary as they were the 3rd worst pass defense in 2016 and could use a boost on special teams in the return game.
