Approach: We pulled the roster data on June 15th (8pm MST). Our goals were to:

• Estimate roster spots and cap space
• Assess team needs
• Assess potential free agency options. However, the focus this year will be highlighting key positions of need instead of potential landing spots for players.  We received too many requests to not identify players this off-season.

This article will concentrate on the AFC South.

 

Indianapolis Colts. 47 active players, $23.344m ($18.38m in 2017) available for FA.

Finished 2017 with a 11-5 record (#2 in AFC South), 3,494 total points.

• 2017 FA Recap – Indy acquired nine players for $6.5m. Four remain: Brad Wing, Marquise Goodwin, Geronimo Allison, and Paul Worrilow.
• Offense – The reigning champ! The Big Dog. THIS IS HIS YARD BOYS. Really though, Erik had a very solid draft and is sitting pretty with not only solid starters, but a ton of depth and upside. If I were Erik, I would be looking for one more solid starting caliber player to round out that offense. The champ has a much better offense than he did this time last year.
• Defense – Huge upgrade over last year. One of the better D-Lines in the entire league. Solid Safeties. His one concern is LB and I think this is where a majority of his cap will go. His LB core is respectable but a stud would do wonders for his chances of repeating. With Jason also reloading for this year, Erik needs to do whatever he can to fill all of his creamy holes.
• Special Teams – Needs upgrades at each position.
• Strengths – Strong family connections. 🙂 A ton of youth and upside mixed with a fine balance of veterans. Above average starting offense with elite upside. Also sporting a dominant D-Line.
• Weaknesses – Right now, I think his weakness is that Jason has a better team and more money. It’s a new year and past accolades matter not. His LB core needs some serious work. I don’t think Erik is sitting comfortably though.
• Analysis – I still find it hard to believe the team I wrote up last year won the championship. Forget any crazy trades at the end of the year, Erik beat us and it should be eye opening. There’s a good chance no one we expect will have a chance ends up in the top 4. Never underestimate anyone! That being said, Erik is beginning to prove it may have been more than luck that got him where he is. A very fine draft on paper is leaving Erik set up nicely for the future, and with a couple additions to his LB core we’re guaranteed two amazing battles between Indy and Tennessee this year.

Potential FA Position Targets –

• STARTERS
  • LB
  • Special Teams

• Depth
  • WR/TE

 

Houston Texans. 41 active players, $67.620m ($16.62m in 2017) available for FA.

Finished 2017 with a 11-5 record (#1 in AFC South), 3,525 total points.

• 2017 FA Recap – The Texans acquired 20 players for $44m last off-season. Four of the players remain on the Texans: Jeremy Langford, TJ Yeldon, Kerwynn Williams, and Erik Swoope.
• Offense – So when I first looked at the Cap available in the South I saw how much Dean had to spend and figured he must be in a good place. So, uh, you could imagine my dismay when I realized he only had two players worth starting at offensive skill positions. Luckily for Dean, both Mckinnon and Olsen should be studs at their position. Dean has some players who could emerge as solid depth, but really needs to focus that Cap into filling out the rest of his team. I feel Cam is due for a huge bounceback season with Norv at the helm, so Dean does have a solid foundation to build around. Meredith could be a sneaky starter for him if he clicks with Brees.
• Defense – Surprisingly solid defense. Dean can afford to spend big to fill his offense because his entire starting D is pretty much set. He could use some more depth at DE/LB and S, but doesn’t have to overspend to plug any holes. Week 9 will be tough with 3 of his defensive players on BYE.
• Special Teams – GOD HC, no K, no P, Leaky Off.
• Strengths – Codpiece has no actual super-powers, but is a skilled engineer as he was able to design his multi-functioning power suit & groin cannon. OK, I had to. Dean came in firing from the get go. He’s not afraid to make a move and not worried about the backlash. He has a very strong defense that allows him to focus his money on his very thin offense.
• Weaknesses – Hookers with Adam’s apples in Vegas. Also alcohol. Last one, I promise Dean! Needs 3 starters on Offense. Other than that Dean has a fairly solid team with a nice amount of cap.
• Analysis – Dean took over what was in my opinion a very solid, up and coming, team. It’s very different than it was last year, but I’m not ready to say Dean has gotten worse. His destiny is in his hands owning the most Cap in the South, the auction will make or break Dean. He will need patience to keep himself from getting trapped by up-bidding bastards.

Potential FA Position targets –

• STARTERS
  • RB/WR/TE
  • K
  • P
  • Off

• DEPTH
  • QB
  • RB/WR/TE
  • DE
  • LB
  • S

 

Tennessee Titans. 42 active players, $30.313 ($14.22m in 2017) available for FA.

Finished 2017 with a 5-11 record (#4 in AFC South), 3,177 total points.  

 

• 2017 FA Recap – $13.7m acquired 9 players last off-season. Blake Bortles, Wil Lutz, and Josh Gordon are still serving for the Titans. I’m not sure what happened to Daryl Washington, the former LB.
• Offense – The former champ has made a huge turnaround after a disappointing season. Sporting a very solid combo of RBs, DJ, Cook and Penny give Jason a very strong offense to begin with. Pair that with Ertz and a possibly rejuvenated Josh Gordon and we have the making of top offense in the league. Ballage/Barber/DJax/Lee also provide solid depth. Week 9 may be an issue with both DJ and Ertz out. Stafford is a fine QB but I wonder…
• Defense – I must say, Brad, Mark and Jason are killing it.These teams are loaded. Jason boasts a solid D-Line and high upside LB core. Safeties are average, but he also bring depth to the table. Jason could add a stud or two to this defense considering how well balanced he is.
• Special Teams – Top of the line starters at each position.
• Strengths – Is there a Canadian Bond? I don’t think so. Oh, I know, the Celine Dion of the IFL. You see him and you think, eh. But then the music starts and she murders your heart with her voice. Jason does this, but with his fantasy prowess. He took a down year and flipped it bringing back a better Dynasty team than the previous. He has a solid foundation at RB and LB, you have to think Jason is a threat year in and year out.
• Weaknesses – Other than the loose flapping head there’s not much bad to say. His one team weakness may be S, but that’s childs play. Last year depth was his downfall and I think he has addressed that this year.
• Analysis –  I’m very impressed with what Jason accomplished after an awful start to last year. He flipped the switch and put together a true competitor. Erik has hairs standing up on the back of his neck right now. I think the major free agency move we see Jason make is grabbing an elite QB. I think it’s an under the radar move but one we may see. Another solid WR/TE would do Jason well too in case Gordon does what Gordon does.

Potential FA Target Positions –

• STARTERS
  • QB
  • WR/TE
  • S

• Depth
  • RB
  • DT

 

Jacksonville Jaguars. 50 active players, $36.877m ($19.16m in 2017) available for FA.

Finished 2017 with a 6-11  record (#3 in AFC South), 3,391 total points.  

• 2017 FA Recap – Last season, Jacksonville signed 8 free agents for $11.4m. Only Cory James and Dustin Hopkins remain.
• Offense – Half of my Hero. Nate shows up sporting a ton of possibilities, hopes and dreams on offense. Unfortunately, not much in terms of guaranteed production. One thing I must mention is that Nate is rocking two Browns AND 2 Rams (not named Gurley). RECIPE FOR SUCCESS. Nate is another in the fine line of teams needing a QB in the AFC. Trubisky is a solid breakout candidate, but no way you want to be relying on him yet. There’s a chance Chubb is a stud by next year and Tevin Coleman is starting on a new team. If that happens, Nate is sporting a very solid RB trio. However, for right now, they don’t provide him the firepower he will need to hold up.
• Defense –  More of the same on defense for Nate. Tons of upside but Mosley, Heyward and Wright stand out as the only players that you truly know what you’re getting. An extremely low floor/high ceiling defense. Nate owes it to himself to pursue a bit of stability.
• Special Teams – Average Everything.
• Strengths – Resolve. Nate’s strength isn’t really something that will help him this year. He has a decent amount of young talent that could leave him sitting pretty in a year or two. But some of them would have to expedite their training if Nate was hoping to make a huge impact this year.
• Weaknesses – Lack of confidence in trading has really hindered Nate’s growth. I feel he has a ton of ammo to make some solid trades, but never wants to pull the trigger. His team is severely lacking star power. CMC, Landry, and Mosley headline a very middle of the road team.
• Analysis –  Nate has a ton of holes and just an average amount of cap. He’s going to need to hope some cheap starters fall in his lap. It may be best for Nate to focus on working the trade lines and adding a stud, or possible some more players who could see a boom next year. He’s not keeping up with Jason and Erik as is, and even with a stud or 2, it may be too little, next year may be the smart money.

Potential FA Position Targets –

• STARTERS
  • QB
  • RB/WR/TE
  • DT
  • LB
  • S
  • Possibly all Special Teams
• Depth
  • Isn’t what he needs