The 2024 NFL Draft is this week, and that means every team has its annual chance to inject its roster with an influx of cheap, young talent.
The draft is where champions are made and rebuilding teams are taken to the next level, and some of the teams in the AFC South are certainly looking to make jumps this year.
The Texans, Colts, and Jaguars are all picking to build around their franchise quarterbacks, while the Titans need to continue hitting on draft picks to hide their deficiencies at every other position while hoping Will Levis is their answer under center.
Here's what all four of these teams need to achieve at the draft this week.
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2024 NFL Draft Needs (AFC South): Houston Texans
Team Needs: LB, DB, OL
The Texans shocked the football world last year when they made a run to the Division Championship and postseason with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans.
Now, Stroud is fully considered as one of the league's very best young quarterbacks, and the Texans have his rookie window in which to build a contender around him. The acquisition of Stefon Diggs loads them up at receiver, so look for the offensive line to be the focus in this draft on that side of the ball.
On defense, the Texans are a well-coached bunch with some talent, but more in that regard is always a good thing. Some extra juice in the pass rush and in coverage would go a long way toward getting this unit closer to being championship caliber.
2024 NFL Draft Needs (AFC South): Indianapolis Colts
Team Needs: TE, DL, DB
The Colts also appeared on their way to a surprising season led by a rookie quarterback and first-year coach, as Shane Steichen nearly got them to the playoffs after Anthony Richardson went down with an injury.
The focus for 2024 will be on tweaking some things around Richardson while shoring up the defense to get this franchise back to the playoffs.
Tight end could be addressed in the form of Brock Bowers, which would be a uniquely exciting fit given how Richardson looked last year and Steichen's tight-end heavy Philadelphia background.
Beyond that first-round possibility, more help is needed on the defensive side of the ball to counter all of the explosive offenses present in the AFC. The Colts have huge upside if they do well at this week's draft.
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2024 NFL Draft Team Needs (AFC South): Jacksonville Jaguars
Team Needs: OL, WR, DB
The Jaguars choked away what should have been a gimme-season as AFC South Champions and watched the upstart Texans led by Stroud take it instead.
The Jags were doomed by poor offensive line play and disappointing receiver play that saw Lawrence often running for his life, while Calvin Ridley was a letdown with several drops of possible huge touchdowns.
Supporting Lawrence has to be the focus for Jacksonville in this draft, as nothing else really matters if they're not giving him the best chance to succeed.
The front seven has some big names, and they likely won't invest heavily there in the draft, but some help in the secondary could be instrumental in keeping teams off the scoreboard against them this year.
2024 NFL Draft Team Needs (AFC South): Tennessee Titans
Team Needs: OL, DB, DL
The Titans are in what promises to be a full-on tear-down and rebuild after a very bad year and the surprise firing of former head coach Mike Vrabel.
Will Levis surprisingly fell to the Titans in the second round last season, and he looked competent when he took over as the starter in 2023. This season will be about finding out whether or not Levis is the guy long-term, and to do that it's widely expected the team will go offensive line with its top-10 first round pick.
Ridley was a bust in Jacksonville, but his signing makes him an upgrade for Tennessee at receiver alongside DeAndre Hopkins. While those two are aging, look for the Titans to invest later picks in the defense instead.
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