Which AFC South team has had the best offseason?

With the 2024 NFL off season nearly complete, which AFC South team was most successful in closing the gap (or extending their lead) this off season? Let’s take a closer look.

With the majority of the 2024 NFL off season now behind us, teams across the NFL are putting the final touches on their mini-camp rosters. The NFL draft has been completed, and most high-value free agents have been signed. So, we ask, which AFC South team was most successful in closing the gap (or extending their divisional lead) this off season?

To be clear, this question is deeper than who had the best draft or free agency class. Which team’s depth chart and coaching staff improved the most? Did any teams have solid drafts or free agency, while simultaneously losing a high value player in free agency? Did any team lose a quality coach or secure a potentially key coaching addition that could be a difference-maker?

We know most fans don’t pay as close attention to all teams as they do to their squad. So, below, we provide a little additional context to the moves made across the division and assist in answering the question of which AFC South team had the best 2024 off season.

Indianapolis Colts

Notable Off season losses:

• Gardner Minshew (QB)
• Zack Moss (RB)
• Jake Martin (DE)

Notable Free agent additions:

• Raekwon Davis (DT)
• Joe Flacco (QB)

Draft additions:

• Laiatu Latu (DE)
• Adonai Mitchell (WR)
• Matt Goncalves (OT)
• Tanor Bortolini (OG)
• Anthony Gould (WR)
• Jaylon Carlies (CB)
• Jaylin Simpson (S)
• Micah Abraham (CB)
• Jonah Laulu (DL)

Significant coaching changes:

• N/A

Summary: The Indianapolis Colts had arguably one of the best drafts of any AFC South team. However, they also preceded it with a nearly nonexistent free agent class. With no significant changes for the coaching staff, a view of their off season essentially comes down to how you feel about their draft class and overall team depth, which they admittedly have done well at building.

Tennessee Titans

Notable Off season losses:

• Derrick Henry (RB)
• Azeez Al-Shaair (LB)
• Denico Autry (DE)
• Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB)
• Aaron Brewer (C)

Notable Free agent additions:

• Calvin Ridley (Jacksonville Jaguars WR)
• Tyler Boyd (Cincinnati Bengals WR)
• Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys RB)
• Lloyd Cushenberry (Denver Broncos C)
• Mason Rudolph (Pittsburgh Steelers QB)
• Sebastian Joseph-Day (San Francisco 49ers DT)
• Kenneth Murray Jr (Los Angeles Chargers LB)
• Chidobe Awuzie (Cincinnati Bengals CB)
• L’Jarius Sneed (Kansas City Chiefs CB)

Draft additions:

• JC Latham (OT)
• T’Vondre Sweat (DL)
• Cedric Gray (LB)
• Jarvis Brownlee (CB)
• Jha’Quan Jackson (WR)
• James Williams (S)
• Jaylen Harrell (DE)

Significant coaching changes:

• HC Mike Vrabel fired, and Brian Callahan hired.
• Nick Holz (Jacksonville Jaguars PGC) hired as OC
• Dennard Wilson (Baltimore Ravens DB Coach) hired as DC (plus associated defensive staff)

Summary: The Tennessee Titans had arguably the best free agency class of any AFC South team. However, that class was necessary as they may have followed it up with one of the division’s worst draft classes & lost arguably the second-most high-value free agents. The addition of Dennard Wilson may go a long way towards helping the defense with the loss of Mike Vrabel, but the likely best case scenario for the Titans is that the Callahan/Wilson switch from Vrabel will be an overall coaching wash. The team seems to be transitioning from a run-first offense, to a more modern, passing one respectfully. However, the transition from Derrick Henry to a Tony Pollard/Tajae Sharpe backfield cannot be understated.

Houston Texans

Notable Off season losses:

• Jonathan Greenard (DE)
• Devin Singletary (RB)
• Blake Cashman (LB)
• Sheldon Rankins (DT)

Notable Free agent additions:

• Stefon Diggs (WR)
• Joe Mixon (RB)
• Danielle Hunter (DE)
• Azeez Al-Shaair (LB)
• Denico Autry (DT)
• Jeff Okudah (CB)

Draft additions:

• Kamari Lassiter (CB)
• Blake Fisher (OT)
• Calen Bullock (S)
• Cade Stover (TE)
• Jamal Hill (LB)
• Jawhar Jordan (RB)
• Solomon Byrd (DE)
• Marcus Harris (DL)
• LaDarius Henderson (OG)

Significant coaching changes: N/A

Summary: The Houston Texans had arguably the second-best free agency class of any AFC South team. That class was followed up with a middle of the pack draft classes & minimal significant losses. All positions where they suffered free agency losses seemed to have been improved by future free agency additions – Joe Mixon for Devin Singletary, Danielle Hunter for Jonathan Greenard, & Azeez Al-Shaair for Blake Cashman. The primary downgrade was likely Denico Autry for Sheldon Rankins.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Notable Off season losses:

• Calvin Ridley (WR)
• Rayshawn Jenkins (S)
• Darious Williams (CB)
• Zay Jones (WR)
• Dawaune Smoot (DT)

Notable Free agent additions:

• Arik Armstead (DL)
• Gabe Davis (WR)
• Darnell Savage (S)
• Mitch Morse (C)
• Ronald Darby (CB)
• Devin Duvernay (WR/RS)

Draft additions:

• Brian Thomas (WR)
• Maason Smith (DT)
• Jarrian Jones (CB)
• Javon Foster (OT)
• Jordan Jefferson (DT)
• Deantre Prince (CB)
• Keilan Robinson (RS/RB)
• Cam Little (K)
• Myles Cole (DE)

Significant coaching changes:

• DC Mike Caldwell fired, and Ryan Nielsen hired (plus associated defensive staff)
• RB Coach Bernie Parmalee fired, and Jerry Mack hired

Summary: The Jaguars had arguably their best free agency class since 2021. However, in comparison to their AFC South peers’ classes, it would seem to be the 2nd to 3rd best free agency class. With the other AFC South counterparts seemingly loading up at WR, the Jaguars have either treaded water or taken a small step back for 2024, with the loss of Calvin Ridley.

In the long run, this receiver switch may be for the better in making the offense more vertical and explosive. However, a rookie WR is unlikely to immediately produce at a similar level of a veteran Ridley in 2024. The addition of Ryan Nielsen will likely be a huge boon to the defense however, as will the addition of Mitch Morse for the offensive passing and running game. The Jaguars draft class, provides promise with multiple high ceiling picks, however the team also lost arguably the most high-value free agents of all AFC South teams. That is concerning for a team already in dire need of both better top end talent and supporting depth.

Based on all of the above free agency, draft, and coaching staff moves, I would rank the AFC South’s off seasons (from best to worst) as:

1. Texans
2. Jaguars
3. Colts
4. Titans

But, that’s just one writer’s opinion! What say you, BCC? Which team do you believe had the best 2024 off season, so far? How would you rank them? Tell us why in the comments.