The AFC South is another division that you can find very high level fantasy players on every team. There is at least one stud in every position throughout this division. From QB to defense, here is everything you need to know about the AFC South.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
QB: Nick Foles
RB: Leonard Fournette, Alfred Blue
WR: Marqise Lee, Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley, Keelan Cole
TE: Geoff Swaim, James O’Shaughnessy
D/ST: Position Rank = 9
With the Blake Bortles era finally coming to a conclusion, the Jags signed Nick Foles in hopes of revamping their passing attack. Last year the Jaguars ranked 26th in passing offense at 194 yards/game. They paired Foles with a new OC as well, John DeFillipo, former Vikings coach. There should definitely be an improvement with Foles and DeFillipo, which should limit opposing teams from stacking the box with 8 or 9 defenders. This will lead to more success in the ground game with bruiser Leonard Fournette. Fournette is an excellent runner but has shown signs of injury problems. Hopefully with a new scheme in place, Fournette will be able to remain healthy. Their WRs are underrated, or just haven’t had a fair chance with Bortles at the helm. Marqise Lee and Dede Westbrook are exceptional talents and if they can create a chemistry with Foles, they should be in for career years. Even with this information, both receivers are not worth higher than a 5th round selection. Geoff Swaim is a young TE who didn’t really get his chance to prove his talent in Dallas, ut the uncertainty of his role makes him no more than a late round pick. Over the past few years the Jags have been most known for their electrifying defense, with the ability to rush the quarterback as well as defend the oppositions elite perimeter weapons. With Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, the Jags defense should look to have another great year. Don’t get silly and draft a defense too early though because you can always stream defenses week-to-week if need be. Overall, Fournette definitely has the highest fantasy value on this team. Look for him to get drafted in the late second round.
Indianapolis Colts:
QB: Andrew Luck
RB: Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines, Spencer Ware
WR: T.Y. Hilton, Parris Campbell, Devin Funchess, Chester Rodgers
TE: Eric Ebron, Jack Doyle
D/ST: Position Rank = 13
The Indianapolis Colts were a surprise to many fans last year. Finally giving Andrew Luck the protection he needs, their offense reaped the rewards. Last year they were 5th in points/game, 7th in yards/game and 6th in passing yards/game. They have one of the best young offensive lines in football and although O-Line isn’t included in Fantasy Football, it really helps all of their skill players. Marlon Mack is a young and improving running back who should have a career year in 2019. Expect T.Y Hilton to reach 1000 yards receiving as he has in five out of his seven years in the league. Don’t sleep on Parris Campbell as well, a rookie out of Ohio State. He should absolutely be the second Colts receiver taken in fantasy drafts. The Colts have so many offensive weapons that it will be tough for everyone to get their fair share of targets as well as TDs. If you want a heavily TD dependent player look no further than TE Eric Ebron. Ebron had a breakout year last year with 13 receiving TDs on only 66 catches. That’s a TD every 5 catches! Overall, Hilton should be the first Colt off of the fantasy board, with Mack a close second. Andrew Luck is a great fantasy QB, but remember not to reach too early on any QB! There are also late round gems in this offense such as Parris Campbell and Eric Ebron. Look for them to be selected anywhere after the 6 or 7th rounds.
Houston Texans:
QB: Deshaun Watson
RB: Lamar Miller, D’Onta Foreman
WR: DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller V, Keke Coutee
TE: Jordan Thomas, Jordan Akins
D/ST: Position Rank = 2
The Texans ended the year with the second best defense by fantasy numbers, but their offense is the make or break of their success. Deshaun Watson is improving every year, and with his ability to run and escape pressure, he has a chance to end 2019 as the #1 ranked Fantasy QB. Their backfield is somewhat murky, as starter Lamar Miller has been very consistent, but not really that special over his three year tenure with Houston. He has yet to top five rushing TDs and has only rushed for over 1000 yards twice in his 7 year NFL career. His ceiling is low, but his floor is relatively high, as he has seen quite a lot of workload over the last three years. This might be subject to change in 2019, as back up D’Onta Foreman is healthy and has much less wear and tear on his body. Many believe Foreman will capture the starting role at some point throughout the season, which would have astronomical fantasy impacts. The Texans have three great wideouts, but Watson has shown that he favors DeAndre Hopkins by far the most, and how can you blame him? Hopkins is arguably the best receiver in the game, and week after week he puts on a jaw dropping display of athleticism, coordination, and glimpses of the impossible. Hopkins will easily be the first WR taken in most drafts, as he is coming off of two seasons with over 1300 yards and 11 TDs. Jordan Thomas showed flashes of brilliance last year as well, but Watson didn’t seem to use his TEs quite as much as some would like. Everyone knows Hopkins is a first round pick and Watson is an elite Fantasy QB, but the real question stands in their backfield. Will Miller keep his role or will Foreman take the starting duty? Will Fuller V also has great late round value, as when healthy he has proven to be an outstanding #2 receiver and deep ball threat.
Tennessee Titans:
QB: Marcus Mariota
RB: Derrick Henry, Dion Lewis
WR: Corey Davis, A.J. Brown, Adam Humphries, Taywan Taylor
TE: Delanie Walker, Jonnu Smith
D/ST: Position Rank = 10
The Tennessee Titans found a gem in Derrick Henry towards the back end of the 2018 season. He exploded for monstrous games like his week 14 explosion vs the Jacksonville Jaguars where he accumulated over 200 rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs! Henry isn’t as usable on passing downs, which ultimately limits his potential as a star fantasy running back. Henry’s lack of usage on third down is tough, but Dion Lewis stars in that role. Lewis is great receiver for a RB and is definitely worth a draft pick in PPR leagues. In his first full year on the field, WR Corey Davis showed great potential reeling in 4 TDs and approximately 900 receiving yards. The Titans have been a run-heavy team, which doesn’t suite their WRs well in the fantasy department. Delanie Walker has been the epitome of consistency for the Titans until last year, when he missed all but one game due to injury. Expect him to have a nice bounce back year with around 800 yards and approximately 5 TDs. Marcus Mariota struggled in 2018, only throwing for 11 TDs. He is another dual threat QB, but his ceiling is much lower than Deshaun Watson. Mariota’s inconsistent arm has hurt him. Pair this with his teams offensive scheme and you will see why his fantasy value is not quite as high as you would think. Overall, Derrick Henry is the first Titan off the board somewhere around the late second or early third round. Corey Davis has Top 15 WR potential, but he shouldn’t be selected until at least the 4th round. Stay away from Mariota and maybe take a chance at Dion Lewis (PPR leagues) in the middle rounds (6-9). A.J. Brown is also an intriguing prospect, a second round pick from Ole Miss. He should help as another playmaker in the passing game, but uncertainty around their system makes him a middle round selection at best.
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