The AFC South features a group of promising young quarterbacks. The Houston Texans have C.J. Stroud, last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts showed exciting potential in limited action. The Jacksonville Jaguars made a significant investment in Trevor Lawrence, while Will Levis of the Tennessee Titans showed promise with his strong arm and determination in his rookie season.
Looking ahead to 2024, the division promises an intense competition fueled by this youthful talent. However, Jaguars safety Andre Cisco recently highlighted another key factor in the division’s increasing competitiveness: the emergence of high-quality wide receivers.
“The biggest change I’ve noticed is the caliber of receivers in our division,” Cisco remarked on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “There’s been a significant upgrade compared to the past few years. With Calvin Ridley joining the Titans, the Colts drafting Adonai Mitchell from Texas, and the Texans adding Stefon Diggs to their already talented roster, the receiver talent has taken a big leap forward. While NFL quarterbacks are consistently tough opponents, the impact of these receivers could be substantial.”
Cisco’s observation is particularly relevant given his defensive perspective. Across the division, teams have bolstered their receiving corps significantly this offseason. The Texans strengthened their lineup with the addition of Stefon Diggs, complementing Nico Collins and Tank Dell. The Colts drafted Adonai Mitchell to pair with Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce, all of whom received new contracts. The Jaguars revamped their receiving options by signing Gabe Davis and drafting Brian Thomas Jr., alongside Christian Kirk. Meanwhile, the Titans made a splash by signing Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to play alongside DeAndre Hopkins.
The heightened investment in receivers this offseason underscores their crucial role in today’s NFL. In the AFC South, teams have not only retained their key talents but have also brought in new players and invested early in the draft. This strategic approach is especially significant given that three out of the four teams are building around quarterbacks on rookie contracts, highlighting their commitment to supporting their young passers with top-tier receiving talent.
