In terms of defensive ends, the division has a wide range of talent. That's also not mentioning the spending spree they just concluded in free agency and by bringing in defensive end and top pick Travon Walker along with linebacker Devin Lloyd in the first round. Edge could be an option and Murphy is a very intriguing one here. The likes of Zach Cunningham and Bobby Okereke just arent on the same level as Leonard. The Titans edge rushers include Harold Landry and Bud Dupree. The AFC South is ranked by sportsbooks as the worst division in the NFL in 2022. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. The next best choice in the division is. If they do dip into the market, these could be a few names worth checking out. Deforest Buckner had seven sacks last year, the next closest tally is Maliek Collins of the Texans with two and a half. Compare the traditional Schwartzian third-down look on the top with this Peesian third-down defensive alignment on the bottom. PFF has three Commanders ranked in the top 101, and the top-ranked Washington player will surprise you. Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan: 'We are excited' about Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett and the roster-building opportunities that come with having a QB on a rookie contract. On the other hand, the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans are ranked in the upper half of the league, according to The Football Database. Leonard is the captain and de facto quarterback on the defense. Whats legacy, anyway? Tyson Campell and Shaquill Griffin have both done an okay job of holding down the secondary for the Jaguars, but theyll need some real starpower or depth if they want to compete in the star-studded AFC Conference. Are people hastily dismissing the Steelers? Leonard, the former Defensive Rookie of the Year and three-time All-Pro is the captain and best player on Colts defense and roster overall. The AFC South is set to look much different in 2022 than years past. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) - 2MAW613 from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. WebDefensive End Rankings 2022 NFL Draft Home Positions DE ALL QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACK WIDE RECEIVER TIGHT END OFFENSIVE LINE DEFENSIVE LINE EDGE LINEBACKER DEFENSIVE BACK #1 RANKED - SCOUTING REPORT 97 Aidan Hutchinson POSITION RANK #1 OUR RATING 94.8 DE All Scouts Average Overall Playing with late rotations and changing gaps can be risky for the defense, but when these gambits work, they create positive plays for the defense and force opposing offenses into late down-and-distance situations. Behind Leonard, there is a steep drop in terms of talent. Many teams (like Pederson's former employer) de-emphasize the position, but the Jaguars invested major resources in. College Junior Oregon. He brings that physicality to the Titans defense. The Colts have a soft landing spot to begin the year, facing the Texans and Jaguars on the road, but come home to face Kansas City. Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans talks teaming up with Nick Caserio in Houston. However, That's no longer the case. Is MJF the Second Coming of CM Punk? He has one year left on his contract. Jenkins, the Jaguars' sixth-year veteran strong safety, on Wednesday morning was announced as the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in a 40-34 overtime victory over the Dallas Cowboys at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville this past Sunday. Landry had 12 sacks and 14 TFLs in 2021 as the leading pass rusher on the Titans 2021. Who Will Be the Eagles Next Offensive and Defensive Coordinators? Defense Article: 2022 AFC South Defense Breakdown by Position. Leonard had four interceptions and a league-leading eight forced fumbles during the 2021 season. Mike Vrabel and Co. just keep finding ways to win. Now its Johnsons chance to do the same. In terms of defensive ends, the division has a wide range of talent. Will all that translate to the Jags going over six wins this year? Please enter a valid email and try again. Even though they often show pressure looks, the Titans send five-plus pass rushers on fewer dropbacks than any defense in the league. Web2022 Review: Defensive Ends and Outside Linebackers. Watch as Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll addresses media at his 2023 NFL Scouting Combine news conference. How far will Jacksonville go this season? It will be interesting to see if the Jets go after a veteran edge-rusher, especially if they do decide to cut Lawson. Leonards role has shifted more away from an outside linebacker role, someone who can rack up sacks, and instead to a traditional central linebacker position. If he can continue to take a leap after a promising rookie season, that could lead to Houston being more competitive on a weekly basis. Current student at SNHU. Not only did the Colts bring in Ryan, but they helped add to a defense that already was inside the top-10 in DVOA last season by signing cornerback Stephon Gilmore and trading for pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue. Dont be surprised if one of the Jags reserves ([Jamal Agnew. Read the full article . The Commanders activated Young from the reserve/physically unable to perform list and now have 21 days to either activate Young or place him on season-ending injured reserve. 2022 AFC Pro Bowl roster by position Offense *Denotes starter Quarterback (3) Justin Herbert, Los Angeles As a matter of fact, look out for Simmons to take the leap into elite status by the seasons end. Going from the dumpster fire that was the Urban Meyer era to new head coach Doug Pederson will do wonders for the Jaguars. While the Titans were able to earn the No. Although he is a rookie and unproven his upside is through the roof and gives the Texans secondary some hope. WebDownload this stock image: Buffalo Bills defensive end Daniel Joseph runs on the field during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Orchard Park, N.Y., Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. Here are the top 10 ranked draft prospects at defensive line: 2022 NFL Draft prospects - Defensive Lineman | No. Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski speaks on Browns' 2023 offseason changes. Are the Titans in a tricky spot? Hes had 12 sacks over that time period, 16 tackles for a loss, 22 quarterback hits, and one forced fumble and recovery. Lets now dive into the AFC South breakout candidates. The Mandalorian Season 3 Premiere Is a Slick Reminder of What Makes Mando Work, What We Learned From Testing, and a Bahrain GP Preview. Nora and Steven break down the most intriguing, silly, and enlightening comments coming out of Indianapolis, Plus, theres talk of the rise of Greef Karga, along with what could become of Bo-Katan and the Mandalorian people, The guys close the show with highlights from NXT and a preview of tonights AEW go-home Dynamite, "The Apostate" is designed to reorient the audience after a lengthy layoff, but the familiar formula ensures we want to keep taking the trip, Meg and Spanners also discuss Aston Martins positive press focusing on Fernando Alonso and touch on Ferraris consistent performance. Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every AFC North team. Something went wrong. But whats the legacy of the blockbuster album? While the Texans may be able to surprise folks at times next year, their road isn't easy as they have the fifth-hardest schedule based on their opponents' win total projections. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are still the division favorites, but did the Broncos, Chargers and Raiders close the gap this offseason? During that run, they'll face the Chiefs in Kansas City, the Broncos, the Packers in Green Bay, the Bengals, and Eagles in Philly. The Texans drafted Derek Stingley number three overall in the 2022 NFL Draft and the Texans have high expectations for him. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) - 2MAW601 from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. The division has plenty of young edge defenders who should be staples in their teams defense for years to come. Other blendings are more schematic. The Jaguars are up and coming, but are they actually a force to be reckoned with? WebHouston Texans Roster: The official source of the Texans roster. Hes done this without an elite quarterback in a league defined by elite quarterbacks. Buckners talent and experience will help the Colts this year in their attempt to return to the playoffs after a disappointing 2021. However, the former number seven overall pick is the closest there is. The oddsmakers think that the Colts and Titans will win around nine or ten games. Jordan has terrorized quarterbacks in the NFC South for years, and has shown no signs of slowing down. But can they all turn it around? The Jaguars are expected to be flexible but will often play three defensive linemen, leaving. One or two more effective players should do the trick in getting this line over the hump. Cincinnati Bengals Rookie Class Impact for 2022 The defending AFC champs didnt land much in terms of immediate help, but Cincinnati did add depth in a few key areas. But that doesnt mean they dont send linebackers and defensive backs from depth to disrupt the offense. But, lo and behold: Theyre also 6-3. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. The AFC South won't be mistaken for a super competitive division, but it did boast the No. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) - 2MAW601 from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. The likes of Zach Cunningham and Bobby Okereke just arent on the same level as Leonard. Del Rio has continued to praise his young players during his weekly press conferences and on Thursday spoke specifically about several. All Scouts Average Position Rank 2. Updated: Apr 28, 2022 The AFC South has not been a powerhouse as of late and the Houston Texans might still be a bit off from competing. This is becoming old hat for head coach Mike Vrabel, the NFLs reigning Coach of the Year after the Titans 12-5 2021 season. A 2019 sixth-round selection because of his lack of size, the 5-foot-11, sub-230-pound Long darts around the field, sneaking under blocks, popping into gaps, and offering a wide range of coverage influence on passing downs. Will the Colts' acquisition of Carson Wentz pay off? Derrick Henry also always trounces them every time they play, so theyd be well off finding some guys that can slow him down. All You Touch and All You See: Dark Side of the Moon at 50. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The Titans made sure to secure Landry by signing him to a five-year, $87.5 million dollar deal this past off-season. What a boom-or-bust secondary. They are also 6-3. Jonathan Greenard has potential as a young building block. Hendrickson, who spent his first season with the Bengals last season, recorded his second straight season with at least 13.5 sacks while finishing the 2021 NFL season with 14 total sacks. Despite the clear Schwartzian influence along the Titans defensive line, the teams strategies for pass coverage behind Schwartzs fronts are updated with more modern sensibilities. Pitre was one of the better safety prospects in this past years draft and he is a projected starter for the Texans. Hes owed a non-guaranteed $15 million base salary in 2023. A look at Jaguars pass rushers led by Josh Allen and Travon Walker working moves in pregame. Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every team in the NFC South. However, his play dipped for the next few years until he returned to form during the 2021 season. Thoughts on the defensive tackle position? Raiders TE Foster Moreau ranked in the top 15 tight ends of 2022. Byard is a two-time All-Pro and is considered one of the best safeties in the league. The Houston Texans were a mess in 2022, but one of the few bright spots was Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who was second on the team with five sacks in his first season in Houston after spending his first four years with the Rams. He also led the nation for defensive tackles with 14.5 With the 2022 NFL Draft and most of free agency in the rearview, Gregg Rosenthal will project starting lineups for all 32 teams because that's his idea of fun. Head coach Josh McDaniels on the Las Vegas Raiders' goal to secure a long-term quarterback. pic.twitter.com/A3kqjmVlhK, Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 27, 2022. We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. 18 for LSU, which is reserved for a captain that has shown great character on and off the field. There should be competition at virtually every position except outside cornerback, where. The majority of their issues in the trenches come at the tackle position on offense, and theyll need to bring someone in to help solidify the position. How Far Can This Version of James Harden Take the Sixers? Brown was traded to the Eagles after contract extension discussions fell through. This shift in numbers may have been to Allen being placed in a weak-side linebacker role instead of a traditional defensive end. 5) Zach The Colts traded for Yannick Ngakoue in the offseason, Ngakoue had 10 sacks for the Raiders in 2021 and looks to help a defensive end position that needed help. Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every AFC West team. Its for real. 42. We will be running through all eight divisions, giving our best picks at 2022 breakout candidates. the best cornerback in 2021. He has plenty of upside on the outside and has great character as evidenced by his wearing No. Vrabel has won the division in each of the last two years; if a 6-3 start is any sign, hes going to make it three in a row. Yet the Titans are 6-3 on the back of their defense, well on their way to yet another AFC title and home playoff game. Open main sports navigation Sports But they are 6-3, only one game back from the AFC-leading Chiefs (whom they almost beat with their backup quarterback), and a half game back from the Dolphins. The off-ball linebackers are totally overhauled. Best Case: Ryan shows he has some life left in his arm, and Taylor earns his second straight All-Pro nod at RB. December 14, 2022. No matter if he turns out to be really good or if he turns out to be underwhelming, they will need more help at the wide receiver position. The Texans continue to struggle in the front seven with inept linebacker play. Walter Payton Man of the Year: Andrew Whitworth. Walker is a mystery. They also signed Bud Dupree to a big deal a few off-seasons ago, but he has underwhelmed and may be on his way out. That still is the case as they bring back the same group from last season. The Tennessee Titans had the best rookie class in 2022 grade-wise, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook. The Titans and Texans each drafted corners in the first round in 2021 and 2022. Kenny Moore is someone who is continuously underrated by the media and fans but is currently playing like a top 10 talent at his position. AFC South . Players who performed better in Houston last season than you probably realize: This roster is a start. WebWith this in mind, this lists prospects who are classified as defensive ends and edge players and excludes any obvious LBs. Schwartzs wide, attacking defensive line also creates big interior lanes through which pass rushing defensive tackles can wreak havocthis is certainly true for Jeffery Simmons, the star of the Titans defense, who also set career-best numbers in pass-rush productivity and earned an All-Pro recognition on top of his Pro Bowl selection. Stephon Gilmore is nowhere near the player he was during his DPOY run in 2019. Sometimes, the details of how a unit succeeds on the football field sounds easy enough. The contract suggests Atlanta views Mariota more as insurance over the next 2 years than the clear answer even for 2022. Behind Leonard, there is a steep drop in terms of talent. Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every team in the NFC West. Hes projected to get a contract worth about $9.25 million per year for two years. Be sure to check out the 2022 AFC South All-Divison Offensive Team. Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio's conference during NFL combine week. Are the Bills loaded enough on offense to knock off the Chiefs? This isnt a strong group but they cover it up with a scheme and excellent defensive line play. On the one hand, the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars both have mediocre to bad units. The Rest: Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars. They also have the third-easiest schedule in the NFL based on projected win totals and the sixth-easiest based on their win percentage in 2021. But what about the Patriots? I wrote pieces this year about how the Dolphins offense is excelling because they throw to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle a ton, which sounds easy enough, and about how defenses were stopping the Bengals because Cincinnati was tipping run and pass plays with their pre-snap alignment, which also sounds easy enough. Williams is a number one corner for the first time in his career after playing with Jalen Ramsey for the past few seasons. When you see this first blending of ideas in the Titans defense, its easy to start seeing the next ones. Yet, overall, the division has talent at each and every defensive position. Just something to think about. Instead, veteran Marcus Mariota and 3rd-round rookie Desmond Ridder will compete for the starting job. There's little reason to believe that will improve this season. Buy Commanders Tickets. I'm just surprised they didn't address the offensive line more this offseason. The next best choice in the division is, 2022 AFC South All-Divison Offensive Team. But the Tennessee With Chase Young out for almost all of the season, Sweat was WebHenningsen (6-3, 289 pounds) is a. Enagbare is a violent 6-foot-4, 260 . The turmoil and outside noise sparked by Meyer stunted the growth of the roster, particularly franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence. But the biggest question about Harden remainsand it wont be answered until the playoffs. But there are tradeoffs for every tactic. Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones had a very different approach than Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham for the coin toss ahead of Super Bowl LVII. They own the 12th-easiest schedule in terms of opponent win total projections and the seventh-easiest when looking at their opponents' combined win percentage from 2021. The Colts drafted Kwity Paye in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Jones was recently named the AFC Defensive Player of the Year at the NFL 101 Awards for his dominating performance in the 2022 season where he was a First We have already completed ones for the AFC East, NFC East, AFC North and NFC North. Arden Key, somewhat quietly, has risen in the ranks of edge defenders. Everyone wants an offensive tackle in the first round and that is completely understandable. Look at this two-high pre-snap alignment, once again with box safety Kalu (28) masquerading as a linebacker. But the Celtics Brogdon is mounting a well-rounded campaign that hearkens back to some of the earliest Sixth Men. He played 11 games and totaled 15 tackles for the Jets this That being said, they still need more help on the interior of the offensive line. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! Ballard is walking a fine line at receiver. Leonard is currently on pace for a Hall of Fame career and is one of the premier talents in the division and league. Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta addresses ongoing Lamar Jackson contract situation. 1 seed in the AFC with Tannehill under center last season, he was also their undoing in a Divisional Round loss to the Cincinnati Bengals where he threw three interceptions. Aside from a name change this past off-season. Rookie Travon Walker played some edge at Georgia so he can fit in as well as an option as a pass rusher. Is this the Browns' year? (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) - 2MAW613 from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. Interior OL - The addition of Brandon Scherff was a good one for the Jaguars last off-season. Main Photo: Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'zJaTBjtJR455Zqg1uELvrQ',sig:'o-RQRTJKYS-BljmWReF4a4VNQFZBSwhWN1nrjVTuUXs=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1409598930',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Student interested in sharing my thoughts about the sports world. This is a pressure lookwatch Mario Edwards Jr. (94) knife into an interior gap at the snap, freeing up space for Kalu. The Titans can rotate in quality bulk with. Stroud if they stick with the second-overall pick. With training camps opening up across the league and the regular season on the horizon, it's a perfect time to look at the win totals for each team and assess if they'll exceed expectations or fall short. Should Packers fans concerned that their team might take a step back R-E-L-A-X? But he is paired with David Long Jr., as modern a linebacker as they come. Shaquille Leonard is also joined by teammate Bobby Okereke who is a four-year player who will lead the Colts to begin the season. They didnt need him for thatthey needed him to win against the run on first-and-10as he does here. The Colts arguably have the two best cornerbacks in the division with teammate Kenny Moore. Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every team in the NFC North. Will the Saints be a playoff contender without Sean Payton? Christian Kirksey and Kamu Grugier-Hill are projected to start which leaves them as one of the weaker units in the league. Are the Eagles set for a breakthrough season led by Jalen Hurts? Instead, the Titans will randomly send a defensive back or linebacker from depthnot from a clear, on-the-line position. A defense that has totaled 53 pressures in the last two weeks. Defensive End : Cameron Jordan, Saints Cameron Jordan is the type of player that needs no introduction. Are the Lions ready to battle for a playoff spot in 2022? All Scouts Average Overall Rank 4.1. He did it with Jack Conklin and Corey Davis and Adoree Jackson and A.J. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Did the Ravens make enough moves to rebound from an injury-plagued 2021 season? 1. Compare their called coverages in the past two seasons with the coverages called by Schwartz when he coordinated the Eagles defense in 2019 and 2020. The Titans still line their defensive ends out wide and still get an explosive outside rusher onto the field, but they pair that speedy outside player with a solid, physical one on the other side. These units arent great but this is also due to them constantly playing from behind. 1 Pick, and QB Movement Updates With Jeff Darlington. The Texans havent been able to rush the passer since JJ Watt left. The team could possibly look to the draft, free agency, or even a trade to address this need, but they really just need to make a move one way or another. Last season, Tennessee endured the loss of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith preseason as well as star running back Derrick Henry midseason and still churned out win after win after win before falling victim to Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals magical playoff run in the AFC divisional round. It has three players that stand out from the rest, Clemsons Mile Murphy, Isaiah Foskey from Notre Dame, and BJ Ojulari from LSU. The youth movement makes sense, but what if second-round pick, The offense will get to another level if rookie tight end. 1 seed in the conference last year and sports another that some view as a dark horse Super Bowl team in 2022. They don't have an excuse to miss the playoffs. Hes a dominant physical specimen who can move people in the run game, and he has the potential to be the best lineman in this class. He did well on a prove-it deal and wouldnt cost that much to sign. The I Look at the Titans starting linebackers: Zach Cunningham is one of the most physical, downhill, aggressive run-stuffing linemen left in the league. Malcolm Brogdon Is a Throwbackand DeservingCandidate for Sixth Man of the Year, Eight Questions Ahead of The Mandalorian Season 3, From Grogus Force prowess to Dins and Bo-Katans Darksaber designs to Gideons future, here are the key considerations ahead of Mandos long-awaited return, LeBrons Injury Ends the Lakers Surge Before It Could Even Begin, Just when it seemed like things were clicking into place for Los Angeles, LeBron James suffered a foot injury that will sideline him for the most important stretch of the Lakers season. The Titans linebackers going into the season are David Long Jr. and Zach Cunningham. Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every AFC North team. Second-year defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was a quiet internal promotion after the 2020 season, during which the Titans had no defensive coordinator and produced one of the leagues worst defenses. The AFC South has no true sack machines at the defensive tackle position. The Commanders defensive line has certainly been the leading group through the first nine weeks of the 2022 season. I loved the Titans picking Willis. The top-ranked Commander is defensive end Montez Sweat, who ranks No. Edge - The Titans have done a lot to try to address this position over the past few off-seasons, but nothing has been super effective. The Jets would save $15.4 million by cutting Lawson, but will the Jets actually do so with Lawson coming off a strong season and the Jets being in a win-now mode? Since being drafted by the Jaguars in 2016. 2022 AFC North. Our latest mock draft has them trading up for OT Paris Johnson Jr. out of Ohio State. Hutchinson has been the most dominating pass-rusher in college football during the 2021 season and easily outperformed the presump Thibodeaux has out-of-this-world athletic ability and as a result, is in the running for being the top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft George Karlaftis is a freakish athlete with an elite massive frame and is a natural dominating pass rusher. New look Jags D and today will be 1st game look at rookie LB Devin Lloyd. His resume is already filled with three first-team All-Pro nominations, three Pro-Bowl visits, and a DROY award. 1 seed. Texas Tech linebacker Tyree Wilson wakes up with "GMFB" and shares his recovery from fractured foot, how he transferred to Texas Tech. The Tennessee Titans have won the AFC South two seasons in a row, but things could change in 2022. Vinny Curry returned to the field in 2022 after a heart condition caused him to miss the entire 2021 season.