Analysis
3/31/21
3 min min read
Snaps Lost: AFC South
Although we haven’t made it to the season yet, the AFC South has made more waves than perhaps any other division this offseason. Three teams are at least discussing major moves at QB, with Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence, Carson Wentz and Phillip Rivers all caught in the intrigue. The remaining team is the division-winning Tennessee Titans, who made their big moves in re-signing Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry last offseason. When we hit Week 1 of the new season, how similar will these teams look to their last rendition?
Tennessee Titans
Offensive Snaps Returning: 72.30% (21st in NFL)
Defensive Snaps Returning: 67.06% (22nd in NFL)
Perhaps more than any other team, the Titans have attacked this offseason on a position-by-position basis. The secondary, home to last year’s 29th-ranked pass defense? DBs Malcolm Butler (96.96% of snaps), Kenny Vaccaro (77.84%) and Adoree’ Jackson (13.76% due to injuries) all shipped out. Edge rushers, a position group that put up a combined 9.5 sacks last season? Overhauled, with Jack Crawford (42.45%), Jadeveon Clowney (38.07%), Matt Dickerson (17.61%) and IDL DaQuan Jones (63.09%) each evaluating their options. The receiving corps behind A.J. Brown? Dismantled, as TEs Jonnu Smith (69.37%) and MyCole Pruitt (24.39%) as well as WRs Corey Davis (66.95%), Kalif Raymond (23.09%) and Adam Humphries (21.14%), are all going elsewhere. Tennessee needs a strong showing from its new additions to the team, especially in replacing OT Dennis Kelly (97.67%).
Indianapolis Colts
Offensive Snaps Returning: 84.72% (fourth in NFL)
Defensive Snaps Returning: 71.47% (17th in NFL)
Despite losing most of their QB room in 16-game starter Philip Rivers (95.70% of snaps) and backup Jacoby Brissett (4.30%), the Colts have actually been one of the most continuous teams on the offensive side of the ball. A host of skill players have been retained to support new QB Carson Wentz, chief among them T.Y. Hilton, Mo-Alie Cox and Zach Pascal. TE Trey Burton (34.43%) currently remains unsigned, but even he just stokes the rumors of a Zach Ertz replacement. The defense has been a little harder hit, with stalwarts Anthony Walker (67.54%), Denico Autry (61.14%), Justin Houston (58.91%) and Al-Quadin Muhammad (56.10%) each taking out a chunk of last season’s defensive front. Rotational defensive backs T.J. Carrie (38.37%), Tavon Wilson (21.22%) and Malik Hooker (6.78%) also appear to be moving on, but the Colts hope that bringing back CB Xavier Rhodes can blunt those losses.
Houston Texans
Offensive Snaps Returning: 58.78% (30th in NFL)
Defensive Snaps Returning: 72.04% (15th in NFL)
Home to the drama dominating the NFL, Houston hasn’t prioritized continuity at all this offseason, with new GM Nick Caserio making at least four trades and signing potentially the most players in the league. Even assuming Deshaun Watson returns, the Texans have large chunks of their offense to replace in C Nick Martin (99.90% of snaps), G Zach Fulton (97.24%), WR Will Fuller (58.88%), TE Darren Fells (54.90%) and RB Duke Johnson (36.12%), not to mention the almost double-digit number of depth players who are leaving. If the Watson move comes, Houston would be approaching nearly 50% offensive snap turnover. The defensive side of the ball has been better, currently in line to bring back nearly three-quarters of last season’s snaps. Although DE J.J. Watt (91.43%), LB Tyrell Adams (73.29%) and DE Carlos Watkins (49.01%) haven’t been retained, it’s mostly been the rotational and situational players who have been replaced by Caserio. Losing CB Phillip Gaines (23.65%) and LBs Brennan Scarlett (25.90%) and Benardrick McKinney (21.12%) hurts, but the defense has its base to build on next year.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Offensive Snaps Returning: 79.07% (13th in NFL)
Defensive Snaps Returning: 89.70% (third in NFL)
In one of the shockers of the NFL offseason, a Jacksonville team with league-leading cap space, a well-accomplished new head coach and the first overall pick has had one of the most continuous rosters in the league. Maybe there are still more cuts or trades to come, especially at the QB position, but for now WR Keelan Cole (75.63% of snaps), TE Tyler Eifert (52.79%), WR Chris Conley (42.29%) and QB Mike Glennon (27.75%) make up the bulk of departures on offense. The defense has been stunningly steadfast, with each of the top 15 players in snaps all in line to return. CBs Greg Mabin (22.12%) and D.J. Hayden (20.87%) each remain unsigned and there’s been turnover beneath them, but it’s been a far quieter offseason than expected so far in Duval.
SEE ALSO: Snaps Lost archive
