Moeller: Improved Titans' Roster Could Make For An Interesting AFC South

 By Jeff Moeller

As most of us know, the Jaguars had a modest free-agency signing period. They did ink cornerback Montaric Brown, linebacker Dennis Gardek, former Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez - who could turn out to be a steal - and tight end Quintin Morris.

The Jags also quietly signed Seattle wide receiver Jake Bobo to an offer sheet. Bobo made $3.51 million last season.

But are the Jags the favorite in the AFC West?

 The Colts brought back quarterback Danile Jones and Alec Pierce, and there’s tak that Russell Wilson will be Jones’ backup. Jones went down with a torn Achilles last year against Jacksonville in a game the Jags were apparently set to lose.

Houston has picked up some pieces, and they have strengthened the pocket around controversial quarterback C.J. Stroud.

On paper, the early look has the division looming as a tussle among all four teams.

The team to watch, though, is the Titans. They could be a true spoiler to the Jags’ upcoming season. 

New head coach and ex-Jets’ mentor Robert Saleh is looking for a new beginning, and he’ll be helped offensively by ex-Giants’ head coach Brian Daboll.

Cam Ward will be entering his second season after he threw for 15 touchdowns and had just seven interceptions. He threw for 3,169 yards and completed 59.8 percent of his passes. 

Halfway through last season, Ward shook off his first-round jitters, and he began to look like a seasoned quarterback. Ward had the Titans in the game against the Jags in the season finale, before he left with an ankle injury. The Titans picked up Mitch Trubisky from the Bills as the backup. 

Tony Pollard, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, is back as their feature back. Fellow back Tyjae Spears also was effective, catching 45 passes. The Titans added ex-Giant wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who had a breakout campaign last year. Elic Ayomanor caught 41 passes in his rookie season.

On the other side of the ball, the Titans added five defensive lineman, highlighted by former Jet Jermaine Johnson and ex-Bronco and Jet John Franklin- Myers.

Tennessee added another ex-Giant in Cor’Dale Flott as well as ex-Jet Tony Adams. There seems to be a New York connection going on there. Alontae Tayor came over New Orleans in the secondary, and he will help.

Hey, the Titans were only 3-14, and they have the fourth overall pick in April’s draft. Most draft prognasticators have them selecting Notre Dame dynamic running back Jeremiyah Love, who  can really transform the franchise. 

Tennessee did win two of their final five games including a 26-9 upset of the Chiefs.

Two seasons ago, the Titans spent $228 million in free agency, and they finished with an overall 3-14 season.

This year, they spent $300 million over 13 new additions.

There’s plenty of optimism in Tennessee with a new regime and plenty of new faces on their depth chart.

For the Jags’ sake, they’re hoping the Titans don’t play a spoiler role on the easy to defending their AFC South title.