The AFC South has historically had one dominant power and usually one or two teams fighting to get a wildcard berth in the playoffs.  Since the division’s creation that power has been the Indianapolis Colts – with the exception of 2002 and 2008 when the Tennessee Titans won and the Colts got the wildcard.  The most recent two seasons the Houston Texans have dominated, resulting in a wildcard for the Colts in 2012.  At one point the AFC South was not considered a weak division.  In 2007 three teams (the Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Titans) all made the playoffs, with each team having 10 or more wins.

These days the Titans and Jaguars are bottom feeders as the Texans sit atop the AFC South throne only lackadaisically defending from the Colts.  As Andrew Luck and company get better, that will be a tougher defense.  While the eyes of the NFL will be on those two teams this season, the Titans and Jaguars quietly put together a very good draft class and are laying the foundation to make this division strong from top to bottom again.

In an effort to get less biased ratings of the teams’ drafts, we’ll turn to Fox Sports’ three-writer grades.  Here’s how the AFC South did.

Jacksonville Jaguars: A, C, A+

• The Jaguars now have two quality offensive tackles in a division that demands you protect your quarterback.  They didn’t get any more threatening to opposing QBs, drafting no pass rushers, but they did drastically improve their secondary.  Odds are the Jags won’t be able to stop the Colts’ and Texans’ offense still this season, but they may be able to begin to compete in more offensive-focused games…assuming Blaine Gabbert can develop some more.

Tennessee Titans: C, B, A

• Just one season removed from a 9-7 record and a second place finish in the division, the Titans restocked enough to get back in the conversation in 2013.  The entire interior offensive line is now rebuilt with first-rounder Chance Warmack and Brian Schwenke at guard and center, respectively.  I like what the Titans have done, putting Jake Locker in a position to succeed.  They just need the personnel to translate the good team build to good play on the field.

Indianpolis Colts: C, C+, B

• I personally like the Bjoern Werner pick more than others, especially since the Colts needed to restock at pass rusher.  They didn’t solve any offensive line concerns but brought in some competition to get better.  You have to think GM Ryan Grigson has a plan here, especially considering his quiet turnaround into a playoff team last season.

Houston Texans: A, B, B

• The Texans look to stave off the competition as they prep for another playoff run by filling needs.  They finally add a quality receiver opposite Andre Johnson in Clemson’s DeAndre Hopkins which will make this offense considerably more potent.  I really like the pickup of LSU pass rusher Sam Montgomery.  He’s a competitor with some serious skills.

The AFC South is getting tighter this season.  The draft, the great equalizer of the NFL, has done its work well in the division and 2014 may prove to open this division wide.  For once the teams all have competent leadership and strong plans that they are sticking to heading into the season.  It’ll be exciting to see how it plays out.

- Luke N. Sims

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The Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and Jacksonville Jaguars all had first round picks this season and they all went after players that they felt could help them immediately.  The AFC South welcomed three new offensive players and one new defensive player to its ranks during the first day of the draft.  Let’s take a peek at the selections and see who came away with the best player.

No. 2 Overall:  Luke Joeckel, OT, Jaguars

• Widely regarded as the best offensive line prospect in this draft, the Jaguars scooped up Joeckel to fill the void at right tackle and potentially replace left tackle Eugene Monroe if he struggles or doesn’t get a new contract after the season.  Joeckel is going to be a great right tackle and is very technically sound.  He says he is motivated to play better because he was passed over for the first overall pick.

No. 10 Overall:  Chance Warmack, G, Colts

• Warmack is a personal favorite of mine, though I like the guard position more than other people.  Like the Jaguars getting Joeckel, I think the Titans were fortunate to get Warmack as the Arizona Cardinals picked at number seven and selected guard Jonathan Cooper.  Warmack wanted to go to the Titans and they are the only team he worked out for in the lead up to the draft.  He lands in the ideal situation with head coach Mike Munchak and offensive line coach Bruce Matthews, both of whom are Hall of Fame guards who played for the Oilers/Titans.

No. 24 Overall:  Bjoern Werner, DE, Titans

• Werner is a high motor guy who plays faster than he is.  He was unimpressive in comparison to other pass rushers at the NFL Combine but his tape matters most and he is shown to be an adept pass rusher and good run defender in game situations.  Dropping to 24 overall when he was once considered a top-10 pick is disappointing for Werner but big for the Colts.  Their defense gets a lot meaner with Werner in the lineup.

No. 27 Overall:  DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans

• The starting wider receiver position opposite Andre Johnson appars to be Hopkins’ to lose.  The Texans picked the wide receiver they felt would be help their running game and their passing game.  Hopkins is a versatile threat who will take pressure off Johnson and running back Arian Foster.  Houston has been looking for a player to complement Johnson for a while and Hopkins does this well.  He is an outside receiver who will demand attention.

Personally, I think the AFC South got a lot stronger with all of these picks.  I’m inclined to think that Warmack is in the best position to succeed individually and may have the highest ceiling of all AFC South first round picks.  What do you guys think?

- Luke N. Sims

Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; A general view of the NFL shield logo on the field before the AFC championship game between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 NFL Schedule has been announced for all 32 NFL teams but for those of us that love the Jacksonville Jaguars, it’s all about who they face in the division and if they can get a shot at the crown in the first year of their major rebuild.  Here at B&T we analyze all angles of the Jaguars and part of that is finding out what the division rivals are doing.  Here are all the AFC South division matchups for the 2013 season.

Week 2

• Houston Texans vs Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM EST)

Week 4

• Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts (1:00 PM EST)

Week 9

• Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (8:30 PM EST, SNF)

Week 10

• Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM EST)

Week 11

• Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans (8:25 PM EST, Thursday)

Week 12

• Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans (1:00 PM EST)

Week 13

• Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM EST)

Week 14

• Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans (8:45 PM EST, Thursday)

Week 15

• Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans (1:00 PM EST)

Week 16

• Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM EST)

Week 17

• Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts (1:00 PM EST)
• Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM EST)

The AFC South has most of their division games in the latter half of the season and that will likely decide the fate of the division as a result.  Three prime time games are division matchups featuring the Texans twice, the Colts twice, and the Jags and Titans once each.  The Jaguars and Titans may play spoiler to either the Colts or Texans in week 17 as both the Titans and Jaguars don’t appear likely to be playoff caliber teams this season.

- Luke N. Sims

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You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims