Jacksonville Jaguars: Taking one player from each AFC South opponent

What if you could take one player from each AFC South roster and add him on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster? Who would you choose?

This looked like an easy job on the surface. I simply had to look at each roster in the AFC South and add a player from all three of the teams to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Not so fast!

Two of the three teams had too many choices and the other team, believe it or not, had no one I really wanted. I checked team rosters, top 100 NFL players lists, depth charts, and even Combine performance.

As a side note that has nothing to do with this story, I was pleased to see Josh Allen and DJ Chark of the Jaguars on the Top 100 players list.

Tennessee Titans

Believe it or not, there were plenty of players to choose from. Running back Derrick Henry, left tackle Taylor Lewan, safety Kevin Byard, and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson could all help the Jaguars. I narrowed my selection to Henry or Lewan. Left tackle is the second-most important position on the offense right after the quarterback. Lewan is one of the premier left tackles in the NFL. And we know the Jaguars have issues at left tackle with Cam Robinson.

However, I choose Henry.

In 2019 he rushed for 1,540 yards, caught 18 passes, and completed two passes.  He has killed my Jaguars with games of 159 yards and 238 yards in his career. I want that man on my side this time.

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Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts were a team with plenty of choices as well. Left guard Quenton Nelson, linebacker Darius Leonard, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and left tackle Anthony Castanzo.

My initial idea was to pick up the defensive tackle as a position of need but Nelson was 15th on the top 100 list by Pete Prisco of CBS Sports.

“He (Quentin Nelson ) is now clearly the league’s best guard.  He is a mauler in the run game and has improved in pass protection,” Prisco writes.

There is just no downside to this guy. The Colts have an impressive roster and I wish I could have taken Buckner and Leonard as well.

Houston Texans

Last is the Houston Texans team. I really wasn’t enthused about any of them. I had four choices and they were left defensive end J.J. Watt, quarterback Deshaun Watson, left tackle Laremy Tunsil, and weakside linebacker Whitney Mercilus.

Of course. Watt has been a great player but injuries are an issue the Jaguars don’t need. He is very likely a future Hall of Fame candidate but could be in the twilight of his career. Another great player is Watson but the Jaguars need to stay away from new quarterbacks in 2020. The quarterback carousel is not conducive to winning football.

Mercilus is 29  years old and has played in almost every game with the exception of 2017.  He had 48 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 2019.  Impressive!  So after much thought, I chose Mercilus.

I am quite happy with Henry who will no longer slay the Jaguars.  I love the best guard in the NFL, Nelson, on my team. Mercilus with his experience and excellent stats would be a great addition to any team.  I wonder if others would choose the same players?

Who would you choose?