NFL free agency is set to begin on March 11th, and it’s sure to see a huge shift in the league’s status quo. I’m going through every team and their biggest needs, breaking it down by division. Here’s the AFC South.
The Texans’ biggest weakness over the last two seasons is undoubtedly their offensive line. They’re among the league’s worst, and C.J. Stroud has been sacked 75 times in his last 31 games. The offense has multiple holes, but this needs to finally become the top priority in Houston.
The Texans have plenty of options to upgrade their offensive line. Braden Smith, Jonah Williams, Joel Bitonio, and Wyatt Teller are the top four names they could pursue. Teller and Bitonio could be the most cost-effective, given that they’re both in their 30s now.
Houston will most likely prioritize the o-line in the Draft as well. Last year, they traded out of the first round and took wide receiver Jaden Higgins. They only took one offensive lineman in that Draft. It would be surprising if they neglect the group for two years in a row.
The Colts surprised everyone last season with a strong start under quarterback Daniel Jones. They looked primed to make a playoff run, and even traded with the New York Jets for Sauce Gardner. The season fell apart, and Jones suffered a torn Achilles. They’ll be looking to bounce back and will likely re-sign the QB.
One of Indy’s biggest weaknesses was its defensive front. They ranked 15th in the NFL in sacks with 39. Without a first-round pick in each of the next two Drafts, they might be active in free agency.
Trey Hendrickson and D.J. Reader are two names to watch for the Colts. They could also make moves at the linebacker position for names like Quay Walker or Devin Bush. It’s unclear what kind of money they’ll be working with if they do retain Jones.
It seems vague to just say the Jaguars need to target defense, but that is the case here. They’ll be looking to improve the line, linebackers, and secondary this offseason. The offense looks promising with Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne Jr., Travis Hunter, Jakobi Myers, and Brian Thomas Jr. The defense is where work needs to be done.
The Jaguars’ defensive line was arguably their weakest point in 2025. The unfortunate thing for them is that they made some major moves last year, and they’re not working with much cap space. The realistic priority for this team is to try to re-sign impending free agents and go with cost-effective options.
Names like Tre’Davious White, Amik Robertson, and Alex Singleton could be realistic options for Jacksonville, but not overly likely.
The Titans could see a surprising turnaround in 2026 under new head coach Robert Saleh. They have their franchise QB in Cam Ward, and they hired Brian Daboll as their offensive coordinator. This team isn’t yet close to contending, but it might be on the right track.
One of the most glaring weaknesses in Tennessee was the lack of weapons for Ward. They do hold the fourth overall pick in this year’s Draft, and could take Jordyn Tyson or Carnell Tate. They’re still missing a true number one.
The top name the Titans should pursue in free agency is Mike Evans. If he hits the open market, the reliable veteran could be huge for Ward’s development. If he doesn’t become a realistic option, Jauan Jennings, Keenan Allen, and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown could become top targets.
The 2025 AFC South was the most competitive it’s been in years. The Jaguars and Texans won more than 10 games each, while the Colts started off looking like a Super Bowl contender. 2026 could see the gap close even more if these teams make proper adjustments. Check out my articles covering the free agency needs of other NFL divisions here!
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