Anything can happen, and sometimes it does, in the AFC South. And the best things that happen are the ones that come out of the middle of nowhere. Check out these bold predictions for the AFC South.
1) Jonathan Taylor will be an MVP candidate
The Indianapolis Colts are starting Daniel Jones this season. That means there will be more intermediate to short routes being run by the Colts. That could also mean leaning more on running back Jonathan Taylor as the engine of the offense. Taylor had over 1,400 yards rushing last season with an unstable quarterback position. With Jones there, that provides stability and likely increases Taylor’s usage. And if that is the case, and the Colts are in their usual eight-to-ten-win window and near the playoffs, Taylor could be in the MVP running due to his importance to the offense and the numbers he will likely put up in this offense.
2) Calvin Ridley will go for 1400 yards receiving
The Titans are a team few believe in. Although they like Cameron Ward at quarterback, many doubt the pieces around him. One exception is wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who had over 1,000 yards last season despite poor quarterback play. Without a clear second receiver and with better chemistry with Ward than Levis, Ridley should get plenty of opportunities. He could rank among the NFL’s top receivers regardless of the team’s record.
3) Travis Etienne will be traded by midseason
It seems as though none of the running backs who were in Jacksonville prior to Liam Coen’s hiring have solidified their position as the main back for his offense. With that being the case, it seems that all the running backs, whether veterans or not, will get their opportunities at some point. Travis Etienne is part of the rotation of running backs, and since his fifth-year option has not been picked up by the team, he is a prime trade target. The Jaguars may as well try to get what they can for him instead of letting him walk essentially after this season, as there will likely be a team that needs a running back due to the frequency of injuries. And for Etienne, it may be good to get a fresh start somewhere else.
4) Travon Walker will have 17 sacks this season
Walker was controversial when he was selected as the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Plenty felt that Aiden Hutchinson was the better player when it came to rushing the passer. Well, Walker has done nothing but get better and better at rushing the passer with each year. Last season, he increased his sack total by only half a sack, from 10 to 10.5 sacks, but next season, that jump is going to be bigger. In a defense that fits him better than it did in the 2024 season, Walker will feel right at home and with Josh Hines-Allen taking the pressure off him by rushing on the other side of the line, Walker will have some freedom to rush the passer with less attention, helping him get to 17 sacks and making a big jump this season.
5) Jayden Higgins will go for 1,000 yards
The Texans have questions offensively. One of those questions is their offensive line. But another question they have is in their wide receiver room. Nico Collins is unquestionably their number one wide receiver, but is there a consistent number two on their team? The Texans traded for Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk, but he has been plagued by injuries over the last couple of seasons and may not be a reliable player. So that leaves rookie Jayden Higgins. The talented receiver from Iowa State possesses size, speed, and route-running ability, and he will quickly establish a rapport with quarterback C.J. Stroud. And as the season goes on, he will trust him more and more and look his way when Collins draws the attention of defenses. He will end up getting enough targets to reach 1,000 receiving yards in his first season.
6) Jeffery Simmons will go for 10 sacks or more this season
The Tennessee Titans did not have one of their best season last year. In fact, they finished with the worst record in the NFL, which helped them land the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Similarly, defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons did not have his best season in 2024. He had a total of 5 sacks last year, his lowest since his second season in the NFL. Simmons returned this season in the best shape of his career, having dropped 20 pounds and added some quickness. With that size, ability and quick first step, he will surpass his career-high of 8.5 sacks he had in the 2021 season and will have ten or more sacks in the 2025 campaign.
