AFC South rookies who will make the biggest impact in 2023

Now that the NFL Draft is over, teams will conduct rookie mini-camps followed by organized team activities (OTAs). Here are four rookies who will likely have the biggest impact in the AFC South:

Houston Texans

Tank Dell, WR (Third round): Yes, if C.J. Stroud is the starting quarterback in 2023, there’s no question he will have a big impact on the Texans offense. However, Stroud can’t throw the ball to himself and his group of receivers leave much to be desired. John Metchie may just be the most talented WR Houston has, but he hasn’t played a down since Jan. 10, 2022, while Robert Woods is 31 and Nico Collins has never had more than 37 receptions in a season.

The Texans drafted Dell at the request of Stroud, who instantly built a rapport with Dell at the NFL Combine. The 23-year-old started out as a wideout at the University of Houston and transitioned more to a slot guy over his final two seasons. He had back-to-back seasons with 1,300 or more yards and 12 or more touchdowns in 2021 and 2022, and he very well could emerge as Stroud’s go-to target early in camp.

Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson, QB (First round): A case could be made for third-round receiver Josh Downs here, but the Colts made it clear that Richardson will be the focal point of their offense and everything will run through him. The 21-year-old QB will have the luxury of Jonathan Taylor easing some of the pressure on his shoulders and he’ll have a strong complement of weapons to throw to including Downs, Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and 6-foot-7 tight end Jelani Woods.

Richardson’s dual-threat ability makes it more difficult for defensive coordinators to box him in and keep him in the pocket, and his ability to throw on the run plus his arm strength on downfield passes makes Indy’s offense less one-dimensional than it was last season. Richardson’s athleticism and physical skills allow first-year head coach Shane Steichen to really open up the playbook.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Anton Harrison, OT (First round): Given Cam Robinson’s PED suspension, the offensive tackle jumped to the top of Jacksonville’s list of needs prior to the draft. Harrison is a 6-foot-5, 315-pound road grater who allowed just nine pressures on 447 pass-blocking snaps at Oklahoma in 2022.

A far better pass blocker than run blocker, Harrison surrendered just four sacks, three hits and 26 hurries over his final 34 games with the Sooners. Most of his experience is at left tackle, where he played 1,807 of his 1,860 offensive snaps in college, and he will be counted on to protect Trevor Lawrence’s blindside for as long as Robinson is out.

Tennessee Titans

Peter Skoronski, OT (First round): It’s no secret the Titans' bread and butter is pounding the football with Derrick Henry, and adding who many considered the best all-around offensive lineman in the draft will help them do that in 2023. Skoronski surrendered only five sacks over the last three years at Northwestern, including just one sack in 2022, and he never allowed more than six hits or 12 hurries in any season.

Whether he plays at left guard, where he will reportedly start the 2023 season, or eventually at left tackle, Skoronski is an excellent pass blocker and he should be able to limit the pressure coming from the left side for whoever is under center, whether it be Ryan Tannehill or Will Levis.