AFC South trade targets: Nobody on the Titans roster should be safe

The NFL trade deadline is deadline Oct. 31. Here are deals each team in the AFC South should make.

Houston Texans: Trade for Commanders edge-rusher Chase Young

The Texans defense has improved from 30th last season to 23rd this year under first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans, but one area the team still struggles in is sacks. Houston is tied for the second-fewest through six games (nine), and defensive end Jonathan Greenard is the only player on the team with more than one.

Washington is unlikely to re-sign both Young and Montez Sweat, and Houston could probably pry one away for the right price. Sweat leads the Commanders in tackles for loss (six) and sacks (4.5), while Young ranks second in sacks (three). Sweat has been the more durable and more productive pass-rusher and he doesn’t have the injury history Young does. That said, Young is only 24 and if he can stay healthy, could be a steal for Houston.

Pairing Young with rookie Will Anderson, Greenard and Jerry Hughes would not only give Houston a more formidable pass rush, but he would also make more of an instant impact than any player Houston would likely draft next year.

Indianapolis Colts: Trade for Jerry Jeudy or Courtland Sutton

With a 1-5 record and just two games left before the trade deadline, it’s hard to see the Broncos holding out hope of a playoff run this year, which could be good news for the Colts. If Denver does start selling off pieces to collect as much draft capital as it can to jump start a rebuild, Indy should make a serious run at one of its receivers.

With just three games left on the schedule against teams with a winning record, there’s still a path to the playoffs (though not a great one) for the Colts, who play in a weak and wide-open AFC South. Gardner Minshew has been solid while filling in for Anthony Richardson, but he needs more help.

Michael Pittman Jr. has been solid, but Alec Pierce has been a non-factor in the passing game and Josh Downs is going through some rookie growing pains. Adding Jeudy would give the Colts a true No. 1 weapon beyond this year. Sutton would be a nice complement to Pittman Jr. on the outside.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Trade for Patriots edge-rusher Josh Uche

The Jaguars are still waiting for Travon Walker to live up to his status as a former No. 1 overall pick, and they may be growing impatient. Josh Allen, who leads the team with 23 pressures and seven sacks, can’t do it all himself.

Uche is only 25, so he would fit into Jacksonville’s long-term plans, and he could be the missing piece opposite Allen coming off the edge. He leads the Patriots in pressures (17) and hurries (12), and he ranks second on the team in sacks (two). At 1-5, the Patriots may be inclined to ship out a few assets to give themselves some flexibility in next year’s draft, and Uche is a player that could likely be had for a reasonable price, presumably a mid-round pick.

Tennessee Titans: Ship out Derrick Henry, Denico Autry, others to stockpile draft capital

With a 2-4 record, the Titans are a hot mess. The roster is simply not good enough to compete for a playoff spot this year, and first-year GM Ran Carthon would be wise to start building up his war chest for next season. Henry has proven time again that he’s still got plenty left in the tank, and a contender needing to upgrade its run game might be inclined to go as high as a third-rounder to add the bruising 6-foot-3, 247-pound back, who ranks ninth in the league in rushing and third in yards after contact (306).

Autry’s talents are being wasted in Tennessee on a team going nowhere. He ranks top 20 in the NFL and is top on the Titans in sacks (four). He also leads the Titans in QB hits (four) and he ranks second on the team in pressures (18) and third in hurries (10). He would be a great value add for a contender looking for some extra pass-rush help down the stretch and into the postseason. 

Others who could draw some interest include safety Kevin Byard, receiver DeAndre Hopkins, quarterback Ryan Tannehill and edge-rusher Arden Key.