AFC South free agency: Best, worst signing, one more FA to target

After being a punchline for so many years in the NFL, the AFC South turned into a highly competitive division in 2025 with the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars both making the playoffs. Most of the teams in the division have been fairly active this offseason, while one contender seems to be relying on improvement from within.

Let's take a look at the best and worst move from every team in the division so far, and one more player each team should try to acquire. 

Houston Texans

Best signing: S Reed Blankenship (three years, $24.75 million). The Texans already had one of the NFL's best defenses with a dominant secondary. Adding Blankenship into that mix is only going to make it better. Blankenship isn't a star, but he doesn't need to be here. He is just a rock-solid, under-the-radar player who is going to bring leadership and toughness to a Super Bowl-caliber defense. 

Worst signing: DE Logan Hall. As good as the Texans defensive line is with its starters, it could still use a little more depth. Hall has not really shown much of an impact over his first four years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Houston is going to be relying on him to be one of its top rotational pass-rushers. It is banking on him showing some big improvement.

One more player to target: G Kevin Zeitler. Offensive line has been a huge issue for the Texans for a couple of years now, and it still is. They keep shuffling in new players and throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. Zeitler is a tough, physical veteran who could help at least bring some capable depth. 

Indianapolis Colts

Best signing: Re-signing WR Alec Pierce (four years, $114 million). Pierce was looking like he was going to be one of the top free agents on the open market, but the Colts never let him get there with a monster contract extension that makes him one of the highest-paid pass-catchers in the league. His overall catch numbers are not overly impressive throughout his career, but he has also never had consistent quarterback play and is one of the best big-play receivers in the league.  

Worst signing: QB Daniel Jones (two years, $88 million). Speaking of consistent quarterback play, the Colts were in kind of a no-man's land situation with Jones. Was there a better option in free agency? Probably not. Is it wise to pay a quarterback who's had half of a good year in the NFL $44 million per season with $60 million guaranteed? Also probably not. 

One more player to target: EDGE Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney has already played for half of the AFC South teams (Houston and Tennessee), so why not add one more into the mix? The Colts have a major need for edge-rushers, and while Clowney may not be an impact player anymore, he can still provide some depth. He had 8.5 sacks in 2025 for the Dallas Cowboys. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Best signing: CB Montaric Brown (three years, $38 million). This is a re-signing, but it is a smart one for the Jaguars. Brown became one of their most dependable corners during the 2025 season and still has some untapped potential and another level to potentially reach. 

Worst signing: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (two years, $10 million). It is not that this is a bad signing, but the Jaguars have done so little in free agency, somebody has to fit into this category. He is a solid player, but is not likely to replace the big-play potential that Travis Etienne had. 

One more player to target: LB Bobby Wagner. The Jaguars have a big need at linebacker, and while Wagner is 35 years old and no longer in his prime, he can still make an impact. As a short-term, stop-gap, veteran presence, he would be a smart move for a team hoping to contend this season. 

Tennessee Titans

Best signing: WR Wan'Dale Robinson (four years, $78 million). While Robinson is not a big-play option, he is a dependable target for second-year quarterback Cam Ward. He has caught more than 90 passes in each of the past two seasons and should be a good security blanket for a young quarterback. 

Worst signing: CB Alontae Taylor (three years, $60 million). The Titans are hoping that Taylor can make an impact in their secondary, but he has been a very inconsistent player. It is simply a risky contract. 

One more player to target: WR Jauan Jennings. Will Jennings still be as productive away from a Kyle Shanahan offense? Maybe not. But the Titans need more playmakers for Ward and Jennings might be the best one still available.