The AFC South boasts a quartet of young quarterbacks. The Houston Texans sport the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, C.J. Stroud. The Indianapolis Colts’ Anthony Richardson flashed dynamic upside in his brief appearance. The Jacksonville Jaguars just paid Trevor Lawrence heaps of dollars. The Tennessee Titans’ Will Levis is a wild card after showing moxie and a massive arm as a rookie.
The collection of youth and talent could make the race for the division hotter in 2024. Still, Jaguars safety Andre Cisco pointed to another reason the AFC South has gotten tougher this offseason: wide receiver talent.
“The biggest difference I see is the quality of receivers in the division,” Cisco said Monday on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I think the receivers have taken a huge jump from what the past two years have been in the division. Obviously, (Calvin) Rid(ley) going to Tennessee. I know the Colts drafted a kid from Texas (Adonai Mitchell). The Texans already were really good at receiver but then they add Stefon Diggs. The quality of receiver has taken a step forward. I think quarterbacks in the NFL, you’re not really gonna play too many duds, so for me, it’s kind of a regular day in the office in regards to who we’re playing. But the receivers could definitely make a big difference.”
Cisco’s point is well met and is not surprising coming from a defensive back.
The Texans added Diggs to a corps of Nico Collins, who inked a new contract this offseason, and Tank Dell. The Colts drafted Mitchell to pair with Michael Pittman Jr., who also got a new deal this offseason, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce. The Jags redid their WR room, adding Gabe Davis in free agency and drafting Brian Thomas Jr. to go along with Christian Kirk. The Titans signed Ridley and Tyler Boyd to play alongside DeAndre Hopkins.
The receiver talent across the league has seen a leap in pay this offseason, underscoring the position’s importance. The AFC South is one example where incumbents got paid, clubs imported new talent, and drafted wideouts early. Given that three of the four teams are playing with quarterbacks on rookie contracts, it’s little surprise they would spend to buffer their young passers.
