Week 9 of the NFL season will be the final week before the trade deadline, which means that it's the final chance for teams around the league to figure out what they should be doing with their rosters.
In the AFC South, that means a number of different things. For Indianapolis, it likely means trying to do whatever it takes to push the roster closer to contention, seeing as this is probably the only "cheap" year of Daniel Jones it gets. Whereas a team like Houston has to balance trying to win now vs. the reality of an offense that might not be fixable in the offseason.
Here's one player from each AFC South team who should be replaced at the trade deadline.
Houston Texans: Laken Tomlinson
The Houston Texans offensive line was a disaster to start to the year. It feels vaguely better now, especially with how well Ed Ingram is playing at right guard, but the left guard situation sticks out like a sore thumb. Lake Tomlinson isn't cutting it, and Juice Scruggs hasn't been much better. The other four line positions at least have a guy who Houston trusts to have out on the field, even if center Jake Andrews and rookie tackle Aireontay Ersery have had some poor moments.
Houston should probably go after a new center this offseason, as well as adding another tackle, but the immediate, in-season concern if this offensive line wants to protect quarterback C.J. Stroud just a bit better is to find someone to plug in at left guard.
Houston could try to pry Jackson Powers-Johnson away from the Raiders. He has the versatility to play guard or center, so if Andrews can't turn things around, you have the luxury of moving him there after first giving him a shot to replace Tomlinson. This isn't JPJ's best season, but he'd likely be a solid upgrade for the Texans.
Indianapolis Colts: Johnathan Edwards
The Colts' offense is humming with Daniel Jones under center, but it'd probably be good if the offense didn't have to have a big game every week, right?
The Colts have allowed the fourth-most passing yards in the league this season. Despite Jones going wild out there, Indianapolis has actually surrendered more passing yards defensively than the offense has thrown for.
Johnathan Edwards feels like the weak link at corner. Unfortunately, the corner pickings look pretty slim at the deadline, but there are names that Indianapolis could look into. Seahawks corner Riq Woolen's name has come up in some deadline discussions, and New Orleans defensive back Alontae Taylor could likely be moved as well. The Colts need t be on the phone with both teams.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr.
I like Brian Thomas Jr., but it just feels like this is a match that's not going to work long-term. Head coach Liam Coen has said the team won't trade Thomas, but here's a little secret: If the prospect of trading your 2024 first-round pick is even coming up 24 games into his NFL career, things aren't going to get much better.
Thomas has struggled with drops this season and doesn't look like the future star that he looked like as a rookie, but he should still have very high trade value. You get three more years of team control by acquiring him now, plus the remainder of this season.
From a "being a good football team" perspective, Jacksonville needs to hold on to Thomas, but from a "getting something of value from a guy we'll probably trade anyway in a year or two" perspective, this is the best time to make a deal, even if it sounds insane to suggest that Jacksonville gives up on Thomas this soon. Imagine the haul you could get from a team like the Patriots right now.
Tennessee Titans: Van Jefferson
With Calvin Ridley currently sidelined, the Titans have rookie quarterback Cam Ward throwing to what might be the NFL's worst collection of pass-catchers. It's bad enough that I have very serious concerns that the team is going to do irreparable damage to Ward by essentially giving him no support.
It's too early to give up on the rookie receivers, but Tennessee should try to make a move to add a young talent to slide into Jefferson's spot and to then replace one of the rookies in the starting lineup once Ridley is back. Ward needs people who are capable of catching footballs, even if this is a lost season as far as win/loss goes.
I'm not saying to overpay for Jakobi Meyers or Chris Olave, but what about Rashid Shaheed? His speed would give Ward a fun deep threat. Maybe Tennessee could try to grab Adonai Mitchell from the Colts, though getting a player from a division rival might require an overpay. Jauan Jennings could add a reliable target for Ward. Don't go crazy buying here since future draft picks matter too much for a team with so many holes, but if you can do a late pick swap to add anyone capable of playing NFL wide receiver, you should do it.