NFL Training Camp 2020: Main Position Battles for Every AFC South Team

The AFC South is an interesting division in 2020. We’ll see if Deshaun Watson can make it without DeAndre Hopkins, if Philip Rivers still has some tread on the tires, if Gardner Minshew is really the future in Jacksonville, and if the Tennessee Titans are a legitimate contender with Ryan Tannehill’s returning dynamic duo and Derrick Henry. This division has sent three teams in a row three years in a row to the playoffs and I would expect them to make it four in a row this season.

However, there are still some important decisions that each team will have to make in the near future as out-of-season departures and additions both leave certain starting positions up for grabs, and can ultimately be important choices that affect how successful each team can start this unprecedented season. Fighting in this year’s training camp will look a little different now that the NFL has proposed playing zero preseason games to help teams line up for the regular season during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, these key position battles will be important to watch out for whatever kind of training camp we have.

If you want to listen to an overview of all of the NFL’s greatest training camp fights, you’re in luck. Cody Benjamin accompanies host Will Brinson on the Pick Six Podcast to increase the top five; listen below and make sure to subscribe to daily NFL goodness.

Houston Texans: safety

We know that the Texans will have a new starting strong safety in 2020, but we are not sure yet who it will be. Despite signing a three-year $ 22.55 million extension last season, Texans released Tashaun Gipson in April – even after leading the team with three interceptions in 2019. Houston went out and signed veterans Eric Murray and Michael Thomas to fill Gipson’s place, and it will likely be one of them starting next to Justin Reid.

Murray is a former fourth round pick who spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns. In 54 career games, the 26-year-old has registered 124 combined tackles, eight defended passes and one interception. Thomas, who turned season 30 this season, last played with the New York Giants and made the Pro Bowl two seasons ago as a special substitute for teams. In 88 career games, he has registered 297 combined tackles, 15 defended passes and three interceptions.

If defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver doesn’t like what he sees of Murray and Thomas, the Texans might go out and sign Reid’s brother, Eric Reid.

Indianapolis Colts: WR # 2

The offense is still centered around TY Hilton, but as to who gets the most playing time facing him, remains to be determined. The Colts selected former USC widespread Michael Pittman Jr. with their first pick in the NFL Draft 2020, and he could be the favorite to serve as the other starting receiver.

Pittman broke out extensively during his peak season in LA, catching 101 passes for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns in 13 games. At 6 feet 4 and 223 pounds tall, he’s large in size and will have the ability to make an impact in his rookie season, with Rivers throwing him football. We also can’t forget former Parris Campbell from the second round – who only played seven games during his rookie season due to injuries. Also in the running figures to be Zach Pascal, who led the Colts in receiving last year with 72 catches for 607 yards and five touchdowns, and perhaps even rookie Dezmon Patmon, who is considered a big steal late in draft. These are just the favorites as others like Marcus Johnson, Daurice Fountain and Artavis Scott will be fighting over playtime.

Obviously, the Colts used this off-season to acquire talent around Rivers, now they just have to sort through their options and figure out who will work best on the outside.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Slot receiver

The Jaguars aren’t expected to compete for a Lombardi Trophy next season, but they’ve quietly put together an impressive draft class in what would otherwise have been a dramatic off-season. One of their best picks was at number 42 overall, where she became former Colorado-wide Laviska Shenault Jr. selected. During his three seasons in Boulder, the former All-Pac-12 squad of the first team achieved 1,943 receiving yards on 149 catches and scored 17 touchdowns in total. His college career was highlighted by his second season – where he recorded 86 catches for 1,011 yards and 11 total touchdowns in just nine games! While Shenault could serve as a true number 1 wide-out on the next level, his versatility in the slot is likely to be too hard to ignore. This triggers a potentially intriguing position battle with Dede Westbrook.

Westbrook has been productive for Jacksonville for the past two seasons as he registered 132 catches for 1,377 yards and eight touchdowns during that period. He and Shenault would be fine starting slot receivers for the Jaguars, but Jacksonville could potentially unlock something special with their talented rookie. Shenault, who immediately got more playing time, could help Jacksonville make a quick start – which is important, since the first two games of the Jaguars are against opponents of the division. It will be interesting to track how much playing time Shenault will generally receive and where he is on the field, but keep an eye out for his replays in the slot and what he can do with those touches.

Tennessee Titans: Nickel CB

The position battle you will hear most in the Titans training camp will have to do with the right tackle spot, but in reality Dennis Kelly or rookie Isaiah Wilson should be fine options. My eye immediately strays to the secondary – that’s considered a bit of a weakness for this Tennessee team.

Are Logan Ryan gone, are the Titans good enough in cornerback? And who will take over as the nickel cornerback? One option could be Adoree ‘Jackson, but that seems unlikely because he’s valuable from the outside. Another option could be rookie Kristian Fulton, who selected the Titans in the second round of the NFL Draft 2020. According to ESPN’s Turron Davenport, Fulton said one of the first things the Titans asked him when they met was whether he played comfortably indoors. Fulton pointed out how much he played nickel as a freshman at LSU and said he feels comfortable there. The Titans want Fulton to go straight to secondary, but it remains to be seen exactly where that will be. Another security option is Amani Hooker or veteran Johnathan Joseph. Either way, how the Titans use their corner ridges will be interesting to watch – and extremely important. Last year, Tennessee had the ninth worst secondary in terms of passing yards per game, and improvements in that area could help this team achieve the same level of success as in 2019.