Titans undrafted free agent rising to the occasion and a bold take on Travis Hunter's role in 2025 headline AFC South hot takes
The AFC South is often referred to as one of the worst divisions in the NFL. This offseason, we saw drastic changes by all four teams, including the division gaining the number one and number two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, with Cam Ward joining the Tennessee Titans and Travis Hunter joining the Jacksonville […]
The AFC South is often referred to as one of the worst divisions in the NFL. This offseason, we saw drastic changes by all four teams, including the division gaining the number one and number two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, with Cam Ward joining the Tennessee Titans and Travis Hunter joining the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Two of our writers here at A to Z Sports, Destin Adams and Kyle Crabbs, took a close look at each of these teams and came away with some blazing hot takes. Let's see what they had to say and see if they even agree with each other.
AFC South Hot Takes
Houston Texans
Hot Take: The Texans will be over .500 for the first time in 2025 after Week 18
The Houston Texans get a tough couple of draws to start the year for a team that's rebuilding their offensive line. The Rams and Buccaneers in the first two weeks present some matchup challenges that push even the best front five. As a result, I think the Texans start the year in a 0-2 hole, which isn't the end of the world by any means. But finding the stretches to climb back over .500 may push deeper into the season when you see games like 'at Baltimore' in Week 5, a tough west coast trip against Mike MacDonald after the bye in Week 7, Denver in Week 9, Buffalo in Week 12, and 'at Kansas City' in Week 14.
I think the Texans float around .500 all season after a predicted 0-2 start — but this is supposed to be a bold bet, so I'll say they sit at 8-8 and finally get above .500 for the first time on the year in a home win against the Colts to close the regular season.
Buying or out on this take: I'm out on this take as a whole, but I'm buying a very important portion of it
The reason I'm out on this take as a whole is just because I'm being too literal, but I believe the Texans will be over .500 at least once before the final week of the regular season. They have some tough games on the schedule, but head coach Demeco Ryans is someone who has proven the ability to get his guys ready for game day. And I think they are going to win at least some of these games, people might count them out in early. I do agree with Kyle that the Texans have some clear flaws, though, and I do expect some regression. Especially due to their odd choice of how to fix their already struggling offensive line. I think the AFC South is going to be closer than people realize, and it could very well not be decided until Week 18. The Texans still have the clear best QB in the division, though, in CJ Stroud, and should be viewed as the favorite, but the gap has gotten smaller, and part of that reason is their own fault. – Destin Adams
Tennessee Titans
Hot Take: UDFA Xavier Restrepo not only will make the roster but will also take over the Titans' starting slot WR job sometime during his rookie season
For any UDFA to make an NFL roster, they have an uphill battle. The Titans, though, have a unique situation on their hands with Xavier Restrepo. The first reason was that he was being projected as high as a third-round pick just a month prior to the draft, and nearly no one saw him going undrafted as an option. Another reason is that he landed with his QB last year at Miami in Cam Ward, who was lobbying for Tennessee to sign him after the draft concluded. I think he has a very good shot at making the Titans roster, and by the end of the year, I suspect we will see him take over the starting slot WR job and continue to build on the connection he has built with Ward. – Destin Adams
Buying or out on this take: I could not be more in on this take
If you could only see the way I leapt up and smashed the proverbial "Like" button. I love Restrepo's style of play, his toughness, his ability to block, and his clutch ability to make catches over the middle. His preexisting chemistry with QB Cam Ward is the ultimate X-factor for how big of a role he'll carve out. He's ahead of the entire wide receiver room in that regard.
Tennessee's two draft choices are more big-bodied types who can win with speed outside. Calvin Ridley can play any wide receiver alignment you want. Restrepo is chasing Tyler Lockett, who is in the later stages of his career. Lockett can still go, but before the end of the season, I'm buying fresh legs — even if they don't run that fast in straight lines. – Kyle Crabbs
Indianapolis Colts
Hot Take: Anthony Richardson rushes for more touchdowns than he throws in 2025
I believe that we're going to see Danny Dimes at the helm when the Dolphins come to town to play the Colts in Week 1. There have been too many warning signs of a situation that's simply not coming together for Richardson. His lost time during the spring only gives Daniel Jones more of an edge in the open competition.
But Richardson is too good of a force multiplier as a power runner with a potent set of weapons to simply not find a contributing opportunity. Red zone, short-yardage, etc? I think Richardson can be a killer weapon here amid the presence of Jonathan Taylor and rookie Tyler Warren. And, given the on-field opportunities a role like that can present, I think Richardson runs in more than he throws while Jones carries the primary passing responsibilities. – Kyle Crabbs
Buying or out on this take: I'm out, but it's very close
The Colts don't even know who will be their QB come Week one, though the recent injury scare involving Anthony Richardson's shoulder swung a lot of momentum towards Daniel Jones. I still strongly believe that if Jones and Richardson are close by the end of training camp, the team knows they are better off with Richardson under center. If he is the starter, I am willing to bet on the work I've been told he has put in to improving as a passer, and I believe he would finish the year with more passing touchdowns than rushing. If he ends up not being the day one starter, I would strongly buy Kyle's take, though, as I believe he could still get on the field as a runner in the redzone, where he has excelled early in his career at using his legs to put points on the board for the Colts. – Destin Adams
Jacksonville Jaguars
Hot Take: Travis Hunter plays significantly more snaps on offense than defense in 2025
One of the most debated topics of the 2025 NFL Draft cycle is which position Travis Hunter should prioritize at the next level. Is he a CB, is he a WR, or better yet, can he actually do both at a high level? The Jaguars have made it clear he's going to play both sides of the ball, and they gave up a large price on draft day to bring him to Jacksonville to do just that. I have a hard time seeing him be a full time WR and CB at the NFL level though. I believe he is going to form one of the best young WR duos in the league with Brian Thomas, and once they have success, I just don't see them being willing to take him off the field on offense, whereas I think ultimately he will be used more sparingly on defense. My more specific take on the subject is that Hunter will play over 85% of the offensive snaps as a rookie, and I think he falls under 75% on defense. – Destin Adams
Buying or out on this take: I'm buying
I think this makes a lot of sense when you apply the drafting of Hunter through two separate angles — giving Trevor Lawrence all the impact players he needs and Liam Coen's background and offensive background. The Jaguars are committed to Lawrence and found a resounding hit with Brian Thomas Jr. in last year's draft. But until they get Lawrence consistently performing to his potential, this build isn't going to be an effective one. Coen's offensive background should help, but you have to think this first-year head coach is going to want his new toy on the field for his route combinations as much as possible. I'm in. – Kyle Crabbs
AFC South Offensive Positional Rankings: Top NFL rookies Cam Ward and Travis Hunter enter a division ripe for the taking
The AFC South has seen the Houston Texans win back-to-back years, though this past year, they came close to giving up a big lead due to a late-season collapse. The Texans' late-season struggles seem to have given the rest of the AFC South the impression that this year, anyone could walk away with the division […]
AFC South Defensive Positional Rankings: Four talented D-lines, veteran secondaries, and the mystery that is Travis Hunter
The AFC South has seen the Houston Texans win back-to-back years, though this past year, they came close to giving up a big lead due to a late-season collapse.The Texans' late-season struggles seem to have given the rest of the AFC South the impression that this year, anyone could walk away with the division crown. […]
