NFL
NFC South New Additions
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Let’s take a look around the NFC South and give power rankings for each team that includes the rookies that were added in the draft.
Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons needed WR, OL, DL, CB and LB.
They selected CB Avieon Terrell, WR Zachariah Branch, LB Kendal Daniels, DT Anterio Thompson, LB Harold Perkins Jr. and OT Ethan Onianwa.
I give their draft a B- grade. They did not have a first-round pick because it was traded to the LA Rams last year.
They picked Terrell (Clemson) who is the younger brother of current Falcon A.J. Terrell.
Branch (Georgia) should be able to contribute right away.
Atlanta has questions at the most important position, quarterback. They signed Tua Tagovailoa in free agency and he played poorly in 2025. Michael Penix tore his left ACL in November so I’m not sure if or when he will play this season.
For that reason, I expect them to finish last in the division.
Carolina Panthers: Their biggest team needs heading into the draft were OL, S, WR, TE and DL.
They drafted: OT Monroe Freeling, DT Lee Hunter, WR Chris Brazell II, CB Will Lee III, G/C Sam Hecht, S Zakee Wheatley and LB Jackson Kuwatch.
I give their draft grade an A.
They signed left tackle Rasheed Walker (Green Bay) in free agency to fill-in while Ikem Ekwonu is coming back from a patellar tendon injury.
Freeling (Georgia) was a Second-team All-SEC left tackle last season. I think he can come in and start right away. Nose tackle Hunter (Texas Tech) was a First-team All-American last season.
The Panthers won the division last season with an 8-9 record. QB Bryce Young drastically improved in his third season. Rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.
I think Carolina is the second-best team in the division but I think they will have a winning record in 2026.
New Orleans Saints: Their biggest team needs were WR, Edge, CB, DL and OL.
They picked: WR Jordyn Tyson, DT Christen Miller, TE Oscar Delp, G/C Jeremiah Wright, WR Bryce Lance, S Lorenzo Styles Jr., WR Barion Brown and CB T.J. Hall.
I give their draft grade a B+. They needed another WR to compliment Chris Olave so they drafted Tyson (Arizona State). He was First-team All-Big 12 in 2024 and 2025. He’s very talented but he dealt with injuries in college.
Miller (Georgia) was First-team All-SEC last season.
The Saints found their new franchise QB with rookie Tyler Shough. They signed RB Travis Etienne in free agency.
I think they’ll improve in 2026 and finish third in the division.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Their biggest pre-draft needs were Edge, CB, LB, OL and DL.
They drafted EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., LB Josiah Trotter, WR Ted Hurst, CB/S Keionte Scott, DT Demonte Capehart, G/C Billy Schrauth and TE Bauer Sharp.
I give their draft grade an A-.
Bain (Miami) was great in the College Football Playoffs. He won the Ted Hendricks Award and he was a Consensus All-American last year. He was also the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. I think he’s going to drastically improve the pass rush.
Trotter (Mizzou) was First-team All-SEC in 2025. His father is former NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and his older brother, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is also in the NFL.
They lost veteran WR Mike Evans in free agency to San Francisco. They hope Baker Mayfield can play like he did in 2024. Rookie WR Emeka Egbuka started the season strong last year but his play dropped off.
I think the Bucs will win the division.
AFC South Draft Newcomers
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2026 NFL draft is now over. We will take a look around the AFC South and see how each team did and give power rankings based on these moves.
Houston Texans: The biggest needs entering the draft were OL, DL, LB, edge and DB.
Draft picks: G/C Keylan Rutledge, DT Kayden McDonald, TE Marlin Klein, G/C Febechi Nwaiwu, LB Wade Woodaz, S Kamari Ramsey, WR Lewis Bond, LB Aiden Fisher.
Rutledge (Georgia Tech) was picked in the first round with the 26th pick. He’s 6’4, 316 lbs. and he has a lot of experience. He plays relentlessly through the whistle, finishing blocks with the ability to put defenders on their back. The Texans need the strengthen the offensive line so this was a good pick.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud has gotten worse in each of his three seasons. He made the Pro Bowl (2023) as a rookie but has struggled to play like that again.
Houston added running back David Montgomery (Detroit) in free agency. They have also overhauled the offensive line.
Houston has an elite defense that ranked first in total defense in 2025. Drafting defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) will strengthen the interior defense and help stop opponents from running the ball.
I think they’re the best team in the division and that’s considering inconsistent quarterback play. If Stroud can play like he did in 2023, the Texans will be Super Bowl contenders.
Indianapolis Colts: Their biggest team needs before the draft were edge, LB, S, OL and WR.
Draft picks: LB C.J. Allen, S A.J. Haulcy, G/C Jalen Farmer, LB Bryce Boettcher, EDGE George Gumbs, EDGE Caden Curry, RB Seth McGowan, WR Deion Burks
The Colts did not have a first round pick this year or next because they traded that to the Jets for CB Sauce Gardner.
I like the CJ Allen (Georgia) pick because they have a vacancy at middle linebacker. They traded LB Zaire Franklin to Green Bay for DT Colby Wooden. Franklin averaged 161 tackles over the last four seasons.
Indy started the season 8-5, then QB Daniel Jones went down on December 7, 2025 against Jacksonville with a torn Achilles. That injury typically takes one year to come back from so he should miss most of the 2026 season.
I pick them to finish third in the division.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The biggest team needs were LB, edge, DL, OL and S.
Draft picks: TE Nate Boerkircher, DT Albert Regis, G/C Emmanuel Pregnon, S Jalen Huskey, EDGE Wesley Williams, TE Tanner Koziol, WR Josh Cameron, WR C.J. Williams, EDGE Zack Dufree, LB Parker Hughes
Their first pick was at No. 56, where they drafted blocking tight end Nate Boerkircher (Texas A&M). The best player they drafted was OG Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon). He has potential to become a starter right away.
The Jags hope Travis Hunter can return from his torn LCL and make a big impact in 2026.
They did lose their leading rusher Travis Etienne in free agency when he signed to New Orleans.
They should be second in the division but I’m not sure they’ll make the playoffs.
Tennessee Titans: The biggest team needs were OL, edge, WR, RB and LB.
Draft picks: WR Carnell Tate, EDGE Keldric Faulk, LB Anthony Hill Jr., G/C Fernando Carmona, RB Nicholas Singleton, DT Jackie Marshall, G/C Pat Coogan, TE Jaren Kanak
Carnell Tate (Ohio State) was the first receiver drafted at No. 4. It’s good they paired a weapon with second year QB Cam Ward. I think they drafted extremely well but they’re still a bad team.
Tennessee will finish last.
Rising Up?
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
First year for the new regime for the Atlanta Falcons hit the first landmark with the NFL Draft this past weekend.
Ian Cunningham as the GM spearheaded his first draft week in line with new Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and Director of Football Matt Ryan and made an impact especially on the defensive side of the ball.
After the deal last season to trade up and pick Michael Penix Jr, the Falcons didn’t have a first-round pick in 2026, so the Birds didn’t make a selection until the 48th overall pick in the 2nd round.
The Falcons went to the ACC for their first selection with a cornerback from Clemson and kept the football in the family. Avieon Terrell, younger brother of current Falcons DB AJ Terrell, became the newest Falcon after 3 years with Clemson, including an All-ACC season last year for the Tigers.
In 2025, Terrell had a nose for football forcing a Clemson single season record 5 forced fumbles to go along with 9 pass breakups, 4.5 TFLs and 3 sacks. There are questions where Terrell will land if he stays at corner or comes inside at safety but could be an impactful piece for the Falcons in the fall.
In the 3rd round, Atlanta kept it close to home with pulling Georgia receiver Zachariah Branch off the board.
Branch molded into a slot receiver who can turn a medial gain into an explosive play with his speed in his time in Athens. Branch brings a multitude of weapons to the NFL both as a receiver but also on special teams as a kick/punt returner. There is some fine tuning of routes and mechanics that NFL scouts have pointed out, but Branch expects to contribute early for the Falcons.
The page turned to the 4th round and the Falcons had pick number 134. With that 4th round selection, Atlanta turned to Oklahoma to snag former Sooner linebacker Kendal Daniels.
Daniels converted from safety to linebacker in his time at Oklahoma and earned a reputation in the SEC as being able to use his speed to fill the gap in run defense. After 4 seasons at Oklahoma State, Daniels moved to Norman and racked up 9 TFLs in 13 starts in the middle of the Sooner defense.
Without a selection in the 5th round, the Falcons made a move to pick up an extra 6th round selection.
With the first 6th round pick, the Falcons looked to beef up the defensive line that made a huge step forward in 2025 and added Washington D-Lineman Anterio Thompson.
Thompson spent his time at Washington as a defensive tackle on the interior of the D-line, but may see a move to the edge in the NFL. The leaps that Thompson has made in his time in college profiles him to be able to do it.
What, in my opinion, could be most impactful pick for the Falcons in 2026 when it’s all said and done came with the second 6th round pick when the ATL called upon the LSU Linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. Perkins missed all of 2024 with an ACL tear but was the key to the LSU success in his time in Baton Rouge.
The Falcons wrapped up the draft with their 7th round pick and the 231st overall selection of O-lineman Ethan Onianwa from Ohio State. The 6’6” 333 pounder tackle looks to give depth to the Falcons O-Line and progress under leadership and experience of Jake Matthews on the Falcons’ front.
While there’s not the first round, high profile talent in the draft class, but an extremely solid class that could prove to be impactful in the near future as a whole for the ATL.
Welcome To Duuuuval
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
When the Jacksonville Jaguars walked into the 2026 NFL Draft, they were already operating under a different set of circumstances than most teams.
For the first time in franchise history, Jacksonville didn’t have a first round pick.
But that wasn’t an accident. That pick had already been spent a year earlier in a deal with the Cleveland Browns that helped the Jaguars land one of the most electric young players in football, Travis Hunter, with the second overall pick in 2025.
So, when you look at Jacksonville’s 2026 draft, you can’t judge it the same way you judge most draft classes.
There wasn’t going to be a splashy headline pick. Instead, this draft was about building the roster out and giving quarterback Trevor Lawrence more help. And honestly, that’s exactly what the Jaguars tried to do.
Jacksonville started in the second round by selecting Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher. That pick makes a lot of sense when you think about what this offense needs.
For years, the Jaguars have been trying to get more production out of the tight end position, and Boerkircher brings a nice mix of pass catching ability and blocking. In other words, he’s the kind of player who can stay on the field for all three downs.
Then in the third round, Jacksonville went back to Texas A&M again and grabbed defensive tackle Albert Regis. This one felt like a classic “get bigger and tougher” type of pick.
The Jaguars have had stretches where they struggled to control the line of scrimmage, especially against the run, and Regis adds some muscle inside.
But if there’s a pick Jaguars fans should really pay attention to, it might be offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon from Oregon.
If this franchise is serious about getting the most out of Trevor Lawrence, protecting him has to be priority number one. Pregnon brings versatility along the offensive line, and depth up front is never a bad thing in the NFL.
The Jaguars kept addressing needs later in the third round when they selected Maryland defensive back Jalen Huskey, a guy who picked off four passes last season. Jacksonville has clearly been trying to add more playmakers in the secondary, and Huskey fits that mold.
Once day three rolled around, the Jaguars shifted into what you might call roster building mode. They even traded up in the fourth round to grab Duke edge rusher Wesley Williams, which tells you he was a player they specifically wanted.
The rest of the class added more depth across the board. Houston tight end Tanner Koziol, Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron, Stanford receiver CJ Williams, Washington edge rusher Zach Durfee, and linebacker Parker Hughes out of Middle Tennessee State.
Now let’s be honest. None of those picks are going to dominate the national headlines.
That’s just the reality when you don’t have a first round pick.
But here’s the thing Jaguars fans should remember. A lot of really good NFL teams are built on day two and day three of the draft.
You don’t always need the flashy pick. Sometimes what you really need are solid players who fill roles, compete for snaps, and develop over time. And that’s what Jacksonville seems to be aiming for here.
This draft felt less like a blockbuster and more like a roster tune up. Add a weapon for Trevor Lawrence. Strengthen the offensive line. Get bigger up front on defense. Bring in competition at receiver and in the secondary.
It might not be the kind of draft that gets fans jumping out of their seats right now.
But if even a few of these players turn into reliable contributors, the Jaguars might look back a couple of years from now and realize this class quietly helped push the team forward.
Boys From The South
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
With the NFL draft only a few weeks away, I want to take a look around the NFC South and see what each team needs.
New Orleans Saints (6-11): The biggest team needs are WR, Edge, OL, DL and CB.
New Orleans has the No. 8 pick in the first round. They were not good in 2025 but it looks like they found their quarterback of the future in Tyler Shough.
Shough (Louisville) was drafted in the second-round last season with the 40th pick. He became a starter in Week 9 after the team fell to 1-7.
He set the franchise record for wins by a rookie QB and he became the first rookie quarterback with 300-plus passing yards in a game in Week 16’s matchup against the Jets. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for his play in December/January.
He finished the season completing 221 of 327 passes for 2,384 yards with 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, he also rushed 45 times for 186 yards and 3 touchdowns.
I think they need another target outside of wide receiver Chris Olave. I expect them to select WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State). The 6’2, 192 lbs. receiver might be the best in the draft class. Last season he played 11 games and had 51 catches, 875 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9): The biggest team needs are Edge, DL, CB, LB, OL.
They have the No. 16 pick in the draft. The Bucs won the division in 2024, going 10-7
Last season, they were tied with Atlanta and Carolina at 8-9. They have lost veteran receiver Mike Evans in free agency to San Francisco.
Tampa ranked 20th in total defense in 2025. They also ranked 19th in sacks with 37 for the season.
I believe they would select edge Keldric Faulk (Auburn). He’s 6’6 and 276 pounds. Last season he had 29 tackles, 5 TFL and 2 sacks. In 2024, he had 45 tackles, 11 TFL and 7 sacks. He was named third-team All-SEC (2025).
Carolina Panthers (8-9): The biggest team needs are OL, S, WR, CB, DL.
Carolina has the 19th pick.
The division champs saw quarterback Bryce Young drastically improve in his third season. Young went 8-8 as a starter, completed 63.6% of his passes for 3,011 yards, 23 scores and 11 picks. He also rushed 54 times for 216 yards and 2 TD’s.
Rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with 70 receptions, 1,014 yards and 7 touchdowns.
I think they’ll get OT Blake Miller (Clemson) to strengthen their offensive line. The 6’7, 317 lbs. tackle was named First team All-ACC (2024, 2025).
Atlanta Falcons (8-9): The biggest needs are WR, DL, CB, Edge, LB.
Atlanta has the #48 pick in the second round for their first pick in the draft. I went in depth about the Falcons roster and biggest team needs last week, so I won’t delve as deep today.
Because of where they’re drafting, we do not know who will be available. I am guessing they will select edge Malachi Lawrence (UCF). The 6’4, 235 lbs. defensive end was named First-team All-Big 12 (2025). He had 28 tackles, 11 TFL and 7 sacks last season.
Needy Falcons
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2026 NFL draft is less than one month away.
We are going to take a look at the Atlanta Falcons and see what the team’s biggest needs are after free agency.
Atlanta Falcons (8-9): Atlanta traded their 2026 first-round pick to the LA Rams last season to move up and draft DE James Pearce Jr. He had a very good rookie season in 2025, which includes 26 tackles, 10 TFL and 10.5 sacks.
The problem is the character issues that caused him to slip in the 2025 draft have surfaced.
In early February he stalked his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson in Miami. He appeared to intentionally hit her vehicle as she attempted to reach a police station.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office has brought three felony charges against the pass-rusher. They are aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence to his or her person. He also faces a charge of aggravated stalking that was changed from a felony to a misdemeanor.
I’m surprised the Falcons have not dropped Pearce yet. With that said I think Atlanta can add an edge rusher to the list of what the team needs.
The biggest team needs are WR, DL, CB, Edge and LB.
Here is a list of the players Atlanta has acquired through free agency. QB Tua Tagovailoa, QB Trevor Siemian, RB Brian Robinson, RB Tyler Goodson, WR Jahan Dotson, WR Olamide Zaccheaus, TE Austin Hooper, Edge Samson Ebukam, Edge Azeez Ojulari, DE Cameron Thomas, DT LaCale London, DL Da’Shawn Hand, DL Chris Williams, LB Christian Harris, K Nick Folk and P Jake Bailey.
Atlanta did franchise tag TE Kyle Pitts. They also made a trade to Philadelphia for S Sydney Brown. He is the identical twin brother of Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown.
The Falcons receive Brown and 2026 fourth- and sixth-round selections, while the Eagles receive 2026 fourth- and sixth-round picks. Brown has started 9 games for the Eagles in his tree years with the team.
As you can see, Atlanta hasn’t really signed any marquee players. I believe they should add a playmaker at wide receiver to play opposite of Drake London.
Darnell Mooney was WR2 for the last two seasons. He was great in 2024, with 64 receptions, 992 yards and 5 touchdowns. Last season was terrible though. He only had 32 catches, 443 yards and 1 TD in 15 games.
The interior defensive line could use more size. The team also needs to upgrade the cornerback position around A.J. Terrell.
The Falcons only have five draft picks this year. They are; #48 (Round 2), #79 (Round 3), #122 (Round 4), #215 (Round 6) and #231 (Round 7).
It is hard to tell who will be available in the later rounds. I think the second-round pick will be an offensive or defensive lineman.
Edge Malachi Lawrence (UCF) might be an option. He had 28 tackles, 11 TFL and 7 sacks in 2025. He was also named All-Big 12 First Team.
Offensive tackle Max Iheanachor (Arizona State) could also be an option. He started all 14 games at right tackle and he played on 923 of ASU’s 974 offensive snaps on the season. He also posted the nation’s 38th-best grade on zone blocking run plays among tackles at 78.1.
Running Out Of Jacksonville
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the past few seasons in Jacksonville, Travis Etienne was more than just the starting running back. He was one of the players who made the Jaguars offense go. Now he is gone.
Etienne reportedly signed a four year, 52 million dollar deal with the New Orleans Saints, and while the move was not exactly shocking, it still leaves a big question mark in Jacksonville’s backfield.
The Jaguars may have had financial reasons for letting him walk, but there is no denying that losing a player like Etienne changes the look of this offense.
Players with his skill set are not easy to replace. Since being drafted in the first round, Etienne developed into one of the more exciting offensive weapons the Jaguars had.
His speed and ability to make defenders miss made him dangerous every time he touched the football. He could break a long run, catch passes out of the backfield, and create big plays that could flip momentum in a game.
Last season under head coach Liam Coen, Etienne rushed for more than 1,100 and continued to be a major part of the passing game as well. That kind of versatility gave Jacksonville something every offense wants. Balance.
When the running game is working, it takes pressure off the quarterback and keeps defenses from teeing off. For Trevor Lawrence, having Etienne in the backfield made life a lot easier. Without him, things get a little more complicated.
The Jaguars will point out that they saw this coming. General manager James Gladstone drafted two running backs in 2025, Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen, and both showed some promise during their rookie seasons. Tuten especially has the speed and pass catching ability that fits nicely in Coen’s system.
But there is still a big difference between flashing potential and carrying the load for an entire season.
Right now Jacksonville’s running back room is extremely young. Tuten, Allen, and Ja’Quinden Jackson are all entering just their second season in the league.
DeeJay Dallas is the only veteran in the group, and even he is not guaranteed to make the roster.
That means the Jaguars are asking a lot from players who simply have not proven themselves yet, and that’s a huge gamble.
There is also the bigger picture to consider. The Jaguars likely knew they could not match the contract the Saints were willing to give Etienne.
In today’s NFL, teams rarely want to invest big money at running back when they believe they can find production through younger and cheaper players.
From a salary cap standpoint, letting Etienne walk probably makes sense. It gives the Jaguars flexibility to focus on other areas of the roster, including defense, where they still have important decisions to make.
But football is not just about cap space. Etienne was one of the few players on the Jaguars roster who could take a routine play and turn it into something special. When an offense needed a spark, he was often the guy who provided it.
Now that responsibility is going to fall on someone else. Maybe Bhayshul Tuten steps into that role and becomes the next breakout player in Jacksonville. Maybe the Jaguars add another running back in the draft or in free agency to help fill the gap.
But until someone proves they can do what Travis Etienne did for this offense, there is going to be a noticeable hole in the Jaguars backfield. And that makes this offseason decision feel a little risky.
The Jaguars might be betting on the future. The question now is whether that bet pays off.
Tua To The Rescue?
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
There’s a famous phrase; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
How does that relate to NFL free agency you may ask? Well, the Atlanta Falcons have signed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year deal. I think this is a terrible move but I understand it.
Releasing Tua will cost the Dolphins an NFL-record $99.2 million in dead money against the salary cap. That’s an absurd amount of money to get rid of a player.
He struggled last season, passing for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in fourteen games. He averaged 6.9 yards per attempt.
I’m not sure if that can be blamed on being on a bad team or just poor play from Tagovailoa.
This move does show Atlanta is invested in Michael Penix Jr. Penix tore his ACL in November so I don’t believe he will play next season.
Prior to his injury, Penix was inconsistent. He was only a second-year player but I did hope the Falcons would sign a QB to replace him.
At times Tua has shown flashes of being a good player. He is also very prone to injury. He did make the Pro Bowl in 2023 after throwing for 4,624 yards, 29 touchdowns and 14 picks. This was also the only season that he did not miss a game.
In 2024 he missed six games due to concussions. At that point, I thought he should have retired from football.
Tagovailoa is only 28 years old so he does have time to get better in his career. I believe he should be compared to the backup QB options on the market. From a financial standpoint, this was a great move.
The Dolphins still owe Tagovailoa $54 million. He plans to sign with the Falcons for just over the league minimum, reportedly about $1.3 million. That’s a great price for a good, veteran backup.
A good veteran backup QB salary is about $5 million. The Falcons could have spent more to sign guys like Joe Flacco, Russell Wilson, Tyrod Taylor and Jimmy Garoppolo. The only advantage I give them over Tua is injury history.
Money is an important consideration for the Falcons. They will only have about $20 million to spend under the salary cap once Cousins is officially released.
Signing a veteran backup QB for cheap means more money available to spend on free agents at other positions.
I wanted Atlanta to sign Kyler Murray but that would mean signing him to a longer contract. That move would also end Penix’s time in Atlanta.
The Falcons have a talented roster but I think it will get wasted again next year. I’m not a fan of hiring Kevin Stefanski as head coach, then adding Tagovailoa as the QB is the cherry on top.
They also don’t have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft because they traded it last year to move up and select DE James Pearce. He has some recent off-field legal problems so he might not be on the team this upcoming season.
Falcons Failing Offseasons
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Atlanta Falcons have made a couple of big personnel decisions before the new league year begins on March 11th.
“The Falcons will release Kirk Cousins before the start of the league year, when his $67.9 million salary would become fully guaranteed under the terms of his reworked contract,” Dan Graziano writes. “Atlanta has to pay Cousins a $10 million roster bonus this year, whether he’s on the team or not, but it does not appear to be interested in bringing back Cousins.”
Atlanta signed Cousins in the 2024 offseason to a four-year, $180 million deal. I’m sure he expected to finish his career in Atlanta. Shortly after, however, the team drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round at No. 8 overall. At that point he never had stability in his position.
Cousins was benched for Penix toward the end of the 2024 season. His play did warrant that move because he was not moving the offense effectively. Then head coach Raheem Morris named Penix the starter heading into 2025 after just three starts, without holding a real quarterback competition during the offseason.
We have to grade the signing of Cousins as an F. Atlanta thought they only needed a quarterback to become a playoff contender, which is why they signed him. He did not lead them to the playoffs and now he’s gone after being there for less than two years.
The Falcons have also placed the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts. General manager Ian Cunningham said it is the “right move” for the organization “right now.”
Per the general manager, the franchise tag is a way to “use the mechanisms provided by the league” — especially considering Cunningham just got to Atlanta, having been hired on Jan. 29 — to allow the team time to fully evaluate what they want for the future of Pitts and the position in Atlanta and how it relates to their roster construction.
“We’re not in the business of letting go really good players,” Cunningham said.
Pitts, who played on his fifth-year option in 2025, is coming off one of his most productive seasons. His yardage total ranked second only to his record-breaking rookie season after being selected No. 4 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He had 88 catches, 928 yards and 5 touchdowns last season.
He has been an inconsistent player thus far. He disappears in some games and he’s too talented for that to happen. I do want to point out that having a thousand-yard season is not as impressive as it sounds. In seventeen games getting to one thousand yards means a player averages 58.8 yards per game.
Pitts had 1,026 receiving yards, 68 receptions and 1 touchdown as a rookie. He dealt with injuries in 2022 and only played in ten games. He had 28 catches, 356 yards and 2 touchdowns. In 2023 he had 667 yards and in 2024 he had 602 yards.
As you can see, there’s a reason to be concerned about signing him to a long-term deal. We will have to see if he will have another big season in 2026.
Jaguars Offseason Philosophy?
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in an interesting position this offseason.
On one hand, a 13-4 season, an AFC South title, and a playoff appearance say this team is firmly in contention.
On the other hand, a first-round exit to Buffalo showed that they are not quite elite yet.
The problem facing General Manager James Gladstone is simple to describe but difficult to solve: Jacksonville is trying to improve without a first-round pick and while operating under real salary cap pressure.
That reality makes one thing clear. The Jaguars cannot win the offseason through free agency. They will have to win it through calculated trades. And the keyword there is calculated.
The easiest headline move would be trading wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
The speculation makes sense on the surface. Thomas did not build on his incredible rookie season, and with Travis Hunter now expected to spend most of his time at cornerback, Jacksonville could argue that flipping Thomas for draft capital solves multiple problems.
Some speculation has surrounded sending Thomas and a fifth-round pick to Buffalo for Keon Coleman and a late first-round selection, and that has generated plenty of debate. But I think that’s exactly the kind of move the Jaguars should avoid.
Trading Thomas now would be selling low. Sophomore slumps happen, especially when a new system arrives.
Liam Coen’s offense is still evolving, and Thomas remains one of the few players on this roster who has already proven he can look like a true No. 1 receiver.
Jacksonville does not need more developmental wideouts. It needs certainty. Keon Coleman might become a solid player, but swapping Thomas for another question mark just to reclaim a first-round pick feels like solving a paperwork problem, not a football problem.
The smarter approach is to treat Brian Thomas Jr. as untouchable unless an overwhelming offer arrives.
While the Jaguars shop the trade market, they should be targeting two specific areas. First, and probably most importantly, is the offensive line.
Protecting Trevor Lawrence remains the single biggest variable between Jacksonville being good and being dangerous. The team already has expensive contracts tied up there, and moving players like Walker Little could create flexibility while bringing back mid-round capital.
That kind of move is less glamorous but far more practical. Turning surplus linemen into draft picks and cap space is the kind of quiet roster management that contenders use to sustain success.
Second, work must be done on the defensive interior. The Jaguars improved dramatically in 2025, but when they were knocked out of the playoffs, Buffalo controlled the line of scrimmage late.
That is the difference between a divisional-round team and a true Super Bowl threat.
If Jacksonville is aggressive anywhere, it should be in acquiring proven rotational defensive linemen who can play immediately, even if it costs a Day-2 pick.
And that leads to the real philosophy the Jaguars should embrace: quantity over splash.
Without a first-round pick, Jacksonville’s value lies with its depth.
The current draft setup includes a large number of picks across the middle rounds. Rather than forcing a flashy trade to reclaim a first-round headline, Gladstone should use those mid-round assets to package smaller deals.
Think veteran upgrades, role players who fit specific needs, and controllable contracts that avoid cap headaches. Because the cap matters here.
Jacksonville is projected to start the offseason slightly over the salary cap, meaning every move must carry long-term flexibility.
Big splashes are off the table, but strategic trades combined with restructures can quietly rebuild the roster without weakening the core.
The Jaguars don’t need a roster overhaul. They need refinement.
Keep Brian Thomas Jr. unless the offer is overwhelming. Move expendable contracts for mid-round value. Target trenches, not headlines. Use depth picks as currency rather than desperation.
If Jacksonville treats the trade market like a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer, they will give themselves a better chance to take the next step from division winner to legitimate AFC contender.
