Draft Needs: AFC South

Teams from one of the NFL's weakest divisions opened their wallets in free agency, but major needs remain for all as the draft approaches. 

The Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans are closer to Super Bowl contention, while the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars will try to get a boost from top-three draft picks and jump into the playoff mix. 

Let's take a look at the prospects teams in the AFC South may have their sights set on in the draft. 

NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST

Indianapolis Colts

Positions of need: Safety, edge-rusher, offensive line

The Colts focused their attention in free agency on adding skilled veterans to their roster. It's clear general manager Ryan Grigson believes his team's Super Bowl window is wide open. Andre Johnson, Frank Gore and Trent Cole probably don't have many years of top-level production ahead of them, but the Colts are betting they can provide an immediate return on investment.

Despite these additions, the Colts have several more glaring holes in their roster than most Super Bowl contenders. The protection in front of Andrew Luck remains woeful; it's unclear how the Colts expect to generate a consistent pass-rush, especially if Robert Mathis is unable to return to form following a drug suspension and serious Achilles injury; and the secondary is vulnerable to deep passes. 

Potential draft targets: Picking at 29th overall, the Colts will likely pray for an edge-rusher to fall in the draft. Trading up a few spots to nab a player Randy Gregory isn't out of the question. Eli Harold may be a more realistic target, though. 

If Landon Collins is available and the Colts don't like the edge-rushers available, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Colts make Collins the first safety off the board. Don't rule out defensive tackle, either. Eddie Goldman could prove to be too enticing to pass up. 

In the middle and late rounds, look for the Colts to add talent on both lines and perhaps draft a young tailback to complement Gore. 

Houston Texans

Positions of need: Quarterback, wide receiver, inside linebacker, edge-rusher

The Texans signed Brian Hoyer in free agency, but they won't pretend that means they're set at the position. Unfortunately, they may have no choice but to live with their mediocre passing depth (which also includes Ryan Mallett and Tom Savage) for another season. 

They're picking too late to have a shot at Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota and pickings are slim at the position after the top two.

The Texans' next-biggest needs are at wide receiver, where DeAndre Hopkins and free-agent acquisition Cecil Shorts top the depth chart, and inside linebacker, where Brian Cushing can no longer be trusted to stay healthy.

There's also the unpleasant reality that the Texans may need to invest an early pick on an edge-rusher only a year after making Jadeveon Clowney the first overall selection. Clowney is recovering from microfracture surgery and is no lock to regain the form he showed in college. 

Potential draft targets: Several wide receivers are rumored to be shooting up draft boards and the Texans are a good candidate to nab one of them with the 16th pick. DeVante Parker, Dorial Green-Beckham, Jaelen Strong and Breshad Perriman are all possibilities.

Eric Kendricks is an option if the Texans decide to address their need at inside linebacker. If they'd rather address the outside, Shane Ray and Bud Dupree could be good fits. 

A surprising best-available-player pick is also in play. Maybe Todd Gurley as the heir apparent to Arian Foster? It would keep him away from the Jaguars and Titans, who are both candidates to pick a running back early in the second round. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Positions of need: Edge-rusher, running back, safety

The Jaguars filled many of their holes in free agency, but they still lack a difference-making Leo rusher to wreak havoc on the weak side and allow Gus Bradley's defense to truly blossom. The good news is that several players with the potential to thrive in such a role will be available when the Jaguars select third overall.

Running back is also a major need. Denard Robinson was very efficient last season, but he's unlikely to hold up over an entire season. Toby Gerhart is a free-agent bust. Selecting early in the second round, the Jaguars could have their pick of a running back class considered by most analysts to be very strong. 

Potential draft targets: Vic Beasley represents one of the best player-to-team fits in the draft. The explosive edge specialist could be an impact player from Day 1 in the Jaguars' scheme. Dante Fowler and Bud Dupree are also possibilities. 

The Jaguars surprised the football world by taking Blake Bortles last year and perhaps their scouts will again buck conventional thinking with their evaluations. 

In the second round, Todd Gurley would be awfully hard to pass up if he's still on the board. The same can be said for Melvin Gordon. If the pair are gone, Jay Ajayi wouldn't be a bad consolation prize. 

Tennessee Titans

Positions of need: Quarterback, offensive tackle, running back wide receiver

The Titans must decide whether to spend the second overall pick on a quarterback or instead move forward with second-year pro Zach Mettenberger as their starter. Mettenberger, a sixth-round pick a year ago, showed poise and a big arm as a rookie but produced only mediocre statistics.

Trading No. 2 to a team in love with Marcus Mariota is another possibility. The juiciest rumor suggests the Titans could send the second overall pick to the San Diego Chargers for Philip Rivers (and perhaps the Chargers' first-round selection). Trade-downs with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles are also rumored to be in play. 

Beyond quarterback, the Titans' roster is filled with holes. The team would benefit from upgrades at offensive tackle, running back, wide receiver and across the defense.

Potential draft targets: Top quarterback prospects Mariota and Jameis Winston are the most obvious candidates and the Titans are guaranteed to get one of the two if they so desire. 

If the Titans decide to stick with Mettenberger, defensive end Leonard Williams may be a shoo-in at No. 2. Some analysts have called Williams the best player in the draft, and he would represent a perfect fit for new Titans defensive boss Dick LeBeau's 3-4 scheme. 

Look for the Titans to address their needs at right tackle and running back in the middle rounds. The Titans own the first pick of the second round and may find Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon on the board and impossible to resist.