Unlike the usual list of expected breakout players this is a look at players that their teams need to break out this season. It's the AFC South's turn.
Houston Texans
Offensive line
The Texans' offensive line was has been on a pace that will soon get quarterback DeShaun Watson killed. If there's any hope for long term success in Houston, that can't happen. The offensive line of holdovers Julien Davenport, Nick Martin, Senio Kelemente, Zach Fulton, and Martinas Rankin and top picks Tytus Howard and Max Scharping must compete to find five that will finally protect Watson like he must be protected. Watson needs that. The Texans need that. And Matt Kalil absolutely must not be one of the starting five.
Indianapolis Colts
Justin Houston, DE
It's quite shocking how quickly the Colts went from a bad team to one of the most talented football teams in the league. With Andrew Luck healthy the offense is potent. The defense has young, talented players scattered throughout. The only thing missing was a pass rusher. Justin Houston was one of the best pass rushers in the league for nearly all of his eight seasons in Kansas City. The Colts need him to be that sort of pass rusher.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Nick Foles, QB
The Jaguars have had Super Bowl potential for a couple years. One of the reasons they don't have any Super Bowl appearances, or many playoff appearances, was wildly inconsistent quarterback play. That's why they let Blake Bortles go and brought in Nick Foles. One thing that Foles has done the last two seasons is play extremely well in the postseason. He played so well that he won a Super Bowl. One thing that he hasn't done in a while is play well for an entire season. The Jaguars need him play for an entire season (playoffs included) like he has for playoff runs.
Tennessee Titans
Marcus Mariota, QB
The Titans selected Marcus Mariota with the second overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. After four seasons, they still don't know for sure what they have in their "franchise" quarterback. Or, if he even is their franchise quarterback. Injuries have stunted his development and consistency. Through four seasons, he's started 12, 15, 15, and 13 games. He played injured in many of the games that he did start. Mariota is an uber-talented, athletic, spontaneous quarterback. To be effective, he needs to have all of his talents available to him. The Titans need Marcus Mariota to be and stay healthy. They need to know if he's their long-term quarterback.
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