Add The New York Post on Google The Post’s Steve Serby previews the AFC South for the 2026 season.
Key additions: Workhorse RB David Montgomery leaves Jahmyr Gibbs timeshare in Detroit to give offense balance at last. RT Braden Smith (foot) starts on IR. Trade acquisition of deep threat WR Kayshon Boutte follows loss of Jayden Higgins.
Key departures: RB Joe Mixon, OT Tytus Howard, OL Juice Scruggs, WR Christian Kirk, S Jimmie Ward, DT Mario Edwards Jr.
First-and-goal: Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are bookend nightmares for quarterbacks. Jadeveon Clowney provides quality depth. Montgomery gives the offense balance and takes heat off C.J. Stroud. Nico Collins is a true No. 1 receiver and towering target. The O-line has been upgraded. Derek Stingley Jr. headlines one of the league’s best secondaries. K Ka’imi Fairbairn got the bag. Davis Mills is a quality backup QB. Ryans has reached the playoffs in each of his first three seasons.
Fourth-and-long: Stroud is searching to recapture his rookie form. Promising WR Jayden Higgins suffered a torn ACL that necessitated a trade for Boutte. WR Tank Dell starts the season on IR. Rookie dawg center Keylan Rutledge will be counted on to protect Stroud. The O-line loses Smith (plantar fascia) for the beginning of the season. It is time for Ryans to reach the AFC Championship game.
Prediction: 11-6. Defense wins division championships, and this one is elite.
Key additions: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. will be a short-yardage complement, and maybe more, to Bhayshul Tuten. DT Ruke Orhorhoro is a depth piece behind DaVon Hamilton and Arik Armstead. Precocious rookie Emmanuel Pregnon. starts at LG.
Key departures: RB Travis Etienne Jr., LB Devin Lloyd, CB Greg Newsome II, S Andrew Wingard, WR Dyami Brown, TE Johnny Mundt, WR Tim Patrick.
First-and-goal: Trevor Lawrence is looking like the No. 1 overall pick under Coen. WRs Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers, and TE Brenton Strange have earned his trust. The league’s best run defense is anchored by DaVon Hamilton, Foyesade Oluokun, Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s blitz packages were instrumental in forcing 31 turnovers. CB Montaric Brown keeps improving. Travis Hunter is expected to add a playmaker to the secondary and will undoubtedly be mixed in as an offensive toy. The special teams are special with K Cam Little capable of booting 68- and 67-yard field goals, P Logan Cooke a 2024 Pro Bowler and LS Ross Matiscik a Pro Bowler the past three seasons.
Fourth-and-long: Led the league with 36 drops, and WR Brian Thomas Jr. suffered through a sophomore slump. Speedy Bhayshul Tuten and Rodriguez will be tasked with replacing Etienne. The O-line is a concern —ranked 27th in sacks in 2025. Lloyd will be missed.
Prediction: 11-6. Year 2 with Coen and the same receiving corps continues Lawrence’s long-awaited ascent.
Key additions: WR Keenan Allen’s DUI charge isn’t the ideal way for 34-year-old reliable to debut with new club. LB Akeem Davis-Gaither is coming off a career-best 118-tackle season in Arizona. Edge rusher Arden Key has recorded 27.5 sacks since 2021.
Key departures: Michael Pittman Jr., Zaire Franklin, Braden Smith, Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, Nick Cross.
First-and-goal: QB Daniel Jones (Achilles) is healthy. RB Jonathan Taylor is elite. TE Tyler Warren is a safety valve and red-zone weapon. WR Alec Pierce will be a deep threat when healthy. DE Laiatu Latu has double-digit sack potential. CB Sauce Gardner cost two first-round picks, so he better return to lockdown corner form. As long as CB Charvarius Ward can stay healthy, the secondary is a strength with S Cam Bynum.
Fourth-and-long: Can Jones stay healthy? Pittman takes 80 catches to Pittsburgh. WR Josh Downs needs to step up. Franklin’s departure weakens the LB corps. Pass rush depth is a problem. Steichen and GM Chris Ballard are on the hot seat.
Prediction: 8-9. Pittman’s 80 receptions will be difficult to replace.
Key additions: Fourth overall draft pick WR Carnell Tate helps Cam Ward immediately. WR Wan’Dale Robinson from the Giants will be OC Brian Daboll’s safety valve. DL John Franklin-Myers is a quality run-stuffer and a Saleh favorite from their Jets days.
Key departures: Chig Okonkwo, Arden Key, Van Jefferson, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Johnny Hekker, Corey Levin, James Lynch, Darrell Baker Jr.
First-and-goal: Cam Ward has better weapons in Tate and Robinson, and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll calling plays. G Peter Skoronski and OT JC Latham are first-round picks. DT Jeffery Simmons is elite. Saleh favorites Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson II and Solomon Thomas will help on the D-line. CBs Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott upgrade the secondary. WR Chimere Dike is a dynamic returner. John “Bones” Fassel is a special teams coup. Saleh will have the defense motivated.
Fourth-and-long: Ward was sacked 55 times last season, and the O-line counts on LT Dan Moore Jr. RB Tony Pollard tries for his fifth straight 1,000-yard season, but he’s 29. Saleh has lots to prove as a head coach.
Prediction: 5-12. Ward won’t take a second-year leap in a tough division.
