The Indianapolis Colts were clearly the class of the AFC South in 2014.
They went undefeated in six division games, captured their second straight AFC South title and were the only team in the division to reach the playoffs.
But much has changed on AFC South rosters since then, with all four teams making key free-agent acquisitions and adding a crop of new draft picks.
Here’s a look at what’s happened with the Titans, Colts, Jaguars and Texans over the last couple of months and what those changes mean for the coming year:
Team: Indianapolis Colts
2014 record: 11-5
2014 AFC South record: 6-0
2014 vs. Titans: 2-0
Key free-agent signings: RB Frank Gore, WR Andre Johnson, DE Trent Cole, S Dwight Lowery, DE Kendall Langford
Key losses: WR Hakeem Nicks
Top three draft picks: WR Phillip Dorsett, CB D’Joun Smith, DE Henry Anderson
Looking ahead: A Colts team that averaged almost 29 points per game and finished third in the NFL in total offense should be even more potent in 2015. Andrew Luck will have a tremendous new possession receiver in Johnson, a tremendous new deep threat in Dorsett and a veteran ball-carrier (Gore) who should have plenty of holes when opponents back out of the box to deal with the passing attack. The Colts hope they’ve also addressed the league’s 22nd-ranked defense by adding pass-rushers in Cole and Anderson, and by signing at least one more potential starter in Lowery.
Bottom line: (continue reading)