With NFL rookies bedding themselves into their new homes at their respective teams, now is a good time to have a look at who is on the up or down in the AFC South.
3 Up
HB, Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans
Sankey landed in a great spot with the Titans when they selected him in the second round. By filling a glaring need, Tennessee got one of the most gifted running backs in the draft and will plug him straight in behind a superb offensive line. If the former Washington standout can adjust to the pace of the NFL quickly, he will top 1,000 yards and surprise fantasy owners.
OT, Jack Mewhort, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts had limited draft picks in 2014 but the selection of Mewhort in the second round was money well spent. The Ohio State standout played left tackle during his senior season but also has experience at both guard positions which could be invaluable to a shaky offensive line. Mewhort may not start straight away but should somebody go down injured the technician will undoubtedly be the next man up.
DT, Louis Nix III, Houston Texans
Nix, like Sankey, landed in a great spot with the Houston Texans. The third-round selection was expected to go in the first day by many, but health and other worries meant his stock dropped. Luckily for Nix, he will be playing alongside J.J. Watt, who needs no introduction, and 2014 first-overall pick Jadeveon Clowney. That will leave Nix to ply his trade on the inside against a lot of one-on-one coverage. The former Notre Dame star needs to earn game time but he has the perfect platform to build a career.
3 Down
QB, Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars
When the Jagaurs pulled the trigger on a quarterback in the first round, nobody thought he would be sitting on the bench Week one, especially when you look at the other signal callers on the roster. In truth, sitting for a season while learning the intricacies of the system is just what Bortles needs, but is that really going to happen? If the Florida side are struggling early in the season, is a quarter of football here and there as well as a media storm around who should be starting really what a young quarterback needs?
OT, Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans
Lewan is one of the five unsigned players left from the 2014 NFL Draft. Although it is no cause for concern – at least not at this stage – it is far from ideal when a player misses team activities because his agent is bickering over offset language.
QB, Tom Savage, Houston Texans
It almost feels a little harsh to put Savage on this list. However, the fourth-round draft choice was once touted as a first-round selection as the pre-draft smokescreens took full affect. The Texans made the logical choice and named Ryan Fitzpatrick their starting quarterback last week. Nevertheless, it is enough to land Savage on the 3 Down list.
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