AFC South Free Agency Capsules
Capsules of AFC South teams heading into free agency. Available salary cap space is an estimate. The 2016 salary cap is $155.27 million per team.
HOUSTON TEXANS (9-8)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: P Shane Lechler, G Brandon Brooks, C Ben Jones, DE Jared Crick, RT Chris Clark, RB Chris Polk, WR Nate Washington, SS Quintin Demps, K Nick Novak, QB T.J. Yates and QB Brandon Weeden.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: CB A.J. Bouye, ILB Justin Tuggle, RB Jonathan Grimes, CB Darryl Morris, FS Eddie Pleasant, OLB John Simon.
NEEDS: Brian Hoyer's turnover-filled performance in Houston's wild-card loss to Kansas City clearly illustrated the team's need for an upgrade at quarterback. Houston could also use a running back with the Texans likely to cut ties with the now overpriced and aging Arian Foster, who missed a big chunk of last season with groin and Achilles tendon injuries.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE: $41 million.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-8)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: S Colt Anderson, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, TE Coby Fleener, LB Jerrell Freeman, QB Matt Hasselbeck, OG Lance Louis, S Dwight Lowery, CB Greg Toler, QB Charlie Whitehurst, DE Billy Winn.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: S Akeem Davis (exclusive rights), TE Jack Doyle, RB Dan Herron.
NEEDS: General manager Ryan Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano now appear to be on the same page. Both want pass rushers and both want better protection for Andrew Luck. Expect Colts to re-sign as many players as possible - starting with Allen, who got a new deal Monday, and Vinatieri, who got his Tuesday. They're also trying to reach an extension with Luck. Then watch the Colts try to find offensive line help and pass rushers. And if they need more cap room, veterans WR Andre Johnson and LB Trent Cole could be out.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE: $29 million.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (5-11)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: TE Marcedes Lewis, C/G Stefen Wisniewski, DE Andre Branch, TE Clay Harbor, P Bryan Anger, OT Sam Young, RB Bernard Pierce.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DT Abry Jones, DE Ryan Davis, TE Nic Jacobs.
NEEDS: Jaguars are looking to spend big in free agency for second consecutive year. Much of that money could go toward defensive help, and they agreed to a deal with Denver DT Malik Jackson. They also have released veteran end Chris Clemons and have no plans to re-sign Andre Branch, so they need pass-rush help as well as depth at linebacker and in secondary.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE: $83 million.
TENNESSEE TITANS (3-13)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Zach Brown, DT Mike Martin, DB Coty Sensabaugh, RT Byron Bell, DT Sammie Hill, OT Jamon Meredith, DL Al Woods, OL Joe Looney, LB Steven Johnson, TE Dorin Dickerson, CB Brandon Harris.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
NEEDS: Titans need to add experience to very young offensive line that gave up most sacks in NFL last season if they want to protect quarterback Marcus Mariota, who missed four games because of sprained knees as rookie. They need help at wide receiver, but fixed RB issues by agreeing to trade for Philadelphia's DeMarco Murray. Secondary is other big need on defense that ranked seventh against pass but managed only 11 interceptions. Veteran S Michael Griffin was released Feb. 9, saving $6.5 million in cap space. They also can use another inside linebacker.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE: $47 million
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