From Wan’Dale Robinson to Travis Etienne Jr., here are the best signings and biggest departures for every AFC South team after the first wave of NFL free agency.
Now that the first wave of free agency is relatively over, with the biggest available names having already signed once the NFL’s new league began last week, teams have a better understanding of what holes are left to fill before the 2026 NFL Draft in April.
The AFC South saw plenty of player movement to and from the division this cycle.
Last year’s last-place team, the Tennessee Titans have been the most active since firing Brian Callahan after a 1-5 start in 2025 and bringing in former New York Jets head coach and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to turn the team around.
The defending AFC South Champion Jacksonville Jaguars, on the other hand, have been relatively quiet so far, due largely in part to their limited salary cap space heading into the offseason.
Although the NFL teams will turn their collective attention to the draft, veteran names such as Jauan Jennings, Stefon Diggs, Joey Bosa, and Deebo Samuel have yet to sign with a new team.
Here is the best free-agent addition and biggest free-agent loss for each AFC South team.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Best addition: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
The Jaguars brought back two-important defensive pieces in re-signing cornerback Montaric Brown and linebacker Dennis Gardeck, but bolstered their young running back room with a three-year veteran in Rodriguez.
The former Washington Commander had a career year in 2025 with 500 yards on the ground and six rushing touchdowns.
Rodriguez, who will give Jacksonville a power back, signed a two-year deal that is worth up to $12 million.
Biggest loss: RB Travis Etienne Jr.
After rushing for more than 1,000 yards for the third time in four years in Jacksonville and finishing as a top-10 rusher last season, Etienne signed a four-year deal worth $52 million with the New Orleans Saints.
Although Etienne’s connection with quarterback and former college teammate Trevor Lawrence will be felt on the field, second-year running back Bhayshul Tuten appears poised to take over the RB1 role in Liam Cohen’s offense.
Indianapolis Colts
Best addition: DE Arden Key
Like Jacksonville, Indianapolis chose to “run it back” by re-signing quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce. With the offense largely remaining intact the Colts signed several defenders, most notably Key who has spent the past three seasons with the Titans.
The eight-year veteran had just four sacks and six tackles for loss, but did register 11 quarterback hits last season. For his career Key has 30.5 sacks. He signed a two-year deal with Indianapolis worth $20 million.
Biggest loss: DE Kwity Paye
Paye has spent his entire career as a Colt since being drafted out of Michigan in the first round in 2021. Paye had his lowest sack total since his rookie season with just four this season, but has 30.5 career sacks.
This offseason he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders agreeing to a three-year, $48 million contract.
Houston Texans
Best addition: S Reed Blankenship
A member of the Philadelphia Eagles who appeared in two Super Bowls and won one, Blankenship joins one of the NFL’s best defenses in the Texans.
In four seasons with the Eagles the Middle Tennessee State product has nine interceptions and 204 solo tackles. Blankenship signed with Houston for three years for $24.75 million.
Biggest loss: P Tommy Townsend
Since breaking into the league in 2020 with the Kansas City Chiefs, Townsend has been a special teams weapon helping the Texans’ vaunted defense win the battle for field position more often than not.
In two seasons in Houston he averaged 42.8 net yards per punt and had 69 punts downed inside the opponent’s 20.
The 2022 All-Pro signed with rival Tennessee for two years, worth up to $6 million.
Tennessee Titans
Best addition: WR Wan’Dale Robinson
Of the numerous free-agent signings by the Titans, none might not be more impactful than Robinson. Especially for second-year quarterback and 2025 No. 1 draft pick Cam Ward.
Despite standing just 5-foot-8, Robinson is coming off his best year in the NFL and has experience working with a young quarterback after playing with the New York Giants’ Jaxson Dart.
Last season Robinson had a career high in yards (1,014), yards per catch (11.0) and receiving touchdowns (4). The Titans and Robinson agreed to a four-year, $78 million contract.
Biggest loss: TE Chig Okonkwo
The long-time Titan who had never seen his team win more than seven games in a season since being drafted in 2022, left for the Washington Commanders after agreeing to a three-year, $30 million contract.
The former Maryland Terrapin had 56 catches for 560 yards and two touchdowns in the final year of his rookie deal in 2025.
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