Don't Doze: AFC South

By: Josh Frey-Sam

The first wave of rookies report for training camp later this week. Hallelujah.

And unlike Conor McGregor, these kids are in it for the long haul. I’m sorry, that was a low blow.

Let’s keep it going with our Don’t Doze series and look at four sleepers in the AFC South today.

Indianapolis Colts: Josh Downs, WR

The Colts will be led by Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Warren and, when he’s fully healthy, the newly paid Alec Pierce.

But there is early-season and potentially season-long value in Downs. There’s a lot of talk about Downs finally seeing an increased role in the Colts offence this season. He’s a terrific route-runner with excellent separating ability, but has yet to really be given a chance to showcase his bag.

That chance could come early on if Pierce begins the season on the PUP. In that scenario, Downs becomes the clear No. 2 target in the passing game and the No. 1 WR.

I think there’s also something to what Downs does best and how that could complement some of the restrictions that Daniel Jones will have while returning from a torn Achilles.

Downs’ best routes are in the quick game — screens, curls, slants, flats — and I wonder how much Shane Steichen will lean on that with Jones unable to really extend plays. That’s just a theory, but I think there’s something to that, and also another reason why I’m so high on Warren this year.

Back to Downs — he projects as a terrific late-round target. He’s going in the 11th round right now, though I expect that to jump a bit if/when Pierce is placed on the PUP.

Tennessee Titans: Wan’Dale Robinson, WR

I’m not going to try dressing up Robinson as something he’s not, which is anything more than a WR2.

However, depending on your roster build, there is value to acquiring someone who projects to have a high floor.

Robinson is coming off consecutive seasons of 140+ targets and 90+ catches in an offence called by Brian Daboll. Now he joins a Titans offence that will be called by — wait for it — Brian Daboll.

Robinson likely won’t see the same type of usage this season, but there’s a reason Daboll wanted to reunite with him in Nashville: he can be one of the most trusted targets of Cam Ward, who is seeking a Year 2 jump.

What is capping Robinson’s upside is that the Titans drafted Carnell Tate with the fourth-overall pick this season, and it would be foolish if Daboll didn’t do everything in his power to get Tate the ball.

Having said that, Robinson will be a dependable target out of the slot. And there’s already proof that he’s going to be very involved, as he was reportedly Ward’s favourite target during mini-camp and OTAs.

Robinson feels rather safe this season, which isn’t something you can say about all ninth-round picks.

Houston Texans: Jayden Higgins, WR

Jayden Higgins was my favourite WR in last year’s class. He’s a big 6-4 body who moves like he’s 6-1.

Higgins was on the field for about 58 per cent of Houston’s offensive snaps last season, but that number figures to increase in Year 2 with the departure of Christian Kirk, and hopefully his opportunity will too.

His rookie numbers — 41/525/6 — didn’t pop off the page, but that was also a byproduct of CJ Stroud’s bad play, which was worsened by some poor offensive line play.

While it remains to be seen how much the Texans offence, called by Nick Caley, will put the ball in Stroud’s hands (they might be more keen to lean on their defence and run the ball), Higgins could be a big beneficiary of a bounce-back season from Stroud.

Keep in mind, this was an early second-round pick who was brought in to complement Nico Collins. I’d be shocked if Caley didn’t want to try featuring him more.

Higgins is nearly going undrafted right now in the 12th round, so a late dart throw on him could pay big dividens as a WR4/5 on your roster.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Brenton Strange, TE

Frankly, there’s a lot of mouths to feed in the Jags’ offence, but it was tough to ignore how consistent Strange’s role was in a mini-breakout season in 2025.

He reached double-digits in full-PPR scoring six times, including four times in the second half of the season, while averaging over 11 yards per catch.

He only played in 12 games, but when he was healthy, his involvement was rather consistent, as he drew at least five targets in eight of those games.

Strange recently signed a three-year extension, further solidifying his role in Liam Coen’s offence.

While his upside might be limited in this offence, it doesn’t take much to qualify as a TE1, and Strange certainly does. He’s not a big yards-after-the-catch guy, but if he’s seeing consistent looks, he can absolutely slot in as a reliable option— especially in full-PPR leagues.

Going in the 11th round currently, he’s one of several TE options late in drafts who could far exceed their ADP and be a serviceable every-week starter in lineups.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh