The AFC South features four young and talented quarterbacks.
The Jaguars just handed Trevor Lawrence a five-year, $275 million extension. The Texans hope that reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud will pick up right where he left off. Colts' Anthony Richardson flashed his upside before suffering a season-ending injury, and Titans' Will Levis showed off his massive arm as a rookie.
However, Jaguars safety Andre Cisco believes another position group is why the division got tougher this offseason.
"The biggest difference I see is the quality of receivers in the division," Cisco said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I think the receivers have taken a huge jump from what the past two years have been in the division."
Cisco is right. Every team seems to have improved its wide receiver room.
Jacksonville added Gabe Davis in free agency and drafted Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round to accompany Christian Kirk. Houston traded for Stefon Diggs, creating a trio with Nico Collins and Tank Dell. Indianapolis selected Adonai Mitchell in the second round to pair with Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, and Tennessee signed Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to play alongside DeAndre Hopkins.
It makes sense why every team has invested so much in wide receivers. The position's large jump in pay this offseason proves its importance.
This isn't to say that quarterback is no longer the most important position. Still, Cisco thinks the increase in the number of talented quarterbacks in the league has made their surrounding casts nearly as important.
"I think quarterbacks in the NFL, you're not really gonna play too many duds," Cisco added. "So, for me, it's kind of a regular day in the office in regards to who we're playing. But the receivers could definitely make a big difference."
Of course, it also helps that three of the four teams in the AFC South are playing with quarterbacks on rookie contracts, allowing them to spend their money elsewhere.
