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NFL Scouting Combine

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Around the AFC South: Texans eye protection for C.J. Stroud, Jaguars' new leadership settles in, Titans talk No. 1 overall pick at 2025 NFL Combine 

Here's the news from the NFL Combine you need to know from the Colts' three AFC South opponents. 

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The 2025 NFL Combine is fully underway in Indianapolis, and earlier this week head coaches and general managers from all NFL teams spoke to the media about a variety of topics, including new coaching hires and goals for the offseason.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen spoke late Tuesday afternoon, outlining their plans for an "open competition" at the quarterback position and what they expect from new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

Here are the hot topics from the rest of the AFC South:

Texans, with new offensive coordinator, emphasizing better protection for C.J. Stroud

In the beginning of February, the Houston Texans announced the hiring of new offensive coordinator Nick Caley after parting ways with Bobby Slowik in January. Caley was previously with the Los Angeles Rams as their tight ends coach and then passing game coordinator in 2024. The Rams' successful passing game was one of the biggest things that stood out to the Texans as they searched for their new OC; quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Texans struggled to establish a consistent passing offense throughout the 2024 season.

The root of the Texans' problems was mainly the offensive line, as Stroud was sacked a total of 52 times in 17 games. Only Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked more.

"Getting better protection for C.J. is definitely a main point of emphasis for us," Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday. "We know when C.J. is protected, he has a clean pocket, he's a pretty good quarterback. I constantly show guys clips in our meeting after a game of plays when we protect well and we should have a good pocket, I'll show guys explosives, show outstanding throws that C.J. is able to make in the middle of the field, along the sideline. He's capable of making any throw on the football field, but it's just a matter of protecting him and giving him that comfort when he's in the pocket. When we do that, we can move the ball, we can make plays."

"C.J. is a good player," general manager Nick Caserio said Wednesday. "He has to continue to improve. There are things that he's going to work on in the offseason. C.J.'s done a lot of great things on a yearly basis. His first year, he did a lot of really good things last year as well. C.J.'s motivated this offseason to have a good offseason, prepare himself to try to be the best player he can be once the season starts."

With a new general manager and new head coach, Jaguars focusing on immediate improvement

The week of the 2025 NFL Combine also marks the first full week the Jacksonville Jaguars' full coaching staff will work together. The Jaguars have been hiring coaches and front office members for over a month now; head coach Liam Coen was hired Jan. 24, and general manager James Gladstone was hired on Feb. 21.

"We're all kind of connecting right now," Coen said. "We've taken our whole process, what we would be doing in Jacksonville right now, and taking that to Indy. We're doing some of the free-agent meetings, going through the draft, and then also obviously doing some scheme, some football and getting with the coaches."

The Jaguars are focusing on bonding from leadership on down, but that doesn't mean they aren't also trying to bolster their team – immediate improvement is still their goal.

"The talent that exists on this team is better than that record," Gladstone said, referring to the Jaguars' 4-13 record in 2024. "We're going to elevate the floor of the roster immediately," he said. "We look forward to injecting this ecosystem with some intangible elements that Liam and I both covet.

"That's rooted in things like mental and physical toughness, just elevating the floor of the roster and at the same time leaning into the guys that we have and knowing that we can put them in some good spots to really showcase their capacity and their attributes."

Gladstone emphasized looking specifically at improving the interior offensive line and making sure quarterback Trevor Lawrence feels more comfortable and confident with pass protection, through free agency and the draft.

Titans, with No. 1 overall pick, keeping options open and information close to the vest

There are a host of notable topics surrounding the Tennessee Titans, who have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Will they trade the pick away? Will they draft a quarterback? Who among the top prospects stands out to them?

Of course, neither general manager Mike Borgonzi nor head coach Brian Callahan gave any clear answers – and no one expected them to. Borgonzi said he's had phone calls about trading the pick, but will keep those conversations private. Here's what the Titans were clear about, though:

  • Callahan said he wants wide receiver Nick Westbrooke-Ikhine, who is set to become a free agent next month, to come back next year.
  • Borgonzi on the standout groups in this year's draft class: "I'd say obviously defensive line, specifically the edge players, it's a really deep draft. I would say running backs, it's a good draft. There's some good tight ends in that position group. I think it's a good draft overall, but there's certainly some positions that have more strength and a little bit more depth in the middle to later rounds as well."
  • Borgonzi on taking a quarterback with the first overall pick: at the end of the day, we have to make the best decision at this point for the Titans. And if we deem taking a quarterback is the most important thing right now, then we'll do that. But we have to go through this process here. So, this is like one touch point in the process. We've gone through the whole evaluation part. Now we're finally getting to sit down and meet with these guys and talk with them. We'll have pro days, we'll have 30 day visits. We have to go through the whole process, really, to make that decision."
  • Callahan had high praise for Colorado's Travis Hunter – and said he thinks Hunter could play on both sides of the ball in the NFL.

"We're going to find the best player for us, and whatever that looks like," Callahan explained. "There are a lot of scenarios out there, and there's really good players at the top of this draft I think, at a couple of different positions.

"So that's our job from now until the draft: What is the best thing for us as an organization? If that ends up being a quarterback, then I'll be thrilled about it. If that ends up being something else, I'll also be very excited about it."

Showcasing the next generation of talent from the top defensive line, linebacker and placekicker positions at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.

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