The Houston Texans surprised many by surging to an AFC South crown in 2023, and they had plenty of fantasy football stars helping lead the charge.
Who are the top fantasy options for each AFC South team this year? We take a closer look here. For a closer look at the top fantasy player for each NFL team, check out this link.
Who Is the Top Fantasy Player on Each AFC South Team?
Houston Texans: WR Nico Collins
Keeping the run, the Texans also have no shortage of offensive weapons. In fact, it’s fair to say any one of their top five guys is capable of being the most valuable fantasy asset on this team.
Nico Collins is the favorite, though. He’s the incumbent WR1, coming off a breakout season that saw him average 17.4 fantasy points per game.
By all accounts, it was completely legit. Collins is that good.
The concern for 2024 is he has to share targets with Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs. It’s possible they all cannibalize each other, allowing Joe Mixon or C.J. Stroud to end up being the Texans’ top fantasy player. Heading into the season, though, Collins is the No. 1 guy.
Indianapolis Colts: RB Jonathan Taylor
It’s been three years since Jonathan Taylor averaged 22.0 fantasy ppg and finished as the overall RB1. His last two seasons have been marred by injuries and awful quarterback play.
Even so, Taylor’s talent is undeniable. And as long as he can stay healthy, it would be a major surprise if he wasn’t the top fantasy player on the Colts.
With that said, QB Anthony Richardson has elite upside. If Richardson puts together a 2019 Lamar Jackson-type season, it will involve several rushing touchdowns, which will come at Taylor’s expense. Taylor is definitely the main guy for now, but there are ways in which Richardson takes the crown.
Jacksonville Jaguars: RB Travis Etienne Jr.
Last season, depending on when you drafted, Calvin Ridley may have gone ahead of Travis Etienne Jr. in fantasy drafts. That quickly proved to be an error, as Etienne clearly became the Jaguars’ top fantasy option.
Jacksonville wanted to include another back to ease Etienne’s workload; they just didn’t have one. As a result, he wound up being sixth in opportunity share and snap share. He averaged 16.6 fantasy points per game, finishing as the overall RB7.
This season, there’s at least a two-round gap between Etienne and the next Jaguars player off the board, Christian Kirk. It would be a major surprise if Etienne didn’t end the season as Jacksonville’s best fantasy option.
Tennessee Titans: WR DeAndre Hopkins
The Titans have four players with the potential to be the top fantasy option on this team. All of Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, the aforementioned Ridley, and DeAndre Hopkins typically go between Rounds 6-9. Fantasy managers want to take shots at them but aren’t really sure who will emerge.
I am planting my flag on old man Hopkins. Despite being 32 years old — an age where we often precipitously decline from once great talents — I think Hopkins is in store for a renaissance season. It may be his last hurrah before he falls off at age 33, but he has the skill set to really morph his game, similar to how Larry Fitzgerald did in his mid-30s.
Of course, this hinges on Hopkins’ ability to return successfully from his knee sprain. Nevertheless, the Titans’ offensive philosophy is set to shift this year, as they will no longer be a Derrick Henry-oriented running machine. With a pass-heavy approach, Hopkins and Ridley will have their opportunities. I simply believe Hopkins is the superior player.