For the past couple of years, the Tennessee Titans haven't been much of a threat in the AFC South. While divisional matchups are always tough, the Indianapolis Colts have probably targeted other teams in the division since Mike Vrabel's departure.
Now, with Robert Saleh hiring Brian Daboll as his new offensive coordinator and a flurry of moves, that may no longer be the case. More than that, they have the No. 4 pick, and they could use it to get Cam Ward an elite weapon.
That's the case in Garrett Podel's latest mock draft. Following the first wave of free agency signings, he predicted for CBS Sports that the Titans would go with Notre Dame star RB Jeremiyah Love in the first round.
Having Jeremiyah Love in the division is bad news for the Indianapolis Colts
While Lou Anarumo's defense held opposing teams to just 101.9 rushing yards per game, the seventh-fewest in the league, Love is a playmaking tackle-breaker who scored 21 total touchdowns and logged nearly 1,700 yards from scrimmage last season.
The 2025 Heisman Trophy finalist boasts a rare combination of speed and power, and he can line up all over the offense. Daboll can use him like Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey in the offense to take plenty of pressure off Cam Ward's shoulders in his second year in the league.
Pro Football Focus (subscription required) gave Love a 93.1 PFF grade, the second-highest among 404 eligible players. His 39 explosive runs ranked 7th in all of college football, and he forced 64 missed tackles while averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Even if that efficiency is unsustainable in the pros, he's clearly a baller.
The Colts swept the season series against the Titans, outscoring them 79-34. They've now spent more than $230 million in free agency to revamp the defensive line while also adding a playmaking wideout in Wan'Dale Robinson.
The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars are also two potential playoff teams. Long gone are the days of the AFC South being looked down on, and while iron sharpens iron, going against three strong teams twice a year only puts even more pressure on GM Chris Ballard and HC Shane Steichen.
The Colts have been mostly quiet this offseason, and they won't even have a first-round pick because of the Sauce Gardner trade. Granted, they were 8-2 at one point and should still be a force to be reckoned with, but they must prove that the strong start to last season wasn't a fluke.
All teams with new coaching staffs and major roster overhauls require some adjustment period. That said, the new-look Titans are a legitimate threat, and getting the most versatile running back prospect we've seen in years will clearly make them a tough opponent to overlook from now on.