HOUSTON TEXANS (11-6)
OPEN CAMP: July 25, Houston.
LAST YEAR: Used nine-game winning streak to dig out of early hole and become first team since 1998 to reach playoffs after 0-3 start before falling to Colts in wild-card round. Deshaun Watson returned from season-ending knee surgery in 2017 to start every game and give team confidence he will be franchise quarterback it has long searched for. DeAndre Hopkins continued to show he's one of league's elite receivers. Three-time Defensive Player of Year J.J. Watt shook off two years of injuries with All-Pro season to pair with 2014 top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney and lead defense.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: OTs Tytus Howard and Max Scharping, LT Matt Kalil, S Tashaun Gipson, CBs Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Bradley Roby and Lonnie Johnson, Jr., QB AJ McCarron, TE Kahale Warring.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: CB/S Kareem Jackson, S Tyrann Mathieu, TE Ryan Griffin, CB Kevin Johnson, WR Demaryius Thomas, S Andre Hal.
CAMP NEEDS: Texans need to see which linemen will be best combination to protect Watson after he was sacked NFL-high 62 times last season. Houston drafted Howard in first round and believe versatile player could start at several positions on line, but need to determine where he'll be most effective. Houston also needs to see if Kalil can be productive after sitting out since 2017 because of knee injury, and if RT Seantrel Henderson is back to form after breaking ankle in Week 1 last season. Texans will also need to evaluate depth at DE with Clowney expected to skip camp after not signing franchise tender and failing to get long-term deal, and see how new members of secondary fit together.
EXPECTATIONS: After bouncing back from 2017's 4-12 record to make playoffs for third time in four seasons, Texans expect to return to postseason again in 2019. To do that they must find way to better protect Watson so he can take another step forward in third season. Hopkins should help Watson lead offense after ranking third in NFL with career-high 1,572 yards receiving. On defense, healthy Watt should lead front which will also feature Clowney, who likely won't continue holdout into season. New members of secondary will need to shore up group that allowed 260 yards passing per game.
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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-7)
OPEN CAMP: July 24, Westfield, Indiana
LAST YEAR: Colts became one of league's top surprises in coach Frank Reich's first season. Andrew Luck proved right shoulder was healthy and revamped offensive line kept him upright. Defense took major leap under new coordinator Matt Eberflus. Indy improved regular-season win total by six, ended three-year playoff drought, reached divisional round after wild-card win at Houston, and produced first set of rookie All-Pro teammates (OG Quenton Nelson and LB Darius Leonard) since 1965.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: DE Justin Houston, WRs Devin Funchess and Parris Campbell, RB Spencer Ware, CB Rock Ya-Sin, senior offensive assistant coach Howard Mudd.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: OL Matt Slauson, OL coaches Dave DeGuglielmo and Bobby Johnson, S Mike Mitchell, LB Najee Goode, DT Al Woods, TE Ryan Hewitt, WRs Ryan Grant and Dontrelle Inman.
CAMP NEEDS: GM Chris Ballard wants to see upgrades. He signed Funchess and drafted Campbell to give Luck more downfield options. Indy believes second-year WRs Daurice Fountain and Deon Cain (coming off torn ACL) also fit into mix. Hiring of Chris Strausser as OL coach and Mudd's return should help young line's development. Houston was brought in to improve pass rush, and second-year defensive linemen Tyquan Lewis and Kemoko Turay could make bigger impact this season. Adding Ya-Sin and three LBs in draft may help back seven take big jump, too.
EXPECTATIONS: Luck missed all of offseason workouts (strained calf) but is expected to be healthy for start of camp. And with healthy Luck, Colts know anything is possible. They have one of best young lines in league, young defense that got better as season went on, and continuity with every starter back on offense, defense and special teams. Division title and deep playoff run could be within reach in 2019.
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TENNESSEE TITANS (9-7)
OPEN CAMP: July 25, Nashville, Tennessee
LAST YEAR: Coach Mike Vrabel just missed playoffs in debut season despite enough issues to distract any veteran head coach. They opened with longest game (in overall time) in NFL history, losing top pass catcher TE Delanie Walker to season-ending injury in process. Most experienced receiver Rishard Matthews was released at his demand, and DC Dean Pees was in hospital for loss in Indianapolis. QB Marcus Mariota also missed three starts, including season finale with playoff berth on line.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: LG Rodger Saffold, QB Ryan Tannehill, OLB Cameron Wake, WR Adam Humphries, DT Jeffery Simmons, WR A.J. Brown, G Nate Davis, DB Amani Hooker, LB D'Andre Walker, LB David Long, TE coach Todd Downing.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: OC Matt LaFleur, OLB Brian Orakpo, OLB Derrick Morgan, S Johnathan Cyprien, LG Quinton Spain, LG Josh Kline, QB Blaine Gabbert.
CAMP NEEDS: Both Mariota and his receivers must stay healthy to help first-time coordinator Arthur Smith prepare for season opener. Jack Conklin needs to practice and return to All-Pro status as rookie to keep his RT job or risk being replaced by Dennis Kelly. Keep Wake healthy and see who steps up behind veteran and OLB Harold Landry III to revive outside pass rush.
EXPECTATIONS: Titans have one playoff berth to show for team's first three-season winning streak since leaving Texas for Tennessee. GM Jon Robinson has surrounded Mariota with most talent he's had in NFL. Vrabel is pushing Titans to go from good to great and will need RB Derrick Henry to start how he finished 2018, along with Pees' already stingy defense getting even better.
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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (5-11)
OPEN CAMP: July 25, Jacksonville, Florida
LAST YEAR: One of league's most disappointing teams in 2018. Coming off berth in AFC championship game, Jaguars looked nothing like championship contender after 3-1 start. They routed New England in AFC title game rematch in September, but then lost every game (0-7) in October and November. Injuries were huge factor, especially on offense, as Jacksonville dropped nine of 10 and finished last in AFC South for second time in three years. QB Blake Bortles got much of blame and was sent packing after season.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: QB Nick Foles, WR Chris Conley, DE Josh Allen, TE Geoff Swaim, RT Jawaan Taylor, LB Jake Ryan, RB Alfred Blue.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: DT Malik Jackson, Ss Barry Church and Tashaun Gipson, LB Telvin Smith, RT Jermey Parnell, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, RB T.J. Yeldon.
CAMP NEEDS: Pay DE Yannick Ngakoue, who has 29 1/2 sacks and 10 forced fumbles in three seasons. Ngakoue skipped mandatory minicamp in June, hoping to gain leverage for revamped contract. Get WR Marqise Lee, LT Cam Robinson and Ryan healthy. All three coming off season-ending knee injuries. Build chemistry between Foles and young receiving corps that includes several question marks. Keep RB Leonard Fournette focused and on field. Find replacement for Smith, team's leading tackler last two seasons, and develop role for rookie DE Josh Allen. Smith plans to sit out 2019 to "get my world in order." Allen, seventh overall pick in draft, missed most of OTAs following bruised right knee.
EXPECTATIONS: Jaguars believe offense will be considerably better with Foles and several starters returning from injury. Bigger concern is whether defense can avoid drop-off after losing Jackson, Gipson and Smith.
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