The AFC South is a talented division across the board, but features a bevvy of talent on the defensive side. Four AFC South players earned some form of All-Pro honors last fall, and that doesn't include an injured star who was out most of the season.
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Last year both the Houston Texans (No. 1 in total defense) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 6 in total defense) ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed, and all four teams allowed 25.0 points or fewer per game, led by Houston, who allowed 20.5 per game.
That work is accomplished with talented players, so here's a look at the 10 best defensive players in the AFC South.
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10. Johnathan Cyprien, S — Tennessee
The Tennessee Titans weakness last year was pass defense — they were third-worst in the league allowing 269.2 per game through the air. They went out and stole Cyprien from the Jaguars in free agency to bolster their secondary.
Cyrprien gives the Titans a high-volume tackler — he's had at least 104 tackles in each of his four seasons in the NFL. He will pair nicely with fellow free agent defensive back Logan Ryan to give the Titans a backfield boost.
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9. Jalen Ramsey, CB — Jacksonville
The youngest player on the list, Ramsey impressed in his first year on the field for the Jaguars. The 5th overall pick in 2016 totaled 65 tackles, 14 passes defended, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a defensive score.
He'll need to step up this year as the Jaguars saw 2017 free agency claim the aforementioned Cyprien and cornerback Davon House –both starters from last fall — as well as backup corner Prince Amukamara.
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8. Calais Campbell, DT — Jacksonville
A second team All-Pro for the Arizona Cardinals last fall, Campbell signed a 4-year, $60 million contract with Jacksonville this offseason, and is expected to play a key role for the Jaguars.
Campbell had 53 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 6 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, a safety and an interception last season.
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7. Benardrick McKinney, LB — Houston
Another second team All-Pro last year, McKinney had a breakout yer in his second season as a pro. He totaled 129 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 2 passes defended and a forced fumble — he was the only player in the NFL with over 100 tackles and 5 sacks.
Playing alongside such a talented defenseive front seven, expectations are high for a repeat performance.
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6. Vontae Davis, CB — Indianapolis
Heading into his eighth year in the league, Davis gives the Colts a veteran presence in a defensive backfield that hits the 2017 season with a couple of young faces.
He's also a hel of a player. The two-time Pro Bowler has 12 interceptions in his four seasons with Indy, and had 48 tackles and 16 passes defended last season.
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5. Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB — Houston
Another Houston defender to have a solid 2016 campaign, Mercilus put together a strong season after a breakout performance in 2015 that saw him record 12 sacks though he started just 10 games. He started all 16 this past fall, recording a career-high 53 tackles and adding 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass defended.
He'll continue to get plenty of opportunity this fall when Houston returns to full strength in the defensive front seven.
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4. A.J. Bouye, CB — Jacksonville
Bouye played in 15 games last fall for the Texans, making 11 starts — more than in his first three seasons combined. He had a true breakout campaing, totaling 63 tackles, 16 passes defended, an interception and a sack.
He was rewarded for his efforts with a free agent contract in Jacksonville as he moves across the division from Houston. He'll pair with Jalen Ramsey to help solidify the Jaguars defensive backfield.
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3. Jadeveon Clowney, DE — Houston
The Houston Texans had one of the best defenses in 2016 despite losing J.J. Watt for the final 13 games of the season. That was largely thanks to the play of Jadeveon Clowney. The former first overall pick played in 14 games, starting all 14, and totaled 52 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 passes defended and a forced fumble.
He was a first team All-Pro according to the Pro Football Writers Association and Sporting News, adnd a second teamer according to the Associated Press. With J.J. Watt back this year he should be an even bigger force for the Texans defense.
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2. Jurrell Casey, DT — Tennessee
Arguably one of the most underrated defenders in the AFC South, and potentially the entire NFL, Casey is a beast. His numbers don't always show it, but his impact has always been felt.
He totaled 44 tackles, 5 sacks and 5 passes defended last fall, and has 33 career sacks in six years for the Titans. He's only missed two games in that span, and has been a Pro Bowler each of the past two seasons.
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1. J.J. Watt, DE — Houston
Yeah, J.J. Watt was hurt last year. But he's going to be No. 1 on my list of AFC defenders (and NFL defenders) until I have visual evidence that he's not the same soul-stealing quarterback's nightmare we've seen so far in his career..
Watt is the single most impactful player in all of the NFL on the defensive side of the ball. The three-time defensive player of the year and four-time first-team All-Pro can do it all from any position on the defensive line.
Watt may never be at the same level he was during the four-year stretch from 2012-2015 when he totaled 69 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, two defensive touchdowns, 41 passes defended and three blocked kicks. (Oh, and three receptions for three touchdowns).
