One often under-reported part of the pre-draft news cycle is the top 30 visits. These visits will allow teams to work with players and explore if they would be a good fit. Before the NFL draft, each club has a limit of 30 invites to fly in out-of-town prospects for private interviews. Local college players don’t count against this number. Kenny Pickett, who played at the University of Pittsburgh, did not count against the 30 for the Steelers.
These visits are essential for dynasty fantasy football managers. It gives a glimpse of what positions each team hopes to acquire in the draft. This information is invaluable when looking ahead to older players who may be out of a job. We can get ahead of the news cycle and trade away players who may lose value. Today we will take a look at the AFC South.
I am using this article from CBS Sports to reference the visits. Not every team has used all 30, so it would be good to check back from time to time for an up-to-date list.
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars
- RB Hassan Haskins (Michigan)
- RB Tyrion Davis-Price (LSU)
- WR John Metchie III (Alabama)
- TE Trey McBride (Colorado State)
- OL Evan Neal (Alabama)
- OL Ikem Ekwonu (N.C. State)
- OL Tyler Smith (Tulsa)
- OL Rasheed Walker (Penn State)
- DL Travon Walker (Georgia)
- DL Zachary Carter (Florida)
- EDGE Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)
- LB Quay Walker (Georgia)
- CB Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU)
- S Percy Butler (Louisiana)
It is interesting to note how few WRs Jacksonville has brought in for a visit. Alabama’s John Metchie is the only one as of this publication. These invites may show confidence in the WR room they already have. This stance would be good news for Christian Kirk and Marvin Jones, who should be the opening week starters. Also of note is that Jacksonville has only brought in two RBs. Sixteen invites are still to go out, but if no other running back is added, this could be good news for the recovery timeline of Travis Ettienne. James Robinson may not be ready for week one, so we may see Etienne with a bell-cow role for the Jaguars. Trey McBride had a TE visit, and many consider him the top TE in the class. His landing in Jacksonville would all but spell the end of Dan Arnold as a fantasy asset as the team went out to sign Evan Engram this offseason.
In non-position player news, it is suitable for Trevor Lawrence to see so many offensive linemen brought in for visits. Current consensus mocks have them taking Hutchinson first overall, but that is far from a guarantee to happen, given that they have met with the top two tackles in the draft class. Jacksonville also holds the 33rd overall pick, which could have them grabbing some help along the offensive line. Any upgrades would be helpful for Trevor Lawrence as we hope to see a year two breakout from the former number one overall pick.
Houston Texans
- QB EJ Perry (Brown)
- WR Treylon Burks (Arkansas)
- OL Ikem Ekwonu (N.C. State)
- OL Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)
- DL Travon Walker (Georgia)
- EDGE Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)
- EDGE DeAngelo Malone (Western Kentucky)
- EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
- LB Brian Asamoah (Oklahoma)
- CB Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati)
- CB Alontae Taylor (Tennessee)
- CB Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU)
- CB Kaiir Elam (Florida)
So far, the Houston Texans have focused their visits on the defensive side of the roster. All but two have been for defensive players. This list is good news for current offensive assets like Davis Mills, Brandin Cooks, and Brevin Jordan. EJ Perry projects as a backup in the league and would most likely compete with Kyle Allen and Jeff Driskel for that role. If Treylon Burks were the selection at pick 13, he would slide in like a week one starter alongside Cooks and Nico Collins. Dynasty managers with current Texans should be feeling very good about this list.
As for non-skill position players, it is nice to see the Texans bringing in two top offensive line prospects for visits. Ikem Ekwonu is probably a name most football fans know, but Kenyon Green may be a new name. Green is one of the top interior offensive linemen in the draft. Industry experts say that Ekwonu might be better as a guard at the next level. Either way, an upgrade along the line would help Davis Mills and the rest of the offensive players on this team.
Indianapolis Colts
- QB Malik Willis (Liberty)
- QB Sam Howell (North Carolina)
- WR Samori Toure (Nebraska)
- WR Velus Jones Jr. (Tennessee)
- TE Greg Dulcich (UCLA)
- DL Eric Johnson (Missouri State)
- DL Esezi Otomewo (Minnesota)
- EDGE DeAngelo Malone (Western Kentucky)
- CB Christian Holmes (Oklahoma State)
- CB Cordale Flott (LSU)
- CB Tariq Woolen (UTSA)
Another offseason and another QB search for the Colts. They did trade for Matt Ryan last month; however, the search must already begin for his replacement. The 37-year-old is under contract for the next two seasons, but sometimes older QBs fall off quickly. The Colts are also under the dire circumstances of not having a first-round pick this year. That first-round pick was spent on Carson Wentz, who looks like he will start for the Washington Commanders this year. Things in Indianapolis are not great. This year, the Colts’ first pick is at 42, which could likely be where Sam Howell is available.
For other skill position players, the Colts have not had many visits. With only two picks in the top 120 picks, it will be hard for them to bring in any players of note. This draft capital is good news for Michael Pittmann Jr., who should keep his role as the WR1. We could see a great breakout year for Pittmann as Matt Ryan’s WR1 has averaged over 140 targets four out of the last six seasons.
Tennessee Titans
- QB Malik Willis (Liberty)
- WR Skyy Moore (Western Michigan)
- WR Treylon Burks (Arkansas)
- TE Daniel Bellinger (San Diego State)
- TE Jalen Wydermyer (Texas A&M)
- TE Trey McBride (Colorado State)
- OL Tyler Smith (Tulsa)
- OL AJ Arcuri (Michigan State)
- OL Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)
- OL Nicholas Petit-Frere (Ohio State)
- EDGE DeAngelo Malone (Western Kentucky)
- EDGE Jermaine Johnson II (Florida State)
- CB Alontae Taylor (Tennessee)
- CB Marcus Jones (Houston)
Malik Willis is an exciting name to sign on the Tennessee Titan’s visit list. The Titans don’t pick until the 26th in the first round. Could they be getting ready to trade up? They do have a potential out in the Ryan Tannehill next offseason. Perhaps they are considering trading up and letting Malik sit for a year by Tannehill. It would certainly make for an enjoyable opening night of the draft.
The more likely target at 26 would be one of the two WRs they have brought in for a visit, Sky Moore and Treylon Burks. AJ Brown and Robert Woods are the current starters, and Tennesse may be looking for a third option for that room. The Titans have also hosted several TEs for private visits. They signed former Brown Austin Hooper this offseason, but a younger addition may be in store come NFL Draft weekend.
Gathering this information ahead of time will leave us fewer surprises on the draft weekend. Just because a player lands on this list doesn’t mean that team will draft them given a chance. Some of these visits may not work out, and that player may be removed from a team’s board. Other teams may have questions on their evaluation process that they need to clarify. This list should be one of many tools dynasty managers use to improve their squads this offseason.
This week, check back as we drop more top 30 lists and their potential impact. We are less than two weeks away from the NFL draft! Using this information, you might be able to get out of that aging vet before it is too late. You can find me over on Twitter at @DanT_NFL. Please give me a follow for the latest in dynasty fantasy football news and analysis. Beer recommendations and dog pictures are always welcome!
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