Perhaps no division in the NFL has as many questions surrounding their first-round moves in the 2019 NFL Draft than the AFC South. The Houston Texans were ridiculed for selecting Alabama State offensive tackle Tytus Howard 23rd overall. Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard traded out of the first round to acquire two second-round picks. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, they lucked out with the slide of Kentucky’s Josh Allen to them at seven. Even luckier? The Tennessee Titans having Jeffery Simmons, a top-five talent, fall to them at 19 due to his torn ACL during pre-draft training.

With Josh Allen being the only first-round pick from the AFC South likely to make an impact in their first year in the NFL, fans should turn their attention to the following rookies.

Houston Texans TE Kahale Warring

Ever since Bill O’Brien took over as the Texans head coach in 2014, they’ve struggled to get consistent production out of the tight end position. O’Brien is a Bill Belichick disciple and spent 2007-2011 as part of the Patriots’ offensive coaching staff.

In his lone season as the Patriots offensive coordinator (2011), tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez both set career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. The tight end duo combined to make 169 receptions for 2,237 yards and 24 touchdowns. It’s safe to say O’Brien values tight ends in his offense.

Last season rookies Jordan Thomas and Jordan Akins combined to start all 16 games at tight end for Houston and put up 37 receptions for 440 yards and four TDs, but neither proved to be a consistent threat. Both Thomas and Akins are better suited for the H-back/slot role Hernandez played in New England, but they need their Gronkowski. Enter Kahale Warring.

With the 86th pick in the third-round, the Texans took San Diego State TE Kahale Warring. Unlike Thomas and Akins, Warring spent a lot of time playing the in-line TE role in college. He was asked to do a ton of run blocking in the San Diego State power run scheme and it paid off. Warring was one of the best run blockers at TE in the 2019 NFL Draft and that should translate to immediate playing time. Although blocking will get him on the field, his pass-catching ability will keep him there and give Deshaun Watson yet another weapon.

At 6-foot-5, 252 pounds Warring has all the size you could want in a red zone threat. His ability to go up and win contested catches will be huge for the Texans offense in the middle of the field.

For the Aztecs, Warring consistently won downfield by using his frame and catch radius to box out defenders. He was at his best on seam routes and corners but can do damage after the catch on underneath routes when asked to.

Having Warring play the Gronkowski role and either Thomas or Akins in the Hernandez role is likely what O’Brien wants to see from his young tight end group going forward.

Honorable Mention: Charles Omenihu, DL