One Bold Prediction for Each AFC Team Entering 2022

Indianapolis Colts

Nyheim Hines Leads the Team in Receptions

There’s a chance that you don’t know much about Nyheim Hines, so let me fill you in a bit. Hines was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s played sparingly over the course of his four seasons in the league, serving primarily as a backup and change-of-pace back in the passing game. While Hines has never reached the 100-carry mark, he’s reached at least 40 receptions in every season. Matt Ryan is the new sheriff in town, and he has never been shy to use the check down option. To help support this point, all reports out of training camp say that Hines will see time in the slot, as well as the backfield. He’s a threat to make a play any time the ball is in his hands, and I expect that to be often in 2022.

Tennessee Titans

Kristian Fulton Starts All 17 Games & Earns Pro Bowl Honors

Kristian Fulton has taken a little while to get going, but once he regained full health, he began showing a glimpse into the future in 2021. Fulton hounded opposing receivers, sticking to them like glue and recording an incredible 14 passes defended in 13 games. Now, he enters his third season in the NFL with success under his belt and an entire year of development on his side. The Tennessee Titans fought through injuries all last season and still found themselves at the No. 1 seed when the dust settled. In order to repeat that result, the Titans must get better luck on the injury front. Fulton will serve as the star of the cornerback room, and will land on the AFC Pro Bowl roster.

Houston Texans

Dameon Pierce Records 1000 All-Purpose Yards & 10 Touchdowns

All respect to Davis Mills and Brandin Cooks, but in order for the team to find success, they’ll need contributions from the running back position. Enter rookie Dameon Pierce. Pierce never saw a bellcow type of role in college, but every time he was on the field, something electric happened. The former Florida Gator has superb vision between the tackles, isn’t afraid to get nasty as a blocker, and can make defenders miss on the outside in the passing game. Pierce must compete with veterans Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead for snaps early on, but this will be Pierce’s backfield no later than mid-season. Once he takes over the top spot on the depth chart, Pierce will put up numbers that win fantasy football matchups everywhere. The Texans got themselves a star-in-the-making.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Doug Pederson Helps the Team Double Their Win Total From 2021

The Jaguars have won four combined games over the past two seasons, coming away with one win in 2020 and three in the disastrous 2021 campaign. These losses led to the team selecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence and pass rusher Travon Walker at No. 1 overall in the last two drafts. Now, Doug Pederson has been tabbed to develop a roster full of up-and-coming talent, similar to what he was able to do in Philadelphia. Trevor Lawrence had one of the most tumultuous rookie seasons in recent memory for a quarterback, but 2022 should flip the script entirely. The pass catching acquisitions aren’t inspiring on their own, but looking at the group together, there’s plenty to work with for the second-year signal-caller out of Clemson. Pederson will double their three wins from last season, with the Jaguars winning six football games and being competitive in many of their losses. The tides are changing in Duval.