AFC South.(NFL Free Agents Preview)

HOUSTON TEXANS

MOVING ON: Only three starters are free agents--NT Seth Payne, WR Corey Bradford and FB Moran Norris--and Payne's hamstring injury in the season finale could hurt his marketability, so the Texans likely will re-sign him. Bradford is a burner who has split No. 2 receiver duties with Jabar Gaffney the past two seasons. The Texans would like to have him back, perhaps as a No. 3 receiver, if the price is right, but they are looking to upgrade the position. Norris is unheralded but is becoming one of the NFL's best lead blockers. But the team has a lot of formations that don't include a fullback, and it likes Norris' backup, Jarred Baxter, who also is an above-average blocker. So Norris could sign elsewhere. ACTION PLAN: In keeping with its strategy of previous years, the team will not be a major player in the free-agent market. The biggest items on the to-do list are improving the pass protection and adding a pass-rushing outside linebacker. But the team plans to find solutions within the organization or fill those needs in the draft. The Texans also need a receiver to take pressure off WR Andre Johnson. The talent pool is deep in this year's draft, and there also are attractive free-agent options. Raiders WR Jerry Porter is a proven deep threat with top speed. He would be a perfect fit in the Texans' vertical scheme. The Steelers' Plaxico Burress would make sense, as would Kevin Johnson, who is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Ravens. Coordinator Chris Palmer drafted Johnson in 1999, when Palmer was the Browns' head coach.--Carlton Thompson

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

MOVING ON: Historically, the team has made retaining its own players a priority over dipping into the free-agent market. But 13 players are eligible to be free agents, so the team figures to lose more than it re-signs. The most likely prominent departures are LG Rick DeMulling, MLB Rob Morris, FS Idrees Bashir, CB Nick Harper and perhaps backup RB Dominic Rhodes. DeMulling might be too expensive to re-sign. Morris no longer is reliable. FS Bob Sanders is ready to start and could replace Bashir. Harper's departure would leave the cornerback position in the hands of Donald Strickland, Jason David, Von Hutchins and Joseph Jefferson. A veteran presence would be required. If RB Edgerrin James returns, Rhodes likely will want to see whether he can land a starting job elsewhere. ACTION PLAN: The first step for the Colts will be to re-sign their own players. The first domino to fall must be James, who likely will get the franchise tag. Next is RT Ryan Diem. The team needs to use the free-agent market to fill a few defensive holes. Morris' departure probably will require the team to bring in a free agent--the Eagles' Jeremiah Trotter would be a nice addition--or a draft pick. Regardless of Morris' fate, the team needs a big-time playmaker at linebacker. Also, the team needs to find a No. 1 corner. Strickland, David, Hutchins and Jefferson have potential, but none has shown he can be a top-flight corner. Bringing in a true No. 1 at the position would give the others more time to develop. The defense continued to struggle against the run last season and could use a tackle with size.--Mike Chappell

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

MOVING ON: The team figures to suffer few, if any, significant losses in the free-agent market unless SS Donovin Darius is allowed to walk. But even losing Darius wouldn't be a huge setback because Deke Cooper is ready to step in. RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, OT Bob Whitfield and DE Jason Gildon also likely will return only if they are willing to accept minimum salaries. Fuamatu-Ma'afala is a ...