Jacksonville Jaguars

5 players for AFC South fans to watch in 'New Year's Six' bowl games

Published Dec. 31, 2015 10:52 a.m. ET

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As the regular season comes to a close on Sunday, it's time for those teams who won't be making the postseason to turn their attention toward next season. 

That means it's time to start thinking about the 2016 NFL Draft. While April is still a long way off, the college bowl season offers an early chance to evaluate prospects before the pre-draft process begins in earnest.

While free agency will change the makeup of rosters considerably, here are a few needs for each team in the division at the moment.

Texans: QB, RB, OL

Colts: OL, DL,CB

Jaguars: LB/DE, S, CB

Titans: OL, CB, WR

With Thursday and Friday's games loaded with draft prospects for the "New Year's Six" bowl games, these five players will among those to watch for AFC South fans.

Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama: Cotton Bowl

Henry won the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner and was a consensus All-American, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Water Camp Player of the Year, Doak Walker and Maxwell Award winner in 2015. He rushed for 1,986 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns in this season and played in every game in his three-year career at Alabama. He has all the makings of an excellent lead running back in the NFL.

Teams interested: Texans, Colts,Titans

Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson: Orange Bowl

Lawson, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and AP All-American racked up 79 tackles, 21 TFLs and 7.5 sacks and is sure to be one of the first defensive ends taken off the board in the 2016 draft. The 6-3, 270-pounder ended the year as a Lombardi Award and Nagurski Award finalist and commands attention on every single snap.

Teams interested: Jaguars, Colts,

Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State:  Cotton Bowl

A three-year starter for the Spartans, Calhoun had 14.5 tackles for loss, including 10.5 sacks this season and has 27 sacks for his career. The defensive end is a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and team leader. He relies primarily on speed rush but is solid against the run as well.

Teams interested: Jaguars, Colts

Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State: Peach Bowl

Arguably the best athlete in the ACC, the 6-foot-1, 202-pound Ramsey was named a consensus All-American and ranked third in the ACC Defensive Player of the Year voting. From corner to safety, Ramsey can do it all and is a star on special teams. He figures to be a early first-round pick come April.

Teams interested: Jaguars, Titans, Colts, Texans

Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss: Sugar Bowl

Likely the top WR on many draft boards, the 6-foot-2, 210-pounds Treadwell boasts the size and productivity teams covet. He ranks second in Ole Miss history with 196 career catches, fourth with 2,322 receiving yards, fourth with 18 touchdown receptions and is tied for second with nine career 100-yard receiving games. He's also the SEC's active leader in career receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches. He broke his leg nine games into the 2014 season and was forced to miss the remainder of the year, but came back in 2015 with no issues.

Teams interested: Titans, Texans, Colts

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