AFC South Free Agency: The Best Moves of the First Day

Free agency didn't get off to a roaring start in the AFC South as teams didn't do much to bulk up their rosters for 2012.

Indianapolis

- Re-signed WR Reggie Wayne

- Signed DE Cory Redding

- Traded for OT Winston Justice

Tennessee

- Re-signed S Jordan Babineux and LB Patrick Bailey 

- Wined and dined Peyton Manning

Houston

- No significant signings

Jacksonville

- Re-signed DT CJ Mosely, DE Jeremy Mincey, S Dwight Lowery, and LB Russell Allen

- Signed WR Laurent Robinson

- Signed QB Chad Henne

The best move by far was the Jaguars' signing of Robinson. After posting one of the worst seasons in football with Sam Bradford and the Rams in 2010, his move to Dallas corresponded with a breakout season. His raw numbers were impressive enough (858 yards, 11 TD in just four starts), but his advanced metrics were off the charts.

Robinson posted a catch rate of 68 percent, which is excellent, but also did it while averaging nearly 16 yards a reception. That level of consistency and explosion is rare. He also had the third highest receiving DVOA in football. All this production comes at a reasonable price tag of just over $6 million per year.

Robinson's contract is only slightly larger per year than Reggie Wayne's, despite being years younger and considerably more explosive. That's not to say it was a mistake for the Colts to re-sign the venerable wideout, but it does show what a bargain the Jaguars got.

Despite Blaine Gabbert's almost historic struggles in 2011, adding Robinson and Henne increases the upside for the Jaguars passing game. If Gabbert can't win and hold the starting job, Henne should be able to provide close to league average production. Robinson could be considerably more than that.

The new additions in Indianapolis were low-risk, low-reward moves. Redding had a strong year in Baltimore and was excited to play for new head coach Chuck Pagano. Redding provides the bulk at the end spot the Colts will need to implement Pagano's 3-4 hybrid defense.

Winston was acquired via a swap of sixth-round picks. The Colts traded back 17 spots in the sixth round to get the rights to the somewhat disappointing tackle from the Eagles.

For the draft equivalent of pocket lint (and the absorption of his contract), the Colts gained a potential starting lineman. If he doesn't work out, the Colts still get a sixth round pick, albeit a few spots later than they would have drafted.

Of course, these few and modest moves can still be dwarfed with one stroke of the pen by the Titans.