Coming into the season as the two-time defending AFC South champions, many respectable football minds had the team in contention for a three-peat. Instead, they're off to a 1-5 start and in search of a new head coach and general manager following the firing of Bill O’Brien—positions labeled as one of the most intriguing early openings for some executives across the league.

Following the acquisition of left tackle Laremy Tunsil last season, the team is without a first- or second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Still, the team is scheduled to have eight draft picks. With weaknesses at edge rusher, interior offensive line, wide receiver, and in the secondary, their sights are set on how quickly a new regime can improve the roster. There are lots of prospects that the team could be keeping an eye on during Week 8 of the college football season.

Deonte Brown, Guard, Alabama

Size: 6-foot-4, 350, Redshirt Senior

Game: at Tennessee (3:30 ET, CBS)

Off to a great start this season, the Crimson Tide interior blocker has paved the way for one of the most explosive offenses in the country. While quarterback Mac Jones and running back Najee Harris receive lots of notoriety from the national media, Brown has been a catalyst for keeping both players upright. In 2019, Brown struggled with some weight issues as he also suffered a six-game suspension for undisclosed reasons. Since that point, he has been a much more mature and improved player. With his weight under control and claiming the right guard spot, he has set himself up to become a top-100 draft selection. A mauler in the running game, he’s at his best when allowed to operate in short areas, but it’s his physicality and willingness to finish that are the essential points on his resume.

Tylan Wallace, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Size: 6-foot-0, 200, Senior

Game: vs. No. 17 Iowa State (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX)

In Mike Gundy’s Air Raid offense, Wallace has managed to put up historical numbers. As the team’s go-to option on the perimeter, he has managed to collect 320 yards and two touchdowns on 19 catches in three games. He's not off to as fast of a start as in years past, but his second-half performance against Tulsa during the Cowboys' season opener shows how dependable that offense is upon his talents. Coming off of a torn ACL that limited him to nine games a season ago, scouts wanted to see how he would return from that injury. Early on, there doesn’t appear to be any types of ailments that are hampering him and he’s as explosive as his previous self. Wallace would be a different type of receiver to add to the team’s corps as Houston has a lot of wideouts that possess a similar skill set.

Jaelan Phillips, Edge Rusher, Miami

Size: 6-foot-5, 255, Redshirt Junior

Game: vs. Virginia (8:00 p.m. ET, ACC Network)

After being the top-ranked high school recruit during the 2017 cycle, it has been a winding journey for Phillips. Starting his career at UCLA, he wound up transferring to Miami where he has flourished during his first full season of game action. A long frame combined with plenty of explosiveness, he has lots of intrigue surrounding his future moving forward. Not nearly the sum of his parts, but he’s still learning the finer details of the position and some of the nuances that are behind it as well. Phillips already has plenty of splash plays on his resume, but it’s the consistency with those moves where he needs to improve the most.

Rodarius Williams, Cornerback, Oklahoma State

Size: 6-foot-0, 195, Redshirt Senior

Game: vs. No. 17 Iowa State (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX)

Coming into the season, Williams was labeled as a late-round prospect. During his final year in Stillwater, there may not be a defender in the country who’s helped himself more thus far. The Cowboys corner has quietly put together a dominant season as he’s only allowed one completion (nine targets) for 14 yards. That type of dominance hasn’t been seen by any other defensive back throughout the country and Williams has certainly improved his draft stock over the first half of the season. With lots of question marks with the Texans' corners moving forward, Williams would be a welcomed addition.

Divine Deablo, Safety, Virginia Tech

Size: 6-foot-3, 212, Redshirt Senior

Game: vs. Wake Forest (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3)

Deablo is a tall and lanky safety on the back end for the Hokies. His combination of range, physicality and upside are what makes him a late-round target to keep an eye on. With continued improvement and a bit more flash plays, he could put himself in contention to be a Day 2 target—but the amount of positive plays made come and go way too often. Despite that, Deablo's size and natural traits will create plenty of interest among scouts after the conclusion of his final season with the Hokies.