No one saw the Atlanta Falcons winning the NFC South after the Carolina Panthers reached the Super Bowl the previous year. Will the Falcons repeat or suffer the same fate as the Panthers? How will the New Orleans Saints attack the draft and free agency? Will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers replace Doug Martin? Let’s look at each individual team in more depth.
NFC South Needs
Carolina Panthers
Top Free Agents: Andrew Norwell (OL), Charles Johnson (Edge), Ted Ginn (WR)
Carolina Panthers: S, CB, RB
How does a team go from playing in the Super Bowl to not making the playoffs and the worst record in the division? The answer is not as simple as it might seem. Many experts marked the defensive line as a huge difference in the Super Bowl run team and last season’s team. However, the Panthers had the 3rd most quarterback hurries last season with 122 (tied with Atlanta). A big difference in the Panther defense was the starting defensive backs.
2015 defensive backfield:
LCB: Josh Norman
RCB: Charles Tillman
SS: Roman Harper
FS: Tre Boston
2016 defensive backfield:
LCB: Daryl Worley (rookie)
RCB: James Bradberry (rookie)
SS: Kurt Coleman
FS: Tre Boston
The only consistent name above is Tre Boston. Not to mention, Charles “peanut” Tillman and Josh Norman were both pro bowlers. To game plan for two rookies to fill their shoes was an unrealistic expectation and it burnt them badly. Carolina gave up the 29th most passing yards last season (4,291). To cover up their secondary holes, the Panthers continue to invest in pass rushers as they offered a franchise tag to Kawann Short two days ago. The franchise tag for a defensive tackle is $13.5 MM. Look for the Panthers to re-sign both Andrew Norwell and Charles Johnson as well. Both have played well on solid units. The Panthers may also draft an additional pass rusher to assist Charles Johnson and Kawann Short. Names like Solomon Thomas and Taco Charlton are both possibilities for this franchise. If they choose to not draft and edge rusher, look for them to snag Malik Hooker or Marshon Lattimore. Both players would upgrade this weak secondary tremendously. The Carolina Panthers have $39.55 MM in cap space this offseason.
New Orleans Saints
Top Free Agents: Darryl Tapp (Edge), Jahri Evans (OL), Sterling Moore (CB)
New Orleans Saints: DL, LB, S
After three consecutive seasons of going 7-9, will the New Orleans Saints turn it around in 2017? Many fans hope they will as the Payton/Brees window decreases by the day. Brees (again) threw for the most yards in the NFL (5,208) and shows very little sign of slowing down anytime soon. Last season, the Saints drafted Michael Thomas. Only seven players caught more passes (92), eight players finished with more receiving yards (1,137), and five players finished with more touchdowns (9). He will become a household name for seasons to come. Mark my words.
Every year it seems the Saints have the same needs: DL, LB, and DB. This year, I do see them targeting an edge rusher early in the draft. Mainly, because the Saints finished 30th in quarterback hurries a season ago with 76 (tied with Tampa Bay). Names like Solomon Thomas and Taco Charlton would increase productivity immediately. However, if Jonathan Allen falls to the Saints with the 11th overall pick, they would not hesitate to draft him. Look for the Saints to make a splash or two in free agency as they have nearly $31 MM in cap space this offseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top Free Agents: Bradley McDougald (S), Jacquizz Rodgers (RB), Russell Shepard (WR), Joe Hawley (OL)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DL, RB, TE
After a disappointing 2016 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are eyeing a return to the top of the NFC South. The Buccaneers would be wise to re-sign Bradley McDouglad and Joe Hawley as both played significantly well this past season. The Buccaneers will likely draft a tight end with the 19th selection in the first round. The likely contestants are O.J. Howard and David Njoku with Howard being the favorite if both are available. However, the Buccaneers finished 30th in quarterback hurries a season ago (tied with New Orleans). They should look into adding pass rushers in the draft; if not the draft, then free agency. Additionally, they can add running back and wide receiver depth later in the draft since this is a loaded class at both positions. The absence of Doug Martin left an apparent void on this team as it did not have viable players to replace his production.
Jameis Winston has made it well known he wants DeSean Jackson in Tampa Bay. Could you imagine the wide receiving tandem of Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson? That would terrorize defensive backs.
Shouldn’t be a surprise Jameis Winston wants DeSean Jackson.
No QB threw further downfield than Winston in 2016 (10.0 avg air yds per att). pic.twitter.com/k40RKykGMy
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 23, 2017
Look for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be big players in free agency this offseason as they have the 3rd most cap space at over $78 MM.
Atlanta Falcons
Top Free Agents: Patrick DiMarco (FB), Jacob Tamme (TE), Dwight Freeney (Edge), Jonathan Babineaux (DT)
Atlanta Falcons: DL, Edge, FS
Who would have thought after finishing 8-8 a season ago (started 5-0) the Atlanta Falcons would play in Super Bowl 51? Not even Falcons fans would have believed you. Even though the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl, there is always room for improvement. Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff have made it well known they are on the hunt to revamp the defensive line this offseason.
Surprisingly enough, the Falcons had the 3rd most quarterback hurries a season ago (tied with Carolina). On draft night, names like Malik McDowell, Takkarist McKinley, Tim Williams, Charles Harris, and Caleb Brantley could all be possibilities. This defense, a season ago, took huge strides in playing better as a unit. Adding more talent, speed, and depth to this roster will tremendously help. Now that players such as Grady Jarrett, Vic Beasley Jr., Keanu Neal, Dion Jones, and DeVandre Campbell all have a season (or two) under their belt, it makes for a more improved, disciplined, and tough defense. The Falcons are likely to re-sign Patrick DiMarco, Dwight Freeney, and Taylor Gabriel. Freeny will continue to add production as well as mentoring the young defense. The DiMarco and Gabriel signings show the commitment to the cohesion this offense had last season. The Falcons may make a move or two in free agency, but do not expect much as they only have $27.8 MM in cap space this offseason.
All grades per Pro Football Focus.
