NFL: NFC South Divisional Preview

On to the NFC South, literally wide open.

NFC South Preview

Atlanta Falcons (8.5 Wins, +200 NFC South, +2200 NFC, +5000 SB)

Additions:

• Trade: TE Jonnu Smith from NE, CB Jeff Okudah from DET
• Free Agents: S Jessie Bates, QB Taylor Heinicke, DT David Onyemata, LB Kaden Elliss, WR Mack Hollins, CB Mike Hughes, DE Calais Campbell, LB Bud Dupree, WR Scottie Miller, DT David Onyemata
• Draft Class: RB Bijan Robison (1st), OG Matthew Bergeron (2nd), DE Zach Harrison (3rd), CB Clark Phillips (4th), S DeMarcco Hellams (7th), C Jovaugh Gwyn (7th)

Departures: QB Marcus Mariota (Eagles), LB Rashaan Evans (FA), WR Olamide Zaccheaus (Eagles), CB Casey Hayward (FA), OT Germain Ifedi (Lions)

Coaching/Scheme: HC Arthur Smith is trying to build on a surprising Year 1 with OC Dave Ragone continuing with the Offense but with 2nd Year QB Desmond Ridder under center. The Defense now has former Saints’ DC, Ryan Nielsen trying improve that struggling unit. A lot of vets in to help get the pass rush up.

Outlook: The Falcons are the hottest girl in the bar full of 7s. They have youth on their side, and Arthur Smith’s system has a lot of pros. If the D can hold up and the addition of RB Bijan Robinson should make this team on the path of the Jets in 2022. Exciting and on the verge, but the NFC South is so bad, that they will win the division.

Prediction: 10-7, 1st NFC South, 4 Seed NFC

New Orleans Saints (9.5 Wins, +125 NFC South, +1300 NFC, +3300 SB)

Additions:

• Free Agents: QB Derek Carr, RB Jamaal Williams, DE Nathan Shepherd, LB Ty Summers, DT Khalen Saunders, CB Lonnie Johnson, OT Storm Norton, S Johnathan Abram, TE Foster Moreau
• Draft Class: DT Bryan Bresee (1st), DE Isaiah Foskey (2nd), RB Kendre Miller (3rd), OG Nick Saldiveri (4th), S Jordan Howden (5th), WR A.T. Perry (6th)

Departures: LB Marcus Davenport (Vikings), WR Jarvis Landry (FA), LB Kaden Elliss (Falcons), RB Mark Ingram (Retired), QB Andy Dalton (Panthers), DT David Onyemata (Falcons), C Billy Price (FA)

Coaching/Scheme: HC Dennis Allen runs it back with OC Pete Carmichael with Carr at QB. On D, a new voice will lead this once top unit, DC Joe Woods from Cleveland.

Outlook: The Saints seem like they have enough talent from the former winning core to win this division. However, the RB Alvin Kamara suspension and health issues with the players like WR Michael Thomas and CB Marshon Lattimore will need to not happen like 2022. The Saints may be favored, but I think ATL has more sizzle due to the system and youth. I see the Saints making the playoffs, but not winning the division.

Prediction: 10-7, 2nd NFC South, 6 Seed NFC

Carolina Panthers (7.5 Wins, +400 NFC South, +3000 NFC, +7000 SB)

Additions:

• Free Agents: TE Hayden Hurst, DE DeShawn Williams, S Vonn Bell, QB Andy Dalton, DT Shy Tuttle, WR Adam Thielen, RB Miles Sanders, OG Justin McCrary, WR DJ Chark, DE Justin Houston
• Draft Class: QB Bryce Young (1st), WR Jonathan Mingo (2nd), LB DJ Johnson (3rd), OG Chandler Zavala (4th), S Jammie Robinson (5th)

Departures: C Pat Elflein (Cardinals), QB Sam Darnold (49ers), RB D’Onta Foreman (Bears)

Coaching/Scheme: New HC Frank Reich comes over from IND. He puts in OC Thomas Brown from the Rams and DC Ejiro Evero, the Denver DC who had a top unit last year. The coaching staff is deep for sure, and they will need to work around the QB’s limitations. The D Line isn’t as good as in Denver, but this D could be pretty good.

Outlook: The Panthers traded up to get QB Young, and he is the smallest QB in recent memory. He can read defenses, but can he take the punishment? This year is Y1 on that rebuilding trip for HC Frank Reich and company. I think they will struggle, but get a few wins that will surprise the public.

Prediction: 5-12, 3rd NFC South, Miss Playoffs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6.5 Wins, +800 NFC South, +4000 NFC, +10000 SB)

Additions:

• Free Agents: QB Baker Mayfield, RB Chase Edmonds, OG Matt Feiler, DT Greg Gaines, S Ryan Neal
• Draft Class: DE Calijah Chauncey (1st), OG Cody Mauch (2nd), LB Yaya Diaby (3rd), LB SirVocea Dennis (5th), WR Trey Palmer (6th)

Departures: Qb Tom Brady (Retired), DE Akiem Hicks (FA), CB Logan Ryan (FA), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (Titans), RB Leonard Fournette (FA), WR Julio Jones (FA), S Keanu Neal (Steelers), WR Scottie Miller (Falcons), TE Cameron Brate (FA)

Coaching/Scheme: HC Todd Bowles returns with the same tandem at DC of Kacy Rodgers and Larry Foote, but a new OC in Dave Canales comes from SEA (former QB Coach). The Offense will need to be more run centric with Brady gone. The D will undoubtedly be the same aggressive Todd Bowles style.

Outlook: The Bucs are going to have a tough year. The TB12 era is over, and they going to pay for all those past veteran deals this year. They have released or not signed most of the vets from the SB Title team. I think that 2 wins may be harsh, but it is going to be a very low total. They will contend with AZ as the league’s worst in 2023.

Prediction: 2-15, 4th NFC South, Miss Playoffs

Ok, one more week for the West Divisions to finish out the previews.

Wegs