NFC South Draft Primer
Tompa Bay! Tampa Brady! The former University of Michigan QB turned six-time Super Bowl Champ is shipping down south to join Bruce Arians and a fantastic set of offensive weapons. The New Orleans Saints, bring the band back together and has won the division the last three seasons. The addition of Tom Brady turns the division on its head, having gone from a team looking for their identity to a team firmly in the Super Bowl mix and full win now mode. Bucs, Falcons, Panthers,and Saints draft strategy, free agency targets, and expectations heading into training camps below ⬇️
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Outlook
30 for 30- ESPN won’t be starting the 2019 Buccaneers story anytime soon but Jameis Winston took matters into his own hands. Throwing 33 touchdowns and throwing 30 interceptions, Winston is now the first football player to enter 30/30 club, that baseball players like, Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, and Barry Bonds made. Mostly known for his erratic behavior in college, Winston lived up to that in the NFL, combining elite playmaking ability while also being painfully flawed and unable to hold onto the ball. Their defense is not as bad as the stats say as many of their drives were setup on short fields. To go along with the 30 interceptions from Jameis, the offense also lost 11 fumbles, while leading the league in pick six’s. The issues were clear, the Buccaneers needed to stop turning the ball over…. enter Tom Brady.
Additions: Tom Brady QB Resigned- OLB Jason Pierre-Paul, T Ndamukong Suh, OLB Shaquil Barrett
Key Departures: DL Beau Allen, RB Peyton Barber, OLB Carl Nassib, WR Breshad Perriman
Team Salary Cap Space: $13,548,799
Picks:1st Round: 14th, 2nd Round: 45th overall 3rd Round: 76th overall, 4th Round: 117th & 139th overall, 5th Round: 161st overall 6th Round: 194th overall
Needs: OL, RB, DB
Offseason/Draft Strategy:
The Buccaneers are in a completely different situation than they were in last season. There are reports that Rob Gronkowski wants to join Mr. Brady in Tompa Bay. A little difficult to make work though right? They already have Cameron Brate and OJ Howard so there is no glaring need and the Pats would have to trade or cut him to make it work. While the fun of it clouds my vision of reality, the facts are this would be very difficult to pull off. Everyone that hopped on the Bucs bandwagon is also clamoring for another unlikely Pats reunion of former stars. Bruce Arians, former offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has also squashed any buzz about Antonio Brown joining Evans and Godwin in the receiver room. Quite Simply, these are not happening
Expect the Bucs to draft and build that offensive line throughout next weeks draft. Ronald Jones and the departed Peyton Barber were their running back tandem of last season so there is a clear need at running back as well. Expectation should be an offensive lineman at 14 and best player available at 45. If RB Jonathan Taylor is still on the board in round two, that would be a dream come true in Tampa Bay.
Atlanta Falcons
Outlook
The Falcons have missed many opportunities with their core group of players. Julio Jones is getting older Matt Ryan appears to be diminishing from his former MVP self and, there have been calls for Dan Quinn’s job. Last season was more injuries, poor offensive line play and below average defensive play. Matt Ryan is now entering his 13th season and is turning 35 in May. The Falcons do not appear ready to blow it up but have flirted with trading Julio Jones a few times.
Additions: Todd Gurley RB (pending physical), Dante Fowler DE, Tyeler Davison DT, Keith Smith FB, Sharrod Neasman S, Laquon Treadwell WR
Key Departures: Vic Beasley DE, Austin Hooper TE, Devonte Freeman RB, Matt Bosher P, Adrian Clayborn DE, Justin Hardy.
Team Salary Cap Space: $2,417,688
Picks: Round 1: 16 overall Round: 2: 47 overall Round 3: 78 overall Round 4,119 & 143 Round 7: 228 overall
Needs: CB, LB, EDGE, QB?
Draft Strategy:
Atlanta has the talent to compete but have consistent battles with injuries. It also does help that the division they are in has two extremely talented teams ahead of them. The Falcons are in win now mode but the signs of a rebuild are coming in the future years as seen by the rumors of Julio Jones trades and changes in personnel.
Expect the Falcons to embrace the win now mode and attempt to trade up into the 7–12 range. There are reports that trade talks are surrounded by moving up for a defensive lineman or EDGE rusher so this could look foolish very quickly but this is what I’d expect. Falcons should sit at 14 and draft CJ Henderson it looks like a perfect fit both in terms of need and talent. In three seasons at Florida he allowed twenty catches or less in each season he played. If they decide to pass on the star corner, they could look to fill their defensive line troubles. 29th in sacks last season the Falcons have been linked to trading up for LSUs K’Lavon Chaisson. Falcon GM Thomas Dimitroff also discussed a late QB pick in a recent interview to groom under Matt Ryan.
Carolina Panthers
Outlook
The Teddy Bridgewater/Matt Rhoule era has begun in Carolina. Former MVP Cam Newton was released and Ron Rivera is now the coach in Washington. Previously a Super Bowl combination, the Panthers will look to get Matt Rhoule and Bridgewater up to speed with the Coronavirus pushing back the offseason workout schedule. 31st in points allowed and 20th in points scored, the Panthers lone brightspot was Christian McCaffery who was rewarded handsomely with the rich RB contract in NFL history.
Additions: Teddy Bridgewater QB, Tre Boston S, Robby Anderson WR, Tahir Whitehead LB, PJ Walker QB.
Key Departures: Luke Kuechly LB, Donitari Poe NT, Eric Reid S, James Bradbury CB, LB Bruce Irvin, DE Mario Addison, Gerald McCoy DL, Vernon Butler Jr., Greg Olsen TE.
Team Salary Cap Space: $9,440,415
Picks: Round 1:7 overall Round 2: 38 overall Round 3: 69, Round 4: 113 Round 5, №148 & 152, Round 6: 184 Round 7: 221
Needs: DL, LB, CB, G
Draft Strategy:
The tear down has begun in Carolina with new coaches, new quarterback and new defensive captain. With Carolina committing to Bridgewater for the foreseeable future, there is no expectation of them taking a quarterback in this draft. There is no one that will be able to replace Luke Kuechly but they should sure try. There should be at least a chance that LB Isaiah Simmons or DB Jeff Okudah are there for them at 7. Isaiah Simmons is the dream scenario to replace Kuechly. He has sideline to sideline speed(4.3 at the combine), a fierce hitter, and is even one of the better cover linebackers in this draft, the total package. The Panthers also could look to trade back if neither of these two are there, many teams including the Falcons have been looking to jump into the top 10. Bottom line, the Panthers need to take best player available or if they are unimpressed with their options, move back.
New Orleans Saints
Outlook
The best that this division has to offer, the New Orleans Saint have flirted with the Super Bowl several times over the past few seasons. They brought the band back together to get over the hump and make a move towards to the Super Bowl one last time. A 13–3 season should book them a ticket to a first round bye but the unluckiest team in the league the past several seasons, saw them forced to play in the Wild Card round and lose to a strong Minnesota team. Saints will be running it back this season in the hopes the Peyton, Brees combination has a few more runs left in them.
Additions: David Onyemata DT, Malcolm Jenkins S, Emmanuel Sanders WR, DJ Swearinger S, Zach Wood LS
Key Departures: Teddy Bridewater QB, Eli Apple DB, Vonn Bell S, Manti Te’O LB
Team Salary Cap Space: $5,249,022
Picks: Round 1 (24th overall) Round 3 (88th overall) Round 4 (130th overall) Round 5 (169th overall) Round 6 (203rd overall)
Needs: CB, OL, LB
Draft Strategy:
Corners are clearly the biggest need for them going into next season. With limited cap finances available, they should be drafting early and often they may have to reach to do it. Defensive backs Kristian Fulton from LSU could be a good fit or AJ Terrell from Clemson should be there when the Saints step to the podium. If they do not want to reach on a corner they could opt to grab Patrick Queen at LB. They brought in Emmanuel Sanders who will undoubtably help at WR but I would expect at least one receiver to be selected in the middle or late rounds with a depth of talent at the position.Do not expect much trade buzz surrounding the Saints they have little draft capital to make it happen.
