The NFC South was very tight last year. With Tom Brady out of the division, who will step up this year?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Offense Overview: Baker Mayfield leads the Buccaneers into battle after the retirement of Tom Brady. He has big shoes to fill, and that will not happen. I think he is just a bridge quarterback now, and I would imagine the Bucs are looking for a QB in the 2024 draft. For now, the Bucs have Baker. Rachaad White is the main running back now after the departure of Leonard Fournette. He only had 481 yards while splitting starts with Fournette. This year, I expect him to push 1,000 yards. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are still two very capable 1,000-yard receivers and should be able to allow Mayfield to operate at a more efficient level. The loss of Ryan Jensen at Center is a huge blow. Shaq Mason is gone, and Tristan Wirfs is the only capable starter remaining. This offensive line could fall apart very fast.
Defense Overview: Vita Vea is the main run stuffer on this team and should anchor the defensive line. Shaq Barrett is coming off a torn Achilles, and I hope it does not slow him down. He was electric before the injury, and I think he can return to that form. However, Achilles injuries can be tricky. Lavonte David and Devin White should be a strong inside linebacker duo. The secondary should be solid, with Jamal Dean and Carlton Davis leading them.
Overall Assessment: Overall, this team has pieces, but they were 8-9 last year with Tom Brady. Now they have Baker Mayfield and a worse offensive line. The Bucs squeaked out some wins last year that I do not see happening again. Projected Finish: 4-13, 4th in the NFC South
Carolina Panthers
Offense Overview: The Panthers traded up to the first overall selection to select Byrce Young, who looks to be their new Franchise quarterback. Alongside him is free agent acquisition Miles Sanders, who is already dealing with a hamstring injury. DJ Moore is no longer their number 1 receiver. To replace him, they signed veteran Adam Theilen and DJ Chark. They are not the flashiest signings, but they should be serviceable. The offensive line is improving as the years go on, with Ikem Ekwonu looking like a franchise left tackle.
Defense Overview: Derrick Brown is a great interior defensive lineman. While he only had one sack last year, his main job is stopping the opponent’s run game. To sack the quarterback, they have Justin Houston and Brian Burns. Burns is turning himself into an elite edge threat, with 12.5 sacks last year. The Panthers value him highly after they turned down multiple picks from the Rams. He is already a star, and he can be a superstar. Shaq Thompson and Frankie Luvu are a very nice linebacker duo, each accumulating over 100 tackles last year. Jaycee Horn leads the cornerback room without a solid CB2. Von Bell and Xavier Woods should be a formidable safety duo.
Overall Assessment: The Panthers are moving in the right direction but aren’t there yet. They don’t have a good receiving core and one stud at each position on defense, but the depth needs to be improved. This team is a year away from being a year away, and that is okay. I trust Frank Reich to steer the ship in the right direction. Projected Finish: 6-11, 3rd in the NFC South.
New Orleans Saints
Offense Overview: Derek Carr is the new leader in New Orleans after being released by the Raiders last year. Carr had 3,522 yards and 24 touchdowns last year. This offense has the potential to be more explosive with Carr at the helm. Alvin Kamara is suspended for the first three games of the season, but he should be a considerable part of their offense afterward. Olave is coming off a fantastic rookie campaign, putting up 1,042 yards in 15 games. He is a great deep threat and route runner that complements Micheal Thomas really well if Thomas can stay healthy. Their offensive line is solid as long as Trevor Penning can stay healthy. They will be the key to success for this Saints offense. How well can they protect Carr and block for Kamara? Time will tell.
Defense Overview: Cameron Jordan is 34 and continues to defy Father Time. He may not be a dominant pass rusher anymore, but he is still a good run stuffer. Nathan Shepard and Khalen Saunders will be the two defensive tackles, and Carl Granderson will be on the opposite side of Jordan. Demario Davis and Pete Warner should be a solid linebacker duo, with Zack Baun as the strong-side linebacker. The secondary is the strength of this team. Marshon Lattimore is one of the best corners in the game, and Paulson Adebo should be a solid CB2. Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye will be a great safety duo.
Overall Assessment: This team will be solid but fall short of the division title. Besides the secondary, this defense does not move me. The pass rush might be one of the worst in the league, and I have to wonder how much longer Davis and Jordan can keep it up. The offense should be fine with Carr, Olave, and Kamara, but I don’t think they have made enough overall improvements to win the division. Projected Finish: 8-9, 2nd in the NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Offense Overview: Desmond Ridder leads the charge as the undisputed starter at quarterback this year. He went 2-2 last year with 708 yards and 2 touchdowns. Now he has an entire offseason of QB1 reps and plenty of weapons to help him. Atlanta’s ground game is one of the best in the league. They have Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allegier, and Corderelle Patterson. Last year, Allegier and Patterson had 1,025 and 695 yards, respectively. If healthy, this trio could break at least 700 yards each, which would be the first time since the 2019 Ravens. If the ground game is not cooking, the Falcons have Drake London and Kyle Pitts to rely upon in the receiving game. The offensive line is an excellent run-blocking unit, with Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary leading the way. Jake Matthews has evolved into a great left tackle to protect Ridder. Overall, this offensive line is easily in the top ten.
Defense Overview: David Onyemata and Calais Campbell were signed to complement Grady Jarrett, turning this defensive line from poor to respectable. Jarrett led the team with 6 sacks last year, and I expect that number to increase with better running mates. Bud Dupree was signed as an edge rushing linebacker who should provide some good speed on the outside. AJ Terrell is an excellent CB1, while Jeff Okaduh looks to find his step again at CB2. Jessie Bates was brought in to play free safety and should be a massive upgrade to that secondary.
Overall Assessment: This team made significant improvements this offseason. Their front seven got better, their offense got better, and their secondary got better. The big question is, can Ridder be the guy for the Falcons? I think he can. Arthur Smith is a great offensive mind, and I expect this team to run the ball a lot, taking the pressure off of Ridder. In a weak division, I think the Falcons can capitalize this year. Projected Finish: 10-7, 1st in the NFC South
The CloudZeroSports Team Division Predictions:
Stephen’s Pick: Falcons As I mentioned before, this team got better across the board. The Saints, Panthers, and Bucs’ offseasons do not move me enough to pick them as winners of this division. Another huge benefit for the Falcons is even though 3 of the 4 teams finished 7-10, they got the advantage of being in last place in 2022. This gave them an easier schedule. They are not Super Bowl contenders, but certainly NFC South contenders.
Dante’s Pick: Saints The Saints will reclaim the NFC South crown in 2023. Veteran Derek Carr and Chris Olave will reinforce the offense alongside playmakers Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas if they can stay healthy. The defense remains stout under Demario Davis and coach Dennis Allen. With uncertainty in Tampa Bay post-Brady and Atlanta and Carolina still rebuilding with young quarterbacks in Ridder and Young, New Orleans is primed to recapture divisional supremacy with an improved offense and dominant secondary. The time is now for the Saints’ playoff return under seasoned leadership and young talent.
Puggy’s Pick: Saints After looking at the rosters across the NFC South, the New Orleans Saints are poised to take the division crown in 2023. The Saints have a clear advantage at quarterback with Derek Carr, a veteran with proven success as a starter in this league. Meanwhile, the Panthers and Falcons rely on inexperienced signal callers in rookie Bryce Young and Sophomore Desmond Ridder. Baker Mayfield is the new QB1, and he does scare me. Also, the Buccaneers are trending downward with age catching up to them. Additionally, the Saints boast dynamic playmakers like Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave to accompany a stout offensive line. Their roster appears more complete and ready to compete than their divisional foes. I expect the Saints to rise to the top of the NFC South and surprise some people along the way. Their experience and coaching should carry them to a division title.
Zach’s Pick: Saints Another division where I can see multiple winners. However, Derek Carr was freed from the Las Vegas Raiders and will be on a revenge tour this season. The New Orleans Saints lost many defensive players like Marcus Davenport, so they selected defenders like Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey in the draft. Jamaal Williams will stand his own at running back while Alvin Kamara is out for the first few games due to his suspension. Carr’s receivers are deadly, with Michael Thomas and Chris Olave leading the way. The success of the Saints relies on their QB, and Derek Carr will be looking to prove people wrong and show everyone that he is still an outstanding quarterback. The Panthers also feel like they are on the road to success this season. Bryce Young is now their franchise quarterback, and they can easily win games with his mobility, which he will need to do. They now have the likes of Miles Sanders, DJ Chark, and Adam Thielen, who are solid weapons for Bryce. The Atlanta Falcons can make headway if their team holds together as Desmond Ridder enters his first full season as starting quarterback. The Buccaneers are showing some effects from the aftermath of going all in for their Super Bowl ring. They have plenty of talent on offense and defense. However, Baker Mayfield is now their quarterback. Tampa Bay may be getting ready for a reset.
Ryan’s Pick: Panthers NFC South is a 50/50 for who will come in second for the division. Aside from that 50/50, you have the Panthers on top. This division should be a cakewalk for the Panthers. I believe we can see some significant movements in the NFC South with Bryce Young at the helm for the Panthers. The number one draft pick overall was Bryce Young. Along with Bryce Young coming in, the Panthers did lose DJ Moore. To replace Moore, they obtained DJ Chark and Adam Thielen, which should help with the wound of losing DJ Moore. As for the other teams, with Tom Brady officially gone, we will start to see the effects as the Buccaneers do not look likely to repeat as champions of this division. For the Saints and Falcons, they are solid but not good enough to beat out the Panthers.
Micky’s Pick: Falcons With the additions of Bijan Robinson and Desmond Ridder getting the full-time gig, we could see an explosive offense. Outside of new quarterbacks on the Panthers, Saints, and Bucs, none of the other teams made significant moves to strengthen their respective teams. This means we are in for another subpar football season for the NFC South.
Dustin’s Pick: Saints While all the teams in this division have a +120 rating or higher to win, the Saints seem like the favorites. There is little to discuss with this division; the Falcons and Buccaneers desperately need a rebuild, and the Panthers aren’t much better. I would only look for a little to happen. It would be great to see a connection between Carr and Michael Thomas develop to give them both a shot to get back to a better place, maybe not former glory, and provide the Saints with a decent season.
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