[2024] Division Preview: NFC South

[Piercewise1]

NFC SOUTH

 

Team: Carolina Panthers
Last Year: 4-13 (3^rd place)
Alexfall ranking: 20/32

Key Progressions:
WR Russell Barnes +6 (81/5)
DE Aaron Stokes +6 (80/5)
DT Steven Kapfhammer +5 (79/6)
TE Don Scott +4 (67/2)
OT Peter Smith +4 (81/6)

Rookie to Watch:
DE Vince Gresham (62/B)

Overview:
The success of the Panthers mega-trade experiment depended on great drafting prowess, and they knocked it out of the park by adding five 60+ rookies to their team this year. Gresham joins a phenomenal defensive front that includes DE Aaron Stokes (80/5) and DT Steven Kapfhammer (79/6) along with last year’s #5 overall pick DT Caleb Suarez (64/2). Given that they have DE Eric Stephens (68/6) as well, does someone get bumped to the 2^nd level to help out that less fortunate LB corps?

Strengths:
Defensive line
Wide receiver

Weaknesses:
Linebacker
Safety

Prediction:
Division winner

Dekoda Link is already a 70 Overall and has serious weapons at his disposal. The defense has holes, but only once you get past their great line and CB1. I don’t know if this team is ready for a deep playoff run yet, but coming out of the South I think they’ll at least earn a spot.

 

 

Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Year: 6-11 (division winner)
Alexfall ranking: 9/32

Key Progressions:
RB Chris Williams +5 (60/2)
QB Gregory Taphorn +4 (77/5)
CB Jason Green +4 (68/6)
CB Myron Mahan +4 (67/4)
CB Luis Wong +4 (65/3)

Rookie to Watch:
OLB Ja’Waun Gray (59/A+)

Overview:
With a new ownership structure in place, the Bucs have rebuilt their team and can push for another division title. The offensive line isn’t the dominant force it once was, but it should be capable of creating some opportunities for the excellent rushing backfield they have in Tampa. The defense doesn’t have many names that casual fans would know (though Brian Yokum sets a mean edge) but is full of solid Overall levels that should be pretty good if they can find a scheme without too many maluses.

Strengths:
Defensive line
Linebacker

Weaknesses:
Wide receiver
Cornerback

Prediction:
2^nd place

I don’t think 6 wins will be enough for the division title this year, so while I like the Bucs roster I think they miss the playoffs after a 2^nd place finish. That first-place schedule is going to take its toll, with teams like Washington and Los Angeles coming to town in the latter half of the season. Did I mention they play the entire NFC East too? The only bright spot there is that the rest of their divisional competition does, too.

 

 

Team: Atlanta Falcons
Last Year: 5-12 (2^nd in division)
Alexfall ranking: 27/32

Key Progressions:
OLB Karl Rosania +5 (86/6)
QB Chris Frasier +5 (65/3)
WR Rafael Rosario +4 (72/4)
WR Richie Igwebuike +4 (62/2)
DE Ray Jackson -3 (76/13)

Rookie to Watch:
DT Logan Lopez (62/F)

Overview:
The Falcons first 3 draft picks were huge acquisitions at positions of need, so all (Lopez, OG Alex Hitchens, and OLB David Brown, Jr) will likely see immediate playing time. The defense already has a few stars in Rosario and CB Gregory Williams (87/6), but there are still plenty of holes on both sides of the ball. The biggest question of all is whether the front offense believes that Chris Frasier is the future or if it’s someone in the upcoming draft.

Strengths:
Inside linebacker
Tight end

Weaknesses:
Offensive line
Safety

Prediction:
3^rd place

There’s a lot of promise in the young players on this team, but they need more time to develop before Atlanta can make a push to go higher in this division. With their current roster and schedule, another 5- or 6-win season seems likely. They might be able to make a race of it if they can sweep the rest of the teams here in the South.

 

 

Team: New Orleans Saints
Last Year: 4-13 (4^th in division)
Alexfall ranking: 31/32

Key Progressions:
OT Ivan Molina +5 (65/5)
CB Arthur Medrano +4 (83/5)
CB Kenneth Wheat +4 (67/6)
DT Duane DePaula +4 (63/3)
DE Erik Schaefer -3 (79/11)

Rookie to Watch:
CB Stansly Alvarez (61/C-)

Overview:
The Saints get credit for avoiding total collapse and getting back under the cap, but that leaves them short of options to improve on what little they have. Their only rostered QB is a 58 overall, they have no kicker, and the 6^th-best player on the team is the 71 Overall punter.

Strengths:
Defensive end

Weaknesses:
Quarterback
Wide receiver
Linebacker
Safety

Prediction:
4^th place

This team might challenge the Texans for the #1 overall pick next year, since they still own it (unlike their 2^nd, 4^th, 6^th, and 7^th rounders). At least that would give them a great chance to upgrade the QB position to kick-start their turnaround.

[Sarge]

PANTHERRSSSSS

Side note: Big acquisition of Owens for the WR group and Cale at RB + Dupree to help spell him on 3rd downs. Our OL is a pretty big strength to with adding Shazier to the line of Caruso Smith and Eggleston.

This is the first season I've been excited for.