Looking at each NFC South team’s best newcomer and key loss
In 2022, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers captured the NFC South with an 8-9 record, while the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons all finished 7-10. In the wild card round, the Bucs were pushed around by the Dallas Cowboys, 31-14, meaning every team in the division finished with double-digit defeats.
This past season, Todd Bowles’ club once again owned the top spot among the four, this time with a 9-8 record. The Saints finished with the same mark, the Falcons were 7-0 for the third consecutive season, and the Panthers owned the worst record in the league at 2-15. Tampa Bay dethroned the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs, then gave the Lions a battle at Detroit.
Other than the Buccaneers making the playoffs four straight years, there hasn’t been a lot to get excited when it comes to this group. Both Atlanta and Carolina haven’t been to the playoffs since 2017, and New Orleans’ last postseason appearance came in 2020.
Like every other team in the league, these four clubs were very busy this offseason upgrading their rosters via free agency, trades, and the draft. Each also jettisoned its share of talent, either by design or necessity. Here’s a look at each club’s major acquisition, as well as its biggest loss.
Top addition, biggest departure for the 4 NFC South teams
Atlanta Falcons
Best addition: QB Kirk Cousins
It seems like the obvious choice, and with good reason. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is coming off a year in which he was finally hitting his stride when he went down with an Achilles injury. He inked a four-year, $180 million deal with a struggling franchise that hasn’t finished with a winning record since 2017.
The team caused a stir when it used the eighth overall pick on University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix. Nonetheless, Cousins will be the main man behind center, although it will be interesting to see if he’s 100 percent early in the season. New head coach Raheem Morris certainly has no doubts.
Biggest loss: TE Jonnu Smith
Yes, the team has talented tight end Kyle Pitts, and this offseason the Falcons recently added Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley – both late of the 49ers. However, in his only season with the organization, tight end Jonnu Smith (50) caught only three less passes than Pitts (53), and each scored three times.
Smith was cut loose earlier this year, and was snatched up by the Miami Dolphins. Yes, the Falcons loaded up at wide receiver this offseason. They signed Darnell Mooney (Bears), and obtained Rondale Moore from the Cardinals when they sent Desmond Ridder to Arizona. Smith was a very reliable target.
Carolina Panthers
Best addition: RB Jonathon Brooks
Not only did the team tie the franchise record for losses in a season (remember the 1-15 showing back in 2001), the Panthers weren’t able to take advantage of that 2-15 finish because they had already dealt their 2024 first-round pick to the Bears. The new head coach is Dave Canales, formerly of the Buccaneers.
The latter has his work cut out for him. Carolina was dead last on total offense and passing yards in 2023, and were tied for last in the league in points scored (236). Bryce Young suffered through a rough rookie year, but the arrival of running back Jonathon Brooks (2-Texas) should bring more balance to the attack.
Biggest loss: LB Frankie Luvu
The six-year pro, who played the past three seasons with the Panthers, is now a member of the rebuilt Washington Commanders. He is the No. 10 linebacker in the league according to Pro Football Focus, and PFF’s top player at his position when it comes to chasing down opposing quarterbacks (5.5 sacks in 2023).
What about pass-rushing standout Brian Burns, who was given the “franchise” tag by Carolina this year? He was dealt to the Giants in a multi-faceted trade that included the Panthers giving up a second-round pick in 2024. Luvu led Carolina in tackles (125) this past seasons and was second in stops (111) in 2022.
New Orleans Saints
Best addition: DE Chase Young
Dennis Allen’s club rebounded from a 7-10 showing in 2022 to just miss out on the playoffs this past season. The New Orleans Saints were a streaky club in ’23. The team won back-to-back games four times, lost consecutive contests twice and suffered through a three-game losing skid during their 9-8 campaign.
Allen’s defense had its issues against the run, ranking 22nd in the league, and the club only produced 34 sacks (8.5 by Carl Granderson). The Saints added former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young, who spent the second half of ‘23 with the 49ers. He may be ready to regain his stellar pass-rushing form.
Biggest loss: CB Isaac Yiadom
He may not be well known, but he did some good work for Dennis Allen’s defensive unit this past season and enjoyed a career campaign. Well-traveled cornerback Isaac Yiadom began his career in 2018 as a third-round draft choice by the Broncos. In six NFL seasons, he has already played for five different clubs.
It figures to be six, as Yiadom signed with the defending conference champion 49ers this offseason. What stands out about the journeyman defender is a 2023 season in which he finished with 31 defensive stops, one interception and 14 passes defensed. That impressive latter total was tied for second on the team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Best addition: C Graham Barton
The Buccaneers’ offensive front has not been the same without veteran center Ryan Jensen. He started every game for the team in his first four seasons with the club, including six postseason contests in 2020 (4) and ’21 (2). Then he went down with a severe knee injury in training camp in preparation for 2022.
He missed the entire regular-season but returned for the wild card playoffs. Jensen sat out all of 2023 and officially retired from the game in February. You could call it a no-brainer that the team used the 26th overall pick on talented Duke University blocker Graham Barton. He figures to be the starter at center.
Biggest loss: OLB Shaquil Barrett
General manager Jason Licht was the unsung hero of Tampa’s offseason. He managed to secure deals with quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David. The Bucs put the “franchise” tag on All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. He recently inked a four-year, $84.1 million deal.
The team did opt to part ways with edge-rusher Shaq Barrett, who was a huge part of the team’s Super Bowl 2020 title season. He finished that year with an NFL-high 19.5 sacks, and added four more QB traps during the team’s postseason run. Barrett is now a member of the Miami Dolphins, and he will be missed.