Grades for all 4 teams in the NFC South this offseason
It’s a division that has been ruled by just two of its teams the past seven seasons. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the NFC South the past three years, this after the New Orleans Saints claimed the top spot the previous four seasons. The Carolina Panthers’ and Atlanta Falcons’ last division titles came in 2015 and ’16, and each went on to reach the Super Bowl that season.
Now some sobering news. Dating back to 2022, none of the four teams owns a regular-season record above .500. The Buccaneers lead the way at 17-17, followed by the Saints (16-18), Falcons (14-20) and Panthers (9-25). Ouch!
Yet, the NFC South has sent three different teams to the Super Bowl the past nine seasons. There are the aforementioned appearances by the Panthers (50) and Falcons (LI), while the Buccaneers won it all in 2020 (LV) as a wild card team.
Once again, the quartet has its share of upheaval. Two of the four franchises have new head coaches, and one of those has a new and productive veteran quarterback. All four were extremely busy this offseason, either adding players or retaining their own.
With the NFL draft on the horizon, what grades have the Falcons, Panthers, Saints and Buccaneers earned so far in 2024?
What grades have the NFC South teams earned in 2024?
Atlanta Falcons
There’s a new head coach in Raheem Morris, although that’s a bit of a misnomer. He was the main man for the final 11 games in 2020 after Dan Quinn was let go. Morris spent the past three seasons with the Rams, and won a Super Bowl ring (LVI) with Sean McVay’s club.
Of course, the big fish when it came to additions this offseason was the signing of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. The 12-year pro continues to climb the all-time rankings in terms of passing yards and touchdowns throws.
With Bijan Robinson already in place, the Falcons figure to be once again potent on the ground. They also added some pieces when it came to the passing game in signing wide receivers Darnell Mooney (Bears) and speedy Ray-Ray McCloud (49ers), the latter who also figures to help the return game. Atlanta also traded for talented wideout Rondale Moore (Cardinals).
In terms of departures, quarterback Desmond Ridder was dealt to Arizona. Meanwhile, a trio of Falcons (Cordarrelle Patterson, MyCole Pruitt, and Van Jefferson) followed Arthur Smith to Pittsburgh.
Finally, it’s interesting to note that general manager Terry Fontenot signed defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and cornerback Kevin King. Neither has played in the league since 2021.
The Falcons have earned a high grade. Of course, that’s been the case when it comes to the offseason too many times. Will it all pan out in 2024?
Grade: A-
Carolina Panthers
There has been no playoff victory since the 2015 NFC Championship Game. There also hasn’t been a winning season since the club earned a wild card berth in 2017. Since the 2018, Ron Rivera, Perry Fewell, Matt Rhule, Steve Wilks, Frank Reich, and Chris Tabor have served as head coaches for the franchise. Now former Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who did wonders for quarterback Baker Mayfield in his only season with the team, is the new head coach in Charlotte.
Despite the fact that they finished with the worst record in the league in 2023, the Panthers will not be picking first overall thanks to last year’s huge trade with the Chicago Bears a year ago. They used the first overall pick on University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. The club finished 2-15, tying the franchise for losses in a season.
As far as the newcomers, new general manager Dan Morgan is3 hoping veteran Jadeveon Clowney can elevate a pass rush that finished last in the league in sacks. There will be a lot of pressure on the 10-year pro as Carolina dealt Brian Burns to the New York Giants. Inside linebacker Josey Jewell (Broncos) should help a defense that was 23rd vs. the run this past season.
The club traded for wide receiver Diontae Johnson (Steelers), but it cost them cornerback Donte Jackson in return. All told, there has been a lot of movement on both sides of the ball, but the Panthers didn’t really make any splash moves.
Grade: C
New Orleans Saints
They were one of the league’s bigger disappointments this past season, despite the fact that Dennis Allen’s club finished with a 9-8 record after a 7-10 showing in 2022.
There has been one big change for a team that was inconsistent when it came to moving the football. The Saints scored 255 points in their nine victories, while totaling only 147 points in their eight setbacks. Klint Kubiak, late of the 49ers, is the new offensive coordinator. He replaces Pete Carmichael, who was with the organization dating back to 2006. Kubiak has some familiarity with Saints’ quarterback Derek Carr, having been a member of the Denver Broncos’ coaching staff for a total of four seasons (2016-18, 2022).
Per usual, the organization didn’t do a deep dive into free agency. The biggest names come on the defensive side of the ball in end Chase Young (49ers) and linebacker Willie Gay (Chiefs). New Orleans added wide receivers Cedrick Wilson (Dolphins) and Equanimeous St. Brown (Bears), and finally parted ways with wideout Michael Thomas. Safety Marcus Maye and quarterback Jameis Winston were cap casualties as well, the latter latching on with the Browns.
This is a team with a lot of talented pieces on both sides of the ball. However, the Saints haven’t been to the playoffs since 2020.
Grade: C+
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Perhaps it’s time to give general manager Jason Licht his due. The Buccaneers have been in the playoffs each of the past four seasons. That’s the third-longest active streak in the league behind only the Kansas City Chiefs (9) and Buffalo Bills (5).
Tampa Bay won a Super Bowl in 2020 as a wild card team, and has captured the NFC South each of the past three seasons. The Bucs have done this since ’20 with two different head coaches (Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles) and starting quarterbacks Tom Brady and Baker Mayfield.
Licht’s biggest challenge this year was bringing back standout performers such as Mayfield, wide receiver Mike Evans, linebacker Lavonte David and All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. The first three players agreed to new contracts to stay in Tampa, while Winfield was given the “franchise” tag. The Bucs have a new offensive coordinator in Liam Coen as Dave Canales is the new head coach of the rival Panthers.
There were still some notable departures, such as linebackers Devin White and Shaq Barrett. The former signed with the Eagles and the latter was cut and joined the Dolphins. Heady safety Jordan Whitehead is back with the club after a short stint with the Jets. All told, it has been an excellent couple of months for the organization.