The NFC South is one of the most competitive divisions in the league. The 2013 division winners, the Carolina Panthers, are hoping to repeat. But, a powerful Saints team and resurging Buccaneers and Falcons teams are looking to overthrow that spot. Here's a look at what each team has done in the offseason and what can be different in 2014.
New Orleans Saints
Key Losses:
Darren Sproles, RB (Phi)
Jed Collins, FB (Det)
Charles Brown, OT (NYG)
Brian De La Puente, C (Chi)
Malcolm Jenkins, S (Phi)
Key Additions:
Brandin Cooks, WR (1st Rd Oregon St)
Champ Bailey, CB (Den) - should start
Jairus Byrd, S (Buf) - should start
Stan Jean_Baptiste, CB (2nd Rd, Neb)
Erik Lorig, FB (TB) - should start
Jonathan Goodwin, C (SF) - should start
The New Orleans Saints should see a boost in 2014 compared to 2013. The offense is still powerful, and the addition of WR Brandin Cooks should help them dramatically alongside Colston and Graham. The loss of Darren Sproles could turn out to be a big loss but the Saints running core should still be solid with Ingram and Thomas. Rob Ryan's defense should get better, especially with the addition of Jairus Byrd.
Carolina Panthers
Key Losses:
Steve Smith, WR (Bal)
Mike Mitchell, S (Pitt)
Jordan Gross, OT (retired)
Geoff Hangartner, G (retired)
Jeff Byers, C/G (retired)
Brandon LaFell, WR (NE)
Domenik Hixon, WR (Chi)
Ted Ginn, WR (AZ)
Jimmy Clausen, QB (Chi)
Key Additions:
Kelvin Benjamin, WR (1st Rd, FSU) - should start
Kony Ealy, DE (2nd Rd, Mizz)
Jerricho Cotchery, WR (Pitt) - may start
Jason Avant, WR (Phi) - may start
Tiquan Underwood, WR (TB) - may start
Ed Dickson, TE (Bal) - may start
Antoine Cason, CB (AZ) - should start
Roman Harper, S (NO) - should start
Joe Webb, QB/WR (formerly with Minnesota) - roster depth
The Carolina Panthers, who were the 2013 NFC South division winners, may have a much harder time moving forward than the Saints. Some of their key losses like veteran WR Steve Smith, WR Brandon LaFell, and Ted Ginn might set them back at first. In time, the hopes for Carolina is that Kelvin Benjamin and Jason Avant find a groove with Cam Newton to really make a jump offensively. The defense will still be solid, but the offense will need to click in order for the Panthers to repeat as NFC South Champions.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key Losses:
Darrelle Revis, CB (NE)
Lawrence Tynes, K
Mike Williams, WR (Buf)
Jeremy Zuttah, C (Bal)
Ted Larsen, C (AZ)
Key Additions:
Josh McCown, QB (Chi) - likely starter
Michael Johnson, DE (Cin) - should start
Anthony Collins, OT (Cin) - should start
Alterraun Verner, CB (Ten) - should start
Mike Evans, WR (1st Rd, TX A&M) - should start
Brandon Myers, TE (NYG)
Evan Dietrich-Smith, C (GB) - should start
Clinton McDonald, DT (Sea) - roster depth
Mike Jenkins, CB (Oak) - roster depth
Major Wright, S (Chi) - roster depth
The Bucs are the team to look out for in 2014. After getting rid of Greg Schiano, the Bucs went out and hired Lovie Smith and Jeff Tedford as their coaches. Lovie is one hard coach and if there's a coach who was available that can push them to success it was Lovie. Tedford helps out Tampa Bay offensively and the additions that the team made are immense. QB Josh McCown, Mike Evans, and Brandon Myers are just a few that should cause immediate impact for the squad. If there's one team in the division giving a run for the wild card or division winner, it's the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Atlanta Falcons
Key Losses:
Jason Snelling, RB (retired)
Tony Gonzalez, TE (retired)
Asante Samuel, CB (released)
Thomas DeCoud, S (signed with Carolina)
Key Additions:
Jake Matthews, OT (1st Rd, TX A&M) - should start
Rashede Hageman, DT (2nd Rd, Min) - should start
Devin Hester, WR/KR (formerly with Chicago) - kick / punt return specialist
Jon Asamoah, G (KC) - should start
Tyson Jackson, DE (KC) - should start
Paul Soliai, NT (Mia) - should start
Dwight Lowery, DB (Jax) - may start
T.J. Yates, QB (Hou)
"A rough time" would be an understatement for the Falcons in 2013. Battling injuries, especially to Julio Jones and Roddy White, the Falcons never found a groove and wound up going 4-13. That down year might be what they need to really compete in this division again. Matt Ryan will hopefully get better and Julio Jones should be healthy. There's still big cause for concern regarding the legitimacy of this team. Matt Ryan hasn't seemed to be trustworthy in years past, and the defense could still have trouble.