To round out the NFL’s Southern divisions, let’s migrate down to the NFC South.
Based on its resume, the NFC South could be considered the NFL’s most competitive and most unique division. The NFC South is the only division since the 2002 realignment to have each of its teams make it to a conference championship game: Tampa Bay (2002), Atlanta (2004 and 2012), Carolina (2003 and 2005) and New Orleans (2006 and 2009). Also since the realignment, the NFC South is the only division in which each team has clinched the division at least three times; however it remains the only division in the league to not have a repeat champion. Another interesting tidbit about the division is that there has been five times in which a team won the division one season after finishing last the previous season.
As far as playing styles are concerned, the division has changed drastically. Around this time ten years ago, the NFC South was a running division; the division featured Saints all-time leading rusher Deuce McAllister, Carolina’s Super Bowl one-two punch in Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster and finally the Falcons’ Warrick Dunn and Michael Vick, the fourth set of teammates to ever rush for 1,000 yards each in a season. Now in 2013, the passing game rules down south. Quarterbacks Drew Bress, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton have forced the Buccaneers to spend an entire offseason to bolster its secondary.
With all this said, these four clubs have several holes to fill, particularly in the secondary. How else can these teams build in the draft?
1. CAROLINA PANTHERS Team Needs: WR, DB, OL
The Carolina Panthers finished 12-4 in 2013 and clinched the playoffs for the first time in five years. Cam Newton and head coach Ron Rivera both entered the season on the hot seat and responded resoundingly; Newton earned his second Pro Bowl birth and Rivera won Coach of the Year honors. The defense– led by All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly and All-Pro defensive end Greg Hardy–was the anchor for the Panthers throughout the season.
Carolina has gotten off to a rough offseason so far. First, 11-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jordan Gross retired. Second, and by far the Panthers’ biggest story this offseason, their top three receivers (Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn) are no longer on the roster. The Panthers did sign veteran wide-out Jerricho Cotchery, but throughout his career he’s been more of a complementary target. The Panthers must further address the receiver position in the draft and also find a tackle to replace Gross.
Defensively, the front seven is set. Despite playing decent at times this season, the secondary remained suspect. Now that cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and safety Mike Mitchell have signed elsewhere in Free Agency, the backend is no-brainer the weakest part to the Panther D. Getting quality secondary players in May will take immense pressure of the front seven.
2. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS Team Needs: CB, OL, WR
The New Orleans Saints returned to the postseason in 2013 after their lost campaign in the wake of the Bounty scandal in 2012. To most critics’ surprise, the defense was the story throughout the season. Led by coordinator Rob Ryan, the Saints’ defense went from being the historically-worst defense in the NFL to finishing number four overall; free agent cornerback Keenan Lewis, rookie safety Kenny Vaccaro and Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Jordan were integral pieces for the Saints’ turnaround. Also defensively, the Saints signed three-time Pro Bowl free safety Jairus Byrd to make the league’s second-ranked pass defense even more deadly. The offense, however, took a big step back this season despite finishing in the top five once again. The offensive line gave up the tenth most sacks in the league with 37. When the Saints’ offense was at its peak, the front five dominated the line of scrimmage from left to right. New Orleans definitely needs to rebuild its offensive line–specifically left tackle and center spots—so the offense can regain top form.
The Cornerback position has been the Saints’ weakest link since 2006. Fred Thomas, Jason David, Malcolm Jenkins, Patrick Robinson, you name it. Getting a corner to go opposite of Lewis will be paramount for this defense.
Lastly, this may not be the most pressing need, but drafting a wide receiver would be smart. Marques Colston will be 31 in June and the other receivers on the roster haven’t seen much playing time. If the Saints can draft a big-bodied target like Mike Evans, they will be in better shape.
3. ATLANTA FALCONS Team Needs: Trench Overhaul, DB, TE
The Atlanta Falcons were one of the five teams from the 2012 playoffs to not make it back in 2013. Injuries to key players had much to do with their disappointing season, but nonetheless they had holes in several areas. For starters, their play within the trenches was horrible on both sides; Matt Ryan stayed on his back on offense and the defense could not generate an effective pass rush.
The secondary also struggled in 2013. In 2012, Atlanta had two Pro-Bowl safeties in Thomas Decoud and William Moore; the tandem did not have the same production this year and it cost the Falcons. Now, DeCoud is looking for work somewhere else.
Back on offense, the Falcons will need to draft the replacement for Tony Gonzales at tight end.
4. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS Team Needs: OL, CB, QB
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the biggest splash in Free Agency for the second straight year, and missed the playoffs for the second straight year. 2013 was highlighted heavily by the Josh Freeman and Greg Schiano saga; the fiasco led to Freeman being traded and Schiano being fired.
On the field, the Bucs were not impressive either. The defense finished 17th in the league whereas the passing offense ranked dead last. Rookie quarterback Mike Glennon showed some promise at points during the season, but nothing transcending. On defense, Pro Bowlers Gerald McCoy and Darrelle Revis were the stars of the squad.
On offense, the Buccaneers need to draft both a guard and a tackle to help strengthen the frontline. Even though they signed Josh McCown, he will not be the long-term solution; getting another quarterback should be a priority.
On the defensive side, Tampa could use some depth at the cornerback position to go along with their newly-acquired Pro Bowler, Alterraun Verner.
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