With the Position Breakdown series in full swing, the next division under the microscope is the NFC South. Here’s an offensive position-by-position breakdown of the division, with “the best” at each position followed by “the rest” in descending order.
Be sure to check out the division’s defensive breakdown here.
NFC SOUTH BREAKDOWN BY POSITION: THE OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
The Best: NO The Rest: ATL, CAR, TB
Although he enters this new season at age 36, Drew Brees still remains the best quarterback in the division. Despite coming off a down year statistically–throwing for the second-most interceptions with 17 and failing to reach 5,000 yards for the first time since 2010–Brees managed to lead the league in passing yards. Throwing for 4,952 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2014, Brees helped the Saints become the league’s number one offense for the fifth time in nine years. With the nine-time Pro Bowl signal-caller behind center, there won’t be any shortage of yards in New Orleans.
Entering his eighth season in the NFL, Matt Ryan has consistently produced at a top ten level for the Atlanta Falcons. Ryan has led the Falcons to the postseason in four of his seven years in Georgia, twice as the NFC’s number one seed. The three-time Pro Bowler has silently propelled the Falcons into one of the league’s most premier aerial attacks, ranking in the top ten the past four campaigns. By far the best quarterback in team history–as intensively noted in the franchise’s Mount Rushmore–Ryan still has plenty of solid years ahead of him.
Much like the two preceding squads, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is the most valuable player of his team. Coming into the league in 2011, Newton set NFL records and immediately guided the Panthers back to relevancy. His athleticism along with his throwing ability gives his offense more flexibility in how they approach opposing defenses. Losing second-year wideout Kelvin Benjamin for the year is a tremendous blow to his passing productivity, but having Newton healthy is the most important element to another Panther playoff run.
In a division filled with high-quality passers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is the odd team out at the quarterback spot. After setting numerous franchise records offensively in 2012, the level of play slipped dramatically during the subsequent seasons. Success for the Bucs will rest in the arm of number one overall pick Jameis Winston. Because he’s a rookie, he’ll experience growing pains as he learns to become a formidable starter.
RUNNING BACK
The Best: NO The Rest: CAR, ATL, TB
The Saints passing offense has garnered most of the attention during Brees’ tenure, but the running game has also played a significant role. In 2014, Mark Ingram enjoyed a breakout year with 964 yards and nine touchdowns en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance. At age 25 and contractually tied to the team for the next four seasons, the offense will gradually revolve around him. Third-year rusher Khiry Robinson will remain a serviceable option in both the running and passing games. With his excellence in space, newly-acquired C.J. Spiller can potentially be another great signing if he stays healthy.
The rushing corps in the rest of the division aren’t as eye-popping like New Orleans, but Carolina places second. With DeAngelo Williams now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jonathan Stewart will now assume the starting role. Stewart rushed for 809 yards on 176 carries in 13 games last season. When completely healthy from 2008-2009, he ran for 1,969 yards and 20 touchdowns. To be productive, all Stewart needs to do is stay on the field. Mike Tolbert will continue to be a reliable option at fullback. Because the Panthers historically feature a two-back tandem, this will give guys like Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne the chance to step into that second spot.
Second-year back Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman are two young, talented rushers Atlanta has at its disposal. With an improved offensive line and Kyle Shanahan as the new offensive coordinator, expect these backs to be featured more in a new offensive scheme.
Doug Martin was a Pro Bowler in his 2012 rookie term, but he hasn’t regained that form since. Injuries have triggered his drop-off, but the poor offensive line play is the largest culprit. Martin, Charles Sims and Bobby Rainey have struggled to get into grooves because they don’t have the necessary lanes to run through. If the Buccaneers front five doesn’t improve their play, these running backs will continue to suffer.
WIDE RECEIVER
The Best: ATL The Rest: TB, NO, CAR
With Roddy White and Julio Jones, the Atlanta Falcons undoubtedly boast the NFC South’s top receiver duo. In four seasons together from 2011-2014, the Falcons’ aerial assault ranked eighth, sixth, seventh and fifth, respectively. The two wideouts each have a 100-catch campaign during that span also. The pass-catching pair has missed time the last two years, but when both played all 16 games in 2012, they combined for 171 receptions, 2,549 yards and 17 scores. Albeit they have Matt Ryan at quarterback, but their individual talent and production should never go into question. As long as White and Jones line up opposite of each other, expect Atlanta to add on to its prolific numbers.
Tampa Bay is another team that benefits from its big-bodied receiving combination. Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans–both standing at 6’5”, 230 pounds–present nightmarish mismatches for defenders due to their physically and imposing size. The three-time Pro Bowler Jackson has surpassed 1,000 yards and 70 catches in each of his three seasons in Tampa. Tallying 68 grabs for 1,051 yards and a team-record 12 touchdowns, the rookie Evans proved to be a nice complement for the ten-year veteran. The wideouts recorded 138 receptions for 2,053 yards and 14 scores combined in 2014. If Jameis Winston can take care of the football, the ceiling for these receivers will rapidly rise.
The Saints have a talented receiving core, but what it lacks is experience. Since 2006, Marques Colston has remained the team’s most reliable option through the air. According to most fantasy analysts, second-year speedster Brandin Cooks is expected to have a huge campaign after returning from injury. Other targets such as Nick Toon, Joe Morgan and Brandon Coleman will be asked to up their games in 2015.
Kelvin Benjamin’s ACL injury is a devastating loss to Carolina’s wide receiver pack. Already losing Stephen Hill for the year with an ACL rupture, they may look to sign someone in free agency. In the meantime, Tedd Ginn Jr. and Jerricho Cotchery will have to lead this extremely thin bunch.
TIGHT END
The Best: CAR The Rest: TB, NO, ATL
The moment Jimmy Graham was traded to the Seattle Seahawks was the moment Greg Olsen became the best tight end in the division. In his fourth season in Carolina, Olsen achieved career highs in both receptions (84) and yards (1,008) to go along with his six touchdowns. His efforts in 2014 earned him his first Pro Bowl selection. His ability to pass catch and pass protect make him an integral part of this offense. With the loss of Benjamin on the perimeter, Olsen’s presence will be even more essential.
Based on depth alone, Tampa Bay could be ranked the best at this position. Austin Seferian-Jenkins only played in nine games as rookie, but the 6’5’’ athlete looks to make a huge comeback in 2015. As a member of the Bucs in 2013, then-rookie Tim Wright posted 571 yards and five scores on 54 catches. After spending a season in New England, Wright returns in year three to become a weapon for the Buccaneers. Being a steady pass catcher with the Oakland Raiders and New York Giants, Brandon Myers hopes to rebound after a down season in 2014.
Jimmy Graham’s departure will leave a huge void in the Saints passing attack. Although Benjamin Watson has been a dependable asset throughout his career via catching and blocking, his skill set is nowhere near the same level as Graham’s. New Orleans is extremely confident that third-year backup Josh Hill will positively contribute with his 6’5’’ frame, as are the writers from NFL.com.
Because of the retirement of future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez at the end of 2013, contributions at the Falcons’ tight end slots have been minimal. Jacob Tamme and Tony Moeaki are capable options, but neither are transcending gamechangers. Having Roddy White and Julio Jones on the outside doesn’t help the position’s cause either.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Best: NO The Rest: ATL, CAR, TB
The offensive line is the weakest position in the NFC South, but the slightest of edges goes to New Orleans. Their line is far from its elite level from 2009-2012, but it surrendered the fewest sacks in the division a year ago (30). The front five have allowed 67 takedowns in the last two seasons (it forfeited 76 sacks from 2010-2012 combined). On a positive side, six-time Pro Bowl right guard Jahri Evans has been a constant along the line for nine years. Left tackle Terron Armstead has a bright future ahead of him. Lastly, newly-acquired center Max Unger will bring his hard-nosed prowess to an offense that wants to become more physical.
Although Atlanta’s front five gave up 31 sacks in 2014, they were vastly improved from their underwhelming 44-takedown effort in 2013. Rookie tackle Jake Matthews had his struggles, but he will definitely improve in time. Matt Ryan getting the ball to his playmaking receivers in a quick manner will help out the line’s confidence.
The Panthers have blocked decently in the ground game, but their pass protection still suffers. Outside of four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil, the rest of the line is highly questionable. The retirement of three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jordan Gross after 2013 has also affected the line play. Allowing 42 sacks in 2014, Michael Oher, Trai Turner and the rest must clean up their play.
The three franchises above don’t have ideal offensive line situations, but they can all rest easier thanks to the Buccaneers. Describe Tampa’s line in one word? Putrid. After allowing 26 sacks in 2012 (tied for the third fewest in football), the front five nosedived by surrendering 47 the following season. Even worse last year, defenses took down Bucs quarterbacks 52 times, the third most in the NFL. Despite the team’s superb skill position players, the offense will further plummet if the offensive line can’t protect its ballcarriers or passers.
Be sure to check out the division’s defensive breakdown here.
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