This week, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be selecting starting lineups consisting of the best players from each division. In this article, the NFC South offense is the focus.
2016 NFC South All-Division Team: The Offense
Quarterback: Cam Newton, Panthers
Drew Brees may receive a lifetime achievement award, but Cam Newton is the best quarterback in the division. Throwing a career-high 35 touchdowns–to a career-low 10 interceptions– the three-time Pro Bowler led the Carolina Panthers to a franchise best 15-1 record and a Super Bowl berth against the Denver Broncos. With personal bests in passer rating (99.2) and quarterback rating (66.1), Newton reached All-Pro form without the assistance of his number-one wide receiver, Kelvin Benjamin. At the division’s deepest position, the 27-year-old outperformed his Southern contemporaries. Hoisting the NFC South crown for a record third consecutive season, Newton looks to guide Carolina to the unprecedented four-peat.
Running Back: Devonta Freeman, Falcons
In a division that featured three Pro Bowl running backs, Devonta Freeman earns the “All-Division” nod. Currently divisional foes, Freeman, Jameis Winston and Kelvin Benjamin were once the offensive nucleus that propelled the 2013 National Champion Florida State Seminoles. Winston and Benjamin have garnered more notoriety in their pro careers, but Freeman definitely made noise in his second season. Midway through 2015, his league-leading 709 yards and nine touchdowns made him our prime candidate for Offensive Player of the Year. He concluded the campaign with 1,634 scrimmage yards and 14 combined scores. Freeman’s versatility gave him the slight edge over Tampa Bay’s Doug Martin and Carolina’s Jonathan Stewart. It’s no surprise that his career is off to a strong start.
Wide Receiver: Julio Jones, Falcons
There’s Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and then there’s Julio Jones. A game-changing threat in college, Jones broke out in year two with 79 catches for 1,198 yards and a career-high ten touchdowns. After an injury-riddled 2013, he returned in 2014 with 104 grabs, 1,593 yards and six scores. It was amazing how after that campaign he wasn’t even mentioned among aforementioned stars. Once again proving his worth, Jones once again eclipsed the 100-reception mark, a league’s best 136, to go along with 1,871 yards and eight touchdowns. Easily the best wideout in the NFC South, Jones is possibly the best pass-catcher in the game.
Wide Receiver: Mike Evans, Buccaneers
Similar to Jones, Mike Evans is another former SEC playmaker who’s excelled at the professional level. In his 2014 rookie outing, Evans received 68 passes for 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns, tied for third most in football. Despite his decline in touchdowns last season, he reeled in career highs in targets (148), receptions (74) and yards (1,206). Turning 23 in August, the 6’5’’ wideout has a promising future ahead of him.
Slot Receiver: Willie Snead, Saints
Kelvin Benjamin may very will recapture his place as a top-three NFC South receiver, but this final spot is awarded to Willie Snead. Similar to Freeman, Snead was also deemed one of Last Word’s Midseason Pro Bowlers. By early November, SportingCharts noted that Snead only dropped one pass on 53 targets. He finished the season with 69 catches for 984 yards and three touchdowns. After globetrotting from the Browns, Giants and Panthers, he has made New Orleans his home. Albeit playing in a traditionally wideout-friendly system, Snead was a pleasant surprise for the Saints.
Tight End: Greg Olsen, Panthers
With Jimmy Graham now in Seattle, Greg Olsen is the undisputed best tight end within this division. Although his tenure with the Chicago Bears was respectable, he has played a far more prominent role for the Panthers. Since his arrival in 2011, Olsen has amassed 45 receptions, 540 yards and five touchdowns each season. In his two Pro Bowl campaigns from 2014-2015, he has tallied 161 catches, 2,112 yards and 13 scores. Simply put, the University of Miami alum has been nothing short of sensational. With Kelvin Benjamin reinserted into the lineup, the 31-year-old will continue to perform.
Left Tackle: Terron Armstead, Saints
From Jammal Brown to Jermon Bushrod to now Terron Armstead, New Orleans has yet again displayed its lineage of cornerstone left tackles. A third-round draft pick from Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2013, Armstead has silently developed into one of the NFL’s elite offensive linemen, earning a 90.9 grade by the analytics site Pro Football Focus. With a run grade and pass grade of 89.2 and 92.8, respectively, Armstead is pivotal in creating rushing lanes and protecting Drew Brees. Currently 24 with a new five-year/$64.5 million extension, he will block whatever comes in Louisiana.
Left Guard: Andrew Norwell, Panthers
Carolina boasts two Pro Bowl bell-cows in its backfield with running back Jonathan Stewart and fullback Mike Tolbert. Notwithstanding their individual abilities, their success can’t be magnified without the work of Andrew Norwell. Graded an 88.2 in run blocking by Pro Football Focus, Norwell’s knack for creating running seams for the ballcarriers was imperative in 2015. Achieving an 85.8 overall grade, Norwell’s presence will continue to be needed.
Center: Ryan Kalil, Panthers
Since entering the league in 2007, Ryan Kalil has established himself as one of the game’s top centers. PFF suggests that he isn’t strong in pass protection, but the site did rank the five-time Pro Bowler as the third-best run-blocking center in 2015. Kalil and Norwell were road graders for a Carolina Panthers rushing attack that placed second overall in football last year. Still providing strong play at 31, Kalil may be on the road to Canton.
Right Guard: Trai Turner, Panthers
Trai Turner completes the Carolina sweep of the NFC South’s offensive interior. Of the Panther trio, Turner is the best pass blocker. Despite the team’s struggles at the tackle position in 2015, the Pro Bowl guard only surrendered one sack all season. Posting a PFF grade of 87.2 in the category, Turner had the seventh-highest pass-blocking efficiency among guards. Combining for an overall grade of 86.2, Turner and Norwell is arguably the best guard duo in the NFL.
Right Tackle: Ryan Schraeder, Falcons
Ryan Schraeder rounds out the NFC South’s offense as the division’s best right tackle. Although modest in run blocking, Schraeder was graded an 87.9 in pass protection. His consistency was instrumental in the Falcons offense having another solid season. Putting forth an 87.0 overall grade, Schrader and Jake Matthews (79.5) make a formidable tackle tandem.
Be sure to check out our NFC South All-Division team on defense/special teams.
