The first waves of free agency have come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 18th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s continue with the NFC South.
Atlanta Falcons
Key acquisitions: RB Todd Gurley, TE Hayden Hurst, OLB Dante Fowler, WR Laquon Treadwell, OL Justin McCray, LB LaRoy Reynolds, TE Khari Lee
Re-signed: FB Keith Smith, DT Tyeler Davison, DE Steven Means, S Sharrod Neasman, CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson
Departures: RB Devonta Freeman, TE Austin Hooper (Browns), CB Desmond Trufant (Lions), OLB Vic Beasley (Titans), LB De’Vondre Campbell (Cardinals), G Wes Schweitzer (Redskins), DE Adrian Clayborn (Browns), DE Jack Crawford (Titans), OT Ty Sambrailo (Titans), TE Luke Stocker
Remaining free agents: P Matt Bosher, S Kemal Ishmael, CB Jamar Taylor, S J.J. Wilcox
Analysis: What started out as a fire sale in Atlanta, ended up turning into the buying of some big time players. After parting with several key starters, many wondered if this was the start of a rebuild in Atlanta. In a way it was, but it turned into the quickest rebuild I’ve ever seen. Superstar running back Todd Gurley was shockingly cut by the Rams, and the Falcons quickly scooped up the Georgia native, joining a high-powered offense with 11 first-round picks in the starting lineup. I’m a huge Freeman fan, and it stinks that he’s a free agent right now, but he didn’t look right last year, and needs a fresh start elsewhere. Also in that new starting lineup is former Vikings receiver Laquon Treadwell, who only has 701 receiving yards through four seasons, but will likely be the third receiver behind Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. They also got a new first-round tight end in former Raven Hayden Hurst, who they traded a second-round pick for. Star tight end Hooper left for Cleveland, and Hurst helps fill that role. He’s still on a rookie contract, but is actually a year older than Hooper. They also lost a couple backup offensive linemen in Schweitzer and Sambrailo, but they’re highly invested in their line so they could afford to lost a couple guys. Just pick up a few in the later rounds to build depth.
On defense, they parted with several starters, including starting corner and former first-rounder Desmond Trufant, starting linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, and former sack leader Vic Beasley. They were able to sign former third overall pick Dante Fowler to fill Beasley’s role, maybe even upgrade. The loss of Trufant is significant, but maybe they believe in their young guys. I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz around 2019 fourth-rounder Kendall Sheffield alongside starter Isaiah Oliver, a second-rounder in 2018. Losing Campbell is also major as he’s been a starter the past four years. He leaves behind star linebacker Deion Jones and young up and comer Foye Oluokun.
Conclusion: The Falcons are reportedly expected to be very active in the draft, so it better be for a star defensive player. They need help at all levels, so it’s hard to miss. They could go edge rusher to join Fowler, Takk McKinley, and John Cominsky. Maybe a K’Lavon Chaisson or Yetur Gross-Matos. They could go defensive tackle to pair with Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett, like a Javon Kinlaw or they could go linebacker with Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen. They’re set at safety, but Keanu Neal has had back-to-back season-ending lower body injuries, but Damontae Kazee has been a great fill-in alongside Ricardo Allen. They very much should go cornerback. They’ll likely have to trade up to get Jeff Okudah, but with the 16th pick, they could get C.J. Henderson or A.J. Terrell, or some other top guy. Either way, they HAVE to go defense.
This offense has always been great, which isn’t hard when you’ve had the best receiver in the game. The starting lineup has 11 first-round picks, you have no excuses when you have this type of pedigree. Gurley is an upgrade over Freeman, and they should have a stable offensive line now that both their first-rounders from last year are healthy.
The Falcons have been disappointing since the Super Bowl in 2016, but are always entertaining to watch. This offense is elite, but the defense needs work. Strictly focus on defense in the draft, and you’ll be right back in it. Falcons fans, I know the jerseys aren’t great, but your team looks fun to watch, just wait and see.
Carolina Panthers
Key acquisitions: QB Teddy Bridgewater, WR Robby Anderson, OT Russell Okung, DE Stephen Weatherly, LB Tahir Whitehead, G John Miller, S Juston Burris, WR Pharoh Cooper, DE Chris Smith, WR Seth Roberts, WR Keith Kirkwood, TE Seth DeValve, QB P.J. Walker, DT Zach Kerr
Re-signed: S Tre Boston
Departures: QB Cam Newton, LB Luke Kuechly (retired), G Trai Turner (Chargers), CB James Bradberry (Giants), DT Gerald McCoy (Cowboys), G Greg Van Roten (Jets), DT Vernon Butler (Bills), OL Daryl Williams (Bills), DE Mario Addison (Bills), DE Bruce Irvin (Seahawks), QB Kyle Allen (Redskins), DT Dontari Poe (Cowboys)
Remaining free agents: CB Ross Cockrell, DT Kyle Love, CB Javien Elliott, WR Chris Hogan, WR Jarius Wright
Analysis: What a weird couple of seasons for the Panthers. Always seem to be great at the start of the season, then fall off as the seasons progresses. Health has a lot to do with it, mainly at quarterback, but with new ownership, change was expected, and boy did it come. They cut their franchise QB, the best linebacker in the league retired, they traded their Pro Bowl guard, lost their best cornerback, and lost plenty of other starters, just to name a few. Now for a team that is clearly in a time of turnover and rebuild, they brought in a ton of free agents to help fill the holes.
First, they signed Teddy Bridgewater to be their next signal caller. The Newton situation has been shaky the past couple seasons, with questions about his health and diet choices relating to his inability to stay on the field and complications with surgery rehab. After undergoing surgery last season, new owner David Tepper decided to part with Newton and go with Bridgewater, who went 5-0 as a starter with the Saints last year in place of Drew Brees, and seemed to be back to his pre-ACL-tear self. Their starter from last year, Kyle Allen, was shipped to Washington for a fifth-rounder, creating competition between last year’s third-rounder Will Grier and XFL star P.J. Walker to be the backup. How they got a fifth for Allen but nothing for Newton is surprising. Panthers also brought in two wide receivers who had been teammates with Bridgewater before in Robby Anderson and Keith Kirkwood, along with Seth Roberts and returnman Pharoh Cooper to bolster a receiving core surrounded by speed in D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel. A couple years ago, I remember someone saying that the Panthers wanted more speed on their offense, this entire offense is now speed guys, maybe too much speed and not enough big bodies. Also on offense they brought in John Miller at guard to compete for a starting spot after losing starters Trai Turner, Greg Van Roten, and Daryl Williams. Oh yeah that’s right, they traded their best offensive lineman, and got an injury-prone left tackle in Russell Okung. That’s a great trade, good job front office.
On defense, they severely lost more than they gained, none bigger than the surprise retirement of Luke Kuechly. He’s been the best linebacker in the league every year he’s been here, and he’ll be missed. They also lost top corner James Bradberry to the Giants, who’s evolved into a great starter and should be Pro Bowl-bound in his future. Their biggest losses were up front, losing five starters, DTs Gerald McCoy, Vernon Butler, and Dontari Poe, all former first-rounders, and veteran DEs Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin. They brought in former Viking Stephen Weatherly and former Browns, Bengals, and Jaguars veteran Chris Smith, but those guys shouldn’t be your top edge rushers, so they need help.
Conclusion: Panthers need a lot. First off, they need a guard. I was shocked by the Turner-Okung trade, with the Chargers getting the much better half of the deal with Turner, who’s a five-time Pro Bowler at 26 years old. The guard starters appear to be John Miller and ???. One of their listed young tackles (Dennis Daley, Greg Little) could move inside, with newly acquired Okung and Taylor Moton the starters at tackle. They made Christian McCaffrey the highest-paid running back, and deservedly so as he’s the most dangerous weapon in the NFL. I do like this offense, especially the speed at receiver. I worry about the size, as they need some big receivers. They also need a new starting tight end as they cut Greg Olsen. Ian Thomas will likely get the job, but anything can happen.
More importantly, they need help at all levels of the defense, and picking at No. 7, they could get a top guy. Up front, they have Kawaan Short, and really nothing else, so they could go defensive tackle with Derrick Brown if he’s available or Javon Kinlaw. Kyle Love is still a free agent, but they’ll likely bring him back later in the summer, like they do every year. At edge rusher, they have 2019 first-rounder Brian Burns, who played very well as a rookie, along with newbies Smith and Weatherly. They won’t get Chase Young, but maybe a K’Lavon Chaisson. With Kuechly and Thomas Davis gone, Shaq Thompson is now the top guy, and he’s really good and earned a contract extension, he’s just been overshadowed by those guys. I like the Tahir Whitehead signing as he’s been a rock throughout his career with the Raiders and Lions, so he’ll be a starter. They’ve got some unproven young guys who’ll have to step up in Christian Miller, Andre Smith, and Marquis Haynes. In the secondary, with Bradberry gone, Donte Jackson is now the top corner. He’s a talented young player, he just needs to pull it all together. Outside of him, it’s really nothing, none of the listed CBs played any meaningful defensive snaps. Ross Cockrell is still a free agent, and he was second in CB snaps last year. They should sign a veteran, like a Logan Ryan or Trumaine Johnson. I think they’ll look towards the draft. Jeff Okudah could fall to them, or they’ll go after C.J. Henderson. The safeties are in a slightly better position as Tre Boston got an extension, but Eric Reid got cut, and they don’t have a replacement. Again they need to tackle this in the draft or sign a veteran guy still on the market.
All in all, this is a very rough looking roster, one of the worst in the leagues. Holes in the starting lineup everywhere is not a good start to a new era. They have tons of work to do to rebuild this roster, maybe the most work in the entire work. It’s a rebuild in Carolina, but you’ve got some young guys to build around, so that’s something.
New Orleans Saints
Key acquisitions: WR Emmanuel Sanders, S Malcolm Jenkins, FB Michael Burton
Re-signed: QB Drew Brees, G Andrus Peat, DT David Onyemata, CB P.J. Williams, S D.J. Swearinger, DE Noah Spence, S Justin Hardee
Departures: S Vonn Bell (Bengals), LB A.J. Klein (Bills), QB Teddy Bridgewater (Panthers), FB Zach Line (retired), WR Keith Kirkwood (Panthers)
Remaining free agents: CB Eli Apple, WR Ted Ginn
Analysis: The theme of the Saints free agency was bringing in championship talent. The number priority for them was to re-sign Drew Brees, and they got him for two more years to hopefully bring another championship to New Orleans. To aid Brees and the Saints in that goal, they brought in a veteran wide receiver who has plenty of experience in the Super Bowl in former Broncos, 49ers, and Steelers Pro Bowler Emmanuel Sanders. The Saints have desperately needed a No. 2 receiver opposite Michael Thomas forever now, and Sanders is the perfect compliment to the 2019 OPOY. To help protect Brees, they re-signed their Pro Bowl guard Andrus Peat to a nice multi-year extension.
On defense, they brought in an old friend, a former first-round pick of theirs, in star safety Malcolm Jenkins, who’s been in Philly the past six seasons. He’s got a ring with both the Eagles and Saints, so he knows what it means to win. The signing of Jenkins signaled the end for starting safety Vonn Bell, who has moved on to Cincinnati. They also brought back rotational d-lineman David Onyemata, and nickel corner P.J. Williams. They did lose starting linebacker A.J. Klein to the Bills, so they’ll be looking for his replacement, if they don’t already have it in house.
Conclusion: The Saints are built for a championship, but they’re running out of time. Brees is technically under contract for two years, but many view it really as a one-year deal. Plus signed a future deal with NBC Sports, so he already has his post-playing career planned out. This puts the Saints in a tough position for the future, as Teddy Bridgewater is now the starter in Carolina. The gave Taysom Hill the first-round restricted free agent tender, which shows how much they value him as a utility, or maybe the future starting quarterback. In this offense, few teams have more talented skill position players. First off, they have a top 5 receiver in Thomas, who catches everything and is a complete receiver. Him along with Sanders will be great, but they still need help. I like Tre’Quan Smith and electric returner Deonte Harris, but it doesn’t have to have a surplus of receivers, and this draft is perfect to fill out the depth chart. Alvin Kamara is a top running back, but dealt with injuries last season in his first season as the featured back. Latavius Murray is a great compliment to him and filled in the Mark Ingram role. Jared Cook is also a great tight end, alongside Josh Hill. Not to mention the offensive line is top 5 in the league.
The defense is quietly one of the best, led by pass rushers Cam Jordan and Marcus Davenport, and Sheldon Rankins and Malcom Brown in the middle. At linebacker, Demario is a top 10 linebacker that never gets talked about (he was first-team All-Pro, but not a Pro Bowler). They also got off-injured Alex Anzalone and Kiko Alonso, but they need depth. The secondary is one of the best in the league. Marshon Lattimore is a lock-down corner, Janoris Jenkins was a nice in-season pick up and is expected to have a starting role in 2020. Their safeties are elite with Jenkins, young riser C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Marcus Williams, and D.J. Swearinger.
There’s no major holes on this Saints roster, really only depth moves are needed from the draft. I expect them to take a wide receiver, cornerback, or linebacker with the 24th pick. This is a championship roster, so they have to go all in to get Brees another championship before his Hall of Fame career comes to a close.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key acquisitions: QB Tom Brady, TE Rob Gronkowski, OT Joe Haeg
Re-signed: OLB Shaq Barrett (franchise), OLB Jason Pierre-Paul, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ryan Smith, DE Rakeem Nunez-Roches, LB Kevin Minter, S Andrew Adams, QB Blaine Gabbert
Departures: WR Breshad Perriman (Jets), RB Peyton Barber (Redskins), DE Carl Nassib (Raiders), DT Beau Allen (Patriots)
Remaining free agents: QB Jameis Winston, OT Demar Dotson
Analysis: We’ve all heard about how the Buccaneers were able to bring in Tom Brady, I’m not going to dig too deep into the signing. But what I will say is the Bucs are all in on a championship, something I did not expect after 2019. I thought they were going to ride it out with Jameis Winston as the franchise quarterback, but it looks like instead of going on a long run, they want a championship now. Why else would you sign a 42 year old quarterback, and then trade for his favorite tight end, who just won a WWE title. Bruce Arians and the Bucs are doing everything they can to get this ring, and that basically means become the Patriots.
The Bucs also did business on the defensive side of the ball. First order of business was to franchise the NFL sack leader Shaq Barrett. He had a phenomenal year his first year in Tampa, and the Bucs would like to keep him long term. They also brought back veterans Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh to shore up a strong defensive line. They lost Carl Nassib and Beau Allen, but they were more of depth players. They also brought back a couple depth players in the secondary in Ryan Smith and Andrew Adams, who are actually the most experienced players in a good young secondary.
Conclusion: The Tompa Bay Gronkaneers are all of a sudden a championship-caliber team. They’ve definitely got the talent and star power to do it. The offensive weapons that Brady will have is among the best he’s ever had. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Gronk, O.J. Howard?, Cameron Brate. Also expect slot receiver Scotty Miller to have an increased role. Ronald Jones is questionable as the starter, although he did show signs last year. Many draft experts have LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire going to Tampa, and I see it. I was watching highlights and he reminds me of Doug Martin, a former Bucs RB.
The defense became one of the better units at the end of 2019, and they’ve got most of those players back for 2020. I already mentioned Barrett, Suh, and JPP, but they’ve got some elite talent throughout the defense. Lavonte David has been a top linebacker his entire career, but he doesn’t get the recognition, he deserves to be a perennial Pro Bowler. Also Devin White, he’s gonna be the next big linebacker, alongside David. The secondary is very young, like very young. I’m a fan of their corners: Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Carlton Davis, and M.J. Stewart were all drafted the past two years. The safeties are no older: Justin Evans, Jordan Whitehead, and Mike Edwards. They’re young, but with talented potential.
The Bucs are eyeing a championship, this was unexpected before free agency, but they’re all in. Super Bowl or bust.
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