Dude...
NFC South could be the most competitive division in the NFL this year. The top pick of last April’s draft Bryce Young, quarterback from the University of Alabama belongs to the Carolina Panthers. There was turnover in this division with Tom Brady retiring and the Bucs replacing him with former number one pick Baker Mayfield, Carolina having a new Head Coach Frank Reich and Derek Carr joining the Saints. With good coaching and young talent, these teams will all compete for the division title and to be possibly the only playoff representative from the South division of the NFC conference.
New Orleans Saints
Record: 8-9
New QB same goal, the New Orleans Saints have been looking for a franchise Quarterback since Drew Brees retired in 2020. They think they have one in Derek Carr. Carr while overperformed by the standards set before him there still feels like he has something more to prove. His times in Oakland/ Las Vegas left more to be desired. He has the opportunity in a weaker division. With a receiver core of second year player Chris Olave, Micheal Thomas and Tre’Quan Smith, Running Backs Alvin Kamara and Jamal Williams this team has no shortage of weapons. Kamara is out the first weeks with a suspension handed down by the league. The Defense is largely the same and with Dennis Smith being one of the few remaining Head coaches in the league from that side of the ball they should play as a good unit this year.
Atlanta Falcons
Record: 7-10
Bijan Robinson gets to show the big leagues who he is this year, one of the highest graded rookie Running backs in recent history went eighth overall to the Falcons. Arthur Smith coached the shit out of this team last year and they are looking to improve. Desmond Ridder really has to take a step in his second year in the league and with an improved Offensive line he is in a good spot. Atlanta spent a lot of money on the defensive side of the ball with a new CB in Jeff Okudah, Safety in Jessie Bates III and D-line help with Calais Campbell. The last game of the season is Atlanta going to New Orleans, in my eyes the division is up to that game.
Carolina Panthers
Record: 6-11
The trade that the Panthers did to get Bryce Young was a lot, two firsts, two seconds and DJ Moore. But if they have their franchise Quarterback then it’s all worth it. After trading Christian McCaffrey they signed Miles Sanders and after losing the aforementioned DJ Moore, signed Adam Theilen. The team has improved marginally but with a rookie Quarterback and an unproven offensive line this could be a long season for Charlotte.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 4-13
After winning a Superbowl with the greatest quarterback of all time the Buccaneers are back at square one, with a Quarterback competition between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. Neither are world beaters but with how wide open this division is this team could be first in the standings at the end of the year. With the same great receiving core and offensive line this season is all up to quarterback play. Their Coach needs it, Todd Bowles is hot the hot seat and if the season goes as I’m predicting it could be the end of the road for him.
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