The ground is shifting in the NFC South, even though the season is still six months away. After the initial wave of free agency, the Panthers appear to be getting stronger on paper, while a couple of their division rivals have gone the other way.
Let’s review what each team in the division has done and where they stand now that we’re in the second week of 2019 free agency.
1. New Orleans Saints
Signed: TE Jared Cook, RB Latavius Murray, DT Malcom Brown, DT Mario Edwards, C Nick Easton
Lost: RB Mark Ingram – Ravens, DE Alex Okafor – Chiefs, WR Tommylee Lewis – Lions
At least for now, the Saints still look like the team to beat in the NFC South. Their top move was adding the best tight end on the market in Jared Cook, which should help their passing offense be less dependent on Michael Thomas. Latavius Murray adds another dimension to their run game with a power element they did not have with Mark Ingram.
New Orleans is going to miss center Max Unger, who has retired. Assuming his contract issues get worked out, Nick Easton should be a decent enough replacement, though. Overall, the Saints are roughly just as dangerous as they were at the end of last season.
Roster strength: About the same
2. Carolina Panthers
Signed: C Matt Paradis, DE/LB Bruce Irvin
Lost: WR Devin Funchess – Colts, LB Thomas Davis – Chargers
While New Orleans is still the favorite to win the division, the one team that’s improved most in free agency is undoubtedly the Panthers. By adding center Matt Paradis, they landed the top interior offensive lineman of this free agent class and a legitimate upgrade at center.
Signing Bruce Irvin should also boost what was a lackluster pass rush last season. Re-signing Daryl Williams and Eric Reid were also good moves. Also, losing Thomas Davis and Devin Funchess isn’t likely to hurt much, given the team’s depth at both positions. Overall, this is a better team than it was before free agency began.
Roster strength: Stronger
3. Atlanta Falcons
Signed: G James Carpenter, G Jamon Brown, TE Luke Stocker, RB/KR Kenjon Barner
Lost: RB Tevin Coleman – 49ers, CB Brian Poole – Jets, CB Justin Bethel – Ravens, CB Robert Alford – Cardinals, DE Brooks Reed – Cardinals, DE Bruce Irvin – Panthers
The Falcons are stuck in a salary cap conundrum of their own making. By failing to work out a long-term deal with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, they had to franchise tag him, which severely limits what they can do.
So far, their big moves have been adding a couple of mediocre guards and a blocking tight end. Kenjon Barner should upgrade their return game, but that’s about the only thing to like about free agency for Atlanta.
They’ve also lost some key contributors like slot cornerback Brian Poole and cornerback Justin Bethel, who was their best special teams player. Seeing Bruce Irvin sign with Carolina a year after Dontari Poe did the same also has to sting. This is still a strong roster overall, but not as strong as it was a few weeks ago.
Roster strength: Weaker
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Signed: G Earl Watford, WR Breshad Perriman, LB Shaquil Barrett, LB Deone Bucannon, S Kentrell Brice, RB Andre Ellington
Lost: LB Kwon Alexander – 49ers, WR Adam Humphries – Titans, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick – Dolphins, DE Vinny Curry – Eagles
It’s going to take some time for Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles to dig the Bucs out of this ditch, if they can do it at all. Adding Shaq Barrett and Deone Bucannon were solid moves for their defense, but they also lost Kwon Alexander and a ton of firepower on the other side of the ball.
They’ll certainly be missing slot receiver Adam Humphries as well as speed demon DeSean Jackson, who’s been traded back to the Eagles. Worst of all, they lost their best backup quarterback, which could certainly become a problem given who their starter is.
Roster strength: Weaker
