The New Orleans Saints have been active in free agent, adding players like running back Latavius Murray and nose tackle Malcom Brown, but losing veterans including running back Mark Ingram and pass rusher Alex Okafor. They were fortunate to retain quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and most of their special teams corps, including kicker Wil Lutz. So how do the black and gold compare to their divisional rivals around the NFC South? Let’s take a survey.
Atlanta Falcons (2018 record: 7-9)
Biggest losses:
- CB Brian Poole
- CB Justin Bethel
- OT Ryan Schraeder (released)
- RB Tevin Coleman
Biggest additions:
- OG James Carpenter
- OG Jamon Brown
- TE Luke Stocker
- RB Kenjon Barner
The Falcons also retained turnstile right tackle Ty Sambrailo but released a handful of other players on the fringe of their roster. Their offseason has largely been spent clearing salary cap space to re-sign defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who ended up receiving the franchise tag. With his long-term contract still in the works and a deal for linebacker Deion Jones coming down the pipeline, the Falcons have done little but shuffle their offensive line. They drafted running back Ito Smith Jr. last year just ahead of the Saints (who panicked and reached on Rick Leonard, an offensive lineman they cut months later) with the idea of him replacing Tevin Coleman. Devonta Freeman remains the starter, but Coleman’s loss creates a void in the backfield.
Carolina Panthers (2018 record: 7-9)
Biggest losses:
- CB Captain Munnerlyn (release)
- DE Julius Peppers (retirement)
- FS Mike Adams (release)
- LB Thomas Davis
- OT Matt Kalil (release)
- OT Ryan Kalil (retirement)
- WR Devin Funchess
Biggest additions:
- OC Matt Paradis
- OT Daryl Williams (re-signed)
- SS Eric Reid (re-signed)
The Panthers lost a lot this offseason. Their aging core of defenders began to retire, leave for greener pastures, or were released to save salary cap space, leaving Luke Kuechley to pick up the pieces. On offense, Carolina finally punted on Devin Funchess as the guy they hoped could be their leading receiver, and only made one splash signing. But adding Matt Paradis was a very smart move, bringing in one of the game’s better centers right after Ryan Kalil chose to retire. His younger brother, left tackle Matt Kalil (Saints defense end Cameron Jordan’s beloved ‘Speedbumb McGee’) was released to save salary cap space. It’s a rough start to the 2019 season for Carolina.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018 record: 5-11)
Biggest losses:
- DE Vinny Curry (released)
- LB Kwon Alexander
- WR Adam Humphries
- WR DeSean Jackson (traded)
Biggest additions:
- Head coach Bruce Arians (and staff)
- DE Shaq Barrett
- LB Deone Buccanon
- WR Breshad Perriman
Any discussion surrounding the Buccaneers begins with the hiring of head coach Bruce Arians. He will introduce completely new philosophies for Tampa Bay in every phase of the game, emphasizing aggressive defense and a pass-happy offense that will stress the deep coverage abilities of every team they go up against. To that end, the losses of slot specialist Adam Humphries and deep threat DeSean Jackson don’t mean as much because they’re installing a new system anyway. If this were an established coaching staff trying to keep things together with big pieces leaving, it would be different. But since Arians is building from the ground up as it is, he can treat the holes Humphries and Jackson left behind as any other hurdle.
