2020 Offseason Team Needs: NFC South

Buccaneers

Projected Cap Space: $79,894,844

Draft Picks: 7, including one compensatory pick per Over The Cap’s projections.

• 1st (No. 14)
• 2nd (No. 45)
• 3rd (No. 76)
• 4th (No. 107)
• 4th (Comp)
• 5th (No. 144)
• 6th (No. 175)

Notable Free Agents:

• QB Jameis Winston, LB Shaq Barrett, DT Ndamukong Suh, OT Demar Dotson, WR Breshad Perriman, LB Carl Nassib, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, RB Peyton Barber, S Andrew Adams, G Earl Watford, LB Kevin Minter, DT Rakeem Nunes-Roche, OT Josh Wells, S Darian Stewart, DT Beau Allen, QB Blaine Gabbert, CB Ryan Smith.

Team Needs:

1. Quarterback

This decision will have the biggest impact on the Buccaneers’ outlook in 2020. With former No. 1 overall QB Jameis Winston set to be a free agent, do the Buccaneers use the franchise tag on him and bet that he improves in his second year under HC Bruce Arians like other passers have? Or do they cut ties with Winston and go after a veteran like Philip Rivers, Ryan Tannehill or Teddy Bridgewater to maximize Arians’ tenure? 

1. Offensive Tackle

Tampa Bay suffered from inconsistent offensive tackle play in 2019. Starting right tackle Demar Dotson is set to be a free agent and at 34 he might not be in the Buccaneers’ future plans. Starting LT Donovan Smith can be cut at no cost in 2021. Improving this position for whoever plays quarterback for the Buccaneers is a major need. 

1. Cornerback

Over the past four years, the Buccaneers have poured draft resources into their secondary, including one first, four seconds, two thirds and two fourth-round picks. Still, the secondary remains a major weakness, particularly given how strong Tampa Bay’s front-seven became in 2019 with Shaq Barrett. Though it must be balanced with allowing young players to develop, the Buccaneers won’t be shy about trying to invest even more into fixing the defensive backfield.

Falcons

Projected Cap Space: $4,907,104

Draft Picks: 7

• 1st (No. 16)
• 2nd (No. 47)
• 2nd (No. 55, from NE)
• 3rd (No. 78)
• 4th (No. 109)
• 5th (No. 140)
• 7th (No. 206, from TB)

Notable Free Agents:

• TE Austin Hooper, DE Vic Beasley, LB De’Vondre Campbell, DT Tyeler Davison, C Wes Schweitzer, DE Adrian Clayborn, DT Jack Crawford, CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, S Kemal Ishmael, P Matt Bosher, P Ryan Allen, CB Jamar Taylor, FB Keith Smith, S Johnathan Cyprien, RB Brian Hill (RFA).

Team Needs:

1. Defensive Line

The Falcons have already let the NFL world know that they won’t try to keep DE Vic Beasley, who was their leading pass rusher during their 2016 Super Bowl run. A number of other players, including DE Adrian Clayborn and DT Tyeler Davison, are set to hit free agency as well. Atlanta GM Thomas Dimitroff has said getting game-wreckers on the defense is one of the team’s priorities this offseason as the Falcons try to build around DT Grady Jarrett and DE Takk McKinley. 

1. Left Guard

Last offseason, the Falcons put an emphasis on fixing the offensive line and shoring up QB Matt Ryan‘s protection, using two first-round picks on G Chris Lindstrom and OT Kaleb McGary and signing James Carpenter and Jamon Brown in free agency. Despite some rocky moments as rookies, Lindstrom and McGary are projected as starters on the right side of the line. That leaves left guard, where Atlanta could move on from Brown and Carpenter and try again. 

1. Running Back

The Falcons don’t have a lot of cap flexibility, particularly if they need to use the franchise tag on TE Austin Hooper. One avenue they could take to create space is releasing RB Devonta Freeman, particularly given his inability to stay healthy the past few seasons. While that would open up a hole at running back, it’s one that could be filled cheaply and easily through the draft, with a good chance of landing a more dynamic and reliable player than what Freeman offers at this stage. 

Panthers

Projected Cap Space: $32,047,733

Draft Picks: 7

• 1st (No. 7)
• 2nd (No. 38)
• 3rd (No. 69)
• 4th (No. 103)
• 5th (No. 134)
• 6th (No. 165)
• 7th (No. 199)

Notable Free Agents:

• CB James Bradberry, TE Greg Olsen, DT Gerald McCoy, S Tre Boston, DE Bruce Irvin, DT Vernon Butler, DE Mario Addison, OL Daryl Williams, G Greg Van Roten, CB Ross Cockrell, DT Kyle Love, WR Chris Hogan, CB Javien Elliott.

Team Needs:

1. Defensive Line

Only two members of the Panthers’ starting front in 2019 — DT Kawann Short and DE Brian Burns — are good bets to be back in 2020. That leaves Carolina needing to likely make multiple additions to rebuild its defense, both to find interior defenders to pair with Short to plug the run defense and more pass rushers to complement Burns. 

1. Linebacker

Panthers LB Luke Kuechly‘s surprise retirement leaves the type of gaping hole in the middle of the defense that would be expected when a potential Hall of Fame player leaves. Replacing Kuechly won’t be easy, but the Panthers have to try, as even in their nickel sets right now they’d be relying on 2018 fifth-round pick Jermaine Carter as a starter next to Shaq Thompson. 

1. Cornerback

If the Panthers can’t work out a long-term deal with CB James Bradberry, they would lose their best option for defending a murderer’s row of NFC South receivers. Carolina doesn’t have a lot behind Bradberry, either, with former second-round pick Donte Jackson struggling to find consistency and losing his starting job to Ross Cockrell, who’s also set for free agency. 

Saints

Projected Cap Space: $9,323,192

Draft Picks: 5

• 1st (No. 24)
• 3rd (No. 88)
• 4th (No. 120)
• 5th (No. 152)
• 6th (No. 184)

Notable Free Agents:

• QB Drew Brees, QB Teddy Bridgewater, QB Taysom Hill (RFA), CB Eli Apple, G Andrus Peat, S Vonn Bell, LB A.J. Klein, DT David Onyemata, CB P.J. Williams, WR Ted Ginn, FB Zach Line, G Patrick Omameh, S D.J. Swearinger, LB Manti Teo, DE Noah Spence, LB Stephone Anthony. 

Team Needs:

1. Wide Receiver

Saints WR Michael Thomas proved himself practically unstoppable when he broke the NFL single-season record for receptions in 2019. However, the Saints struggled to find other consistent options in the passing game at times, making a complementary target a top need for Drew Brees and whoever his successor at quarterback is. 

1. Linebacker

The Saints dealt with a bit of a revolving door at the position last year due to injuries. Heading into 2020, both A.J. Klein (free agent) and Kiko Alonso (ACL tear) have uncertain statuses. The Saints need to make at least one addition to pair with starting LB Demario Davis. 

1. Guard

Starting guard Andrus Peat is slated to be a free agent and there’s a good chance New Orleans lets him test the market after he didn’t work out for them at tackle and was moved inside. For 2020, Peat’s replacement is probably already on the roster, as backup C Nick Easton can slide in. Beyond that, however, the Saints could have needs at both starting guard spots with Larry Warford not under contract past this coming season.