NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Saints

Buccaneers

• While Buccaneers LB Devin White was excellent in 2020, the Athletic’s Greg Auman says he could still take another step forward and become the league’s best inside linebacker in 2021. 
• ESPN’s Jenna Laine notes Buccaneers QB Ryan Griffin faces an uphill climb to make the roster, as he was firmly behind Blaine Gabbert last year and Tampa Bay just used a second-round pick on Kyle Trask. 

Falcons

• The Athletic’s Tori McElhaney highlights Falcons WR Russell Gage and TE Hayden Hurst as players who should be key in picking up the slack with the departure of Julio Jones. 
• The Falcons don’t have a lot of veteran players on the bubble but ESPN’s Michael Rothstein highlights DL Jonathan Bullard as someone who’s not guaranteed a spot. 

Saints

Saints S Marcus Williams believes last year was necessary for his development.

“I feel like I take a step forward every single day, and every time I stepped on the field last year I felt like I took a step forward.” Williams said, via ESPN’s Mike Triplett. “And just with being a leader and being around my teammates and learning from other guys and having guys learning from me, it was a big step forward. Especially being in Year 4, it was a big step, I feel.”

Williams also mentioned he isn’t worried about the defense losing CB Janoris Jenkins in the offseason.

“We always have that next-man-up mentality,” Williams said. “So whoever comes in, or if it’s a guy that’s already been here, we’re already ready to mold together and get that culture back up and running and figure out what our identity for the year is going to be. And we just know that we’re going to have a good coach to help us bring everybody together.”

• Nick Underhill reports if RT Ryan Ramczyk is a first- or second-team All-Pro left tackle between 2021-2026, he earns $1 million more the following season.