NFC Notes: Falcons, Lions, Panthers

Falcons

• Per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Falcons assistant GM Scott Pioli had discussed stepping down with Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff last year, but decided to work one more year. 
• Breer says Dimitroff likely won’t hire another assistant general manager and will move toward a more traditional front office structure. 
• The Falcons moved toward that by promoting Shepley Heard to director of pro personnel.

Lions

• Tim Twentyman of the Lions official website says to keep an eye on how often first-round TE T.J. Hockenson and free-agent TE Jesse James are on the field together. 
• Twentyman added there’s not yet a set position for rookie LB Jahlani Tavai, who could line up all over the formation. 
• Twentyman mentions free-agent CB Rashaan Melvin as the favorite for the other outside corner spot across from Darius Slay, with Marcus Cooper, Teez Tabor and Mike Ford other options looking to compete. 
• Twentman writes that the right guard spot is up for grabs, with Kenny Wiggins, Oday Aboushi, Tyrell Crosby and even UDFA Beau Benzschawel potential contenders. 

Panthers

• The Charlotte Observer’s Jourdan Rodrigue says the Panthers ideally would like to keep only two quarterbacks on the final roster and stash a third on the practice squad. 
• However, if there are concerns about QB Cam Newton‘s shoulder, the Panthers could elect to keep one of Taylor Heinicke or Kyle Allen behind Newton and third-round rookie Will Grier. 
• Rodrigue writes LB Shaq Thompson, who has had somewhat limited playing time since being drafted and will be a free agent after the season, can start making his case for an extension during OTA’s. 
• Rodrigue also mentions CB James Bradberry as a potential extension candidate this offseason. 
• Rodrigue adds that it’s a make-or-break year for DT Vernon Butler, who did not have his fifth-year option picked up and recorded only half a sack in 2018. 
• Per Rodrigue, the Panthers will explore moving OT Daryl Williams to left guard because of OT Taylor Moton‘s strong performance at right tackle last season. 
• Rodrigue also says to keep an eye on a late-summer signing at safety given the Panthers’ lack of depth there. 
• The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin notes that the Panthers could free up $5 million in cap space by releasing or trading WR Torrey Smith. 
• Volin mentions Smith as a veteran worth watching after Carolina signed WR Aldrick Robinson on Friday and added Chris Hogan last month.