NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

• ESPN’s Jenna Laine expects the Buccaneers to ultimately elect to put the franchise tag on QB Jameis Winston. 
• The Athletic’s Greg Auman says the Buccaneers could target players like Michigan LB Josh Uche, Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson, Georgia RB D’Andre Swift, Penn State WR K.J. Hamler and Minnesota S Antoine Winfield in the second round. 
• In the third round, players like USC WR Michael Pittman, Florida State RB Cam Akers, Florida DE Jonathan Greenard, Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts and St. John’s OT Ben Bartch could be options. 

Falcons

• ESPN’s Vaughn McClure thinks the Falcons ultimately elect not to put the franchise tag on TE Austin Hooper. 

Panthers

• The Athletic’s Joseph Person says the Panthers are seen as a wildcard team to potentially trade up to No. 1 overall for LSU QB Joe Burrow given how owner David Tepper has established himself as someone who’s not afraid to make a splash.
• Carolina also hired Burrow’s passing game coordinator, Joe Brady, as their offensive coordinator. 
• However, the Bengals would have to be willing to trade and the Panthers would likely have to give up a huge amount of draft capital to make the deal work. 
• The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue reports the Panthers are expected to thoroughly evaluate a number of quarterbacks in this year’s draft. 
• She also lists Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons, Auburn DT Derrick Brown, South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw, Oregon QB Justin Herbert and Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa as potential options for the Panthers in the first round. 
• Other options in the draft include Utah State QB Jordan Love, Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts, Auburn CB Noah Igbinoghene, Lenoir-Rhyne S Kyle Dugger, LSU LB Patrick Queen, Oregon LB Troy Dye, Louisville OT Mekhi Becton, TCU DT Ross Blacklock, Utah DT Leki Fotu, LSU WR Justin Jefferson, South Carolina WR Bryan Edwards, LSU TE Thaddeus Moss, LSU OL Lloyd Cushenberry, Baylor DL James Lynch and Penn State WR K.J. Hamler.
• ESPN’s David Newton thinks the Panthers ultimately elect not to put the franchise tag on CB James Bradberry. 

Saints

• ESPN’s Mike Triplett says the Saints won’t try to use the franchise tag on QB Teddy Bridgewater to try and pull off a tag-and-trade move. Instead, they’ll bank on potentially getting a compensatory pick for him in 2021. 
• The Saints are promoting assistant LB coach Michael Hodges to replace departed LB coach Mike Nolan. (Nick Underhill/Dan Hatman)
• The Saints are interested in re-signing LS Zach Wood to a contract extension. (Underhill)