NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

An AFC executive tells Jeremy Fowler of ESPN that Washington QB Jacob Eason is a “perfect” fit for the Buccaneers.

“He’s perfect for a Bruce Arians offense in Tampa,” the executive said. “He wouldn’t have to move. He could sit in the pocket and throw downfield. They could develop him for a few years behind [Tom] Brady.”

The Buccaneers hold the No. 45 overall pick and have two fourth-round picks available if they wanted to trade up.

• Minnesota DB Antoine Winfield Jr told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that the Buccaneers are among the teams he’s heard from during the predraft process. 

Falcons

• According to ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, the Falcons have talked to Ohio State CB Jeffrey Okudah, Florida CB C.J. Henderson and Clemson CB A.J. Terrell. 
• Okudah and Henderson are both projected to be drafted higher than Atlanta’s current pick at No. 16 overall, so either could be targets in the highly-rumored Falcons trade-up. 
• If the Falcons stay put, McClure mentions Terrell, LSU DE K’Lavon Chaisson and South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw as options. He also notes the Falcons could target Penn State DE Yetur Gross-Matos in a trade back. 
• McClure highlights Temple C Matt Hennessy as a player the Falcons have had a lot of contact with and have interest in on the second day. Hennessy could start at left guard, where the Falcons still don’t have a starter, and eventually take over for C Alex Mack. 
• Wyoming LB Logan Wilson had a private workout with the Falcons canceled due to the shutdown. (Vaughn McClure)
• Aaron Wilson reports that Oklahoma State CB A.J. Green has held video conferences with a number of teams including the Falcons.

Panthers

According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey‘s extension includes a $21.5 million signing bonus and breaks out as follows: 

• 2020: $825,000 base salary fully guaranteed
• 2021: $8.0375 million base salary, $7.7375 million guaranteed at signing. $200,000 workout bonus. 
• 2022: $8.4 million base salary, $8.1 million guaranteed for injury and fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2021 league year. $200,000 workout bonus.
• 2023: $11.8 million base salary, $1 million guaranteed for injury, $200,000 workout bonus.
• 2024: $11.8 million base salary, $200,000 workout bonus.
• 2025: $12 million base salary, $200,000 workout bonus.

Saints

• Katherine Terrell of the Athletic doesn’t see the Saints trading for a veteran player unless it is for an interior lineman or at the linebacker position, similar to the team acquiring LB Kiko Alonso from the Dolphins. 
• Terrell notes that the Saints are not dead set on keeping Erik McCoy at guard and he could be a candidate to switch to guard if the team acquires another interior lineman.
• Terrell puts the odds of the Saints signing RB Alvin Kamara to an extension at “50/50.” She could see New Orleans going the same route as the teams with Kamara and using the franchise tag on him if they can’t get a long-term deal done.
• While Terrell doesn’t see the team trading up into the first round to select a top receiver prospect, she could see them moving up in the second round to select a playmaking receiver or cornerback.

• Jeremy Fowler reports that the Saints are among the teams that have done “serious homework” on Utah State QB Jordan Love.