NFC South Rumors: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers

Buccaneers

• Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht called LB Kwon Alexander the “heartbeat” of the Bucs defense, per Greg Auman.  The team will see what interest Alexander gets in free agency, but wants him back. 
• Licht says “all options are on the table” for WR DeSean Jackson, who also hired an agent.  Licht added Jackson “hasn’t lost a step as far as I can tell.”  (Les Bowen)
• Bucs HC Bruce Arians says he talked with Jackson and wants him on the team this year.  (Rick Stroud)
• Tampa Bay would love for DT Gerald McCoy to “continue to be a Buc” according to Licht.  (Marc Sessler)
• Licht says the Bucs will also listen to offers for the No. 5 pick. (Auman)
• Tampa Bay has had no discussions with Pittsburgh regarding WR Antonio Brown. (Rick Stroud)
• There are no plans to give up on RB Ronald Jones, per Licht: “He just needed a confidence boost.” (Stroud)
• The Bucs will look at moving CB M.J. Stewart to safety. (Auman)
• Tampa Bay could also potentially shift OL Alex Cappa to tackle, but he’ll get a look at guard first as Caleb Benenoch‘s best position is tackle. (Stroud) 
• Arians says bringing back their own guys, specifically Kwon Alexander and WR Adam Humphries, is a priority.  (Stroud)

Falcons

• Upcoming free agent RB Tevin Coleman is expected to move on from Atlanta, per Vaughn McClure.
• Without Coleman, RB Ito Smith is expected to take on a significant increase in workload. (William McFadden)
• The Falcons see recently-extended OT Ty Sambrailo as the starting right tackle, per HC Dan Quinn. (McClure)
• Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff says the team is working hard on keeping DT Grady Jarrett: “It is our focus and will continue to be our focus right now. Confident that that’s going to get done. He will be with us.” (McClure)

Panthers

• The Athletic’s Joe Person thinks TE Greg Olsen will return for another season with the Panthers, despite buzz about broadcast opportunities with FOX and ESPN.