NFC South Rumors: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

• Old Dominion DL Oshane Ximines said he had a formal interview with Buccaneers earlier this week. (Greg Auman)
• The Buccaneers scheduled a formal meeting with Florida OLB Jachai Polite on Saturday. (Greg Auman)
• LSU LB Devin White met with the Bucs last night and said he did a lot of work with coaches breaking down tape. (Rick Stroud)
• New Mexico State LB Terrill Hanks said he has a formal interview with the Bucs Saturday night. (Greg Auman)

Falcons

• Although Vaughn McClure reports that “not much” has progressed with WR Julio Jones‘ contract negotiations, GM Thomas Dimitroff is “optimistic” about a new deal for Jones. 
• Georgia WR Riley Ridley said he is meeting with the Falcons on Saturday. (D. Orlando Ledbetter)
• Clemson DT Austin Bryant said he met with the Falcons at the NFL Combine. (D. Orlando Ledbetter)
• Clemson DT Christian Wilkins said he had an informal meeting with the Falcons. (D. Orlando Ledbetter)

Panthers

• Panthers DC Eric Washington and DL coach Sam Mills III said they came away impressed by Mississippi State DL Montez Sweat‘s “versatility in multiple fronts” after studying film with him earlier this week. (Jourdan Rodrigue)
• Clemson DT Christian Wilkins confirmed that he had a formal meeting with the Panthers on Friday. (D. Orlando Ledbetter)

Saints

• Although the Saints are reportedly interested in acquiring Steelers WR Antonio Brown, Larry Holder of The Athletic reports that Buccaneers impending free-agent WR Adam Humphries is a “more realistic” option for the team. 
• The Saints have hired former NFL LB Michael Wilhoite as a special teams assistant. (Josh Katzenstein)