Will the NFC South Continue to Be the NFL’s Armpit?
As training camp continues to get closer, many folks have begun previewing the 2023 season and what we should expect to see from each NFL team in 2023. Over the course of the next couple weeks, we will be breaking down all 32 NFL teams, going over some of the biggest moves of the offseason, best-case and worst-case scenarios for 2023, and addressing some of the questions facing each team. This time around, we head down to the NFC South, one of the worst divisions in the league during 2022. Can the group rise up the ranks in 2023?
Atlanta Falcons
- 2022 Record: 7-10 (4th in NFC South)
- Best Addition: RB Bijan Robinson
- Biggest Loss: CB Isaiah Oliver
- Underrated Move: Signing QB Taylor Heinicke
- 2023 Floor: 7-10
- 2023 Ceiling: 11-6
- Biggest Question: Will Bijan Live Up to the Hype?
In today’s NFL, using a top 10 pick on a running back is a risky move. However, that is exactly what the Atlanta Falcons did by selecting Bijan Robinson with the 8th overall pick this April. However, behind one of the best offensive lines in all of football, there really isn’t a much better fit for a young, explosive running back than Atlanta.
Robinson should immediately jump into the RB1 role and become a top producer at the position in the entire league. This will be very important for the Falcons as they try to take pressure off young QB Desmond Ridder as well as a defense that showcases many new faces this season.
Carolina Panthers
- 2022 Record: 7-10 (2nd in NFC South)
- Best Addition: QB Bryce Young
- Biggest Loss: WR D.J. Moore
- Underrated Move: Signing QB Andy Dalton
- 2023 Floor: 8-9
- 2023 Ceiling: 11-6
The Carolina Panthers landed Bryce Young with the first overall pick, hopefully finding a long-term solution to their QB problem. They also were one of the biggest players in free agency this offseason, landing players on offense such as DJ Chark, Hayden Hurst, Miles Sanders, and Adam Thielen to give their young QB some playmakers.
Of course, D.J. Moore is no longer around, taking away a very talented receiver from the group. Even if Young faces some struggles early on, the Panthers rather sneakily brought aboard a terrific security blanket in Andy Dalton, who quietly had a rather strong season in New Orleans during 2022. Dalton can at least keep Carolina afloat if Young needs additional development, and along with improvements to a strong defensive group, this team should certainly compete for a division title this year.
New Orleans Saints
- 2022 Record: 7-10 (3rd in NFC South)
- Best Addition: QB Derek Carr
- Biggest Loss: DT David Onyemata
- Underrated Move: Drafting WR A.T. Perry
- 2023 Floor: 5-12
- 2023 Ceiling: 12-5
- Biggest Question: Who Will Actually Be Available on Offense?
The New Orleans Saints made the flashiest move of the offseason in this division, finding a way to sign QB Derek Carr to a four-year contract worth $150 million. However, as seems to be par for the course in New Orleans recently, everything really depends on the availability of their players, particularly offensively.
Despite losses of Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata, and Shy Tuttle on the defensive front, that unit should remain above average, and the acquisitions on paper make it seem like they are an improved offense. Carr should be an upgrade over Andy Dalton as should Jamaal Williams over Mark Ingram. Adding Michael Thomas back to the lineup is huge as well, but will injuries once again get the better of him?
Thomas’ health is just one question surrounding this offense. Alvin Kamara’s status is still up in the air with his court case, and he could (and probably will) be suspended for an extended period of the season. In games without Kamara in the lineup over the past two years, New Orleans has averaged just 18 points per contest. Availability of their stars will be the deciding factor in how competitive this team can be.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 2022 Record: 8-9 (1st in NFC South, No. 4 seed in NFC)
- Best Addition: DT Calijah Kancey
- Biggest Loss: QB Tom Brady
- Underrated Move: Signing RB Chase Edmonds
- 2023 Floor: 3-14
- 2023 Ceiling: 6-11
- Biggest Question: Does Devin White Get Traded?
Replacing the greatest quarterback of all-time is tough enough of a feat, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also lost CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, LT Donovan Smith, and WR Scottie Miller from their roster in free agency. Additionally, there is still the matter of Devin White’s trade request from earlier in the offseason.
They signed Baker Mayfield in free agency to compete with Kyle Trask for the starting QB spot, but this is a team that seems destined to take another step backwards in 2023. Considering how talented the QB class seems to be in the 2024 Draft, though, this could be the perfect time to do so.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.