NFC South Offseason Grades

With the bulk of free agency and the entire NFL Draft officially behind us, it’s time to look at how each team did in the offseason. Did they get better? Worse? What grade did each team receive? All those questions, and more, answered here. We’ll move through one division at a time finishing today with the NFC South:

Atlanta Falcons

Free Agency Grade: B

The Falcons made some sound moves, bringing back some players and adding a bunch of role players. That list includes Clayborn, Durant, Godfrey, Moeaki, Schofield, Tamme, Adams, Reed, Hankerson, etc. They didn’t sign any truly elite player, but they are slowly remaking the roster with the new staff. Two of the players mentioned were from Seattle, coming over with the new head coach.

NFL Draft Grade: A+

This is where Atlanta truly impressed me. As it’s been said by other members of the media, they basically got three first round picks in the draft. Vic Beasley will be a top edge rusher, Jalen Collins could be a great, physical corner for Dan Quinn, and Tevin Coleman may be their workhorse as early as this season. I also loved how they nabbed Grady Jarrett late in the draft, and Justin Hardy is also a promising prospect at wide receiver.

Overall Grade: A

Dan Quinn was the coach on the market that I thought was the real prize out there. So when you combine their player additions and their coaching hires, it adds up to a great offseason. Due to all this, the Falcons may be the division favorite once again.

Carolina Panthers

Free Agency Grade: C-

Carolina didn’t have a strong free agent period. They officially lost Greg Hardy when he signed with Dallas. They failed to upgrade the offensive line and wide receiving corps, and really didn’t make any moves to make them better. The basically signed scrubs that other teams didn’t want anymore (Boykin, Ginn Jr., Martin, Oher, Tillman, Todman, etc.). Those moves won’t help at all.

NFL Draft Grade: D

Shaq Thompson is very versatile and is an intriguing prospect. But what role will he play on Carolina, and why did they take him in the first round when he surely would have been available in the second? Devin Funchess is also promising, but massively trading up to nab him in the mid second wasn’t ideal and hurt them moving forward. With Olsen and Benjamin already on the field, what does Funchess bring them anyways? I did think Cameron Artis-Payne was a decent pick, but that’s about it. Only having a five player draft class also hurts them.

Overall Grade: D+

Carolina failed to improve, and likely got passed up by other teams in the NFC, including at least one in their division (Falcons). I still think they need a better unit on offense surrounding Cam Newton, at nearly every position. They could always prove me wrong though.

New Orleans Saints

Free Agency Grade: B+

Do I love the fact they traded away their best offensive weapon in Jimmy Graham? Not really. But in doing so they got a first round pick and the best center in the league (Max Unger). They also picked up a draft pick by trading 31-year-old Ben Grubbs, an overpaid player they were debating on cutting. There was also the Kenny stills trade, which in my opinion was nearly thievery. They picked up a third round pick and a young emerging stud in Ellerbe was great value for a limited route runner in Stills. They also added Browner at corner (totally underrated), Anthony Spencer, Kyle Wilson, and CJ Spiller. All will have roles. They did a good job re-signing some of their own as well.

NFL Draft Grade: B+

While I don’t think they made out like bandits with their duel first round picks, Peat and Anthony both possess a ton of upside and fill positions of need. Kikaha is an intriguing edge rusher, and they may have selected their QB of the future in Garrett Grayson. PJ Williams as a third round pick may have been their best pick though, as he was a total steal.

Overall Grade: B+

I actually worry a little about their offense, which sounds crazy… Brees looked to slow down last year, they lost many of his key pass catchers, and their offensive line is filled with new additions and some young players. With that said, there is a ton of talent that remain and this offseason sets them up well for the future.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Free Agency Grade: C

They did bring in some decent talent, but they gave up some players too. Don’t know at this point if they were positive or negative swaps. They added George Johnson, Bruce Carter, Chris Conte, and Henry Melton (among others). They lost Adrian Clayborn, Anthony Collins, Michael Johnson, and Mason Foster (among others). See what I mean?

NFL Draft Grade: B

We all know about Jameis Winston, a pick that I loved and agreed with. He is exactly what they needed and will set up their franchise to have success over the next decade. I liked their thought process with their two second round picks, when they took back to back offensive linemen to protect their young QB. They added two wide receivers as well later on in the draft. On the flip side, they didn’t get great value with many of them, especially with some of the talent that was available. The best value they got was Kwon Alexander, an outside linebacker they selected in the fourth round. He could be a good one.

Overall Grade: B-

I don’t see a ton of improvement across the board, but by adding Winston at the most important position in football, there is now hope. That gives them an above average grade.

By: The Sports Guys