NFC South 2021 offseason needs Bucs hoping to retain Super Bowl core Saints likely entering post-Brees era

NFC South 2021 offseason needs Bucs hoping to retain Super Bowl core Saints likely entering post-Brees era

At this time last year, if I were to tell you that a team in the NFC South would win Super Bowl LV, the would almost universally be the answer, right? Well, the division saw tremendous activity last offseason with the capturing ma sive headlines after signing in free agency. That acquisition along with a few other key moves then helped send the Bucs on a road that eventually led them back to Raymond James Stadium to defeat the to win their first title since 2002. That just goes to show you that a lot can change over the course of an offseason. As we look toward the 2021 offseason for this division, we have four teams in rather different spots. As the Bucs gear up for a title defense, the Saints appear as if they are at the dawn of a new era in their franchise's history with likely opting for retirement. Meanwhile, the and sit inside the top 10 of the NFL Draft and could look to improve their quarterback situations either with those picks or via trade.Below, we're going to highlight the needs of each of these teams and fill out a few other key notes as they begin cro sing off things from their to-do list in hopes of building a winner for 2021.Needs: QB, TE, Trevor Ariza Jersey LB, SThe biggest shoe that seems destined to drop for the Saints this offseason is the retirement of Drew Brees. Once that becomes official, New Orleans will gain some much-needed cap relief, but the Saints are hardly in a favorable position in that regard and will likely need to make some Ty Jerome Jersey hard decisions to get under it. That said, they will likely need to find a succe sor to Brees and that could come in the form of , who is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason after spending last year in New Orleans. Given the familiarity with Sean Payton's system and an opportunity to start, Winston could be a high priority for the Saints to pair with utility weapon . With that lack of cap space, New Orleans' defense is at risk of being gutted with safety , defensive lineman and edge rusher all entering free agency. That would, in turn, create tremendous needs that could be addre sed in the draft. Tight end is also a secondary need for New Orleans with entering free agency, but they could look for to take a leap in Year 2. Draft position: No. 28 overall.In our, Ryan Wilson has the Saints going with Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins. Meanwhile, Chris Trapa so has New Orleans targeting Purdue receiver Rondale Moore, Josh Edwards sees them taking cornerback Jaycee Horn out of South Carolina and Pete Prisco has them picking Michigan defensive lineman Kwity Paye.Projected cap space: $-65,576,484 (32nd in the NFL)Needs: DL, LB, LT, WR. RBWhen you win a Super Bowl, that typically means that you don't have many needs on the roster. That said, Tampa Bay does have a number of key free agents about to hit the open market. Offensively, receivers and are the most notable, along with running back and tight end . Given their relationship with Brady, it would seem the Bucs would have the inside track to retain Brown and Gronkowski, but Godwin could be the top receiver on the market, making his return uncertain. It becomes particularly tricky to keep those guys on offense when you look at who is heading toward free agency on defense. Shaq Barrett, , and will all hit the market and the Bucs have already stated their desire to keep them for their title defense. Again, keeping that defense intact could come at the expense of Godwin. Meanwhile, the Bucs could also make left tackle a cap causality (Tampa Bay can clear $14.25 million if released), meaning they'd need to addre s that key spot in Jevon Carter Jersey protecting Brady as well. Given how big that cap number is, they could also look to simply restructure.Draft position: No. 32 overall.In our, Wilson has the Bucs taking Iowa defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon, Trapa so has them choosing defensive end Ronnie Perkins out of Oklahoma, Edwards has Texas linebacker Joseph O sai heading to Tampa and Prisco sees Texas offensive lineman Samuel Cosmi landing at No. 32.Projected cap space: $27,784,114 (13th in the NFL)Needs: TE, OT, CB, QB, LBThe big story for the Panthers this offseason is whether or not they'll be able to improve the quarterback position from . They'll be in the thick of the sweepstakes or could turn to the draft with the No. 8 pick to look for a long-term upgrade. While that will be the storyline that captures the headlines, Carolina does have some intriguing free agent situations. Running back -- who filled in splendidly for -- is as good as gone, while wide receiver should also have a healthy market. The Panthers also have tackles and entering free Langston Galloway Jersey agency and may be forced to pick between the two, thus creating a need at that spot in the draft. In terms of positions of need for Matt Rhule's club, the tight end room was arguable the worst in the league in 2020 and the Panthers should be players for some free agents there this offseason. They could also improve their pa s rush after turning in the 24th-ranked sack percentage in the league last year. Landing an elite quarterback such as Watson could make up for a lot of holes, but adding to a defense that ranked in the bottom half of the league in 2020 is also imperative.Draft position: No. 8 overall.In our, Wilson, Trapa so and Prisco all have the Panthers taking Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. As for Edwards, who has Fields coming off the board much earlier, he sees Carolina taking Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.Projected cap space: $27,545,434 (14th in the NFL)Needs: CB, QB, S, EDGE, OLThe Falcons are a bit of a wild card when it comes to what they'll do with the No. 4 pick in the draft. They could find succe sor with that selection or look to add a piece to double down trying to contend with their veteran quarterback. They'll not only Ricky Rubio Jersey need to make a decision on the direction they are going with Ryan but receiver as well. The 32-year-old has a $23 million cap hit for 2021, but because of the dead-cap implications, it seems as if Atlanta is still a year away from po sibly putting an end to Jones' tenure with the club. As it relates to free agency, the Falcons are still in a bit of a tight-cap situation but did clear some room after cutting safety and defensive end this week. Improving the defense should be the prime concern, but because of their finances, they'll likely be looking in the bargain bin. Atlanta ranked 26th in the NFL in sack percentage in 2020 and could use an injection of talent coming off the edge. Corner is also set to enter the free agent pool and it'd be wise for the Falcons to do their best to retain him to continue to deploy him alongside A.J. Terrell. With and entering free agency, running back is another position that could need tending to over these next few months.Draft position: No. 4 overall.In our, Wilson has the Falcons selecting Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. Meanwhile, Trapa so has Atlanta focusing on the secondary by taking Virginia Tech corner Caleb Farley. As for Edwards, he has the Falcons targeting a quarterback, but it's Trey Lance out of North Dakota State. Prisco sees Atlanta taking Alabama corner Patrick Surtain II with their pick.Projected cap space: $-11,686,845 (26th in the NFL)

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