As we wrap our heads around a potential landmark year in offseason moves, The Undroppables will be breaking down each division team by team, highlighting the key players at each skill position for their offense, and what could change for them in 2021. This time around, Andrew Mackens is back to round things out with the NFC South.
You can check out our previous division outlooks at the corresponding links:
LASIK Jameis is DIALED. IN. https://t.co/kYnsUD6p8A pic.twitter.com/EUdB8V3SWI
— Andrew Mackens (@AndrewMackens) March 16, 2021
New Orleans Saints
2020 Fantasy Results
- QB: Drew Brees, QB21 (17.5 PPG)
- RB: Alvin Kamara, RB1 (22.4 PPG)
- WR: Emmanuel Sanders, WR43 (9.6 PPG)
- TE: Jared Cook, TE17 (7.3 PPG)
Projected Starters for 2021
- QB: Jameis Winston
- RB: Alvin Kamara
- WR: Michael Thomas
- TE: Adam Trautman
Offseason Changes
With the retirement of Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints offense is going to look a lot different in 2021. No longer will Sean Payton have to rely on a suboptimal passer with respect to pushing the ball down the field. Instead, some combination of Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill, both of which re-signed, will helm the offense and help Payton keep the playbook open. How this affects stud RB Alvin Kamara’s total opportunity remains to be seen, but the release of other receiving options like Jared Cook and Emmanuel Sanders leave plenty of touches available for Kamara and fellow stud Michael Thomas.
Considering some contract chickens have come to roost for the Saints, we knew significant roster changes were going to be made. As of 10 AM CT on March 17th, it appears the Saints are STILL over the cap, so more moves will need to be made to get under that number today.
The Saints will have plenty of depth-based needs to rebuild through the draft, and they have the draft capital to do so. What we do know is the core of this team on both sides of the ball has been defined for the past couple years, and I am optimistic for fantasy purposes in a highly concentrated offense that focuses on Kamara, Thomas, and that’s pretty much it. If you want a tight end to keep on your radar, Adam Trautman in Year 2 is interesting, but I’m not head over heels just yet.
Running it back.@TomBrady | @RobGronkowski pic.twitter.com/vFTesScnbh
— NFL (@NFL) March 15, 2021
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2020 Fantasy Results
- QB: Tom Brady, QB8 (21.1 PPG)
- RB: Ronald Jones II, RB16 (12.3 PPG)
- WR: Mike Evans, WR10 (13.4 PPG) // Chris Godwin, WR32 (13.2 PPG)
- TE: Rob Gronkowski, TE8 (7.9 PPG)
Projected Starters for 2021
- QB: Tom Brady
- RB: Ronald Jones
- WR: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin
- TE: Rob Gronkowski
Offseason Changes
The Bucs are showing us just how serious they are about gunning for back-to-back Super Bowls with their offseason moves thus far: Tom Brady received an extension. LB Lavonte David & EDGE Shaq Barrett re-signed. They retain WR Chris Godwin on the team via the franchise tag. Rob Gronkowski is reportedly running it back for another year with Brady, and the front office is reportedly in talks with both WR Antonio and DT Ndamukong Suh.
If Bucs GM Jason Licht can get the band back together, and even add to it with other cheap veterans who want to win with Brady, I have little doubt this team won’t be even better in the regular season than they were in 2020.
Our own Randal Kennedy projects the Bucs will use their 1st round pick on a linebacker, only adding fuel to the franchise that’s on fire (which is a good thing in this instance.)
Panthers are "locked on" acquiring Deshaun Watson, per @josephperson
Watson: 92.5 PFF Grade in 2020 (3rd) pic.twitter.com/uzA0rGZx8L
— PFF (@PFF) March 17, 2021
Carolina Panthers
2020 Fantasy Results
- QB: Teddy Bridgewater, QB18 (16.1 PPG)
- RB: Mike Davis, RB15 (11.8 PPG)
- WR: D.J. Moore, WR21 (11.9 PPG) // Robby Anderson, WR23 (11 PPG) //
Curtis Samuel, WR25 (11.6 PPG) - TE: Ian Thomas, TE58 (1.9 PPG)
Projected Starters for 2021
- QB: Teddy Bridgewater
- RB: Christian McCaffrey
- WR: D.J. Moore
- TE: Ian Thomas
Offseason Changes
The Panthers have a handful of lineman they’ve yet to re-sign and a handful of defenders they are likely to let go to other teams. Curtis Samuel flashed plenty in 2020 and has a lot of versatility, but he’s another player who’s likely a cap casualty. The WR market is in a stalemate right now, and I think it’s more likely Samuel is the first “shoe to drop” compared to a stud like Kenny Golladay setting the market. Where he goes is a total mystery to me. He could head to a contender at a discount like the Packers or Ravens, but would that not have already happened if he’s willing to take less money?
Aside from the Samuel situation, the QB question looms over Carolina. Bridgewater was always perceived as a bridge QB, and the situation seems to be fluid until more QB prospects become locked in with their current teams. Rumors have swirled about the Panthers pursuing a deal to get Deshaun Watson, which seems to be more and more feasible as time passes. They have the 5th-most cap space in the league according to Over the Cap, and as long as they are pursuing Watson, I don’t expect any other signings to dry up that cap space.
The Panthers have some of the best leverage to land Watson via their NFL Draft capital, with the 8th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. If they don’t trade this pick in a haul to land the Houston superstar, Randal Kennedy projects the Panthers to draft Mac Jones at #8.
Per NFL League source the Falcons have restructured Matt Ryan's contract..
Was due $23 million… took 21-million and made it guaranteed bonus that spreads out over the next 3-years-Cap # is now 26.9 million – It was $40.9 million pic.twitter.com/u4NS4XwABY
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) March 16, 2021
Atlanta Falcons
2020 Fantasy Results
- QB: Matt Ryan, QB12 (17.5 PPG)
- RB: Todd Gurley, RB25 (10 PPG)
- WR: Calvin Ridley, WR4 (15.8 PPG)
- TE: Hayden Hurst, TE9 (7.6 PPG)
Projected Starters for 2021
- QB: Matt Ryan
- RB: Ito Smith or Free Agent
- WR: Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley
- TE: Hayden Hurst
Offseason Changes
The Falcons, well, they’re the Falcons. Coaching and front office changes, plus the inability to build a solid defense over past years have left Atlanta chasing the Saints since their 2016 Super Bowl appearance. Now they’ve fallen behind the rest of the division as well, and the future doesn’t seem to be getting much brighter.
Former Tennessee Titans Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, who did some great things with Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill in Nashville, has been brought on as the Falcons’ new Head Coach. So there is some sense of optimism. But with the organization moving on from C Alex Mack and underwhelming veteran Todd Gurley, I’m curious to see how they fill these holes for Arthur Smith to create a successful offense. As it stands, Ito Smith could finally land the starting RB role in Atlanta, but will he lead a successful rushing attack?
Fortunately, you don’t need to establish the run in order to be successful at play action, which is Arthur Smith’s forte. Matt Ryan can still spin it, so with his contract restructured and WRs Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley on either end of the field, I can see this passing offense fly high once again. If they can focus on their current offensive strengths, building up the defense will be their next step toward actual wins.
This is another one I was out in front of, boys and girls. This pretty well cements his spot on the roster and all but assures the Falcons won't be taking a QB in this years draft. https://t.co/ZxcUEALVpe
— Randal Kennedy ® (@FF_Terminator) March 16, 2021
That’s it! Be sure to check out Andrew on Twitter and browse the rest of our site for our offseason and dynasty content.
