The NFC South has spent the better part of the last three years locked in mediocrity. Post-Drew Brees, post-Tom Brady, and now post-Derek Carr, the division has been a revolving door of transition and retooling. But if the latest offseason grades from Pro Football & Sports Network are any indication, three of the four teams have found a way to move forward with purpose.
The one glaring exception?
The New Orleans Saints.
Saints Receive Harshest Grade in the Division
Offseason Grade: D
The Saints landed the lowest mark in the NFC South and one of the harshest across the entire league, receiving a D from Pro Football & Sports Network. While the franchise did add notable pieces, such as first-round offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., safety Justin Reid, and veteran wideout Brandin Cooks, the shadow cast by Derek Carr’s sudden retirement continues to loom large.
Carr’s departure leaves the Saints with a quarterback room made up of Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and rookie Tyler Shough, a 25-year-old second-round pick with an extensive (and at times rocky) college resume. Though head coach Kellen Moore brings a fresh offensive vision to New Orleans, the quarterback situation alone casts serious doubt on the team’s ability to compete in 2025.
Even the Saints’ defensive outlook, once a point of pride, is no longer a source of certainty. Gone are cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (traded last season) and Paulson Adebo (signed with the Giants), leaving gaping holes in the secondary. The team hopes Jonas Sanker and Justin Reid can help stabilize the backend, but there’s more projection than proven performance in the defensive backfield.
Add to that the fact that Demario Davis, Tyrann Mathieu, and Cam Jordan are on the back nine of their careers, and questions about the team’s overall ceiling, and it’s easy to understand why analysts see 2025 as a potential step backward.
Falcons and Panthers Trending Up
While New Orleans is stuck in neutral, Atlanta and Carolina appear to be accelerating toward relevance, albeit in different ways.
Atlanta Falcons: Betting on the Draft
Offseason Grade: B
Atlanta’s offseason was shaped by two truths: they had little financial wiggle room due to Kirk Cousins’ massive contract, and they desperately needed help on defense. The Falcons responded by going all-in on young defenders, headlined by James Pearce Jr., Jalon Walker, and Xavier Watts. Veterans Leonard Floyd and Divine Deablo bring immediate production to a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in pressure rate and sacks last season.
The Falcons will need their rookie class to step up quickly, especially with longtime leader Grady Jarrett released and center Drew Dalman departing in free agency. Still, their approach shows intent — build around a high-floor quarterback and surround him with fresh, fast defensive talent.
Carolina Panthers: Quietly Building Something Dangerous
Offseason Grade: B+
Don’t look now, but the Carolina Panthers may have pulled off the sneakiest turnaround in the NFC, and after winning two of their final three games in 2024 and getting an improved stretch from QB Bryce Young, GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales doubled down on player development and smart additions.
Rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan could be the top target Young desperately needs, while Rico Dowdle may outproduce anything Miles Sanders gave them last year. On defense, the additions of Tre’von Moehrig, Tershawn Wharton, and multiple edge rushers signal a front office finally intent on rebuilding a unit that ranked dead last in Defense+ last year.
The Panthers are still a year or two away from playoff contention, but are moving in the right direction.
Buccaneers Remain the Division’s Barometer
Offseason Grade: B+
While the Saints are redefining themselves and the Falcons and Panthers are climbing, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to set the standard in the NFC South. Even with OC Liam Coen leaving for Jacksonville, the Bucs’ continuity — and savvy moves — make them the favorites to win the division again.
Re-signing Chris Godwin and adding a dynamic weapon in Emeka Egbuka gives Tampa Bay another stacked receiver room. The defense was fortified with the signings of Haason Reddick and potential cornerback gem Benjamin Morrison, who fell in the draft due to injury but was once considered a first-round talent.
The Bucs haven’t overhauled their roster. They haven’t needed to. Their goal is simple: stay atop the division, let others catch up — if they can.
Where Does This Leave the Saints?
With Carr gone, the defense weakened, and a rookie head coach in Kellen Moore still finding his footing, the Saints enter the 2025 season facing far more questions than answers. Even with exciting rookies like Banks and Shough, and veterans like Brandin Cooks and Justin Reid in place, Pro Football & Sports Network believes the overall product is not good enough.
And perhaps that’s what stings most — while the rest of the NFC South appears to be evolving with intent and direction, New Orleans feels caught in the middle: no longer a veteran-led contender, but not quite a full-blown rebuild.
If the Saints want to flip the script and avoid becoming the forgotten team in the division, it starts with finding answers at quarterback — and fast.
Show Your Support
Support the Sports View 360 platform’s growth by heading over to Fanatics.com and purchasing officially licensed gear from the National Football League. Each purchase made through the text link below goes into the funding of the Sports View 360 brand. To proceed, click on the link below and enjoy shopping over at Fanatics.
