1. Carolina Panthers

This isn’t to say I consider them a contender for the Super Bowl, however they did look a lot better last season than in previous ones. Another step forward is well within the cards for them.

2. New Orleans Saints

The biggest surprise of last season was the show QB Tyler Shough put on during his rookie season. The expectation is that he will be the guy going forward and they added some new weapons in the backfield and at receiver.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It’s been a letdown the last few seasons and the losses of franchise stalwarts, WR Mike Evans and LB Lavonte David to free agency and retirement respectively have put them in a state of flux.

4. Atlanta Falcons

I admire what they’re trying to do, but ultimately they are most likely going to have to look for a new quarterback after this season. QB Michael Penix hasn’t lived up to his billing and neither has QB Tua Tagovailoa from his previous time at Miami.

Head Coach: Dave Canales

Key Position: Defensive Line

When you dive into the numbers of what Carolina accomplished last season you come away thinking that the only reason they won their division is because it was a terrible one overall. They recorded 30 sacks as a team. Not the worst in the league, but close to the bottom. That cannot be repeated again, especially when signing Jaelan Phillips to a large free agent contract. The most sacks he’s had in a season was 8.5 and that was his rookie season in 2021. Injuries have been a concern his entire career and Carolina is banking on that being a thing of the past. DL Derrick Brown is a mainstay and should be expected to get between 5-10 sacks in any given season. DE/LB Nic Scourton was tied with Brown last season for the team lead in sacks with 5 during his rookie season. It’s expected he’ll take a step forward towards double digit sacks with Phillips playing opposite him.

Key Acquisitions: OL Luke Fortner (New Orleans Saints), LB Devin Lloyd (Jacksonville Jaguars), LB Bobby Okereke (NY Giants), DE/LB Jaelan Phillips (Philadelphia Eagles), T Rasheed Walker (Green Bay Packers)

Key Rookies: T Monroe Freeling, DL Lee Hunter

Head Coach: Kellen Moore

Key Position: Running Back

If RB Alvin Kamara was just a little better than he was last season it’s possible the Saints would have won the division. Then again that just proves how bad this division is. Injuries decimated this unit last season with Kendre Miller and Devin Neal going on season ending injured reserve at various points of the season. Kamara wasn’t exempt from the injury bug either. Enter the signing of Travis Etienne Jr. from Jacksonville. He immediately helps not just in running the ball, but providing QB Tyler Shough a pass catching threat that Kamara would have been in years past. This doesn’t mean that Etienne is going to get 30 touches a game, but it provides better balance and hopefully keeps that room mostly healthy in the long run.

Key Acquisitions: OL David Edwards (Buffalo Bills), LB Kaden Elliss (Atlanta Falcons), RB Travis Etienne Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars), TE Noah Fant (Cincinnati Bengals), DE Anfernee Jennings (New England Patriots), DE Tyree Wilson (Las Vegas Raiders)

Key Rookies: WR Jordyn Tyson, DL Christen Miller, TE Oscar Delp, WR Bryce Lance

Head Coach: Todd Bowles

Key Position: Offense

The injury bug was all over here last season. RB Bucky Irving wasn’t able to establish a rhythm all year. If he remains healthy that running game will help QB Baker Mayfield not feel like he has to be Superman on every play. Bringing in Kenny Gainwell adds another reliable back to give Irving a breather. WR Emeka Egbuka was charted to be an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate, but an injury slowed that and when he returned the chemistry between him and Mayfield wasn’t the same. It’s gonna be odd not seeing WR Mike Evans in Tampa Bay. That’s where WR Jalen McMillan must step up and take that spot left by Evans. WR Chris Godwin is still around and is settling into that possession type receiver who will get you that first down in key spot. TE Cade Otton isn’t flashy, but Mayfield likes throwing it to him and he should get more looks in the redzone going forward.

Key Acquisitions: LB Alex Anzalone (Detroit Lions), RB Kenny Gainwell (Pittsburgh Steelers), DE/LB Al-Quadin Muhammad (Detroit Lions), DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (NY Giants), DL A’Shawn Robinson (Carolina Panthers), LB Christian Rozeboom (Carolina Panthers)

Key Rookies: DE/LB Rueben Bain Jr., LB Josiah Trotter, WR Ted Hurst, DB Keionte Scott

Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns)

Key Position: Quarterback

I don’t think there have been many if any instances where a NFL team has two left-handed quarterbacks on the roster. Both Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa are former first round picks and both haven’t lived up to those expectations. What’s going to make this season interesting in Atlanta is the plethora of talent that surrounds these two. WR Drake London had a solid season and should take it to an elite level. TE Kyle Pitts had a career season in a contract year and got a nice extension out of it. Will he continue on that trajectory going forward after getting paid? RB Bijan Robinson was all over the place running and catching the ball last season. The pieces are there for someone to take advantage. New head coach Kevin Stefanski took this job because of the talent in place, but I don’t know that he will be satisfied with the quarterback options that he has.

Key Acquisitions: DL Gervon Dexter (Chicago Bears), WR Jahan Dotson (Philadelphia Eagles), DE/LB Samson Ebukam (Indianapolis Colts), DL Da’Shawn Hand (LA Chargers), LB Christian Harris (Houston Texans), RB Brian Robinson (San Francisco 49ers), DE/LB Za’Darius Smith (Philadelphia Eagles), QB Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins), T Jawaan Taylor (Kansas City Chiefs)

Key Rookies: CB Avieon Terrell, WR Zachariah Branch