The NFC South was top-heavy during the 2019 season with everyone chasing the New Orleans Saints. Depending on what happens this offseason, especially with the quarterbacks in the division, this could be one of the most exciting divisions next season.
It should be an exciting offseason to see which of these teams make the big moves to improve, and which teams take the step back. Let's breakdown one bold prediction for each NFC South team offseason.
4. Taysom Hill is confirmed as the starting quarterback
All signs point toward Taysom Hill being the Saints starting quarterback when Drew Brees decides to hang up the cleats.
“Absolutely. Absolutely. Sooner than later. He’s gonna be a starting quarterback in our league,” Saints coach Sean Payton told Clay Travis of The Outkick Coverage.
Hill had a big game against the Minnesota Vikings in the wild card round, and if he would have played the entire game, the Saints probably could have won.
The Saints are saying all the things about Drew Brees and wanting him back, but this is a situation where behind the scenes they could be pushing him to hang up the cleats.
He is going to decide to retire, and Hill will be the starting quarterback Week 1 for the Saints.
3. Jameis Winston stays on with the Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are going to do everything in their power to try to move on from Jameis Winston, but it's not going to work. They will pursue Phillip Rivers and Tom Brady, but both guys will decide to go somewhere else.
There won't be anything they love in the draft to take with their first-round pick, and they aren't going to throw out a second or third-round pick to start right away.
Maybe Winston will improve this offseason and not have so many turnovers, but the chances of that happening are slim.
2. Panthers replace Greg Olsen with Austin Hooper
Greg Olsen was a fan favorite for the Carolina Panthers but it was time for the team to move and upgrade. Austin Hooper has been a standout for the Falcons and would be a great target for whoever is the team's starting quarterback next season.
During the 2019 season, Hooper caught 75 passes for 787 yards and six touchdowns. He is a game-changer and would be a welcome addition for the Panthers.
He is going to cost a decent amount of money, but if the team doesn't bring in Hooper or someone else, they are going to be in big trouble.
1. Falcons sign Melvin Gordon
The Atlanta Falcons have Devonta Freeman in the backfield, but they can cut him this season with a $6 million dead cap penalty. He has a cap hit each of the next two years of over $9 million, so cutting him makes a lot of sense.
The Falcons run game was terrible during the 2019 season and they need that to change to take some of the pressure off Matt Ryan. Melvin Gordon is one of the better running backs in the league, and he would make the Falcons an instant threat in the NFC South.
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