2021 NFL Draft: Team-by-team storylines to watch this fall

NFC South

In a tale of two teams, can the Falcons start 2020 the way they ended 2019?

In a division full of offseason shakeups, the Falcons may be the most stable team in the division. Atlanta had the talent to compete for a playoff spot last year but had to turn their attention to finishing strong after slumping to a 1-7 start. After a change in defensive scheme, the Falcons finished the year at 7-9, enough to save Dan Quinn’s job for one more year.

Atlanta returns plenty of talent on offense, where the Falcons will once again be led by Ryan, Jones, and Ridley. While Atlanta said goodbye to Austin Hooper and Devonta Freeman, the Falcons traded for Baltimore tight end Hayden Hurst and signed former MVP candidate, Todd Gurley. Atlanta invested in their defense adding Dante Flower Jr. to their pass rush and spent first and second-round picks on corner A.J. Terrell and defensive tackle Marlon Davidson.

Prediction: The Falcons hope to pick up where they left off if they are going to save Quinn’s job and return to the playoffs. Atlanta has the talent to push New Orleans and Tampa Bay and could clinch a postseason spot even with a third-place finish in the NFC South. They should fare better from their previous 7-9 record and could benefit from the additional playoff spot. 

It’s official. Carolina is rebuilding and going young under Matt Rhule.

“Hello, Goodbye” would be the quick song to recap the Panthers offseason. After departing with nine-year head coach Ron Rivera midseason, the Panthers also said goodbye to long-time cornerstones Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, and Greg Olsen. Carolina signed Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year, $63 million contract with $33 million of it guaranteed, allowing Carolina to either commit to the new quarterback or turn Bridgewater to a Bridge-quarterback.

Carolina dipped to the college ranks signing Baylor head coach Matt Rhule to a seven-year, $62 million contract and LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady. Do-it-all Christian McCaffery is still a Panther, but Carolina is in the process of both transitioning their offense and reconstructing their defense. Rhule focused on the defensive line in the 2020 draft adding Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown seventh overall and Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos in the second round.

Prediction: The NFC South is shaping up to be one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL and Carolina is very much undergoing a rebuild. Unless Bridgewater, who last completed a full 16 game season in 2015, can play at a high level and stay healthy, Carolina could be in contention to land one of the top spots in the 2021 NFL Draft. A new regime may look to add Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields near the top of the order. 

Can the Saints shake recent playoff drought, send Brees out on top?

Drew Brees’ final season. That will be the story following the Saints during the 2020 year and nothing less than sending the future Hall of Famer with a Super Bowl win will be enough. To get there, New Orleans will have to shake off a recent string of disappointing finishes, following an overtime loss to the Vikings last winter. Fortunately, the Saints may have the most talented team in the NFL and should be a favorite to avoid the Wild Card round and clinch a first-round bye.

While Brees struggled with injury and is starting to show age, the Saints return one of the league’s best offensive lines, along with Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. The Saints defense may be as stacked with Cameron Jordan leading the line, a healthy linebacker core, and a strong secondary which returned Malcom Jenkins.

Prediction: While all the buzz surrounds Brady and the Bucs, the Saints are still the team to beat in the NFC South. Brees continues to perform at a high level and the Saints have the talent, coaching and depth to make a serious Super Bowl run. New Orleans should once again be picking at or near the bottom of the first round in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

Brady’s Bucs. It’s Super Bowl or bust in Tampa and everyone’s watching.

Tom Brady’s decision to head from New England to Tampa Bay was by far the biggest NFL offseason move of 2020 and one of the biggest free agency moves in all of American sports. With an already stacked offense, the Buccaneers added Rob Gronkowski and Leonard Fournette. Tampa looks to be one of the most exciting teams in the league, and with the most decorated player in the history of the game, it’s going to be Super Bowl or bust.

Tampa already had great playmakers in Chris Godwin and Michael Thomas, adding right tackle Tristan Wirfs in the first round may have been their best addition (outside Brady). The Bucs defense should far much better this season with a strong front seven and an improved secondary. They will face less pressure, not having to overcome Winston’s NFL record 30 interceptions.

Predictions: Tampa shouldn’t be expected to win the Super Bowl or necessarily their division but will be the most interesting team in the NFL. Plenty of expectations will follow a Bucs team that failed to produce under Winston. A ten-win season and Wild Card appearance is a reasonable expectation. The Bucs may look to trade future 2021 NFL Draft picks in exchange for a Super Bowl run.