Ranking the NFC South position groups: Offense.

QB's:



1. New Orleans

2. Atlanta

3. Carolina

4. Tampa

The order is obvious, although recently some have been disputing that you'd take Cam over Ryan if you were starting a franchise. I couldn't disagree more. While Cam is a gifted athlete, he is a rather average QB. He benefits from his big frame and his ability to extend plays, much like a faster Big Ben.

Tampa has two QB's that both started for stints last year, and one performed rather well, but I put them at the bottom because neither has started an entire season.

RB's:



1. Tampa

2. New Orleans

3. Carolina

4. Atlanta

New Orleans probably has the deepest group, but Tampa get's the nod because of their top heavy talent. Carolina use to be the envy of the rest of the division, but their duo has aged, and their contracts no longer justify their production. To be fair, they've been used a lot.

Atlanta is hoping to get the production they envisioned when they signed Steven Jackson, but at his age and mileage, he can't be relied on. Quiz Rodgers is a good utility player and 3rd down back, but he lacks explosiveness. Devonta Freedam could develop into a 3 down player, but this uncertainty puts them at the bottom of the list.

TE's/FB:


1. New Orleans

2. Carolina

3. Tampa

4. Atlanta

New Orleans has the best pass catching TE in the game, and solid depth behind him. Ben Watson is up in age, but is in good shape, and has starting experience. Lorig was an off-the-radar signing, but is versatile and a punishing lead blocker.

Carolina has a nice duo of Olsen and Tolbert, both who are well rounded players that have consistent production. Tampa drafted 1. Austin Seferian-Jenkins in the 2nd round, and while he hasn't played a down yet, he could wind up being the 2nd best TE in the division.

Atlanta will run a 3 WR base, so a FB will only be used on short yardage situations. Gonzo's replacement, Toilolo, is more of a blocking TE.

WR's:



1. Atlanta

2. New Orleans

3. Tampa

4. Carolina

Atlanta still has an impressive trio of Jones, White and Douglas, who stepped up big last year in the absence of Jones. Health is really the only concern with this group. Their talent and production are unmatched in division.

New Orleans traded up to draft Brandin Cooks in the 1st round, and he looks to have an immediate impact. Cooks was extremely productive in college, and won the award for the nations best WR last year. Colston is steady in his production, and looks to have a good year with his foot finally being 100%. Kenny Stills looks to take the 2nd year leap after a very good rookie season. Morgan, Toon, Meachem, Coleman and Tanner all look to win the remaining 2-3 spots, with Toon looking good early on in camp.

Tampa's Jackson and Evans are both 6-5, and will be challenging for NFC South secondaries to cover. They could eventually unseat Jones and White as the top duo in the division.

Carolina had a purge of their WR corps, with long time Steve Smith being shown the door. They signed Cotchery and Avant, one a journeyman and the other an aging possession receiver. They drafted Kelvin Benjamin in the 1st round. Benjamin is a huge target with speed, but ran a very limited route tree in college.

OL:


1. New Orleans

2. Tampa

3. Atlanta

4. Carolina

After a season of injuries and poor blocking, the Saints o-line turned it around right before the playoffs. Armstead took the job of the departed Charles Brown, and gives them an athletic LT they haven't had in years, who was a tremendous boost in the run game. The only question mark is center, which became less of a question mark after the signing of former starting center Jonathon Goodwin. Between Goodwin and 2nd year player Tim Lelito, the Saints look to have one of the strongest interior lines in the league.

The rest of the division has seen a lot of turnover on their o-lines. Tampa jettisoned a couple of long time starters. Atlanta drafted Jake Matthews in the early first round and signed G Jon Asamoah in free agency. Carolina's long time LT Jordan Gross retired, and the o-line was already a weak point for the team.

The o-line is more than the sum of it's points. They have to learn to block as a unit. I think Atlanta and Tampa have started to head towards stability at the position, but all 3 teams could have a rough go of it at the start of the year.