When the 2014 NFL season comes around, there’ll be a very strong argument for the NFC South to be considered one of the best divisions in football.
The Saints and Panthers both made the playoffs last season, with the Panthers getting a first-round bye, the Buccaneers are only a quarterback away from being a playoff team and the Falcons could be in great position if they make the right personnel moves on defense.
It is also one of the worst divisions in free agency, as two of the teams have serious restrictions on their spending because of their cap numbers. But, there are still moves to be made, so let’s look at some rumors surrounding the NFC south teams with just one day before signings can begin.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons know they need to make moves to improve their offensive line and their defense in order to get out of the basement of the division. They have a solid amount of money to spend ($25 million), and it looks like they are starting with the line.
Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post is reporting that Atlanta is taking a long look at Kansas City Chiefs free agent guard Jon Asamoah. Asamoah is just 25, so could be signed long-term for less money and would be an upgrade over what the Falcons currently have.
The offensive line allowed quarterback Matt Ryan to be sacked 44 times, and Ryan had his worst statistical year since his rookie season, so adding protection on the line could go a long way.
The only other signing the Falcons have rumored right now is Champ Bailey, who just got released by the Broncos this week. At 38, Bailey is going to move to safety rather than corner.
Atlanta needs more help at corner than they do safety, but signing Bailey to a short-term contract to add a veteran presence in the locker room lost by the retirement of Tony Gonzalez.
Finally, there is also the issue of Osi Umenyiora’s contract. Atlanta is going to ask him to take a pay cut, since he is set to get $3.5 million in 2014, and at 32, his best years are probably behind him. But he did post 7.5 sacks and 31 total tackles last season, both up from his 2012 season with the New York Giants. If Umenyiora refuses a paycut, he could be released and become a free agent.
If that happens, the Giants have already said they’d be interested in bringing him back.
New Orleans Saints
With just $2.6 million available in cap space, the Saints don’t have much room to maneuver in free agency. They did announce that the team was going to release running back Darren Sproles to free up cap space, as well as wide receiver Lance Moore.
There’s not much surrounding the Saints as of Monday afternoon, however, regarding any free agent signings.
With the release of Moore and Sproles, they’ll assumingly be looking for receiving options given how active Sproles was in the passing game.
First, their main focus is on retaining tight end Jimmy Graham. With the franchise tag placed on Graham, teams can potential pursue him. But, if another team signs Graham, they have to give up two draft picks.
It probably wouldn’t be the smartest move for a team to make, but there is definitely the possibility of someone coming along to pay Graham more than he’d be getting as a tagged tight end.
It’s also worth noting that Graham tweeted he was “shocked and disappointed” about everything that has happened to the Saints this offseason.
For now, it’s wait-and-see with the Saints.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Under new head coach Lovie Smith, the Bucs are looking to build up their young but talented roster with their $24 million in cap space.
The strongest rumor right now seems to be that the Bucs are going to make a hard push to sign former Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
Minnesota and Chicago also have interest in Johnson, but Tampa seems to be the frontrunner at this point in time. Johnson had 56 combined tackles this season, and had 11.5 sacks in 2012.
The Bucs already have a strong defense, but they could use someone to play on the opposite side of Adrian Clayborn who had six sacks of his own this season.
Another possible acquisition – and one that makes a lot of sense – is Devin Hester. Hester used to play under Smith in Chicago, but he just got released the Bears. He doesn’t do much as a receiver, but Hester is still a threat on special teams to return kicks and punts, and would be a good weapon for any team to have.
Carolina Panthers
Carolina has a little more room to maneuver than New Orleans, but not much. They have a lot of players to re-sign, but just $7.26 million in cap space.
The Charlotte Observer is already reporting that wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and free safety Mike Mitchell are going to be available free agents.
Defensive end Greg Hardy already signed a $13.1 million tender this week, putting them at the $7 million cap level.
As far as rumors go, the only one that really stands out right now is the possibility of Carolina signing defensive back Charles Tillman. Tillman could become a free agent if he doesn’t re-sign with the Bears, and Biggs is reporting the Panthers are a likely destination right now.
Tillman is on the back end of his career with 12 years already under his belt in the NFL, but he can still play. He had three interceptions for the third straight season despite appearing in only eight games.
Signing Tillman would give the Panthers a needed left-side corner to play with Captain Munnerlyn, and would cement Carolina’s status as the second-best defense in the NFL behind the Seahawks.
In even more breaking news, the Panthers are shopping wide receiver Steve Smith. If they're unable to come to an agreement, he'll likely be released.