NFC South Free Agency Report Cards…So Far

After grading the NFC East, here are the grades for the NFC South so far.

Tampa Bay

Additions and Re-Signs:

Chris Baker (DE- Wash), DeSean Jackson (WR- Wash), Nick Folk (K- Jets), Garrison Sanborn (LS- Bills), Jacquizz Rodgers (RB), Joe Hawley (C), Josh Robinson (CB), William Gholston (DE), Chris Conte (S)

Losses:

Mike Glennon (QB- Bears), Akeem Spence (DT- Lions), Russell Shepard (WR- Car)

Tampa Bay is in good shape as they head into the draft. They upgraded their front seven by re-signing William Gholston and adding the talented Chris Baker.

By adding DeSean Jackson to the offense, teams cannot just focus on Mike Evans. Jackson gives Tampa a real home-run threat and will open up a lot for Evans and tight end Cameron Brate.

The Bucs can now focus on finding more playmakers on both sides of the ball as they look to make a serious run for the playoffs.

Buccaneers Grade: B+

Carolina

Additions and Re-Signs:

Russell Shepard (WR- Tampa), Mike C. Adams (S- Indy), Julius Peppers (DE- GB), Captain Munnerlyn (CB- Min), Matt Kalil (OT- Min), Mario Addison (DE), Charles Johnson (DE), Brenton Bersin (WR), Fozzy Whittaker (RB), Chris Scott (G), West Horton (DE), Colin Jones (S), Kyle Love (DT), Kawann Short (DT)

Losses:

Corey Brown (WR- Buf), Mike Tolbert (RB- Buf), Leonard Johnson (CB- Buf), Ted Ginn Jr (WR- Saints), A.J. Klein (LB- Saints)

The Panthers didn’t make a big splash, but they shored up a few areas of need. Matt Kalil brings some more leadership and stability to the offensive line and bringing back Fozzy Whittaker adds depth to the running backs as well as special teams.

On defense they brought back some familiar faces in Captain Munnerlyn and Julius Peppers, and re-signed Charles Johnson and Kawann Short. If they have any gas left in the tank, Carolina will have good depth on defense. The addition of Mike Adams will add a lot on the back end.

Panthers Grade: B

New Orleans

Additions and Re-Signs:

Ted Ginn Jr (WR- Car), A.J. Klein (LB- Car), Nick Fairley (DT), Shiloh Keo (S), Travaris Cadet (HB), Chris Banjo (S)

Losses:

Kasim Edebali (DE- Den), Brandin Cooks

The Saints made few moves and didn’t lose many players, other than Cooks. Sterling Moore and Jarius Byrd are still trying to find a new home, but the Saints could replace them in the draft or by waiting for the later cuts.

Cooks is a big loss, but Michael Thomas looks ready to take the reigns and Ted Ginn Jr can be the home-run threat.

The Saints do need to build their defense if they’re gonna make any kind of run to send Drew Brees out on top, but they have enough at the moment to be competitive.

Saints Grade: C

Atlanta

Additions and Re-Signs:

Dontari Poe (DT- KC), Jack Crawford (DE- Dal), Andre Roberts (WR- Det), Ryan Schraeder (T), Robert Alford (CB), Kemal Ishmael (S), Levine Toilolo (TE), Matt Schaub (QB), Blidi Wreh-Wilson (CB), Courtney Upshaw (DE), LaRoy Reynolds (LB)

Losses:

Aldrick Robinson (WR- 49ers), Tom Compton (T- Bears), Patrick DiMarco (FB- Buf), Paul Worrilow (LB- Lions), Eric Weems (WR- Tenn)

The Falcons only got stronger by adding Dontari Poe and Jack Crawford to an already talented defense. Re-signing Robert Alford was a good move to keep the secondary intact.

On offense, they re-signed Ryan Schraeder and Levine Toilolo which should keep the offensive line together and give Matt Ryan another redzone target. They lost a couple of receivers but bringing in Andre Roberts was a good move. As long as Taylor Gabriel returns, the Falcons are ready to go for 2017.

They need to draft more defense and probably offensive line next month.

Falcons Grade: A-