Projecting NFC South starting rosters for 2022

Teams have been through the draft and the majority of free agency. So we should be able to see the fruits of their offseason labour.

There are still quality free agents available which will end up somewhere, and camp battles to be won. But in this article series, we will take an early look at what each team’s starting line-up should look like for the season. Are these teams any better? Let’s find out. 

In the third NFC instalment of this roster series, we take a look at the NFC South, one of the strongest divisions from the past few years.

The NFC South has been dominated by the Saints and Buccaneers in recent years. And that doesn’t look like changing in 2022. There are plenty of question marks around the Falcons and Saints heading into the new season. But don’t rule either out completely.

Let’s take a look at the possible starting rosters in the NFC South:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom Brady; where else can we start? We thought we’d seen the last of the GOAT. But alas, we’ll have to enjoy him for one more year.

Brady’s return has transformed the Buccaneers changes back to being genuine Super Bowl contenders for 2022. Infact, they are top of Lucy Penn’s Power Rankings list going into the new season.

Brady’s long-term future is obviously uncertain, but with elite quarterback play for this year guaranteed, as well as a few clear improvements on offense, Tampa Bay look very solid going into the new season, possibly as the favourites in the NFC.

Leonard Fournette has finally been given a long-term deal following a successful few years with the Bucs, while it’s good to see Chris Godwin also sign a big-money contract. The receiving room generally remains very strong, with Russell Gage coming in as a more-than capable replacement for Antonio Brown. And with Julio Jones now on the team, Brady will have plenty of help in 2022.

Gronk is obviously a huge loss, but Cameron Brate is more than capable. He’ll be relishing the chance to finally nail down a starting position for the Bucs and we’re backing the veteran to have a standout year. With Kyle Rudolph also joining, the tight end position shouldn’t be an issue.

Elsewhere, the offensive line was expected to look fairly weaker in 2022. This was following Ali Marpet retiring and Alex Cappa joining the Bengals during free agency. However, after a busy offseason, the Bucs still have one of the best O-Line’s in football. Retaining center Ryan Jensen is a huge positive, while Shaq Mason coming in at guard gives Tampa Bay one of the strongest right sides of protection in the entire league.

Todd Bowles has inherited a Super Bowl ready team, with most pieces from the past couple of years still in place. NFC South champions for 2022? Quite possibly. Can Brady win his eighth ring this season? You’d be mad to bet against it.

On defense, there are a few notable changes. Akiem Hicks is an interesting replacement for Ndamukong Suh up front, particularly as the latter started 55 games over three years in Tampa Bay and is still a free agent. Hicks has a worrying injury record from the past few years. But he’ll be ready to go for this D-Line from day one.

Lavonte David and Devin White will resume their formidable partnership at inside linebacker. But Jason Pierre-Paul is another big loss. It’s time for second-year Joe Tyron-Shoyinka to step us as starter at outside linebacker The Bucs must make the most of his huge pass-rushing potential.

For me, Jordan Whitehead will be an underappreciated miss for this defense. But Logan Ryan, coming off possibly the best year of his career with the Giants, brings in great versatility as a replacement.

This is still an extremely strong defensive backs unit. Carlton Davis signed a new deal, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Jamel Dean and safety Antoine Winfield Jr return, while Keanu Neal is another decent free agency addition.

Just from looking at the strength in depth of this side and the amount of skill-player talent on offer, the Buccaneers still look stacked for 2022.

Atlanta Falcons

Like so many other franchises this year, it’s the start of a new era in Atlanta. For the first time since 2007, the Falcons go into an NFL season without Matt Ryan as their starting QB.

I’m looking forward to seeing Marcus Mariota as a starter once again. It’s definitely a make-or-break year for the 28-year-old, and his relationship with head coach Arthur Smith will prove crucial in the way he’s able to perform. Elsewhere at QB. rookie Desmond Ridder has earned some good reviews this offseason. He’ll get his chance one way or the other this year.

At running back, expect veteran Cordarrelle Patterson to be used in as multi-faceted offensive option, which he did so well at in 2021. He should be able to hold off any competition from Damien Williams and Tyler Allgeier this year.

Drake London will come is as the top wideout from day one in Atlanta. With Julio Jones long gone, Calvin Ridley suspended and now Russell Gage at the Buccaneers, the Falcons were in desperate need of a star receiver to come in and become the playmaker for this team.

London and Pitts will be the primary targets in Atlanta for years to come. They are two of the most exciting players in the NFC South overall.

One major question is whether this offensive line can improve after an abysmal 2021. Chris Lindstrom and Jake Matthews are still of the most respected offensive linemen in the game. But the Falcons finished 26th in the NFL in ESPN’s pass block win rate (54 percent) and 29th in run block win rate (67 percent), and no team allowed more quarterback pressures by percentage of dropbacks. Jalen Mayfield wasn’t up to scratch as a rookie, so the jury is out for him in year two.

At center, last year’s starter Matt Hennessey should be able to hold off competition from Drew Dalman to retain his spot, while former first-rounder Kaleb McGary has a lot to prove at right tackle.

The Falcons are an interesting call for 2022. They’ve lost a lot of talent and look fairly weak. But don’t be surprised if they pick up a few more wins than expected this year.

This is an interesting defensive unit in Atlanta. Losing Foyesade Oluokun is a big loss for this defense, but there are a few pieces who could break out in 2022.

On the edge, Lorenzo Carter is a low-risk, high-reward talent added over the offseason. Carter should pair nicely with second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie. Inexperienced, but room for progress and development this year.

Grady Jarrett, the team’s best defensive lineman, will see his current deal expire at the end of this year, so he’ll be looking to secure his future soon. The team hasn’t invested heavily upfront, so the veteran fifth-rounder could be in for a big season.

Elsewhere, former Pro Bowler Casey Hayward is a decent addition to partner the brilliant A.J. Terrell at cornerback. Terrell has kept getting better since entering the league in 2020, and we’re predicting he’ll make the Pro Bowl this year.

I’m sure defensive coordinator Dean Pees will work his magic on this defense, perhaps helping the team to a few wins along the way. But the Falcons haven’t won the NFC South since 2016. And they’ll need a miracle if they are going change that in 2022.

Carolina Panthers

Baker Mayfield finally got his trade and Carolina got their man. Much has been made of the Panthers offensive issues this offseason, but the acquisition of the former Browns’ man makes them look a lot stronger. For a team in desperate need of quality quarterback play in 2022, I think this is a very good deal.

A lot will ride on how the quarterback performs. But also on whether Christian McCaffrey can stay fit. Undoubtedly one of football’s best playmakers on his day, the past two years have been tough for the star running back. Second-year Chuba Hubbard should continue to get a lot of the ball as RB2.

At wide receiver, the Panthers have a more than decent unit, with DJ Moore the standout target. Terrace Marshall Jr. needs a good second year after a fairly average rookie season, while Robbie Anderson will be hoping to get into Mayfield’s good books.

On offensive line, Carolina looks a lot stronger than in 2021. First-round draft selection Ikem Ekwonu will be a star at left tackle, while free-agent additions Bradley Bozeman and Austin Corbett are very solid.

Does Mayfield make the Panthers a playoff contender in a weakened NFC? Not automatically. But we shouldn’t rule out Carolina from taking a huge leap offensively as a result of this trade.

Can they win their first NFC South title since 2015 with this offense? Let’s see.

Like on offense, the Panthers need to step up on defense. Brian Burns is the star up front, but Derrick Brown needs to breakout in year three as an NFL pro. His opening couple of seasons have been average to say the least. But there’s no doubt he can become a difference maker for Carolina. And with Haason Reddick and DaQuan Jones now gone, players like Brown need to step up.

At linebacker, I’m not convinced by this room heading into the new season. There are a few clouds over Damien Wilson’s offseason acquisition, while Cory Littleton needs to rediscover the form that got him to a Pro Bowl in 2018.

In the secondary, the Panthers have a real opportunity to establish themselves as having one of the best defensive backs units in the league this season. Jaycee Horn, the first cornerback selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, needs to step up in year two, while there will be plenty of opportunities for Keith Taylor and C.J. Henderson to show what they can do.

All-in-all, the Panthers need excellent defensive play once again from this unit if they are to challenge in the NFC South.

New Orleans Saints

On paper, New Orleans look very solid offensively. A solid offensive line, Michael Thomas is returning, people are getting behind Jameis and things can only get better following a terrible 28th ranked total offense in 2021.

But with a new unknown head coach, Terron Armstead departing and Alvin Kamara’s possible suspension looming, things could look a little different come the mid way point of the season.

The Taysom Hill experiment seems to be over. And now it’s time for Jameis to prove he is an NFL starter. An efficient and often brilliant player, he just needs to cut out poor-decision making and ultimately reduce his interception numbers. Having targets like Thomas and new signings Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry will help.

We mentioned Terron Armstead leaving. And I think a lot hinges on how well this new look O-Line can step up this year. Long a strong point of this team, offensive line play needs to improve after a poor 2021.

I can’t wait to see the battle between James Hurst and Trevor Penning for the left tackle. The rookie Penning needs to hit the ground running, and I’m optimistic that he’ll do just that in 2022.

Elsewhere, young guards Andrus Peat and Cesar Ruiz need to improve, while Erik McCoy can build on the solid start he’s made to his NFL career. Ryan Ramczyk is the standout at right tackle.

The Saints are a championship darkhorse contender for a lot of people. And the main reason is because of how strong they look defensively.

They are well organised under Dennis Allen, who will continue to call plays as head coach. Cam Jordan remains so disruptive on the edge, Damario Davis is still a game-wrecker and there have been some good additions this offseason. Tyran Mathieu, Marcus Maye, Bradley Roby and Alontae Taylor will only make this team stronger.

Payton Turner is the player that Saints fans will be hoping will step up in 2022. Last year’s first rounder had a quiet rookie year to say the least, but will be determined to stay out of the rotation of pass rushers this season.

In the secondary, the loss of Marcus Williams is a big one at safety. But bringing Mathieu back to Louisiana feels like a match made in heaven. Yes, the Honey Badger had an off year in 2021. But he’s still one of the best safeties in football and can certainly play a huge part for the Saints this year.

Marshon Lattimore had the best year of his career in 2022, while cornerback partner Paulson Adebo looks a steal after a great rookie year last time out. Altogether, a very solid team in the NFC South.