Buccaneers
Jameis Winston has yet to prove anything as a starting QB in the NFL. That being said if there is anyone I believe can fix Winston it’s Bruce Arians. This is his last chance though. There’s nothing behind Winston so if he sucks this year the team will suck. This draft is heavy with QB’s I’m sure Arians would love to have. It’s make or break right now for Jameis Winston, his career is on the line.
Luckily for him Winston has a strong receiving class around him. Mike Evans can truly be appreciated for the top five talent he is if Winston plays well. Chris Godwin was great last year until Winston came in. So if Winston can find chemistry there that connection could be dangerous. Breshad Perriman is a good complimentary wide out and OJ Howard is a rising star at tight end. If Winston is good this offense will be good. It’s all on Jameis though, he will make or break the talent surrounding him.
The backfield in Tampa is a big question mark. I don’t really like Peyton Barber as a back. Don’t ask me why I just don’t really like his fit in an Arians system. Ronald Jones needs to take the next step this year. He had flashes last year but he wasn’t consistent and disappeared for stretches. A good running game is another key to Winston’s, success his best years he’s had good back fields behind him. The offensive line also needs to do a better job opening up holes. I see Ronald Jones taking the next step in 2019 and becoming the featured back. If he doesn’t this running game might be in trouble.
The Buccaneers defense consists of two very different units. The front seven which I absolutely love, and the secondary which I think is a total mess. Vita Vea is due to take the next step in 2019 and be a truly dominant run stopper. Even after losing Gerald McCoy, Suh is not a bad replacement. Carl Nassib is deeply underrated and Beau Allen could provide some nice depth. The linebacking core got much better with the addition of rookie Devin White and free agent Shaq Barett who I believe will be a star this year. Leaving Denver might be Barett’s best move ever he’s insanely talented and will show that in Tampa as a starter. Deone Bucannon brings a veteran leadership that the linebacking core needs. Vernon Hargraves is the only guy I trust in this secondary and he took a major step back last year. Pass coverage is a real concern for this team.
Do I think Winston becomes something we haven’t seen him be yet in 2019? Yes, but he’ll still turn the ball over far to often and lead this team to a mediocre record.
Record Prediction: 8-8
Saints
One of the voices in the football cognoscente I trust the most is NFL.com writer Chris Wesseling. Chris observed that Drew Brees had the worst stretch of his entire career from thanksgiving on last year. Noting that he couldn’t throw deep anymore. I went back and watched a ton of game pass film on Brees and I agree with Chris. Brees looked bad, Eli level bad, at the end of last year and was largely carried by the talent around him and the defense in the playoffs. Now this isn’t to say I think Brees will fall off a Peyton Manning like cliff in 2019 I just have a feeling that he is due for a regression to the mean. I don’t think he’ll throw for over 30 touchdowns this year and I think he’ll remain about a 3,200-400 passer. There will be a slight step back though. Look for Taysom Hill to potentially have more deep throwing plays in 2019.
Brees will still have a nice supporting cast around him in 2019. Michael Thomas is one of the best wide outs in the league. Coming into a contract year I think he will tear it up for the Saints this year. That and the fact the supporting cast around him are not the best. That being said in Sean Paytons offense Ted Ginn has been a more than solid piece. Tre’Qaun Smith is a fascinating guy to look at going into year two who could have a much bigger impact on this offense in 2019. Kieth Kirkwood is another Payton project that has paid off big time as he’s carved out a solid role as the teams fourth receiver. Jared Cook adds just another weapon for Payton to play with and makes this offense just as dangerous as it was last year.
The Saints backfield despite losing Mark Ingram is still a force to be reckoned with. Simply put Alvin Kamara is probably the third best offensive player in the league. He’s also probably due for his biggest statistical year after the departure of Ingram. Latavius Murray has always been heavily underrated in my opinion. I think he’s the perfect replacement for Ingram in the backfield and someone who can help keep Kamara’s workload reasonable. Dwayne Washington is a good special teamer who could see limited work in the backfield in 2019.
Cameron Jordan emerged at the end of last season. If he continues to take steps forward he could become one of the post valuable DT’s in the league. Marcus Davenport needs to show more to prove not to be a bust but provides good depth. Not to mention the addition of Malcom Brown that makes this one of the most stout lines in the conference. Demario Davis leads a decent linebacking core. Davis was crucial for this teams success last year and will only be better in year two on the defense. The Secondary remains one of the best in the league. Eli Apple found his stride in NOLA last year and Marshon Lattimore, though he took a slight step back, continues to be one of the most promising corners in the league. Von Bell is one of the most underrated safeties in the league. Not to mention Marcus Williams who will continue to develop into a star in 2019. All in all, this may be a hot take but the Saints have one of the best defenses in the league.
The offense will take a step back in 2019. The defense is still great though. That all being said they have an insanely tough schedule and I believe they get beat up a bit in division as well. The Saints and this is a hot take I know are a team I see not making it back to the playoffs in 2019.
Record: 9-7
Panthers
Cam Newton’s health is a big concern. By the end of last year he had trouble throwing to the sideline if he isn’t healthy he’s a liability to his team. If he is healthy he’s coming off one of the best seasons he’s had in the league (before he was hurt.) If Newton still struggles with injury the Panthers have an interesting back up option in rookie Will Grier. I loved Grier in college and actually think he fits well into the Panthers season if Newton isn’t ready to go week one. Though all indicators point toward him being ready to go.
The Panthers recievers have incredible high upside but are very unproven. The veteran in the room is Torrey Smith who will be this teams most obvious deep threat. DJ Moore has tremendous potential as a second year player. He has the size, speed, and hands to be a number one threat. The question is when will he develop into that? Curtis Samuels is a serviceable slot receiver with good speed. Watch out for Rashad Ross, an AAF standout to make some serious noise on this offense. Not to mention Chris Hogan. Add in Jarius Wright and though it may not be the most talented this is probably one of the deepest receiving cores in the NFL.
Christian McCaffery is a beast. There is no other way to put it. He will remain the number one target in this offense and should only improve in the running game. Rookie Jordan Scarlett out of Florida will try to make an impact and add some depth to the backfield. McCaffery could be due for another huge year I could see 1,000 yards running and catching being easily attainable for McCaffery in 2019.
The defense revamped and got younger. That doesn’t mean they’ll be any better but they got rid of there liabilities. Replacing the liabilities Shaq Thompson at linebacker and Brian Burns on the defensive line. A great secondary stays together lead by Eric Ried. James Bradberry can only improve on a great season in 2018. Donte Jackson is one of the teams best prospects and looks for an even bigger role on the defense in 2019. This group doesn’t get you excited outside of Luke Kuechley who must remain healthy this year for the defense to be more than league average.
A league average defense paired with a high upside offense could lead to success though. I don’t see this team being much of a threat though. Not that they’ll be bad, in fact I think they will be very fun to watch but I see this team coming up short in some close games along the way and not quite making the playoffs.
Record Prediction: 9-7
Falcons
Despite a poor year for the Falcons Matt Ryan is once again coming off one of the best seasons of his entire career. He may in fact be one of the most underrated QB’s in the entire league. The man threw for nearly 5k yards and had 35 TD’s with only 7 INT’s. Ryan is undisputedly in my mind a top ten QB and I think it is absoloutely wild that there are people who will make the argument that he’s not. He should be better protected this year as well with the addition of Chris Lindstrom to the offensive line.
The Falcons have what I believe to be the best WR room in the NFC. Maybe in the entire NFL. All pro Julio Jones is still a monster in his prime. Mohamed Sanu is a major deep threat and a top 20 NFL wide out. Yet this receiving cores biggest gem may be young Calvin Ridley. I expect him to take another huge stride in 2019. Within the next few years I am convinced we will view him as a top ten wide out. Hell I already think he’s an elite talent who may be the best receiver on this team by the time the years over. Not to mention the depth Justin Hardy adds and emerging tight end Austin Hooper. Hooper is one of the most slept on talents in the NFL in my mind. He will again be a major part of the offense in 2019.
Devonta Freemans health is still a major question mark for this team. However if he can stay healthy he and Ito Smith could be one of the most dangerous backfield duos in the NFL. Qadree Ollison could break into the starting lineup if he has a good preseason. Look for him to be the most likely third back in the equation.
The defense is healthy. They were ruined by injuries last year. If everyone comes back at 100 percent they are absolutely stacked. Vic Beasley Jr., Takk McKinley, Grady Jarett up front this is the second best defensive line I have seen while doing these previews thus far. Linebacker is a concern but if Deion Jones can return to his 2017 form he can hold the group together. The Secondary is Stacked Keanu Neale and Ricardo Allen might be the best safety duo in the entire NFL. Desmond Truffant and Isaiah Oliver at corner can hold down the fort after the loss of the talented Robert Alford.
In summary I am all in on the Falcons. I loved this team last year before they all got hurt, I love them this year. If they can stay healthy this is a Super Bowl contender and a team whose only weakness might be linebacker and offensive line. They should be the clear favorites to win the division in my mind.
Record prediction: 11-5