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Federovitch: New Orleans Saints most intriguing NFC South team

Our fifth installment of our division-by-division examination of team needs, leading up to the NFL Draft which is set for May 8, turns to the NFC South.

The Atlanta Falcons had a stunningly bad season in 2013, and the Tampa Bay Bucs haven’t made the playoffs since 2007, but the NFC South could make a case for the NFL’s most unpredictable division.

Since the NFL expanded from three divisions to four before the 2002 season, the NFC South has followed an odd cycle: division winners don’t repeat, and all four teams have finished first three times each.

The upcoming season will break the tie, which could in large part be thanks to next month’s draft when four distinctly different teams look to fill some very clear holes.

• PANTHERS: As defending division champions go, the Panthers look incredibly shaky on paper, having parted ways with all-time franchise receiver Steve Smith (who hopes to find the fountain of youth in Baltimore). So it’s a pretty good bet that Ron Rivera’s team will target a stud wideout with one of its first three picks (if not two). But here’s the problem in Carolina: there are gaping holes along the offensive line too (everywhere except center, where Ryan Kalil is one of the league’s best) as well is in the secondary (where the club will miss the departed Captain Munnerlyn). Carolina still has one of the league’s best defensive front sevens, but how it fills the remaining holes will determine whether or not it gets back to the playoffs.

• SAINTS: Of all the teams in this division, New Orleans is probably the strongest thanks to owning the best quarterback (Drew Brees), an improving secondary and a good group of receivers. New Orleans isn’t quite as deep as it was in the past at running back (having traded away Darren Sproles to the Eagles), but its attack thrives on passing and diversity, so don’t expect them to go after a running back in the first round. Instead, New Orleans will likely pursue cornerback help or maybe front seven help ... unless an irresistible wideout falls, giving Brees one more weapon.

• FALCONS: It’s odd that so many were so surprised that the Falcons took a huge step backward last year; this is the division’s (and one of the NFL’s) most top-heavy team, so much so that when star wideout Julio Jones went down with a long-term injury, it make a Super Bowl contender the sixth-worst team in the league. The Falcons also have offensive line holes, don’t rush the passer and may not have psychologically recovered from their last-minute heartbreaking loss to the Niners at home in the 2012 NFC title game. So drafting high is good news for the Falcons, because they still have at least two major needs that could be addressed at this spot: left tackle (think Jake Matthews or Greg Robinson if they are there) or pass rush (Jadeveon Clowney has gone on record as saying he’d love to play for the Falcons, but Khalil Mack may be a more realistic option). If Atlanta furthermore thinks that one of those players is the missing link in a Super Bowl run (which seems like folly coming off a 4-12 campaign), it could even trade up to get one of those players (most likely with St. Louis at No. 2, which has similar needs but always likes to stockpile draft picks). After the first round? Don’t be surprised if the Falcons look to fill the gaping hole left by future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez at tight end.

• BUCCANEERS: When Tampa Bay hired former Bears head coach Lovie Smith, it signaled that it is to be taken more seriously, a messaged followed up by several winning free-agency moves (including adding the more economical Alterraun Verner so that the Bucs could part ways with the expensive Darrelle Revis). But the Bucs still have plenty of holes and at No. 7 have some fun options. They could pursue one of the top quarterbacks (as Josh McCown isn’t a long-term option). They could snag one of the top wideouts (with Texas A&M’s Mike Evans most likely), or they could (as is Smith’s strength) look to further strengthen what is shaping up to be a nice defense. Tampa Bay is also a good candidate to trade down as it would like to add more picks, having lost its fourth thanks to the ill-advised Revis deal last year.
Federovitch: New Orleans Saints most intriguing NFC South team | NJ.com