While the Falcons were trying to get fast and physical on defense, the rest of the teams around the NFC South also executed some exotic plans in free agency and the NFL draft.
Carolina, after electing to part ways with Pro Bowl cornerback Josh Norman in a bizarre move, loaded up cornerbacks.
The Saints tried to fix the back end of their defense by taking a safety after adding a tight end in free agency.
While Tampa Bay, which appears to have the best draft in the division, made the move on a kicker in the second round. They also had a strong free-agency period by adding three starters in guard J.R. Sweezy, defensive end Robert Ayers and cornerback Brett Grimes.
Here’s how the teams from the NFC South fared in the draft and with their offseason acquisitions:
CAROLINA
Gains: Vernon Butler, DT (first round), James Bradberry, CB (second round); Paul Soliai, DT (free agent); Gino Gradkowski, C (free agent)
Losses: Josh Norman, CB; Charles Tillman, CB; Roman Harper, S; Jerricho Cotchery, WR
On the schedule: The Panthers have the 12th toughest schedule (.512).
Comment: The Panthers made the most bizarre move of the offseason by releasing Norman, a former fifth-round pick from Coastal Carolina who had developed into a Pro Bowl player. They tried to cover this bold move by drafting three cornerbacks — Bradberry of Samford, West Virginia's Daryl Worley and Oklahoma's Zack Sanchez. The Panthers also scooped up two former Falcons in free agency — Soliai and Gradkowski — to add depth to the defensive and offensive lines.
Offseason grade: D
NEW ORLEANS
Gains: Sheldon Rankins, DT (first round); Vonn Bell, S (second round); David Onyemata, DT (fourth round); Coby Fleener, TE (free agent); James Laurinaitis, LB (free agent); Nate Stupar, LB (free agent)
Losses: Marques Colston, WR; Jahri Evans, OG
On the schedule: The Saints have the fourth toughest schedule (.547).
Comment: The biggest offseason move for the Saints was the re-signing of coach Sean Payton to a five-year extension. He has been with the Saints since 2006 and has a 15-5 record against the Falcons during his tenure. He also led the Saints to their only Super Bowl title. Rankins and Bell should help on defense, but Onyemata, a 6-foot-5, 300-pounder who played at the University of Manitoba, may turn into one of the steals of the draft.
Offseason grade: A-minus
TAMPA BAY
Gains: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB (first round); Noah Spence, DE (second round); Roberto Aguayo, PK (second round); J.R. Sweezy, OG (free agent); Robert Ayers, DE (free agent); Brent Grimes, CB (free agent)
Losses: Connor Barth, PK; Da'Quan Bowers, DE; Martin Ifedi, DE
On the schedule: The Bucs have the fifth toughest schedule (.543).
Comment: The Bucs went into the draft trying to help their secondary and pass rush. Hargreaves was considered the second best cornerback in the draft behind Jalen Ramsey, and they added defensive end Noah Spence, a top-10 talent who slipped to the second because of a failed drug test at Ohio State. The Bucs then made a bold move by trading up to select Aguayo in the second round. He made 49 of 49 field-goal attempts inside 40 yards and was the first kicker drafted in the second round since the Jets took Mike Nugent in 2005. They also spent the second most cash in free agency, on Sweezy ($32.5 million), Ayers ($19.5 million) and Grimes ($13.5).
Offseason grade: A-plus
FALCONS
Gains: Keanu Neal, S (first round); Deion Jones, MLB (second round); Austin Hooper, TE (third round); Alex Mack, C (free agent); Mohamed Sanu, WR (free agent), Derrick Shelby, DE (free agent); Sean Weatherspoon, LB (free agent) and Courtney Upshaw, LB (free agent).
Losses: Roddy White, WR; Justin Durant, LB; William Moore, SS; Paul Soliai, DT; Gino Gradkowski, C; Nate Stupar, LB
On the schedule: Falcons have the toughest strength of schedule in the league along with San Francisco (.555).
Comment: The Falcons concentrated on rebuilding the offensive line and the linebacker corps this offseason after releasing four starters in White, Soliai, linebacker Justin Durant and safety William Moore. The Falcons spent the most money in free agency of the division teams to land Mack ($45 million), Sanu ($32 million) and Shelby ($18 million). The added Neal to replace Moore and provide some sound tackling and better coverage against tight ends. Jones was added to compete at middle linebacker.
Offseason grade: B
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