Ranking NFC South defensive players post-Free Agency
Where do the Buccaneers rank among NFC South defenses?
We are back with Part 2 of our look at the NFC South positional power rankings. If you missed Part One, check it out. We focused on the offensive side of the football. Today, we will be going through the defensive groups to see who has the best defensive units in the division.
Every team saw some changes on their defense during the free agency period so let's see how much of an effect they had on the rankings.
Ranking NFC South defensive players post-Free Agency
Defensive Ends
1. New Orleans Saints - Cam Jordan, Chase Young, Tanoh Kpassagnon
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Calijah Kancey, Logan Hall, Mike Greene
3. Carolina Panthers - Derrick Brown, A'Shawn Robinson, LaBryan Williams
4. Atlanta Falcons - Zach Harrison, Demone Harris
The Saints adding Chase Young to their ranks definitely solidified their hold on this position in the South. Jordan is a perennial All-Pro candidate and Young has huge upside. Kpassagnon is a nice player in his own right.
Calijah Kancey is coming off a strong rookie season in which he flashed his 1st round talents. He should continue getting better and better as he enters Year 2. Hall has grown steadily each year and could be ready for a big jump.
I love Derrick Brown. He is an absolute monster. Robinson could be an underrated pickup for the Panthers. However, the drop-off is steep from those two.
The Falcons should absolutely be addressing the defensive end position in the draft because...yikes.
Defensive Tackles
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Vita Vea, Greg Gaines
2. Atlanta Falcons - Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Kentavius Street
3. New Orleans Saints - Bryan Bresee, Nathan Shepherd, Khalen Saunders, Jack Heflin
4. Carolina Panthers - Shy Tuttle, Nick Thurman
Vea and Jarrett are probably the two best defensive tackles/nose tackles in the divison. Vea is a game-changer for the Bucs defense when he is on. Gaines is a rock solid secondary option.
Onyemata could fill the Gaines role in Atlanta quite nicely as well. These two groups are well ahead of the other two teams.
The Saints are going with a committee approach to this position which is fine. Nothing sexy, but it works. Bresee flashed some nice upside last season and he could turn into a real player. Meanwhile, the Panthers should look into strengthening this part of their line quickly as well.