QB– Drew Brees
Although Brees’ numbers have dipped over the past few years, you’d be a fool to bet against him. The 13 year pro still has a canon for an arm, and is still as accurate as ever. With a healthy and more mature Brandin Cooks, Brees can still produce the big plays we are accustomed to seeing.
RB– Mark Ingram
This wasn’t a hard decision. In a division that has very few durable backs, Mark Ingram is the most productive. 2014 started off slow for Ingram, but he picked up the pace. In 13 games, Ingram came just short of hitting the 1,000 yard mark to go with 9 rushing TDs.
WR– Julio Jones
The best WR by far in the NFC South is Julio Jones. He has had a few nicks here and there that have kept him out of games, but it looks as if those problems are behind him.
He is in a contract year this year as well. Most players step up to the plate when millions of dollars are on the line. Over the past season and a half, Julio is averaging 108 yards per game. He is a big, tall, possession receiver that gives any CB a nightmare. Look for Jones to duplicate is success from 2014.
WR– Mike Evans
The rookie sensation himself had a great first year in the NFL. What makes it more impressive, is that he had QBs names Mike Glennon and Josh McCown throwing to him. Nobody knows how Jameis Winston is going to do in the NFL, but you have to think he will fare better than the two aforementioned QBs. The sky is the limit for Evans, and it helps that he has a similar WR opposite him, Vincent Jackson. Look for Evans to improve on his 68 rec, 1051 yards, 12 TD stat line in 2015.
TE– Greg Olson
Jimmy Graham’s departure (Northwest) to Seattle moves Greg Olsen to top the list for TEs in the NFC South. In his fourth year with the Panthers, Olsen had career highs in yards and receptions. He finally broke the 1,000 yard mark and served as a security blanket for QB Cam Newton. With Kelvin Benjamin going into his second year in the NFL, and Carolina drafting WR Devin Funchess, Greg Olsen could see a lot of would be attention get transferred to another player. If you thought 2014 was a breakout year for Olsen, tune into the 2015 season.
OT– Jake Matthews
After being lost for the first year of his NFL career in 2013, Matthews bounced back and helped the Falcons passing game. Matt Ryan was sacked 32 times last season (T-10th10th fewest). A large part of that had to do with the production of Matthews.
OT– Demar Dotson
Dotson was solid for the Bucs last year. Still at the young age of 29, Dotson is in his prime and is looking to be even better in 2015, than he was last season.
G– Logan Mankins
Tampa Bay got a steal when they traded for Logan Mankins from the Patriots. Mankins played in all 16 games last year for the Bucs and was the heart of that line. One of the best Guards in the league.
G– Jahri Evans
Jahri Evans isn’t showing any signs of age. After being selected for a sixth straight time to the Pro Bowl, the 10 year veteran is still out to prove something. The addition of Max Unger on that New Orleans line will only make Evans better in 2015.
C– Max Unger
New Orleans needed to improve the Offensive Line for Drew Brees and company, and that’s just what they did. Trading for Max Unger is huge. In Seattle, Unger was the anchor the Sehawks O-line.
DE– Cameron Jordan
Rewarded with a huge contract this offseason, Cameron Jordan has been the heart of Saints Defense. With 20 sacks over the past two seasons and a few forced fumbles, Jordan will be in for yet another big year against opposing QBs.
DE– Vic Beasley
A rookie makes his way into the fold. At Clemson, Beasley was a terror to opposing QBs. With Dan Quinn now manning the ship in Atlanta, watch him use Vic like he did Bruce Irvin in Seattle.
DT– Star Lotulelei
Going into his third season, Lotulelei has been a main plug on that Carolina Defensive Line. With Greg Hardy heading south to Dallas, the former Utah Ute will be heavily relied on. The third year in a player’s career is usually a breakout year. NFC South, you have been warned.
DT– Gerald McCoy
What started off as a slow career for this former Sooner, has quickly blossomed into a bright one. 17 sacks over the past two years are great for any DT. The three time pro bowler is just getting started, and will look to get this Lovie Smith defense back on the right track.
LB– Luke Kuelchy
Dominant is an understatement when talking about Kuelchy. One of the best young LBs in the game, Luke plays with his heart on his sleeve. How about this stat line over the first three years of your career: 306 tackles, 7 INTs, and 6 sacks. The best part about his game is he is consistent.
LB– Bruce Carter
Some might be scratching their head as to why they don’t see the other LB from Carolina, Thomas Davis, on this list. The production last year from Bruce Carter on a Dallas Defense that was supposed to be “the worst in the history of the NFL” was great. The then four year veteran ended the 2014 season with 57 tackles, 5 INTs (1 TD), and 11 pass deflections. This was all in just 13 games. Now penciled in as the starter in Tampa Bay, Carter will be looking to have a breakout year.
LB– Lavonte David
It seems that the NFC South is full of good, young LBs. Lavonte David isn’t too far from the production Luke Kuelchy has had in his three year career. Actually, some of Davids numbers are better than Kuelchy. 319 tackles, 6 INTs, and 10 sacks. Those are monster numbers. David is just hitting his stride, and will be a force to be reckoned with in 2015.
CB– Desmond Trufant
A very underrated CB, Trufant has been great for the dirty birds. 33 pass deflections and 5 INTs in his first two seasons shows great promise. On a defense that was atrocious last season, Trufant shinned. Remember what I said about the third year in a players career? Drew Brees and the rest of the NFC South QBs might want to look the other way when playing Atlanta this year..
CB– Johnathan Banks
Surprised not to see names like Brandon Browner or Alterraun Verner on this list? I’ll let you know why they aren’t on here. Banks was very durable and productive in his second year with the Bucs. Some could say teams were scared to throw Verners way, but you could also argue that the targets from Verner went to Banks, and he stepped up. With 4 INTs (1 for a TD) and 10 pass deflections, Banks was one of a few bright spots on Tampa Bay. Browner played well for New England, but only played in nine games. You have to be durable in this league to thrive.
S– Kenny Vaccaro
The second year Safety out of Texas has been a staple in the New Orleans Secondary. Vaccaro stepped up and filled a void with Malcolm Jenkins leaving last year.
S– Jarius Byrd
Outside of Vaccaro, the NFC South Safeties haven’t really hit on much. I preached durability when talking about Johnathan Banks a little earlier, but when healthy, Jairus Byrd can flat out play. He was lost for the season due to a knee injury in Week 4. Look for Byrd to come back stronger than ever and supplicate the success he had in Buffalo.
K– Matt Bryant
The real Matty Ice is near perfect when called upon. Last season for Atlanta, Bryant was perfect when kicking 49 yards and in (22 of 22). The 13 year veteran was 7 of 10 when kicking 50 plus yards as well with a 54 yarder as his long on the year. Bryant also kicked two game winners last year, one against New Orleans and the other against Chicago.
P– Matt Bosher
With 40% of his punts being inside the 20 yard line last year, and being 6th in the league in net yards, it’s clear why Bosher is on this list for the upcoming season.
KR- Devin Hester
Was there any doubt who would be on the first team in this division at this position? Hester will go down as one, if not the best Kick Returners in the game. In his first year playing with Atlanta, Hester returned one punt for a TD, and came close to taking a few kick returns back for a TD as well.
