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Previewing how the Panthers stack up against the NFC South in 2019

By Josh Altorfer

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 08: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs into the end zone for a 25 yard touchdown reception during the second quarter in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on November 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 08: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs into the end zone for a 25 yard touchdown reception during the second quarter in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on November 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 09: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints points towards the endzone during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 09, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 09: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints points towards the endzone during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 09, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2019 Preview: New Orleans Saints

2018 Record: 13-3, First In NFC South

Key Additions:

TE Jared Cook, FA

RB Latavius Murray, FA

C Erik McCoy, Draft

Key Losses:

RB Mark Ingram

C Max Unger

Recap:

The New Orleans Saints dominated the NFC South last year. They won the division for the second season in a row and made it all the way to the NFC Championship game before losing to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Saints’ biggest free-agent acquisition was tight end Jared Cook. Cook was the lone playmaker on the Oakland Raiders offense last year, putting up 896 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He is the most talented pass-catching tight end the Saints have had since Jimmy Graham.

New Orleans didn’t make any splashy moves in the draft as they did not have a first or a third-round pick this year. They did get center Erik McCoy from Miami in the second round. McCoy is expected to take over Max Unger’s spot with the starting unit.

The biggest loss the Saints suffered was running back Mark Ingram. Ingram has been a very important part of their offense since he was drafted back in 2011. They did their best trying to replace him by adding Latavius Murray. However, it will be tough for Murray to be able to replace the production Ingram gave the Saints the last couple of seasons.

2019 Projections:

Overall, the Saints stayed about the same talent-wise from their 2018 roster to 2019. They added a really good tight end in Cook but lost an impactful running back in Ingram. The Saints defense has really improved and they have one of the most complete rosters in the entire NFL.

The best-case scenario for the Saints would be another strong regular season and a playoff birth, but this time making it all the way to the Super Bowl. They certainly have the talent to make a playoff run as long as health provides them that opportunity.

The more realistic outcome would be a tougher regular-season stretch. The NFC South as a whole has improved significantly. The Buccaneers don’t seem like an easy win anymore led by new head coach Bruce Arians. The Falcons are always competitive, and the Panthers can’t be expected to fall off a cliff as they did in the second half of last season.

The added competition makes it tougher on the Saints, but they still have the most experience and complete roster in the division. Their regular-season record takes a hit, but they still make the playoffs at 11-5.

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