SI issues warning to Atlanta Falcons and NFC South

The NFL learned it could never doubt Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But the Atlanta Falcons and the rest of the NFC South were taught the same lesson by Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers last season as Tampa cruised to its third straight division title.

Will Laws of SI.com warned readers that it would be a mistake to overlook the Buccaneers in 2024. In an effort to avoid that potential mistake, Laws ranked Tampa Bay’s roster as the best in the NFC South.

“The arrival of Kirk Cousins ​​made headlines in Atlanta – and again after the selection of Michael Penix Jr.” wrote laws.

“But the under-the-radar Buccaneers have made many smart moves this offseason, and the same can be said for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.”

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Among the four NFC South teams, Laws ranked the Falcons’ roster second.

The New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers were ranked third and fourth best in the division, respectively.

“Aside from the quarterback dilemma, the Falcons have stability on the offensive line and have added depth at wide receiver with Rondale Moore, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III,” Laws wrote. “We will have to become number 2 behind London, who were often open last season in vain because their signalmen failed to give them the ball. Pitts could finally get his act together on the court with Cousins ​​and a new coaching staff.

Laws criticized the decision to draft quarterback Michael Penix Jr. because with that pick the Falcons “missed an opportunity to sign an immediate impact player.” But Laws was complimentary of the defensive additions Atlanta made in the second and third rounds of the draft.

“The defense will likely build on its promising 2023 season with the addition of Morris, who thrived as the Rams’ defensive coordinator the past three seasons and won a Super Bowl in Los Angeles,” Laws wrote. “Atlanta has a strong secondary with safety Jessie Bates III and cornerback AJ Terrell, and the defensive front could be better with talented day two picks Ruke Orhorhoro and Bralen Trice.”

Because the Falcons have dominated the division’s headlines, many analysts this summer will likely rate the team as the favorite in the NFC South. But to win the division, the Falcons will have to dethrone the Buccaneers, who have won three straight NFC South crowns.

The Falcons won their last division title in 2016.