From 90 to 53. For a starting or rotation position, many candidates are there, for few chosen. Because competition means emulation, except for a few executives, NFL teams all experience battles during training camps. Today, the NFC South division.
Carolina Panthers: Running back
On the starting line: Miles Sanders, Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks
Ahead of the season and their preview in a few days, the Panthers probably have one of the lowest quality rosters in the NFL. The offense is a work in progress and it is with this in mind that Dave Canales was inducted as the new coach.
The only positions where there are certainties are at quarterback with Bryce Young, and on the offensive line. However, at the positions where they will need to score points, Carolina lacks clarity on the starting positions. This is particularly the case at the number 1 running back position.
Three players are likely to have this starting position. Also arriving in the offseason, Rashaad Penny is starting from very far away, with only 8 games played in the last 2 seasons. Signed during the 2023 offseason with a big contract, Miles Sanders struggled to justify it last season. Already under pressure last year after Chuba Hubbard's good performances, he may have trouble seeing the field after Jonathon Brooks' very high selection in the Draft.
The former University of Texas player has immense potential. However, Brooks just suffered his biggest injury at the end of last season with a torn cruciate ligament. The Panthers' staff will therefore have to manage his return from injury so as not to expose him too quickly in the preseason games.
Then there is the case of Chuba Hubbard. Interesting last year, he flirted with the 1000 yard mark in the race (902), but in 238 carries, which is an average below what is best in the league. But, like the entire Panthers attack, he will experience a new offensive system, where he will have to show much more in reception, which is not his primary quality, despite the improvement seen last year.
Prediction: Chuba Hubbard
Also: receiver, tight end
Atlanta Falcons: Cornerback
On the starting line: Antonio Hamilton Sr., Clark Phillips III
In this NFC South, there is no shortage of quality receivers. To counter Chris Olave (WR, Saints), or Mike Evans (WR, Buccaneers), the cornerback duo will have to be solid in the other teams of the division. On the Falcons side, if AJ Terrell is established at the outside cornerback position, who will be his counterpart? This is the problem that new coach Raheem Morris and his defensive staff will have to solve during these camps.
Clark Phillips III was on the roster last year. The former University of Utah player played mostly inside last year, then outside late in the season after Jeff Okudah, who started last year, underperformed.
With the latter gone to the Texans, the position is therefore open to a battle. During the offseason, the front office has prioritized experience with the arrival of Antonio Hamilton Sr. The 30-year-old has been interesting in 2023 with the Cardinals, he should be the main competitor for Phillips III. The 2 men will have to show the front office that passing on a cornerback in the draft was the right decision. Plus, they're starting from scratch since both men will have a new defensive coordinator, after Ryan Nelsen left for the Jaguars.
Prediction: Clark Phillips III
Also: pass rusher, defensive end
New Orleans Saints: Linebacker
On the starting line: Pete Werner, Willie Gay
Demario Davis has been eternal and undisputed since he arrived in Louisiana. However, alongside him, it has not always been absolute regularity. The former Jets player will be 36 in 2025, so we will have to think about finding his complement in the short term, and why not his replacement in the long term. Two candidates stand out. One already knows the system, since he has been there since his selection in the 2nd round of the 2021 Draft. The other just arrived in the offseason, and is a two-time defending champion.
Pete Werner was supposed to have a breakout year after a promising first 2 seasons. Unfortunately, his 3rd season was very inconsistent, with a very worrying missed tackle percentage (23%) over the last 9 games of the 2023 season. His main flaw in coverage was even more visible last season, failing to be effective in tackling tight receivers, or even tight ends.
With his recent glorious past with the Chiefs, Willie Gay should use his athleticism and speed. A specialist in coverage on the width of the field, he will be very useful on the run defense, a weak point of the Saints defense last season. At 26, he is in his prime in football, the Saints and Dennis Allen should take advantage of his experience in this area to correct this problem.
Prediction: Willie Gay
Also: Slot Cornerback, Quarterback number 2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pass rusher
On the starting line: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Chris Braswell, Anthony Nelson
Selected in the 3rd round last year, Yaya Diaby created a surprise and should be the starting outside linebacker. But who will accompany him, especially after the departure of Shaquill Barrett?
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka did not see his 5th year waived by the Buccaneers during the offseason. This decision is justified since the former last pick of the first round has only made 13 sacks in 3 seasons. This is not much for a player who is still expected to have an impact on the pass rush. The staff expects a lot from him in the finishing of his plays, because in coverage, he could be very useful.
To put the pressure on him, the Buccaneers selected a promising player in the second round of the last draft. Chris Braswell comes out of a very renowned university: Alabama. Praised by the legendary former coach of his university Nick Saban, he starts with questions about his potential. So, have we already seen the best of the rookie? Or will we see him explode in his first professional year? This is what Todd Bowles and his defensive staff will try to answer during the camps.
There is one candidate left with Anthony Nelson. The former defensive end, converted to outside pass rusher, could take advantage of the poor performances of the first two to earn a starting spot. However, he is starting from a long way back since he did not start a game last season.
Prediction: Chris Braswell
Also: Cornerback, Left Guard
