Quarterback
1.New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees won a Super Bowl and broke the single-season record for passing yards. Until anyone else in this division does so, the Saints will have the nest quarterback unit. Luke McCown is also a serviceable back-up option.
2.Atlanta Falcons
It’s a tough race between Falcons starter Matt Ryan and Carolina Panthers starter Cam Newton, but I give Ryan the slight edge at this point in his career. He’s made the NFC title game and owns a career 90.6 passer rating.
3.Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton had a breakout rookie season in 2011 and has been one of the stronger quarterbacks in the league since. Newton is a threat with his legs (2,032 career rushing yards) and through the air (24 passing touchdowns last year). In time, he could pass both Ryan and Brees.
4.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay is a few tiers below the other three teams in this division, with Josh McCown and Mike Glennon leading the way. McCown proved to be a great replacement to Jay Cutler last season, throwing for 1.829 and 13 touchdowns. But he’s not on the level of Brees, Ryan or Newton.
Running back
1.Carolina Panthers
The Panthers give a steady workload to two backs: DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. These two have combined for at least 1,000 yards in every year since 2008. That includes 2009, where both were 1,000-yard rushers.
2.Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons missed Steven Jackson desperately last season, and Jackson came back strong toward the end of the season. Add in newly-drafted Devonta Freeman and veteran Jacquizz Rodgers, and the Falcons have a strong attack that could compete with the best.
3.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers’ running game relies heavily on the health of Doug Martin, who is one of the most elusive backs in the game at 100 percent. Mike James and Bobby Rainey can’t lead this team.
4.New Orleans Saints
After trading away Darren Sproles, the Saints are left with Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram. Thomas has 10 touchdowns in his last four seasons and Ingram had one touchdown last season. It’s not looking promising at running back.
Wide receiver/Tight end
1.Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have one of the best receivers in the league in Julio Jones, backed by a strong No. 2 in Harry Douglas and a veteran presence in Roddy White at No. 3 receiver. And they added Devin Hester, so watch out for the Falcons’ aerial attack this season.
2.New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees makes his receivers better, so the names Kenny Stills and Brandin Cooks will pop up in all fantasy leagues this year. Jimmy Graham might be the biggest threat in any position in the league. Not to mention, the Saints also have Robert Meachem and Nick Toon.
3.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Trading Mike Williams to the Buffalo Bills pushed the Buccaneers to third on the list. But the team still has Vincent Jackson, one of the most talented receivers in football. If No. 1 draft pick Mike Evans can produce, the Buccaneers pass offense could surprise people.
4.Carolina Panthers
A virtual overhaul of the position saw Steve Smith, Ted Ginn and Brandon LaFell leave the team. Now, the team is stuck with Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant as its primary targets, along tight end Greg Olsen.
Offensive line
1.New Orleans Saints
The Saints need a quality line in order for Brees to be successful, and they field of the best. Ben Grubbs and Jahri Evans lead the way for a line that allowed 37 sacks last season.
2.Carolina Panthers
The Panthers did a good job of contain opposing defense so that Newton and company could run wild. Resigning Byron Bell was crucial for this line and Ryan Kalil remains a strong center.
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons’ run game was weak most of last year, leading to a league-worst 1,247 yards total. The offensive line also yielded 44 sacks; 10th-most in the league. Jon Asamoah will help, but it won’t make the Falcons’ line strong.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay allowed 67 sacks last year, which is a number that does not reflect anywhere close to a strong offensive line. Signing Anthony Collins and Oniel Cousins won’t solve those problems.
Front Seven
1.Carolina Panthers
The Panthers’ defensive power was on display last year, when the team held the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks to 16 combined points in two regular season games. With Greg Hardy franchised and Luke Kuechly budding as one of the NFL’s stars, this front seven is in good shape.
2.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers had a decent line before this offseason, but signing Michael Johnson and Clinton McDonald made it exponentially better. With these two in the fold, the Buccaneers could have a breakout season.
3.Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have many veterans, including Jonathan Babineaux, Osi Umenyiora and Sean Weatherspoon, that will lead the pass rush this year. Add in the signing of Paul Soliai, and the Falcons are stronger than last year.
4.New Orleans Saints
The Saints are weighing their success in the front seven of a few youngsters, like Junior Galette and Cameron Jordan. Signing Brandon Deaderick is a plus, but not enough to save this front seven from mediocrity.
Secondary
1.New Orleans Saints
The Saints ranked second in the league in pass defense last year and got a large boost with the signing of Jairus Byrd. If other signing Champ Bailey can regain any form from his prime, this could be the best pass defense in the league.
2.Carolina Panthers
The Panthers ranked sixth in passing defense last year and added Thomas DeCoud from the Falcons to make up for this loss of Mike Mitchell. Captain Munnerlyn also left for the Minnesota Vikings, so there are a few questions marks in this secondary.
3.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The loss of Darrelle Revis hurts the secondary, but the signings of Alterraun Verner, Mike Jenkins and Major Wright might make up for it. The Buccaneers will work with this revamped secondary, filled with veterans.
4.Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons secondary was a weakness last year, so it was inevitable that changes had to be made. The team did not sign Asante Samuel, and elected to go with Javier Arenas and Josh Wilson. It could provide much-needed depth for this secondary.