NFL: Intriguing Players to Watch in the NFC South
With the start of the NFL season just around the corner. We are going to highlight a player from every franchise that intrigues us. That can be a rookie asked to start, a player set to breakout or a league star who’s just fun to watch.
Next up the NFC South…
Atlanta Falcons - Matthew Judon, EDGE
Who doesn’t love a panic buy? Well, everybody, really, because it’s rare for them to actually work out! While everybody stood and screamed that the Falcons needed a pass rusher they continued merrily about their business, even having the audacity to draft a backup QB in the 1st round. Then, realising the error of their ways, they chucked a third-rounder at the Patriots for a disgruntled Judon. Formerly a sack monster, Judon is returning from a bicep injury at the age of 32. The Falcons in a Kirk Cousins Super Bowl window are desperate for a disruptor, but does Judon have enough in the tank?
Carolina Panthers - Bryce Young, QB
The Panthers got things the wrong way around. They had none of the infrastructure in place to drop a round 1 quarterback in as starter from the off last year. It went largely as expected. While Young’s strengths are timing and accuracy, he’s not the type of QB to elevate a team on his own. He’s no Mahomes or Josh Allen. So it was no surprise that the Panthers spent the offseason retrospectively adding everything he needed 12 months after the fact. An offensive-minded head coach, better weapons at receiver and two hulking guards to hopefully help clear up the picture for Young. The acid test will be if Young can advance his game to match. If not, questions will be asked of the historically small QB.
New Orleans Saints - Trevor Penning, OT
If you’re being brutally honest, we all know the Saints don’t really want to be starting Trevor Penning at right tackle this season. The indefinite absence of Ryan Ramcysk means there is little choice. One thing New Orleans did know was that they didn’t want him on the left side, drafting Taliese Fuaga as his replacement. With limited options, Penning shifts over to the other side for what feels like one last shot to get things right. If his struggles continue, Derek Carr is in for a long season. Penning needs to be bearable, at least, to keep this offense alive.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Zyon McCollum, CB
Expectations were low for McCollum, considering he was a fifth-round selection out of Sam Houston State. Now, after being a spot starter in 2023, the third-year man gets a chance to prove himself as a full-time outside corner on this team. The Bucs move on from Carl Davis, who had formed a solid group with Jamel Dean and Antoine Winfield. Dean’s rise to prominence means opposition offenses will look to McCollum as a release valve on this defense, will he be able to cope with the added focus and targets that come from playing outside corner in the NFL?
Rory-Joe Daniels
NFL & Cfb contributor
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.