Behind Enemy Lines is a weekly look at Tampa Bay’s NFC South foes every Tuesday morning. Let’s spy on the Bucs’ division rivals, shall we?

Atlanta Falcons

• The Falcons enter the month of March and free agency with 24 unrestricted free agents. The team has announced that it will not attempt to re-sign former first-round pass rusher Vic Beasley and will allow tight end Austin Hooper, guard Wes Schweitzer and De’Vondre Campbell to test the free agent waters later this month. Special teams contributor Kemal Ishmael is also not expected be back in 2020.

Of the 24 UFAs, reportedly the Falcons have a strong interest in re-signing defensive linemen Jack Crawford and Tyeler Davison, defensive backs Blidi Wreh-Wilson and J.J. Wilcox, plus running back Brian Hill. Bringing back Hill is important as Atlanta may release running back Devonta Freeman and Kenjon Barner in salary cap-cutting moves. This makes adding a running back a strong priority in the upcoming April draft.

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and former DL coach Bryan Cox – Photo by: Getty Images

• Offensive lineman John Wetzel was released by the Falcons this week once again. Wetzel was signed and cut five times over the last year as the Falcons dealt with injuries across their offensive line for much of 2019.

• The Carolina Panthers are reportedly not expected to pick up the option for defensive tackle Dontari Poe and the Falcons could have some interest. Poe played once season in Atlanta and a reunion could be in order if Poe could be signed reasonably. The Falcons have a strong need to bolster their defensive line and Poe had four sacks in 2019, his highest total since 2014.

LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson name has been appearing in more and more mock drafts lately for Atlanta, which has the 16th overall pick, and adding some pass rushers is something that makes sense for the pressure-deficient Falcons pass rush. Atlanta ranked 29th in the NFL in sacks (28 total) last year and with walking away from Beasley, the pressure is on to find players that can get to the quarterback.

Carolina Panthers

• While free agency is still over two weeks away, the Panthers aren’t sitting idle and are reportedly bringing in a former Browns lineman for a look.

Former Browns’ defensive lineman Chris Smith is visiting the Panthers today, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2020

Bucs LT Donovan Smith and Panthers DE Mario Addison – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Panthers under new head coach Matt Rhule will be overhauling their roster on both sides of the ball it appears, and have a number of unrestricted free agents to deal with, particularly defensively. Besides Poe, who will not return, the Panthers have defensive lineman Gerald McCoy, Mario Addison, Vernon Butler, Wes Horton, Bruce Irvin, Kyle Love and Stacy McGee as free agents. The secondary also is loaded with potential free agents with Javien Elliot, James Bradberry, Tre Boston, and Ross Cockrell set to test the open market  on March 18. Bradberry, the team’s best cover corner, may price himself out of Carolina.

• Question marks still abound about the future of quarterback Cam Newton, but recent reports are that Newton will be on the Panthers roster in 2020.

A lot can still happen in the coming months, but as of now, the #Panthers are moving forward with Cam Newton as their starting QB, sources say. While his foot is healing well, it will be several months until it’s game-ready — a timeline that complicates any potential trade.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 25, 2020

The Panthers, like many teams, would love to draft LSU quarterback Joe Burrow in the first round, but the price to move up would be very steep, and that is if the Bengals would even consider trading the pick away to begin with. By all indications coming from the NFL Scouting Combine last week in Indianapolis, the Bengals will make Burrow the first overall pick.

• With the number of pending defensive free agents, it is a good bet that Carolina will look at defense in the first round of next month’s draft where they hold the No. 7 pick. Ohio State’s Jeffery Okudah has been showing up in many mock drafts as of late and would be a great replacement for Bradberry, who is expected to sign elsewhere later this month. The problem is that Okudah may not make it out of the Top 5. Carolina may have a better shot at drafting Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown or South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw instead.

New Orleans Saints

• Drew Brees will be back in 2020 for one last ride with Sean Payton in a quest to secure his second Super Bowl ring before heading off into he sunset, and most likely the broadcast booth. But what will the Saints do moving forward once Brees moves on?

Saints QB Taysom Hill – Photo by: Getty Images

Both backups, Teddy Bridgewater (UFA) and Taysom Hill (RFA), are in the mix although it appears Hill is the favorite to return and eventually become Brees’ successor, mainly due the fact his price tag will be much cheaper. Bridgewater was linked to the Buccaneers this week as a possible replacement should Tampa Bay walk away from Jameis Winston. Bridgewater is looking for a long-term deal and a starters job – and salary – so keeping Bridgewater in New Orleans seems virtually impossible. The Saints will likely offer Hill the $5 million restricted free agent tender.

• Lots of NFL players play through nagging injuries during the course of the season but few are able to play after a muscle is ripped off the bone. But according to reports Saints All-Pro defensive end Cameron Jordan did just that following an injury on December 8. Jordan had surgery recently to repair the injury and is expected to be back and fully healthy in 2020.

• Giving Brees more offensive ammunition and an option opposite star wide receiver Michael Thomas will be a priority this offseason for New Orleans. A name that could be wearing the gold and black in 2020 according to some mock drafts is Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins.

This throw and catch is ridiculous.

Trevor Lawrence to Tee Higgins #AllIn pic.twitter.com/Bjq7l7dZNL

— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) January 8, 2019