NFL summer subplots: One burning question for each NFC team
By Gennaro Filice
Original Content Editor NFL.com
Published: May 21, 2019 at 09:51 a.m.
With the bulk of roster-reshuffling in the rearview, we've truly entered the NFL's offseason. But training camp will be here in no time, and all 32 rosters still carry unresolved issues. Today, Gennaro Filice examines one burning question for each NFC team.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: What should we expect from Dirk Koetter's return?
For the third time in the last five offseasons, Matt Ryan's transitioning to a new offensive coordinator. On the plus side, this is also Ryan's old offensive coordinator. Koetter is back to directing Atlanta's offense, a role he performed -- with mixed results -- from 2012 through '14. While Koetter's Falcons never ranked lower than seventh in passing, they also never finished higher than 24th in rushing. So, what's in store for Dirk's second go-around with the franchise? Well, the coach returns to Atlanta in a plum situation, with a quarterback in his prime, a bushel of enticing options at the skill positions and an O-line featuring two fresh first-round reinforcements. Koetter's advocating balance, as you'd expect from any play caller during this time of year, but what happens in the fall? The gold standard of Ryan-led offenses is the 2016 edition, directed by Kyle Shanahan: Atlanta ranked third in passing, fifth in rushing and first in scoring. Oh, and Ryan was NFL MVP. For what it's worth, the 34-year-old QB says this year's attack has "no ceiling."
Carolina Panthers: Is D.J. Moore ready to fully carry this receiving corps?
OK, to be frank: Nothing else matters if Cam Newton's shoulder isn't right. Rehabbing from his second shoulder surgery in less than two years, Newton recently exuded positive vibrations, but there's no way to know what the Panthers' franchise signal-caller looks like until he takes the field again. One thing we can assess, though, is the pass-catching arsenal at Newton's disposal. Honestly, this is an underwhelming -- or, at least, unproven -- group. Our resident depth-chart detective, Gregg Rosenthal, projects Carolina's starting lineup to include D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel and Jarius Wright, none of whom have a track record of production. That said, Moore flashed plenty of promise as a rookie last season, piling up 55 catches for 788 yards and two touchdowns, with most of that damage done in the second half of the season. At 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds with a catch-and-run game that draws Golden Tate comps, Moore isn't a prototypical WR1. But he's damn good at what he does. Moore led all NFL receivers in yards after the catch per reception, according to Next Gen Stats. He also paced all wideouts in total yards after contact, per PFF. Could we see a huge sophomore leap for the 2018 first-rounder? The Panthers kinda need it, given the makeup of this receiving corps.
New Orleans Saints: Is Marcus Davenport worth two first-round picks?
The Saints made one of the boldest moves in last year's draft, addressing the team's biggest need by jumping up from No. 27 to No. 14 in order to select edge rusher Marcus Davenport. Of course, that move also had an effect on last month's draft, as New Orleans didn't have a first-round pick, thanks to the previous year's leap for Davenport. The UTSA product, who suffered from a litany of physical ailments last fall, was only able to contribute 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble in Year 1. At times, though, he did flash the kind of talent that initially enticed the Saints, particularly during his two-sack performance in New Orleans' win at Minnesota. And now, one year after the franchise's aggressive attempt to boost the pass rush, New Orleans needs Davenport to bring pressure even more. With Sheldon Rankins recovering from a torn Achilles tendon and 16-game starter Alex Okafor now in Kansas City, there isn't much in the way of disruption beyond inside/outside terror Cameron Jordan. Davenport must earn his keep off the edge. The offseason hype train's already left the station -- GM Mickey Loomis is talkin' "big things" and coach Sean Payton says "this guy is going to be a dominant player for us" -- but judgment day's still months away.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: How swiftly will O.J. Howard (and Cameron Brate) put the "Bruce Arians hates tight ends" take to rest?
There's a half-baked take going around. You know the kind: high on gut feelings, low on tangible facts. Basically, as the theory goes, Bruce Arians is allergic to tight ends. He prefers to use them as extra blockers. That's what you're told, at least. But such analysis is -- surprise, surprise -- hopelessly shortsighted. Yes, Arians didn't exactly wear out the tight ends at his last post in Arizona. But you have to look at the TEs who were at his disposal: Rob Housler, Jim Dray, John Carlson, Darren Fells, Troy Niklas, post-prime Jermaine Gresham and undrafted rookie Ricky Seals-Jones. Not exactly a murderer's row of pass-catching luminaries. Now, when Arians was the Steelers' offensive coordinator, from 2007 through 2011, Heath Miller averaged a healthy 52 catches for 602 yards and four touchdowns. Miller made the Pro Bowl after a 2009 season that saw him catch 76 balls for 789 yards and six scores. So, yeah, Arians has no problem utilizing the position when there's talent to feed. And that's certainly the case today in Tampa. Howard could be primed for a huge Year 3. As Jameis Winston said regarding his TE1, "The sky's the limit, really, not even the sky -- probably the moon." And Brate ranks second among all TEs with 20 touchdown grabs over the past three years, only trailing Travis Kelce (22). Something tells me Arians will figure out a way to incorporate one of the best TE duos in the NFL.
For every team...
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