Last season, three of the four teams in the NFL's NFC South were postseason participants: the Falcons, Saints, and Panthers (Buccaneers went 5-11). They were the only division in football that sent at least three teams to the playoffs.

According to CBS Sports, Las Vegas has the Saints listed at -130 to make the playoffs this season (meaning that much has to be wagered in order to win $100). The Falcons are at +115, Panthers at +130, and Buccaneers at +425 to taste postseason play in the upcoming season (meaning that much will be won if $100 is wagered).

Here are the key additions and subtractions in team personnel for each team in the NFC South.

(All stats listed in the article were taken from Pro-Football-Reference.com. All team transactions were taken from FoxSports.com.)

Atlanta Falcons

  • Key additions: Ron Parker, S (signed), Justin Bethel, CB (signed), Brandon Fusco, G (signed), Calvin Ridley, WR (first round), Isaiah Oliver, CB (second round), Deadrin Senat, DE (third round)
  • Key losses: Derrick Coleman, FB (Cardinals), Levine Toilolo, TE (Lions), Adrian Clayborn, DE (Patriots), Dontari Poe, DT (Panthers), Taylor Gabriel, WR (Bears)

In 2016, the Falcons led the NFL in scoring at 33.8 points per game, and quarterback Matt Ryan was named the league's MVP.

He dipped from 38 touchdowns in 2016 to just 20 in 2017, and the team's scoring average dropped to 22.1 points per game.

Looking to regain that offensive dominance, Atlanta drafted wide receiver Calvin Ridley out of Alabama in the first round. He totaled 224 catches for 2,781 yards and 19 touchdowns in his three years at college.

Carolina Panthers

  • Key additions: Ross Cockrell, CB (signed), Jeremiah Sirles, G (signed), Da’Norris Searcy, S (signed), Jarius Wright, WR (signed), Torrey Smith, WR (trade), Dontari Poe, DT (signed), D.J. Moore, WR (first round), Donte Jackson, CB (second round), Rashaan Gaulden, S (third round)
  • Key losses: Ed Dickson, TE (Seahawks), Daryl Worley, CB (traded), Andrew Norwell, G (Jaguars), Star Lotuleli, DT (Bills), Jonathan Stewart, RB (Giants), Kurt Coleman, S (Saints)

Like the Falcons, the Panthers decided to select a wide receiver in the first round by taking D.J.

Moore. As a junior with Maryland last year, he totaled 80 catches for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns.

Hoping for Cam Newton to revert back close to the level that helped him win MVP in 2015, the team also added receivers Jarius Wright in free agency and speedster Torrey Smith via trade. Newton has a quarterback rating of just 78.2 over the last two seasons after finishing at 99.4 in his MVP season.

New Orleans Saints

  • Key additions: Cameron Meredith, WR (signed), Benjamin Watson, TE (signed), Jermon Bushrod, G (signed), Demario Davis, LB (signed), Patrick Robinson, CB (signed), Kurt Coleman, S (signed), Marcus Davenport, DE (first round), Tre’Quan Smith, WR (third round)
  • Key losses: Coby Fleener, TE (released), Senio Kelemete, G (Texans), Willie Snead, WR (Ravens), Zach Strief, OT (retired), Nick Fairley, DT (released)

The Saints were one of the most improved teams last season going 11-5 and were just one play away from an NFC Championship appearance.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan was named a First Team All-Pro last season as he recorded 13 sacks, but nobody else on the team had more than 4.5. They traded up in April's draft so they could select defensive end Marcus Davenport out of the University of Texas-San Antonio to improve their pass rush. 247Sports is reporting that the Saints want him rushing the passer from the blind side.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Key additions: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE (trade), Vinny Curry, DE (signed), Ryan Jensen, C (signed), Mitch Unrein, DE (signed), Chandler Cantanzaro, K (signed), Beau Allen, DT (signed), Vita Vea, DT (first round), Ronald Jones II, RB (second round), M.J. Stewart, CB (second round), Carlton Davis, CB (second round), Alex Cappa, OT (third round)
  • Key losses: J.R. Sweezy, G (released), Robert Ayers, DE (released), Kevin Pamphile, G (Titans), Doug Martin, RB (Raiders)

The Buccaneers' pass rush was putrid in 2017 as their 22 sacks were three less than any other team.

Defensive ends Robert Ayers and William Gholston each had ten starts for Tampa Bay last year and combined for only two sacks.

Knowing this was an issue that needed to be fixed, the Buccaneers made a bold move in trading for two-time Pro Bowler Jason Pierre-Paul. He has 58.5 sacks over eight seasons and 15.5 total in the last two.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED