It is clear that heading into the season the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers should be considered the two teams clearly playing for the division. Tampa Bay is rebuilding and lacks a starting quarterback while the Saints are clearly losing depth each off-season attempting to cover this up with splashy additions.
The question facing the Panthers is obviously whether or not Bryce Young can stay healthy and if so what level he can reach in his rookie season. Without an elite receiver or running back the Panthers need great quarterback play to have a consistent offense capable of winning the NFC South.
Carolina has great depth when it comes to pass catchers but lacks one elite option that can help Young take that next step. Bryce Young and the Panthers will kick off their season in Atlanta giving the chance to both teams to set an early tone.
Looking at Carolina's roster even with the injuries they are dealing with it is fun to imagine what could be for the Falcons. It is easy to see the fits for Atlanta that would push the team over the top and clearly take away any questioning of who is the best team in the division.
1. Brian Burns
Can you imagine what this rebuilt Atlanta Falcons defensive line could accomplish with Brian Burns off the edge? Burns is without question one of the most underrated players in the league right now partly due to the teams he has played with. Despite Matt Rhule and the complete dysfunction around him Brian consistently goes out and finds a way to put the quarterback on the turf.
If you're Burns you absolutely feel that your name should be in the same conversation as Bosa or Watt players that have more support around them with close to the same production. If Burns were on either of those teams his production would have him considered one of if not the best pass rusher in the league.
This is the exact type of piece that Atlanta has been missing for much of the last decade. Whether it was drafting Takk or Beasley the Falcons have been searching for an elite pass rusher one that they will have to face off against in week one when they play the Panthers.
A great early test for a strong Atlanta offensive line and a great reminder of what the Falcons are still missing even if they are greatly improved.
2. Adam Thielen
Yes, there are far more talented players that the Falcons could steal from the Panthers in this exercise but we are looking to fill the holes on Atlanta's roster. Clearly, the Falcons weren't willing to pay at the receiver position and because of that their starters are Drake London, Mack Hollins, and former Buc Scotty Miller.
The issue with this is the complete lack of proven production from anyone outside of Drake London. You know that London will improve and be a great primary option but the lack of a 3rd down veteran target on the roster could hurt the team.
We know that Arthur Smith views his playmakers as options in the passing attack whether they are receivers are not. However, this team needs to add a second or third option at the position and Thielen would have been the perfect piece to complete this offense.
With Kyle Pitts, Mack Hollins, Drake London, and Adam Thielen on the field in passing situations, you would feel great about Atlanta's chances to make a play when their primary targets are demanding all of the attention. Perhaps Miller will step up and develop into that option but Thielen would have been a definite answer for Atlanta.
3. Jaycee Horn
There are many players that you could consider for this final roster spot but with Atlanta's questions in the secondary Horn would take the unit from a question mark to potentially elite. A.J. Terrell and Horn lining up opposite each other with Mike Hughes or Jeff Okudah as the third option would have a chance to be the best trio of corners in the league.
While Terrell is clearly consistently overlooked and underrated the concern for Horn has been his ability to stay on the field. Jaycee has all the traits you want in a young corner except for his ability to stay healthy.
There is an argument to be made that perhaps with a healthy secondary it is the Panthers that sneak into the playoffs last season instead of the Bucs. The issues in the secondary were what let down a team that led a late charge under head coach Steve Wilks.
Carolina needs Horn to stay healthy this season to prove they made the right decision and that the secondary won't be the team's undoing for a second season in a row. Without question a great final piece in what would be a dominating Atlanta Falcons offense.