Atlanta Falcons
What they needed: It was no secret what the Falcons’ huge problems were last season: O-line and D. They also dealt with a lot of injuries but the talent level just wasn’t very good.
Moves I liked: Not only does this defense look vastly different, they also get new leadership in the form of former Seahawks DC Dan Quinn taking over at head coach. We should see quite a turnaround by this team in that respect. A few changes were made on the O-line so, assuming health holds, we could see some improvement there as well.
Moves I disliked: I’m still a little worried they didn’t do enough to address the O-line issues. This was a bad unit that dealt with injuries last season and, if a few guys go down again this season, you can forget about owning a RB on this team. Keep your hype surrounding 3rd rounder Tevin Coleman in check.
Carolina Panthers
What they needed: Not much to dislike about this team last season. Yes, the D was bad early but they played better later in the season. Basically, they just needed to grab the best players available and upgrade where they could to get a little deeper in the playoffs.
Moves I liked: A lot of fantasy eyes will be on second-round pick WR Devin Funchess. At 6’4″ 230 pounds, he should make an excellent combo with second-year WR Kelvin Benjamin. I think the hype that he’ll be better than Benjamin this season is preposterous but he should make for a nice late-round value pick in 2015. The departure of DeAngelo Williams also makes Jonathan Stewart a valuable RB on draft day again.
Moves I disliked: Nothing. A+ off-season for the Panthers, in my opinion.
New Orleans Saints
What they needed: Aside from the erratic play of the D, the O-line’s pass protection issues were glaring from Week 1 last season. They could not protect Brees at all and he spent more time on the run than most people probably realize. Their run blocking wasn’t bad but the pass protection needed serious addressing.
Moves I liked: O-line was heavily addressed this off-season with the blockbuster trade that brought C Max Unger over from the Seahawks for superstar TE Jimmy Graham. They also used one of their 2 first-round picks on OT Andrus Peat. This should mean great things for Brees and maybe even better things for RB Mark Ingram, who looked like a phenom at times last season. C.J. Spiller was also brought in so this backfield is still a headache on draft day. But my money is on Ingram being the best value on draft day, assuming he isn’t already injured by then…
Moves I disliked: A+ here as well. I should mention they also went heavy D in the draft so we should see a bounce-back season from this D, assuming the critics of DC Rob Ryan aren’t correct that he is the most overrated coordinator in football.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What they needed: O-line, O-line, O-line. Gawd, was this unit bad last season. Contrary to what many may believe, the RBs on this team, including Doug Martin, weren’t that bad and actually looked like very good players…when they were not hit in the backfield by three unblocked defenders. This D also needed some DB upgrades.
Moves I liked: Hopefully for the Bucs’ sake, they got their QB of the future in Jameis Winston and, maybe just as important, they nabbed 2 O-linemen in the second round to protect him. With the exciting players they already have on offense, this could be a surprisingly good O if they can gel quickly. They’ll be young but potentially explosive.
Moves I disliked: Not much to dislike but it would have been nice to see them do a little more at DB. They brought in some depth guys but this could be a pretty bad unit again. The D is good elsewhere but teams will likely be throwing on them for a ton. Not good news when you are in the same division as the Saints and Falcons.
Last Minute Fantasy Football Pickup 