NFL Futures Market: NFC South

With most impact free agents already signed, it's time to evaluate where each team stands in the divisional pecking order heading into the draft. The bottom of the NFC South spent heavily, and it might be enough to finally send the Saints into the cellar in 2016.

STOCK UP

Atlanta Falcons

Returning: DL Adrian Clayborn, DB Charles Godfrey, RT Bryce Harris, LB Philip Wheeler

New additions: C Alex Mack, WR Mohamed Sanu, DL Derrick Shelby, QB Matt Schaub, LB Sean Weatherspoon, LB Courtney Upshaw, LB LaRoy Reynolds

Lost: NT Paul Soliai, LB Nathan Stupar, C Gino Gradkowski

Atlanta managed to keep its best free-agent defender and not lose anybody of value in free agency. They also add three players who should provide a boost in 2016: Alex Mack, Derrick Shelby, and Mohamed Sanu.

Mack is one of the league's best centers. Shelby was a surprisingly good pass rusher for the Dolphins in 2015, even if his overall career says that's a bit of a fluke. But the most important player is going to be Sanu. Atlanta doesn't need him to be a dominant force, but they do need him to be able to win one-on-one matchups. That was something Roddy White couldn't give them last season.

Atlanta's moves won't solve every problem with the offense, but they're steps in the right direction. That's about all you can ask for in free agency.

Biggest remaining holes: Middle linebacker, safety

The Falcons have continually given a pass to Paul Worrilow, who can't cover, in the middle. They aren't equipped to handle backs or tight ends who can catch at this point. But, as I've been pointing out, there aren't many linebackers who figure to fix this in this year's draft.

As for safety, now that William Moore has mercifully been released, it's entirely up to late-round picks and bargain-bin free agents. The Falcons have depth issues up and down the roster, but these are the two areas where they could improve the most.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Returning: RB Doug Martin, FS Chris Conte

New additions: OL J.R. Sweezy, DE Robert Ayers, DB Brent Grimes, CB Josh Robinson, P Bryan Anger, LB Daryl Smith

Lost: OL Logan Mankins (retired)

The Bucs didn't have much to lose entering free agency. By signing Doug Martin long-term, their only free agent of real value was locked up.

I don't think the Bucs have taken a huge leap forward here, but they did improve some in free agency. Ayers is a legitimate pass rusher that they didn't have before at end. An aging Smith is still the second-best linebacker on this roster. If he's not an actual step up, Sweezy at least keeps the Bucs even with Mankins. Cornerback should be stronger in 2016.

They're all incremental improvements. Tampa still has plenty of holes to deal with, but they've done enough that a major step forward by Jameis Winston could put this team on the brink of playoff contention.

Biggest remaining holes: Wideout, safety, offensive line

After Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, Tampa's best receivers were 2015 undrafted free agents and practice-squad lifers. Nebraska wideout Kenny Bell could solidify things in 2016 if he's healthy, after missing all last season. Tampa could do better here to keep Winston stocked with targets.

Year 1 of the Donovan Smith Left Tackle Era went about as well as you'd expect overdrafting a guy based on physical dimensions to go. There could be improvements from Smith and Ali Marpet, but the rest of this line is a patchwork without a lot of upside.

The Bucs are another team that treats safeties like they don't matter much. They got more out of Chris Conte than most thought possible in 2015, but that doesn't mean that what they got was great.

STOCK STAGNANT

Carolina Panthers

Returning: CB Josh Norman (franchise tagged), RB Mike Tolbert, DL Charles Johnson

New additions: DT Paul Soliai, C Gino Gradkowski, DB Brandon Boykin

Lost: P Brad Nortman

The Panthers normally don't do a lot in free agency, and that held true this year. Tagging Norman while waiting for an extension to work out is sensible. They were able to bring back Johnson on a reduced salary after releasing him.

There are some positives to the new additions. Boykin has always performed well as a nickel back. Soliai can stuff the run and be a rotation lineman. No stars here, but a solid role player isn't out of the question for these guys.

Biggest remaining holes: Offensive tackle, safety

The Panthers have these two holes on their roster almost by design! Carolina's work with safeties is straight out of the internet clickbait playbook: Other NFL Teams HATE This One Neat Trick David Gettleman Pulls Off by Making Kurt Coleman and Roman Harper Work in His System.

Daryl Williams, whom the Panthers traded up for last year, could take over a starting tackle spot this year. But, as we saw in the Super Bowl, Mike Remmers and Michael Oher aren't going to win you many individual battles in bad matchups.

Carolina could also use another edge rusher or a third receiver if we're getting picky, but this is a pretty strong roster at the moment.

STOCK DOWN

New Orleans Saints

Returning: RB Travaris Cadet, K Kai Forbath, S Jamarca Sanford, QB Luke McCown

New additions: TE Coby Fleener, DT Nick Fairley, LB James Laurinaitis, LB Craig Robertson, LB Nathan Stupar, K Josh Scobee

Lost: TE Ben Watson, S Rafael Bush, RB Khiry Robinson, LB Ramon Humber, G Jahri Evans

New Orleans creating huge chunks of cap space to sign Coby Fleener and James Laurinaitis is like putting Rent-A-Center payments on your credit card: the quality of the merchandise isn't that great and you're likely going to pay a high price for it later.

I like the Nick Fairley signing, I really do, but Fleener is no upgrade on Watson, and Laurinaitis was a big part of the problem in St. Louis last year. There are no game changers coming to help this defense. And in creating the cap space to chase these meager upgrades, the Saints have already committed to enormous cap figures that will keep them stagnant or worse in 2016.

Biggest remaining holes: Defense, receiver, more defense

Marques Colston is gone. Brandon Coleman hasn't shown much promise, and Brandin Cooks has been more of a disappointment than a star so far. Fleener will absorb some of the targets that Colston had, but this team could use another receiver to slide everyone down into a more reasonable role.

On defense, Cameron Jordan and Stephone Anthony are building blocks. Hau'oli Kikaha moving to end should help some with coverage, and Fairley should be an immediate starter at defensive tackle. Delvin Breaux was an acceptable corner. Other than that, every spot should be up for grabs in camp. The Saints could use a massive talent infusion, especially at linebacker, corner, or safety.