NFC South stock up, down: Saints RB could be in line for huge workload in Week 1
We're only days away from the start of the 2023 NFL regular season. Before things kick off, here's a look at whose stock is up and whose is down in the NFC South.
Stock up
Jessie Bates III, Falcons safety: Bates was named team captain on Monday after signing a four-year, $64 million contract with the Falcons in the offseason. Bates spent his first five years with the Bengals and was named Second-Team All-Pro in 2020. Last season, he set a career-high with four interceptions, giving him 14 for his career. Last season, the Falcons ranked 25th in pass defense, allowing 231.9 yards per game, and only had 10 interceptions, tied for sixth-fewest. Bates is set to have a major influence in Atlanta.
Jonathan Mingo, Panthers wide receiver: ESPN's Dan Graziano fueled anticipation for a strong rookie season from Mingo. In an article detailing unexpected developments for the 2023 season, Graziano wrote that the Panthers selected Mingo 39th overall in this year's draft "because they believed he'd be a good fit with [Young]." Graziano notes Mingo is behind D.J. Chark and Adam Thielen on the depth chart, but the rookie will move up the ranks if his connection with Young is as strong as Carolina hopes.
The two briefly showed their chemistry in Week 3 of the preseason at Detroit when Young hit Mingo on a slant route in stride for a 15-yard gain.
Jamaal Williams, Saints running back: Alvin Kamara is suspended for three games. Kendre Miller is dealing with a hamstring injury. Left as the only proven, healthy running back on New Orleans' roster, Jamaal Williams should expect a heavy workload in Week 1 against the Titans. Wide receiver Kirk Merritt is listed as the third running back on the team's depth chart and has one career touch, a 13-yard reception in 2021.
Williams led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns a year ago and set a career-high with 1,066 rushing yards. Expect him to see the field early and often on Sunday.
Stock down
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers quarterback: The honeymoon period in Tampa isn't projected to last long. Not even a month after being declared the starter by head coach Todd Bowles, Mayfield's the favorite to be the first starting quarterback to get benched in 2023. While that has no bearing on what happens in Tampa this season, it's not a great sign that people are already betting on Mayfield's downfall.
Scott Fitterer, Panthers general manager: Carolina's mishandling of edge rusher Brian Burns has Fitterer's stock trending downward after he did an admirable job of adding to the Panthers roster in free agency and the draft.
Burns is in the fifth year of his rookie contract and is seeking an extension. After the Panthers rejected two firsts and a second from the Rams for Burns at last year's trade deadline, Fitterer can't afford to botch his future with the organization. The Panthers' overall performance in 2023 is worth monitoring as well. Carolina traded its 2024 first-round pick to Chicago to move up for the No. 1 overall pick this year. Getting Burns back on the field is a good way to prevent that pick from conveying as a top-10 selection.
Andrus Peat, Saints guard: A starter last year, Peat's job at left guard is in jeopardy. According to the Saints' Week 1 depth chart, either Peat or James Hurst will start at left guard
Peat started 11 games at left guard last season, allowing 15 pressures and three sacks, per data from Pro Football Focus. He had a rough preseason, more effectively blocking Saints wide receivers than opponents.
Hurst, meanwhile, played primarily at left tackle last season but has experience at left guard, playing 1,005 snaps at the position in 2017 with the Ravens.
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