3 Most Overrated Players in NFC South

The Carolina Panthers are looking to improve off a disappointing 2023 season where they only won two games. The Panthers went through wholesale changes this offseason, starting with head coach (Dave Canales) and throughout the roster.

Based on what they’ve done thus far in the offseason, it should be a better season for Carolina. However, they weren’t the only team in the NFC South that made moves. The Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were busy this offseason as they look to compete and be named the best team in the division.

That said, some of these fanbases might be overrating the talented players on their respective clubs and could be in store for a rude awakening this coming season. Let’s explore and discuss those players.

1. Kirk Cousins, QB – Atlanta Falcons

This might be considered controversial, given that Cousins hasn’t taken a single snap yet for the Atlanta Falcons. However, the veteran quarterback got massively overpaid this offseason for a team that still decided to draft a quarterback (Michael Penix Jr.) with the No. 8 overall pick.

Cousins knows how to get a bag and does it well as he got a whomping four-year, $180 million deal from the Falcons, who decided that Desmond Ridder wasn’t the answer. The 35-year-old quarterback is tied with Patrick Mahomes in average annual salary ($45 million), which doesn’t sound right.

The Falcons can only hope that Cousins can lead them to a couple of deep playoff runs, but that isn’t in his DNA. Granted, he put up huge numbers in Minnesota with Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, but it only amounted to one playoff win.

Atlanta knows that getting Cousins puts them in the driver's seat to take a run at the NFC South crown based on their talent on both sides of the ball. The veteran quarterback, if healthy, as he works his way back from a torn Achilles, should put up numbers with a young Falcons squad that’s littered with talent.

However, Falcons fans shouldn’t get their hopes up because he’s an average quarterback at best, which could win the NFC South. But it won’t take you far as you get deeper into the NFL playoffs.