MOST IMRPOVED TEAMS, DIVISION BY DIVISION, PART 7 OF 8: NFC SOUTH

AUTHOR: PETER DIPAOLA (@peterssports88)

ONLINE POLL RESULTS OF WHICH NFC SOUTH TEAM HAS IMPROVED THE MOST THIS OFFSEASON:

TWITTER
Saints 100%
Buccaneers 0%
Panthers 0%
Falcons 0%

FACEBOOK
Buccaneers 54%
Saints 31%
Panthers 15%
Falcons 0%

WRITERS PICK: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
New Orleans went 7-9 in 2016 with a potent offense (1st in total yards, passing yards and points scored, 16th in rushing yards), their defense was an issue as they ranked 31st in points allowed, 27th in total yards, last in yards and 14th against the run.

Brandin Cooks was traded to the Patriots for the 32nd pick in the first round of this years draft and the Saints continued to work in the offseason in free agency.  Running back Adrian Peterson was a big name signed, they also added wide receiver Tedd Ginn Jr to their receiving corp, offensive guard Larry Warford and quarterback Chase Daniel.  On defense they added linebackers A.J. Klein and Manti Te'o, defensive end Alex Okafor and safety Rafael Bush.

Free agency was not the only way the Saints worked on improving their team, here is there draft from 2017:
Round 1 Marshon Lattimore, CB and Ryan Ramczyk, OT
Round 2 Marcus Williams, S
Round 3 Alvin Kamara, RB, Alex Anzalone, LB and Trey Hendrickson, OLB
Round 6 Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE

With new players on board to go along with the veterans and young players in New Orleans there should be improvement in 2017.  The defense has new (and needed pieces) to aid against the run and pass, which in their division is needed based on the talent on offense in Carolina, Atlanta and Tampa Bay.  Offensively they got Drew Brees more protection on the offensive line (also helps the running game) and helped replace the speedy Cooks with Ted Ginn and bolstered the backfield in both the draft and free agency.

New Orleans has not had a winning season since 2013 when they went 11-5, since they they have gone 7-9 in each season and their defenses have struggled.  With their activity in the offseason they have  a better chance at making the playoffs in 2017 in a tough division.

2017 TEAM PREDICTION: 10-6, 2nd in the NFC South, Wildcard berth 

STATISTICS, TRANSACTIONS AND DRAFT INFORMATION FROM WWW.NFL.COM
SAINTS WIN-LOSS RECORD HISTORY FROM WWW.FOOTBALLDB.COM