NFC South Morning Jog: Get to Know Panthers' 1st-Round Front-Runners

Each morning, I like to start the day off with a workout—usually a morning jog. I can clear my head, plan my day and think about what's going on around the NFC South.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers need help on defense, particularly in their front seven. The Charlotte Observer's Ron Green Jr. looks at Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly as someone that could instantly help the team.

Bryan Strickland wrote a piece on the Panthers' website on Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who many are predicting will be drafted by Carolina. 

Atlanta Falcons

Unrestricted free-agent defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin visited the Falcons on Monday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Franklin started nine games for New Orleans last year, but thrived in Mike Nolan's San Francisco defense from 2005-08. He's most comfortable as a 3-4 nose tackle, which could mean being reunited with Nolan in Atlanta, which would mean the team will use hybrid 3-4 looks out of its 4-3 base defense.

I frequently talk about the Julio Jones 2011 draft deal from an Atlanta Falcons standpoint. For those interested, check out this Associated Press piece on what the Cleveland Browns could have done with the pick last year, and what they might do with the extra picks in this year's draft. 
 

New Orleans

Not that the Saints were going to address this need in the draft, but the team crossed an item off its to-do list Monday by re-signing kicker John Kasay to a one-year deal. Kasay was 28-for-34 last season after being added to the Saints' roster because Garrett Hartley injured his hip flexor in the third preseason game of the year.

ESPN NFL Analyst Adam Schefter announced that the NFL wouldn't announce player suspensions—if any are coming—on Monday, but could do so later this week.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ira Kaufman, of the Tampa Tribune, talks about just how valuable LSU corner Morris Claiborne could be to the Buccaneers if drafted at pick No. 5.

Here's a defense of Greg Schiano in response to whether or not he's being completely truthful about Tampa Bay's intent to trade corner Aqib Talib.

 

NFC South

KSPR 33, the Springfield Mo. ABC affiliate, posted an NFL Draft Preview on the NFC South.

http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Cox-wont-settle-for-second-best/127eab13-8468-4d9b-940a-13d3e672d004