Jan 14, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Between now and the start of the new league year in March, we’re going to look ahead at the offseason for each NFL team, division by division.

Previously in our offseason summaries, we covered the AFC — East, North, South and West — and are now looking at the NFC. Beginning in the East and navigating through the North, we now head down south. Three playoff teams came out of the NFC South in 2017, led by the New Orleans Saints and a resurgent defense. The Saints and Falcons should again be NFC powerhouses. Can the Panthers or Buccaneers keep pace?

Atlanta Falcons

2017 record: 10-6 — third place

What’s new? Um, the Super Bowl hangover should officially be gone?

Projected salary cap space: $13 million — The fifth-lowest projected total in the NFL.

Key in-house free agents: DE Adrian Clayborn, DT Dontari Poe, WR Taylor Gabriel.

Key needs: Defensive line (particularly if they lose Clayborn and/or Poe), wide receiver (beyond Julio Jones) and guard.

Draft breakdown: The Falcons select 26th and are lacking a fifth-round pick.

Other potential priorities: Quarterback Matt Ryan is quietly entering a contract year.

Outlook: Atlanta is so very talented on both sides of the ball. This offseason will be about making some tweaks and getting the offense back on track. More internal than external.

Carolina Panthers

2017 record: 11-5 — second place

What’s new? Offensive coordinator Mike Shula is out, Norv Turner is in.

Projected salary cap space: $15 million — The seventh-lowest total in the NFL.

Key in-house free agents: G Andrew Norwell, DT Star Lotulelei, TE Ed Dickson, DE Julius Peppers.

Key needs: Guard if Norwell walks, defensive line if Lotulelei or Peppers do, wide receiver, offensive tackle.

Draft breakdown: Carolina picks 24th and has two third-rounders, but no fourth-rounder.

Other potential priorities: The Panthers might need a replacement for longtime center Ryan Kalil, who says he’ll retire after the 2018 season.

Outlook: Plenty of holes to fill for a team that simply needs more support for Cam Newton. But not a lot of money to spend and not a lot of draft capital. It’ll be tough, especially if they lose Norwell.

New Orleans Saints

2017 record: 11-5 — First place

What’s new? Their 2017 draft class, which was one of the best in NFL history, can’t sneak up on anyone this year.

Projected salary cap space: $33 million — Just above the middle of the pack.

Key in-house free agents: QB Drew Brees, DT Nick Fairley, S Kenny Vaccaro, DE Alex Okafor.

Key needs: Defensive line (particularly if Fairley and Okafor walk), tight end and wide receiver.

Draft breakdown: New Orleans selects 27th, lacks a second-rounder, but has a total of four selections in Rounds 5 and 6.

Other potential priorities: Brees will undoubtedly be back, but it might be time to find his long-term replacement.

Outlook: The Saints are in tremendous shape on both sides of the ball and should be able to afford keeping those two talented defensive linemen before attempting to again strike gold in the draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2017 record: 5-11 — fourth place

What’s new? Dirk Koetter remains the head coach and his staff is basically the same, so not much.

Projected salary cap space: $63 million — The fifth-highest projected total in the NFL.

Key in-house free agents: CB Brent Grimes, S T.J. Ward, G Kevin Pamphile, G Evan Smith.

Key needs: The entire offensive line, the secondary, running back.

Draft breakdown: Tampa Bay selects seventh and has two picks in Round 6.

Other potential priorities: Top receiver Mike Evans is entering the final year of his rookie deal, but the Bucs aren’t tight for cash so they might not rush to extend him.

Outlook: Tampa Bay again has money to spend in free agency, but that was the case last year and the Bucs took a step backward after spending big. They have to hit on that No. 7 overall pick, and then quarterback Jameis Winston has to finally put it together in Year 4.

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com, a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at CBSSports.com, Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Comeback Media, but his day gig has him covering the NFL nationally for Bleacher Report.