Eight NFC South players with the most to prove in 2023

Whether it's a young player who has yet to live up to expectations or a veteran who hasn't matched the level of his contract, several players every year have much more to prove than others.

Here are the players with the most to prove on offense and defense for each team in the NFC South.

Atlanta Falcons

Offense: Desmond Ridder, quarterback | The Falcons spent top-10 draft picks on tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson during the past three drafts and are counting on Ridder to not let that talent go to waste.

That's a lot of pressure for a guy with four career starts. At the end of 2022, Atlanta went 2-2 with Ridder, averaging 19.3 points per game. He only accounted for two touchdowns, both in a meaningless Week 18 win against Tampa Bay. Pitts, London and Robinson won't be on their rookie contracts forever, and if Ridder doesn't take advantage of his weapons this season, he likely won't get another opportunity.

Defense: Jeffrey Okudah, cornerback | Atlanta took out a flyer on former No. 3 overall pick Okudah by trading a 2023 fifth-round pick for him, so if things fail to work out, the Falcons shouldn't have a problem cutting bait. He was a low-risk, high-reward pickup who could rewrite his career narrative with a breakout year.

In three seasons with the Lions, Okudah allowed 80 receptions on 118 targets (67.8 percent) for 1,286 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Quarterbacks posted a strong 108.2 passer rating against him, per Pro Football Focus. At Ohio State from 2017-19, he allowed 31 receptions on 48 targets (39.7 percent) for 411 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Quarterbacks had a ghastly 49.7 passer rating throwing in his direction.

Carolina Panthers

Offense: D.J. Chark, wide receiver | Chark had 73 receptions, 1,008 yards receiving and eight TD catches in 2019, a season that's proven to be an outlier in his career thus far. In his four other seasons, Chark has 104 receptions, 1,536 yards receiving and 10 TD catches combined. The Panthers are his third team in three seasons, and while he's been explosive in limited action over the past two seasons, he could get lost in a crowded group of skill players.

Chark played in 14 games since 2021 and his 17.7 yards per reception are the most among all receivers with at least 30 receptions during that span. Carolina did a great job surrounding No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young with veterans this offseason, signing receiver Adam Thielen, tight end Hayden Hurst and running back Miles Sanders. The Panthers also have Terrace Marshall Jr. returning. He averaged 17.5 yards per catch on 28 receptions last season and could fill the deep-threat role if Chark doesn't.

Defense: Yetur Gross-Matos, outside linebacker | Gross-Matos already proved he belongs on an NFL roster as a 4-3 defensive end but transitioned to a 3-4 outside linebacker this offseason. He has embraced the role, and his ability to adapt could be the difference between Carolina's defense sinking or swimming.

He started all 17 games for Carolina and played a career-high 73 percent of the team's defensive snaps last season. PFF credited him with 28 total pressures and he had the lowest missed tackle rate (3.7 percent) among edge-rushers with at least 541 total snaps. Gross-Matos will be in coverage more often in the new scheme and it's unclear how he'll fare. From 2020-22, PFF credited him with only 24 coverage snaps, being targeted once (a 17-yard reception in 2020). 

New Orleans Saints

Offense: Michael Thomas, wide receiver | Injuries robbed Thomas of the majority of the past three seasons, but he has another chance to bounce back in 2023. Thomas started strong last season, grabbing five receptions for 57 yards and two touchdowns in a season-opening comeback win at Atlanta before a toe injury in Week 3 ended his season.

Thomas was arguably the best receiver in football from 2017-19. He led the league in receptions (470), was second in yards (5,512) and fifth in touchdowns (32) during that span, setting an NFL record with 149 receptions in 2019. With QB Derek Carr, he should have plenty of opportunities to reclaim his place among the NFL's elite. If not this season, when?

Defense: Payton Turner, defensive end | Out goes one first-round pick, in comes another. Marcus Davenport, New Orleans' 2018 first-round pick, joined the Vikings in free agency. Turner gives New Orleans another former first-round pick to pair with Cam Jordan, himself a former first-round pick, on the defensive line.

Unfortunately for the Saints, Turner has been buried on the team's depth chart since being drafted, which isn't a ringing endorsement for his 2023. New Orleans selected former Notre Dame defensive end Isaiah Foskey in the second round (40th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft, giving the Saints someone to turn to should Turner struggle to make an impact.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Offense: Offensive line | It wouldn't be fair to single out one person on the offensive line when everyone has something to prove, even standout tackle Tristan Wirfs as he transitions from the right to the left side.

Per PFF grades, center Ryan Jensen, guard Matt Feiler and tackle Luke Goedeke were among the worst at their positions a season ago. Rookie Cody Mauch might start at right guard after playing tackle in college. Tampa Bay finished last in rushing in 2022 and QB Tom Brady memorably called out the offensive line in a Week 6 loss at Pittsburgh. If the entire unit isn't better, Tampa Bay has no shot at repeating as division champs.

Defense: Carlton Davis, cornerback | Expectations for Tampa Bay this season are tempered with Brady no longer with the team, but don't tell that to Davis. He put a target on the team's back when declaring the Bucs would "wreck s---" in 2023. He also said doubters are in for a "rude awakening."

The Bucs, of course, didn't wreck anything last season other than Brady's retirement party. If Brady couldn't lift this squad to a winning record, chances are QBs Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask won't, either. Davis' comments look foolish in July. By the end of the season, the Bucs could remove all doubt.