The Carolina Panthers are Super Bowl-bound, but the question is, does that mean that they're loaded up on the All-NFC South Offensive Team?
While the Panthers were loaded with talent this season, there were plenty of other impressive players on the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well. With that said, let's get right into the list of the All-Offensive Team for the division, beginning with none other than Superman himself.
Cam Newton, quarterback
Newton is the most electrifying player in the NFL right now, and whether you love him or hate him, the man is producing on another level right now. Newton has his Panthers gearing up to play in the Super Bowl, and completed his regular season with 45 total touchdowns (10 rushing), with just 10 interceptions on the year. Newton has evolved into the best quarterback in a division that includes both Drew Brees and Matt Ryan -- who would have predicted that?
Devonta Freeman, running back
The decision at running back was one of the toughest on this list. While Doug Martin was nearly the NFL's rushing leader and Jonathan Stewart was the workhorse back on a team in the Super Bowl, Freeman's complete body of work witht he Falcons give him the edge. Not only did he top 1,000 rushing yards this year, but he also caught 73 balls for 578 more yards. In total, he finished up with 14 touchdowns.
Devonta Freeman was simply stellar for the Falcons in 2015.
Julio Jones, wide receiver
When you lead the NFL in receiving yards and are tied for the most receptions, it's obvious you'll make the cut. The Falcons' Jones finished up the year with 136 receptions for 1,871 yards and eight touchdowns. He was the go-to option for Matt Ryan (obviously) and his stellar season resulted in Jones heading to the Pro Bowl with Freeman. Expect Jones to be a pillar for this offense for years to come, and for him to make this list specifically, as well.
Brandin Cooks, wide receiver
The Saints' Cooks took his rookie campaign, in which he played in just 10 games, and more than doubled it in multiple categories. While he went from 53 to 84 receptions (no, that's not double), he also jumped from 550 yards to 1,148 yards, while also tacking on six more touchdowns, finishing the year with nine total. The man is electrifying and is a favorite target for Drew Brees, as he received 129 targets this season. The soon-to-be third-year pro has proven that the Saints made the right move grabbing him in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.
Ted Ginn Jr., wide receiver
Many Panther haters probably just rolled their eyes at this inclusion, especially if Ginn made the cut over some of your team's wide receivers. Unfortunately, it's pretty hard to argue with what he did this season. Ginn not only finished second on the team in targets with 96, but he had 44 receptions for 739 yards and a ridiculous 10 touchdowns. His 10 scores were tied for the 10th-most in the NFL. Ginn's big-play ability was a serious game changer for the Panthers in 2015, and Ginn absolutely deserves to be on this list.
Ted Ginn proved to be more than just a deep threat this year, but his speed really opened up the field for Cam Newton and company.
Greg Olsen, tight end
What Benjamin Watson was able to do for the New Orleans Saints this year was impressive, no question about that. But with that said, Olsen's season with the Panthers deserves to place him on this list. A total of 123 targets, 77 receptions, 1,104 yards and seven scores. Olsen was the favorite target for Newton offensively, and consistently came up with huge catches (often times with one hand). Olsen isn't just the best tight end in the NFC South, he's one of the best in the NFL.
Terron Armstead, left tackle
Jake Matthews deserves a shout out here, and Michael Oher deserves a side nod, as well. With that said, I'm going to give it to the man who Saints coach Sean Payton said he wouldn't trade for any other left tackle in the league. What Armstead did in 2015 may have gotten a bit overlooked due to the Saints falling short of the postseason, but it doesn't mean that he doesn't deserve to make the cut. Remember, this list isn't just about team success, but is actually more about individual success.
Logan Mankins, left guard
The Bucs' Mankins was asked to protect the blindside of a rookie quarterback who has the ability to take off and run at times. That's not an easy task and it's going to take some time to adjust to, right? Well, not so much for Mankins, who earned a Pro Bowl nod. He was one of the most reliable players for the Buccaneers, specifically on their line, and he was a great player for rookie Jameis Winston to have protecting him.
Logan Mankins' strong play was a key to Jameis Winston finding early success in his rookie season.
Ryan Kalil, center
The Panthers' Kalil may very well be the best center in the NFL. He's done an excellent job all season of protecting Newton. After such a strong year, he was one of four Panthers to make the All-NFL team for the Pro Football Writers of America, along with Newton, Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman. That pretty much explains itself there, and shows what Kalil did in 2015.
Trai Turner, right guard
Turner just handles business, that's all there is to it. The 22-year-old right guard has been a force for the Panthers this year, though, and earned a Pro Bowl nod, which he obviously won't be able to make, due to that whole Super Bowl thing. The former third-rounder has evolved into much more than just a run-blocker since entering the NFL. Turner is going to be a staple for Carolina's offensive line for many years to come.
Ryan Schraeder, right tackle
In a recent article ranking the offensive lines in the NFL, Pro Football Focus specifically gave a shout out to the Falcons' Schraeder. The exact quote is that he's the "kind of right tackle you don't realize is as good as he is." I literally couldn't have put it any better than that, as he just goes out, does his job and we don't hear much else. He, along with Matthews, have been pillars of the offensive line for Atlanta. A line which, in all honesty, has become one of the most improved in the league.
Jeff Smith writes about the NFL for FOX Sports. You can find him on Twitter @JSM8ith.
