When it comes to highlighting top NFL talent, league-wide evaluations are the norm -- meaning some of the better players in each division are often overlooked. With his divisional all-star series, Dave Dameshek will be taking a deeper dive into the NFL's elite, putting together the best squad possible from each division -- including the All-NFC South Team below.
For additional analysis on this topic -- and a whole lot more -- listen to The Dave Dameshek Football Program.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Matt Ryan was terrific for the Falcons in 2014, and Cam Newton led the flawed Panthers to their second straight division title. Brees, though, sneaks onto the first team following another big statistical season (69.2 percent completion rate, 4,952 yards, 33 touchdown passes against 17 picks). Don't get too comfy, though, Drew: Famous Jameis is coming for your throne.
Running back: Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints
The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner finally showed his first-round pedigree in Year 4, logging 226 carries and nine starts -- both career highs -- in 13 games. But he still failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark, falling short by 36 yards, because of more injury trouble. The Saints are now constructed to be a run-dominant offense. Can Ingram be New Orleans' Terrell Davis?
Wide receiver: Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Ingram's gifted former Alabama teammate ranks comfortably among the top three or four most talented players at his position.
Wide receiver: Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans had a splendid pro debut last season, putting up 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns despite catching passes from subpar quarterbacks in Tampa Bay. Now that Evans has Jameis Winston throwing him the ball, look out.
Wide receiver: Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers
Lots of fireworks made for a nice first go-around for the former 'Nole. Of course, there were also plenty of drops. Surer hands in his sophomore season would lead to a surefire Pro Bowl spot.
Tight end: Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
While transitioning from the Steve Smith Era to the Kelvin Benjamin Era, Cam could always sooth his soul by looking in the direction of his flaxen tight end.
Tackle: Demar Dotson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs had better hope this 6-foot-9, 315-pound monster out of Southern Miss doesn't resume rebelling for more money. He's already got reason to be unhappy about being shifted out of the left tackle spot -- where he started the last three games of the 2014 season -- to make room for incoming rookie Donovan Smith.
Guard: Logan Mankins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bill Belichick might not have had enough air in his head the day he chose to deal Mankins away.
Center: Ryan Kalil, Carolina Panthers
Guard: Jon Asamoah, Atlanta Falcons
The former Chief should sue the rest of the otherwise soft 2014 Falcons O-line for defamation of character.
Tackle: Zach Strief, New Orleans Saints
The Saints' Swiss Army lineman can fill various spots ... so let's stick him on the right side.
DEFENSE
Defensive end: Cam Jordan, New Orleans Saints
Given the Saints' offseason shift toward more rugged personnel, it's as if Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton decided to mold the team around their ferocious defensive star.
Defensive tackle: Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Here's hoping this generational talent gets to experience more team success than all-time Bucs great Lee Roy Selmon did while wearing the creamsicles.
Defensive tackle: Star Lotulelei, Carolina Panthers
He's a 320-pound cinderblock who is also nimble enough to apply pressure on the quarterback. And if the Utah product needs to take a few plays off as a member of our All-NFC South Team, he can just give the snaps to his pal and linemate in Carolina, Kawann Short.
Defensive end: Charles Johnson, Carolina Panthers
He's averaged 10.5 sacks over the last five seasons and is right in the middle of his prime.
Outside linebacker: Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Maybe it's because he toils for the lowly Bucs. Maybe it's because convention says his first name and surname should be flip-flopped. Whatever the reason, Tampa Bay's do-it-all linebacker continues to fly under the radar of casual football fans. Those in the know, though, will tell you he's as good as it gets.
Inside linebacker: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
He's the defensive version of Andrew Luck: anointed as an all-timer by Halloween of his rookie season. The striking thing is, he deserves the lofty accolades even more so than Luck.
Outside linebacker: Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers
Knee injuries delayed his rise to stardom, but the former University of Georgia safety's last two seasons have been essential to Carolina's back-to-back division titles. Little wonder the Panthers just gave him a two-year extension.
Cornerback: Josh Norman, Carolina Panthers
If someone asks, "Who?" you tell 'em, "The best corner in the division."
Cornerback: Desmond Trufant, Atlanta Falcons
There aren't many -- if any -- young DBs whose talent is held in higher regard than the Falcons' 24-year-old corner.
Safety: Kenny Vaccaro, New Orleans Saints
He looked great as a rookie in 2013, until he broke an ankle in Week 16. His miserable 2014 can be written off as the result of multiple injuries.
Safety: Jairus Byrd, New Orleans Saints
Yes, Byrd landed on injured reserve with a knee injury in October, but his miserable 2014 can't be written off as the result of injury, as the Saints' big-ticket free-agent signee was dreadful in September. Still, if you can find a more talented safety on the rosters of the division's other three teams, I'm all ears.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Returner: Devin Hester, Atlanta Falcons
No brainer. (Yes, I'm describing whoever thought it was a good idea to let Hester walk away from the Bears last offseason.)
Kicker: Matt Bryant, Atlanta Falcons
Given the fact that Graham Gano did most of his work in the great outdoors in Carolina, he might deserve this spot. But even though Bryant spent nearly half his season in the Georgia Dome (minus Week 8's "home game" in London), his 90.6 percent success rate in 2014 (including 7 of 10 from 50-plus yards) was too strong to ignore.
Punter: Thomas Morstead, New Orleans Saints
His net punting average (42.9 yards) ranked first in the NFC.
Follow Dave Dameshek on Twitter @Dameshek.
