With quarterback Drew Brees still playing at an elite level, the New Orleans Saints are always a threat in the NFC. After a 7-9 setback in 2015, the Saints are eager to return to the top of NFC South. The offense is never a problem in New Orleans, with Brees leading the way and running back Mark Ingram emerging as one of the more productive NFL backs. Top targets for Brees are wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who looks to continue to improve, and receiver Brandon Coleman and tight end Coby Fleener. The Saints are excited about their 2016 Draft class, which features two former Ohio State stars, wide receiver Michael Thomas and safety Vonn Bell. New Orleans is hoping for major input from Thomas, who could emerge as the number two target for Brees. Former Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, the teams’ first round pick, suffered a fractured fibula in preseason, but expects to return this season. Rankins was expected to be an impact player on the defensive line alongside tackle Nick Fairley and Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Jordan. The Saints will rely on former St. Louis Rams top pick linebacker James Laurinaitis to lead a mostly unproven group. The Saints do have one of the best safety tandems in the league in Kenny Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd, with the rookie Bell looking to make an impact as well. The Saints will improve from their 7-9 finish and look to return to the playoffs after missing out for two consecutive years. The Carolina Panthers are considered the favorites in the NFC South, but the division is wide open behind them. The Saints should find themselves battling the young Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons for ranks in the division and a wild card berth.

The Indianapolis Colts look to bounce back after an 8-8 finish to the 2015 NFL season. When you have a true franchise quarterback like Andrew Luck, every season is expected to be a playoff year, and this was the first time since 2011 that the Colts failed to reach the postseason. Luck missed most of the 2015 season after suffering a lacerated kidney and partially torn abdominal muscle, and entering his fifth NFL season, he looks to regain his dominance in 2016. The Colts will look for running back Frank Gore to carry the load much like he did for most of his career with the San Francisco 49ers for a balanced offensive attack. Look for rookie running back Josh Ferguson to lighten the load for Gore at times. Luck’s top targets are wide receivers T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief, and tight end Dwayne Allen. Luck’s autograph is a highly sought after collectible, typically on signed footballs, full size and mini helmets, and photos. In order to contend this season, the Colts will need to protect Luck better than previous seasons. Center Ryan Kelly is a consistent lineman, and Indianapolis hopes to get production out of the rest of the group. Defensive end Robert Mathis and cornerback Vontae Davis are the big names on a defense that looks to improve. In a wide open AFC South, the Colts should compete for the ranks atop the division. The Houston Texans are returning division champions, and the Jacksonville Jaguars look to be much improved, but the Colts will be right in the mix.

The Washington Redskins look to defend their NFC East title heading into the 2016 NFL season. Finishing at 9-7 in a transition from Robert Griffin III, now the Browns starting quarterback, to Kirk Cousins, the Redskins exceeded expectations in 2015 by reaching the postseason. Cousins proved himself worthy, having one of the best seasons in franchise history. He enters the season with some uncertainty at running back, with second-year back Matt Jones emerging as the starter after Alfred Morris signed with the rival Dallas Cowboys. Cousins will look to connect with veteran play-maker DeSean Jackson and speedy receiver Pierre Garcon. Former TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson was Washington’s first round draft pick and is considered a prized rookie target. Tight end Jordan Reed may be Cousins’ best, and most reliable target. A solid offensive line behind Pro Bowler Trent Williams will propel this offense and make them a real threat again in the AFC East. The big storyline this offseason, other than RGIII leaving the organization, was the signing of top cornerback Josh Norman, who the Carolina Panthers failed to reach a long-term deal with. Norman is regarded as one of the premier shut-down corners in the NFL, and he joins veteran DeAngelo Hall, who is moving from cornerback to free safety. Ryan Kerrigan heads a front seven that will need to find contribution from a group of untested players. If Washington’s defense is improved with the addition of Norman and the offense continues to improve, the Redskins will again be fighting for the division title with improved New York Giants and Cowboys teams looking to rebound from a rocky 2015.

Injuries ravaged the Baltimore Ravens in 2015, as 22 players ended the season on injured-reserve, and the Ravens finished 5-11, their first losing season in the John Harbaugh-Joe Flacco era. Despite an 11 loss season, the Ravens were in every game, with 14 of their games decided by 8 points or less. If quarterback Joe Flacco, running back Justin Forsett, defensive end Terrell Suggs, and wide receiver Steve Smith return to full strength, Baltimore should pick up where they left off, as perennial contenders in the physical AFC North. 2015 was supposed to be Smith’s retirement tour, but after a torn Achilles tendon ended his season the veteran wideout decided to come back in 2016. Smith joins second-year receiver Breshad Perriman, Mike Wallace, and Kamar Aiken to form a potentially dangerous group for Flacco. Baltimore drafted rookie offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley sixth overall from Notre Dame to propel an already strong offensive line, featuring Pro Bowl guard Marshall Yanda. What made the Ravens a threat year in and year out for the past decade has been their defense. Edge rusher Elvis Dumervil was their lone Pro Bowler from that unit in 2015. Baltimore needs more from third-year defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan, but the return of Suggs should help improve the front seven. C.J. Mosley is a rising star in the middle. The Ravens secondary hasn’t been the same since safety Ed Reed retired, but the free agent signing of Eric Weddle will help improve the defense greatly. Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith are two very talented defensive backs, and the Ravens will need them to be productive. The Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers are projected as front-runners in the AFC North, but if the Ravens return to form they should find themselves right in the mix for the division.

It’s homecoming for the Rams as they return to Los Angeles after playing in St. Louis for the past 21 seasons. Rams fans in L.A. rejoice as fans in St. Louis may be bitter, but the team has a promising future as they used the No. 1 overall pick to select quarterback Jared Goff out of the University of California. Now the question is when will the team hand Goff the reigns? The Rams are expected to start the 2016 season with Case Keenum starting behind center. If the team gets off to a rocky start, expect to hear calls for the prized rookie QB. What makes either Goff or Keenum’s job easier is a workhorse running back in Todd Gurley, who eclipsed 1,100 yards rushing in his Pro Bowl rookie year. Gurley will be fed the ball, as the Rams wide receivers are talented, but inconsistent. Tavon Austin has had a lot of hype, but hasn’t always met his potential, and Kenny Britt is as athletic as anyone, but the two receivers need to have big years for Los Angeles to be successful. The Rams front seven on defense is one of the best in the NFL, and they will need to be to make up for a secondary that lost three starters from 2015. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald is regarded as one of the best players in the NFL, and he, Robert Quinn, Michael Brockers, and William Hayes can create havoc for opposing offenses. Akeem Ayers, Alec Ogletree, and Mark Barron are solid behind the stout defensive line. The Rams may be a year or two away from being serious contenders in Los Angeles, especially in a tough NFC West division. The Rams finished 7-9 in 2015 and will have to have a lot of things go right to top that mark in 2016, as the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks are considered major Super Bowl contenders. Rams fans should be excited about Gurley, Goff, and the defense as this team looks to build upon their return to Los Angeles.