The Jacksonville Jaguars are a trendy pick to be a much improved team entering the 2016 NFL season, possibly competing for the AFC South title. Much of Jaguars fans’ optimism comes from their strong offseason, where they signed several starting-caliber free agents, including cornerback Prince Amukamara, former Broncos defensive tackle Malik Jackson, Browns safety Tashaun Gipson, running back Chris Ivory, and former Steelers offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum. Jacksonville acquired two of the top defensive players in the 2016 NFL Draft, selecting Florida State cornerback/safety Jalen Ramsey and UCLA linebacker Myles Jack. 2015 top pick Dante Fowler returns from injury at defensive end, as well. Add that new talent with an offense that showed glimpses of excellence under quarterback Blake Bortles and wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, and this appears to be a team on the rise. The addition of Ivory to a backfield that returns second-year running back T.J. Yeldon, who had a strong rookie season makes the offense a scary matchup for opposing defenses. As for Jacksonville’s defense, they will need big production from Ramsey, who many viewed as the top player on the 2016 Draft board, along with their new additions. The Jaguars will be an interesting team to watch in 2016, and they should improve greatly from a 5-11 finish in 2015. The AFC South is anyone’s division, and Jacksonville should find themselves in the hunt with the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.

The New York Giants may be the toughest team to predict year in and year out, as they can finish at 6-10, as they did in 2015, or go on to win the Super Bowl, as they have twice in the 2000s. The Giants aren’t being looked at as Super Bowl favorites, but fans have every reason to believe that they will improve from 2015 and contend for the the NFC East division. With quarterback Eli Manning, anything is possible, and he has one of the premier targets in wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham Jr. is among the best in the game, and his online jersey sales are one of the top sellers. The Giants will need receiver Victor Cruz to return to form and for running back Rashad Jennings to carry a big load in order for the this offense to be successful. New York’s rookie class brought in another promising receiver in Sterling Shepherd from Oklahoma. The Giants’ first round pick from Ohio State was cornerback Eli Apple, who is expected to play a big role in a talented secondary. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and former Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins form a strong duo, and the Giants will look for more from former Alabama star safety Landon Collins, who struggled in 2015 as a rookie. The front seven is anchored by newly signed free agents Olivier Vernon from Miami and Damon Harrison from the Jets. These two pair with defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who looks to return to dominance. In a wide open NFC East, look for the Giants to contend with returning division winner Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys for the division title.

After starting the 2015 NFL season 5-0, the Atlanta Falcons dropped 8 of their final 11 games to finish second place in the NFC South at 8-8. The 5-0 start and an offense that returns most of their starters gives Falcons fans reason to believe that this team can get back into the playoffs in 2016. Quarterback Matt Ryan returns for his ninth season under center for Atlanta and has one of the best wide receivers in the NFL to throw to in Julio Jones. The former Alabama star, Jones, has been one the most productive receivers since entering the league in 2011. It will be hard to top his 136 catch, 1,871 yard, 8 touchdown season, but with Roddy White retiring and an unproven group behind him, a lot will be asked of Jones. The team did sign former Cincinnati Bengals veteran receiver Mohamed Sanu in the offseason and second-year receiver Justin Hardy is expected to improve. In order for Atlanta’s offense to be successful, they will need a lot from running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. There is expected to be a lot of turnover on the defensive side of the ball, and three rookies could see significant playing time or start: first round safety Keanu Neal from Florida, second round outside linebacker Deion Jones from LSU, and outside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell. Veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney returns and if Vic Beasley improves in his second year, this group could be scary. Cornerback Desmond Trufant was the lone Pro Bowl selection on defense and the Falcons will look for more from second year cornerback Jalen Collins. The NFC South should be an interesting division to follow. The Carolina Panthers return as division favorites following a Super Bowl appearance, but the Falcons find themselves right in the mix with the New Orleans Saints and the young Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a fight for a playoff appearance. Expect the Falcons to improve from 8-8 and compete not only for a wild card berth, but threaten Carolina.

As the Philadelphia Eagles transition from former head coach Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense he brought to the NFL from the University of Oregon to a more balanced approach under first time head coach Doug Pederson, the team will lean on their strong offensive line and defense in hopes of returning to the playoffs in 2016. The Eagles finished the 2015 season at 7-9, and still contended for the NFC East. The big storyline of the offseason was Philadelphia trading up to the No. 2 spot on Draft day to select former North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz. A lot of Eagles fans will look for Wentz to become the starter, but it appears that veteran Sam Bradford will be the starting quarterback once the 2016 season opens. Behind them is a running back group looking to be more consistent in 2016, with Ryan Matthews and Darren Sproles expected to see most of the touches. A big question mark is who will catch passes from Bradford or Wentz, as the Eagles have a lot of unproven targets at wide receiver. Second-year receiver Nelson Agholor, Jordan Matthews, and Rueben Randle need to step up for the offense to be effective. The Eagles just acquired talented young receiver Dorial Green-Beckham from the Tennessee Titans. A bright spot on offense is the offensive line and tight ends Brent Celek and Zach Ertz. On the defensive side of the ball, Pro Bowler Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan anchor the defensive line and safety Malcolm Jenkins is key to the secondary. The Eagles brought in some new additions in the secondary, signing Leodis McKelvin and Rodney McLeod and drafting talented cornerback Jalen Mills from LSU. In what is expected to be a tight NFC East race, the Eagles can make the argument that they belong in the discussion. The Washington Redskins return as division champions after finishing 9-7, the Dallas Cowboys will be much improved from 2015, and the New York Giants are always a threat. Still, expect the Eagles to be in the hunt.

Miami Dolphins fans have reasons to be optimistic as the 2016 NFL season approaches. Following a down year in 2015, where the team finished in last place in the AFC East at 6-10, but showed glimpses of what their offense could be. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill enters his fifth season as the starter, and looks to build off of a strong 4,000+ yard, 24 touchdown-12 interception season. Tannehill is looking like the first consistent star quarterback Miami has had since Dan Marino. His top target Jarvis Landry is among the league’s most productive receivers, and the Fins have high hopes for Devante Parker. The Dolphins hope to add more balance with their ground attack, adding former All-Pro Arian Foster to the backfield. Foster is in the mix to start along with Jay Ajayi and former Alabama star Kenyan Drake, who the team drafted in the third round. Miami benefits from a solid offensive line, featuring Branden Albert and Mike Pouncey, and added talented, yet controversial tackle Laremy Tunsil at No. 13 overall. The defense lost Pro Bowl safety Brent Grimes to free agency, as he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Reshad Jones returns at safety after his first Pro Bowl selection and will be asked to anchor the secondary along with former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Byron Maxwell. The Dolphins do have arguably the best pass rush in the NFL, with All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and defensive end Cameron Wake leading the way. If former first overall pick Mario Williams and former first rounder Dion Jordan can provide more production, Miami will be scary to opposing offenses. Expect the Dolphins to improve significantly from a last place division finish in 2015, and with quarterback Tom Brady missing the first four games for the New England Patriots, the AFC East is an interesting division with the unpredictable New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.

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