NFC South stock up, down: Ex-Alabama teammates impress

Young had 16 dropbacks against the Lions after only having 15 during the first two weeks. The regular season is a different beast than the preseason, so Young likely will need time to adjust. But as he showed in the preseason, Young's a fast learner.

DeMarcco Hellams, Atlanta Falcons safety:  Hellams, Young's Alabama teammate, wasn't drafted until the seventh round (224th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft. The three-year Crimson Tide safety has made the most out of his extended opportunity in the preseason.

Per Pro Football Focus, he led the defense in total snaps (145) and had a team-high 14 tackles and two interceptions. Atlanta signed former Bengals safety Jessie Bates III to a four-year, $64M contract this offseason and appears to have vastly improved its depth at safety with that signing and selection of Hellams.

Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints tight end: He's back.

Any doubt over what Graham had to offer the Saints after spending a year out of the league was squashed Sunday when the 6-foot-7 tight end came up with a highlight-reel catch on a seam route and then scored a touchdown in the red zone. The Saints have arguably the deepest tight end room in the league with Juwan Johnson, utility man Taysom Hill and former Raider Foster Moreau. Graham has solidified his roster spot.

Stock down

Arthur Smith, Atlanta Falcons head coach: After Atlanta received a beating from Pittsburgh's starting unit last Thursday, it's worth wondering what makes Smith so confident in his starting unit. He didn't play his starters, including quarterback Desmond Ridder. After a four-game sample size during the regular season in 2022, Ridder only had nine pass attempts in the preseason and finished without a touchdown and one interception.

Per ESPN's Linsey Thiry, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin explained his approach, saying, "It's difficult to box without sparring ... Preseason is an opportunity for us to spar and sharpen our swords for the battle." In that case, Atlanta's blade is dull heading into the 2023 season. It would be one thing if Ridder were entering his 12th season with the organization, but he's only in his second season and first as a full-time starting quarterback. Not getting him more reps this preseason could be a decision that haunts Smith and the Falcons.

Tre'Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints wide receiver: Smith's stock is impacted by the rise of young receivers, including Shaquan Davis, Jontre Kirklin and A.T. Perry. They played well in their extended looks while Smith was sidelined with a groin injury. 

With the top three receiver spots accounted for (Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, Rashid Shaheed) and young players stepping up to provide depth, Smith could be expendable. 

A logical destination for Smith, 27, would be the Denver Broncos, where he could reunite with his former head coach, Sean Payton. Injuries have hit the Broncos hard at wide receiver. Tim Patrick (ruptured Achilles) is out for the season and Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) is week-to-week.

Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers tight end: Hurst, who signed with the Panthers as a free agent in the offseason, finished the preseason with one target as rookie QB Young preferred to target his wide receivers, including Adam Thielen and rookie Jonathan Mingo. Hurst had 52 receptions last season with Cincinnati, but after Young rarely looked his way this preseason, he might not be a major part of Carolina's offense in 2023.