NFL Draft Grades: NFC South

The NFC South is one of the most competitive divisions in the entire league from top to bottom, year after year. Even in a year where the New Orleans Saints clinched the division, the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers saw a storybook streak in the playoffs to eventually win the Superbowl. The struggling Atlanta Falcons are looking to revamp their defense and the Carolina Panthers are attempting to create a complete identity. As the NFL offseason comes to a close, each team has to evaluate their drafted personnel to see if they were winners or losers in drafting. We will look into this year's NFL Draft and see how each team graded out and ranked them from best to worst. 

Carolina Panthers: A+

The Carolina Panthers have absolutely dominated the 2021 draft. Despite getting a cornerback in the top 10, the Panthers tightened up their entire team with this pick. Jaycee Horn is the essential defensive piece they needed to add to a very good Panthers secondary. By handling the key defensive piece, the rest of the Panthers draft went to adding value in nearly every position group. Terrace Marshall Jr. is a good receiver with very good experience that can play day one. Chubba Hubbard’s explosiveness and physicality will help for developing quarterback Sam Darnold by adding an extra security blanket in the run game. With Christian Mccaffrey battling with injury, the team will be smart to lean more on Hubbard in the run game. The Panthers even added an OT to protect Darnold with LT Brady Christensen. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers biggest hurdle will be to avoid a Superbowl hangover. With one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, they looked to fill their minor voids in this draft. By drafting Kyle Trask, they are preparing for the future with Tom Brady as a great model. With Linebacker Joe Tryon, the Buccaneers will have a competitive linebacker that can vie for the starting job and add another presence to the already young and explosive Buccaneers defense.

New Orleans Saints: B-

The New Orleans Saints are at a crossroads in their organization with Drew Brees’ retirement.  Jameis Winston’s ability to not turn the ball over will be the biggest offensive concern. For the first time in 3 years, the Saints drafted a receiver with their final pick. Although it was not a superstar pick, adding receiver depth will be good for the offense to take some load off of Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. Defensively, the top two picks for the Saints came on the defensive line and linebacking core. The 6’6’’ 270 pound DE Peyton Tucker from Houston is a force and sure to bring depth to the experienced rotation. Linebacker Pete Werner and Defensive Back Paulson Adebo from Stanford are standout players that will be able to play immediately and add to the physical Saints defense. 

Atlanta Falcons: C

The main point for this grade is that the Atlanta Falcons are NOT a tight end away from playoff contention. Although they addressed other positions in the draft their priority in drafting was a new offensive weapon, which does not heal their defensive woes. The Falcons defense ranked near the lowest in several major defensive categories including rushing defense. The defense allowed nearly 100 yards or more in 10 games during the 2020 season. This stat contributed to their 5 late-game collapses in which they could not hold on to their double-digit leads late in the game. Despite Kyle Pitts being the best available, the Atlanta Falcons desperately needed defensive star power and did not get it out of this draft. 

Writer

-By: LeMarkus D. Bailey