How would you grade the NFL Draft for NFC South teams?
With four very evenly matched teams in 2022, the NFC South is due a shake up, and this years’ NFL Draft could’ve provided just that. With the draft process now over, we take a look at which organisation got the most out of their draft picks this year:
Carolina Panthers: C+
Trading up to select Bryce Young first overall in the draft could prove to be a franchise altering move for the Carolina Panthers. This is a team that has failed to reach the playoffs since 2017 and is in desperate need of a new direction.
While their early picks set a good trend, they were left reaching with some of their later selections.
Johnathan Mingo adds to a depleted wide receiver room that desperately needed an injection of speed and youth, but you still wonder whether the lack of superstar talent may hinder them. Mingo is more of a prospect than an immediate playmaker. He has the traits to be a great player in the NFL but is going to need time to develop.
I’d be worried more about the third-round selection – DJ Johnson out of Oregon. With a lack of edge rushing talent on the board, a trade up to select a player in his mid-20’s and still learning to play his position is a very risky move.
Chandler Zavala (114th overall) and Jammie Robinson (145th overall), were better choices and should prove to be dependable players this coming season.
In the end, it was a solid draft, and gives the Panthers a solid batch of rookies to develop and move forwards with this season.
Atlanta Falcons: B+
The Falcons may have just found a generational player at the running back position, with Bijan Robinson set to significantly ease the load on the rest of the offense. Trading up to take Syracuse Guard Matthew Bergeron was a good decision, as a player that yielded an 80.8 pass blocking grade according to PFF in 2022, helping to give Desmond Ridder more time on offense.
Ohio State’s Zach Harrison should give their linebacker core some much needed depth, while also Clark Phillips III was a steal for a fourth rounder. His size was the reason a lot of teams decided to steer clear, but the Falcons have themselves a fantastic slot cornerback from the start of the season.
In the end, Atlanta may have found themselves two tone setters on offense, and some good defensive depth to back up their free agency signings. You can’t ask for much more from a draft class.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A-
Speed was the key theme of Tampa Bay’s 2023 draft, with athletes selected across the board and a few surprise selections along the way.
Calijah Kancey was a shock pick but has the tangibles of a great DB. PFF graded the Pittsburgh man 91.8 overall in the 2022 season, sparking comparisons to Los Angeles’ Aaron Donald.
Guard Cody Maunch should make a up a mean ginger team with Ryan Jensen on the O-Line, a part of the Bucs team that suffered with injury last season.
YaYa Diaby, an Edge out of Louisville was a surprise pick, but represents a rapid athlete with potential. Selecting Tight End Payne Durham over Zack Kuntz was a shock to some, but the Bucs need for a reliable pass catcher at the position was key, with no veteran Tight Ends left following the departure of Cam Brate and Kyle Rudolph.
A solid year for Jason Licht, who is desperate for more production from his most recent draft class, following two underwhelming years.
New Orleans Saints: B
A late first round selection left little to choose from for the Saints, but defensive lineman Bryan Bresee was a terrific pass rusher for Clemson with an 82.0 PFF grade last year. He’s a versatile guy that will fit in well with a Dennis Allen defense.
Isaiah Foskey is a great pickup. He may not have been the most athletic edge taken in the draft, but his numbers indicate that he is a consistent performer, putting up impressive sack totals across his college career.
Running Back Kendre Miller from TCU could be one of the steals of the draft, after posting an 88.5 rushing grade in 2022, he should help to ease the load on Alvin Kamara.
A few interesting selections such as a trade to select Jake Haener, quarterback from Fresno State, prevent the team from receiving an A grade, mainly because Haener performed poorly when under pressure in 2022 with a PFF grade of 45.7.
A substantial part of the defense required repair following the departure of key players such as Marcus Davenport and Kaden Elliss, so Bresee and Foskey should fill some gaps, but Dennis Allen has a lot of work to do to ensure his defense can rediscover elite status in 2023.
This draft could’ve gone a lot worse for the Saints, and they’ll be hoping that their 2023 selections can be productive from day one of the 2023 NFL season.
