Less than a month left until the NFL Draft and I couldn’t be more excited to watch some of these college standouts suit up on Sundays. This is going to be the second installment of the NFL Draft pieces and today we’re going to be looking into the NFC South!
If you missed the first addition of these articles, click here to look at how we think the AFC South’s first round could turn out! We are going to go team by team and break down the NFL Draft needs wile helping identify the best players to fill those spots for the upcoming NFL season!
Also follow us on twitter to make sure you don’t miss your favorite team’s division @FantasyCPR! For now, however, let’s jump right into the NFC South and the last place team in that division in 2016.
NFL Draft: Carolina Panthers
The Panthers dropped off the face of the Earth last season, going from legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2015, to a bottom-ten NFL team in 2016. However, the core pieces are still intact on this roster.
The loss of wide receiver, Ted Ginn Jr. (someone we’ll talk about later in this division) wasn’t much of a threat to the Panthers wide receiver. Greg Olsen is still the pass catcher to own in the Panther offense and it’s honestly hard to make a case for anyone else at the moment considering Kelvin Benjamin‘s history of injury.
This off season, Carolina has re-signed:
- DE Charles Johnson
- DE Mario Addison
- Franchise tagged DT Kawann Short
People they needed on that defensive line.
Biggest Need: Secondary
When it came to the least passing yards allowed per game, the Panthers ranked 29th. Something they need serious improvement on, especially in a division that has Drew Brees, Jameis Winston, and Matt Ryan.
However, quarterback pressure is a big part to football and at number nine overall in this NFL draft and the expectation that Ohio State CB, Marshon Lattimore will be off the board by then, I see the Panthers snagging someone else.
Possible Pick: Jonathan Allen, DL Alabama
Jonathan Allen is coming off of an outstanding season where he led the Alabama Crimson Tide in sacks (10.5) while also contributing 69 tackles (16 TFL). Winning him the 2016 Chuck Bednarik and Bronco Nagurski Award.
A NFC director of player personnel was quoted saying, “He’s a really talented pass rusher but he’s always been surrounded by enough talent that it’s been hard for offenses to game plan their protection for him.”
He seems like a perfect fit if that’s the case. Imagine trying to game plan around Charles Johnson, Kawann Short and a dominant rookie in Johnathan Allen? This could spell disaster for opponents, especially when you add in the fact that the Panthers were already second in the league when it came to sacking quarterbacks last season.
NFL Draft: New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are on just about everyone’s radar at the moment due to the big blockbuster trade that has already occurred with Brandin Cooks, and the move that could follow with Malcolm Butler.
After loosing Cooks the Saints quickly signed another speedster in Ted Ginn Jr.. A 31-year-old receiver who’s been putting up respectable numbers in the past two season with Carolina, and someone who’s still quick enough to take the top off of the defense.
They also signed the former guard from Detroit, Larry Warford. A young guy who can protect Drew Brees, because keeping him upright in his soon to be seventeenth season in the NFL is the biggest concern for the Saints on the offensive end.
New Orleans has made a couple of additions to their defense as well signing former:
- Panthers LB A.J. Klein
- Cardinals LB Alex Okafor
- Chargers LB Manti Te’o
Biggest Need: Secondary
The Saints front improved greatly last season from a team that would let you run all over them in 2015 (31st ranked run defense), to a respectable 14th ranked run defense in 2016. With the addition of these line backers, it should add some well needed depth and could push this team in the right direction when it comes to stopping the run.
Also, we can’t forget about the resigning of DT Nick Fairley. A guy who contributed 6.5 sacks last season for New Orleans (second on the team behind Cameron Jordan) and 43 combined tackles.
However, the secondary that Rob Ryan created continued its god-awful run giving up the most passing yards per game in 2016 with 273.8. Without a predominant corner, this team will go absolutely no where, and you can’t really waste time when your star quarterback is creeping close to 40.
Possible Pick (11 overall): Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
If the Saints don’t trade for Malcolm Butler, they will HAVE to pick a corner back in the first round. They’re secondary is painful to watch, and a guy like Marlon Humphrey could add a solid piece right away.
Marlon was a solid contributor in the best defense college football has to offer. He’s typical pro size for a corner and is great at fighting through blocks. Also, he can add pressure at the line of scrimmage, but his footwork can sometimes be sloppy leaving himself in bad positions which could get him burnt if he’s up against a guy like new Tampa Bay Bucs wide receiver Desean Jackson.
Possible Pick (32 overall from New England): Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
Since the Missouri Tigers went 4-8 last season, Charles Harris was someone who flew under the radar. The back-to-back All SEC Second team standout blew up offensive lines going for 30.5 tackles for loss ( and 16 sacks) in the past two seasons for Missouri.
As a basketball stand-out in high school, Harris has outstanding footwork and his explosiveness out of the stance is something almost every NFL teams could use. He could be the perfect pick at 32.
NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have been making some serious acquisitions this off-season signing former:
- Jets Kicker Nick Folk
- Bills LB Garrison Sanborn
- Cowboys S J.J. Wilcox
- Redskins DE Chris Baker
Biggest Need: Running Back
With the re-signing RB Jacquizz Rodgers, it seems the Bucs are looking for a half back in the NFL Draft, I just don’t think it will be in the first round.
Rodgers may not sound like the best addition, but he knows the system extremely well and that’s what the Buccaneers need right now. With no standout half back on the roster and Doug Martin (the muscle hamster) being suspended for the first couple games of 2017, it seems they’re sticking to their committee that hasn’t worked for them lately.
Desean Jackson
However, none of the addition above can top former Washington Redskins WR, Desean Jackson. A player who has a career average of 17.7 yards per catch and a wide out that can score at absolutely any moment.
The pair of Jackson with young stud Mike Evans could have this team and Jameis Winston putting up ridiculous passing number next season. Especially with the addition I think they’re going to make in the draft.
Possible Pick: David Njoku, TE, Miami
I know what you’re thinking and yes, Cameron Brate did come into his own last season, but he doesn’t posses the big play ability that David Njoku can give you. If you’re drafting the best talent on the board, David would be that guy at the number 19 overall spot.
Njoku is 6’4″, 246 pounds of honest athleticism is what has set guys like Greg Olsen and Travis Kelce apart from the rest. Being able to run and make wide receiver type moves with that much weight on your frame is scary for every defense.
David went for eight touchdowns last season for the Hurricanes. Pair that type of scoring ability/threat up with Mike Evans and this could be the scariest red-zone team in the whole NFL next season.
NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons
One of the most dynamic offenses last season hasn’t lost a single piece so far this off-season… ohh except offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. With Shanahan leaving to pursue a HC job in Washington, it’ll be interesting to see if this team takes a step back.
I highly doubt it, however, since they still have Matt Ryan, Tevin Coleman, Devonta Freeman, Taylor Gabriel, Mohamed Sanu and I can’t forget Julio Jones. Shoot, I’ll even throw in Austin Hooper!
Biggest Need: Defense
When you make it to a Super Bowl and come that close to taking it home, it’s hard to find a true hole in your team but defense is always encouraged. You just saw they’re offensive unit and I don’t even think you could fit another jagged edge in that puzzle.
We haven’t seen them do much in free agency besides the signing of former Kansas City Chiefs DT Dontari Poe. Someone who needs no introduction, but I still see them stock piling defensive depth in the 2017 draft.
Possible Pick (1): T.J. Watt
The brother of defensive monster J.J. Watt, T.J. brings an element of versatility that shined through on this Falcons team last season with Vic Beasley.
Watt is someone who can drop back in coverage and also get after the quarterback, something a defense could always use and something that helps a line backer last a long time in this league.
Possible Pick (2): Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State
Malik McDowell is quick off of the block and someone who can really make you uncomfortable in the pocket. His biggest knock is how sloppy he is with his footwork, something (in a perfect work) Dontari Poe could help him with.
With more defensive line depth, this team could be destined for another NFC Championship and I’ve already mentioned how important a solid pass rush is in this division!
Next: NFL Draft Preview: AFC South
Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR each day for all your fantasy needs as we head towards the NFL Draft and the start of the football season!