NFC South Team Grades
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1-5 Devin White, LB, LSU
2-39 Sean Bunting, CB, Central Michigan
3-94 Jamel Dean, CB, Auburn
3-99 Mike Edwards, S, Kentucky
4-107 Anthony Nelson, DE, Iowa
5-145 Matt Gay, K, Utah
6-208 Scotty Miller, WR, Bowling Green
7-215 Terry Beckner Jr., DL, Missouri
Analysis:
Devin White is a solid first-round pick but I would like to see better coverage skills on tape if I am going to draft him #5. Sean Bunting had good tape and fell under the radar but I wonder if second round was a bit early for him. Jamel Dean was my favorite pick. He is 6’2, physical and has decent coverage skills on tape. Mike Edwards is also a nice pick as he has good instincts, is decent in coverage and is a competent tackler. Anthony Nelson has a good bull rush and reads the run well. I do think he is going to need to work on his bend if he wants be a starter on the edge for the Bucs. I would prefer to see him play on the defensive line than on the edge. Matt Gay is probably the best kicker in this draft and so this was worth it in the fifth. However, the Bucs don’t have a great track record of drafting kickers as they took Robert Aguayo in the second round a few years ago. I like the Terry Beckner pick as a situational pass rusher in the seventh round.
Grade: A-
Carolina Panthers
1-16 Brian Burns, DE, Florida State
2-37 Greg Little, OL, Ole Miss
3-100 Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
4-115 Christian Miller, DE, Alabama
5-154 Jordan Scarlett, RB, Florida
6-212 Dennis Daley, T, South Carolina
7-237 Terry Godwin, WR, Georgia
Analysis:
Brian Burns is a good speed rusher with good measurables. I think this is a risky pick, but the Panthers are a good fit for him. Greg Little is a pure projection but if he can get his focus and mechanics down, he could take over as the left tackle for this team. At this point, he is just a developmental prospect. The Will Grier pick I really like, but I don’t see him getting much playing time early. I might even hedge that Kyle Allen will be the #2 over him to start. Grier is capable of becoming an NFL starter though. Christian Miller is an excellent pick for the fourth round, but I think he is a much better fit in another defensive scheme. Jordan Scarlett went about where he should have. The thing to like about him is his change of direction. Dennis Daley is my favorite pick. I really like the way he held up against Clemson’s stalwart defensive line. He probably dropped because of his lateral movement but I think he is a better player than athlete. Terry Godwin is a good seventh round pick as he is a good route runner and his speed get him off the line of scrimmage. I do worry about his drops but the seventh-round selection is a low risk investment.
Grade A-
Atlanta Falcons
1-14 Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College
1-31 Kaleb McGary, T, Washington
4-111 Kendall Sheffield, CB, Ohio State
4-135 John Cominsky, DL, Charleston
5-152 Qadree Ollison, RB, Pittsburgh
5-172 Jordan Miller, DB, Washington
6-203 Marcus Green, RB, Louisiana-Monroe
Analysis:
Chris Lindstrom was a good value pick in the first round. He had a great offseason and has great tape. I could see him starting at some point this season. Kaleb McGary was a guy who went earlier than I thought he would, but I still think it was a decent value pick. McGary plays with plenty of energy and can hold down the pass blocking and run blocking duties. Kendall Sheffield is an average corner. He has the tackling ability but I think he is more of a “tackle the catch” corner. John Cominsky is an interesting small school guy. Qadree Ollison is a power runner with good vision who can break tackles. Jordan Miller is a sleeper who is a press corner that can show some physicality.
Grade: B+
New Orleans Saints
2-48 Erik McCoy, C/G, Texas A&M
4-105 Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida
6-177 Saquan Hampton, S, Rutgers
7-231 Alize Mack, TE, Notre Dame
7-244 Kaden Elliss, LB, Idaho
Analysis:
The Saints didn’t have a first-round pick but got a first-round value in Erik McCoy. I think at some point during the year McCoy should win a starting job on the interior of the offensive line. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is good value for the fourth round. He is a little short but he can cover in the slot when called upon. Saquan Hampton is another good pick. He is a good tackler with good instincts what can function in coverage. Alize Mack has great hands and is a decent route runner. I think he just needs to work on his blocking form to be a good in-line blocker.
Grade: B
