NFC South Draft Grades
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were desperate at corner heading into the draft and filled their major need in the first round. Clemson CB A.J. Terrell has the size, speed and smooth change of directions skills. Versatile DL from Auburn Marlon Davidson fell into Falcons lap in the second round. Third rounder Matt Hennessy from Temple was my favorite selection for Atlanta. He is quick, displays terrific hand placement and can get out to the second level. Fourth round pick Fresno State LB Mykal Walker is a versatile defender with good speed.
Grade B-
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers didn’t select a single offensive player during the 2020 NFL Draft. First-round selection Auburn DT Derrick Brown has great size and is a very good run defender. Second rounder DE Yetur Gross-Matos from Penn State is an athletic player with good length and tremendous motor. Another second-round selection Southern Illinois safety Jeremy Chinn has good size and speed. He has great ball skills and can cover the slot on passing downs. Fifth round pick safety Kenny Robinson was dismissed from West Virginia in the summer of 2019. He played in the XFL and showed his playmaking ability there. Sixth round DT Bravvion Roy is a player that head coach Matt Rhule is very familiar with since he coached him at Baylor.
Grade B-
New Orleans Saints
The Saints only had four selections in this draft. First rounder C Cesar Ruiz from Michigan was the best interior OL available in the draft. The Saints have Peat, Warford and McCoy on the interior. Ruiz future is at OG. Third round pick Zack Baun from Wisconsin is an instinctive linebacker and proved that he can be a dangerous pass rusher during the 2019 season. Third rounder Dayton TE Adam Trautman was my No.1 TE on the board. He proved during the Senior Bowl week that he could shine against big-time competition. Apparently, the Panthers wanted to sign Mississippi State QB Tommy Stevens as an undrafted free agent, but Sean Payton didn’t want to lose out, so he drafted him in the seventh round.
Grade B
Tampa Bay Bucs
The Bucs traded up one spot in the first-round order to get their RT of the future in Iowa Tristan Wirfs. I love the selection, and this was about getting more protection up front for Tom Brady. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. from Minnesota was one of my favorite picks in the second-round. He has the speed, instincts, range and IQ to be a day one starter. Third rounder RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn from Vanderbilt is a three-down back. Fifth rounder from Minnesota WR Tyler Johnson was their best selection on day three. He is a slot wideout who is a very precise route runner.
Grade B+
