As an NFL fan, I’m always interested in how the draft will shape the upcoming season for my favorite teams. So naturally, I was curious to see how the NFC South fared in the draft this year. After analyzing the picks and considering team needs, I’ve come up with a ranking for the division’s draft classes. From the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Carolina Panthers – each team’s draft picks will undoubtedly impact their success this season.

The NFC South Draft Classes Evaluated: Buccaneers, Saints, Falcons and Panthers

NFC South is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, and every year, the draft is a crucial event for each team to improve their rosters and gain more success. In this article, we will evaluate the 2021 draft classes of the four teams in the division, namely Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Carolina Panthers.

Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a solid draft class in 2021, considering they had a late first-round pick at No. 32. They filled some crucial needs on their roster, including edge rusher and interior offensive line. Joe Tryon, a pass-rusher from Washington, was their first-round pick, and he has the potential to develop into a dominant player in the NFL. He has a unique combination of size, speed, and strength, and his pass-rushing skills will be a valuable addition to the Bucs’ defense.

In the second round, the Buccaneers selected offensive guard/center Robert Hainsey from Notre Dame. Hainsey is a versatile lineman who can play multiple positions on the offensive line. He’s a technically sound blocker with excellent footwork and hand placement. His addition will provide depth and flexibility to the Bucs’ offensive line, which is vital in today’s NFL.

Overall, the Buccaneers had a solid draft class and addressed some crucial needs on their roster. Tryon and Hainsey should contribute early in their careers and be integral parts of Tampa Bay’s future success.

Saints

The Saints had a unique draft class in 2021, as they only had four picks in the entire draft. However, they made the most of their selections and added some quality players to their roster. They had two third-round picks, and both of them are intriguing prospects who could develop into key contributors for New Orleans in the future.

The Saints drafted cornerback Paulson Adebo from Stanford with their first third-round pick. Adebo is a physical cornerback who excels in man coverage. He has excellent ball skills and instincts, and his addition will provide depth and competition to the Saints’ secondary, which lost several key players in the offseason.

New Orleans’ second third-round pick was used to draft Ian Book, a quarterback from Notre Dame. Book is an undersized quarterback with average arm strength, but he’s an excellent athlete with good mobility and accuracy. He’s an intriguing developmental prospect who could eventually replace Taysom Hill as the team’s Swiss Army knife.

Overall, the Saints had a good draft class considering the limited number of picks they had. Adebo and Book are both interesting prospects who could contribute to the team’s success in the future.

Falcons

The Falcons had one of the best draft classes in the entire NFL in 2021. They had nine picks, and they used them wisely to address several crucial needs on their roster. Their focus was on rebuilding their defense, and they did an excellent job of it.

The Falcons’ first-round pick was Kyle Pitts, a tight end from Florida who many consider the best non-quarterback prospect in the draft. Pitts is a unique talent who can play multiple positions on the field. He’s a matchup nightmare for any defense and should become a primary weapon for Atlanta’s offense.

In the second round, the Falcons drafted Richie Grant, a safety from UCF. Grant is an excellent coverage safety who has good range and ball skills. He’s also a physical player who’s not afraid to make tackles in the open field. His addition should improve Atlanta’s secondary, which struggled last season.

The Falcons also drafted some quality players in the later rounds, including defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham, cornerback Darren Hall, and center Drew Dalman. All of these players should provide depth and add competition to their respective positions.

Overall, the Falcons had an outstanding draft class and addressed several crucial needs on their roster. Kyle Pitts alone could transform Atlanta’s offense, and the other players they drafted should contribute to the team’s success in the future.

Panthers

The Panthers had a solid draft class in 2021, although they didn’t make any flashy picks in the early rounds. They focused on rebuilding their offensive line and adding more weapons to their offense, and they did an excellent job of it.

The Panthers’ first-round pick was Jaycee Horn, a cornerback from South Carolina. Horn is a physical cornerback who excels in man coverage, and he should provide a significant upgrade to Carolina’s secondary.

In the second round, the Panthers drafted offensive tackle Brady Christensen from BYU. Christensen is a technically sound tackle with good footwork and hand placement. He should become a starter for the Panthers in the future and provide protection for Sam Darnold, their new quarterback.

The Panthers also drafted some talented players in the later rounds, including wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. and running back Chuba Hubbard. Both of these players should provide more weapons for the Panthers’ offense and add depth to their respective positions.

Overall, the Panthers had a good draft class and addressed some crucial needs on their roster. Jaycee Horn and Brady Christensen should become starters in the future, and the other players they drafted should contribute to the team’s success as well.

Conclusion

In conclusion, all of the NFC South teams had good draft classes in 2021, although some were more impressive than others. The Falcons had the best draft class of the group, as they addressed several crucial needs on their roster and added some quality players to their team. The Buccaneers, Saints, and Panthers also had good drafts and should see some of their rookies contribute to their success in the future. Overall, the NFC South should continue to be a competitive division in the NFL, and the 2021 draft classes should play a significant role in each team’s success going forward.