2014 NFL Draft Grades: NFC South

2013 proved once again that the NFC South is the most topsy-turvy division in football. The Atlanta Falcons went from the best record in the NFC in 2012 to last in the South with a 4-12 record. The Carolina Panthers overcame a 1-3 start to win the division and get a first round bye in the playoffs. The New Orleans Saints still have the best quarterback in the division with Drew Brees, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the biggest splashes in the off season during free agency. It looks like things are going to keep flipping around in the NFC South once again. Atlanta Falcons: B+ Best Pick: Jake Matthews Late Round Sleeper: DeVonta Freeman The Falcons needed to shore up the offensive line and give Matt Ryan more time to pass and open holes to run through, and they did just that with the selection of Jake Matthews at #6 Overall. Matthews is a polished product and will step in right away. Ra'Shede Hageman could do the same on defense after falling out of Round 1. With the best years of Steven Jackson behind him, the running game got a hot in the arm with the selection of late round sleeper pick DeVonta Freeman, who played in a three back rotation at Florida State but he can be the go to back for the Falcons. Carolina Panthers: B Best Pick: Kelvin Benjamin Late Round Sleeper: Tyler Gaffney The Panthers came out of nowhere to win the division in 2013, but there are major holes everywhere, especially on the offensive line and wide receiver. The pick of Kelvin Benjamin addresses the need at receiver. The offensive line got help in Round 3 with the pick of Trai Turner, but he will play guard and tackle is still a need. Second rounder Kony Ealy adds depth to the pass rush. A late round sleeper looks to be Tyler Gaffney, running back who could get touches if injuries crop up again in the backfield. New Orleans Saints: B Best Pick: Brandin Cooks Late Round Sleeper: Vinnie Sunseri The Saints traded up to #20 and got the speed receiver they wanted in Brandin Cooks, who should take advantage of the fast turf in the Superdome in the high powered New Orleans offense. The Saints are hoping that second round pick Stanley Jean-Baptiste can become the cover corner that his size and speed could lead him to be, but he needs time to develop his overall game at corner. A late round sleeper looks to be Vinnie Sunseri, a tough safety who could pair with last years first rounder Kenny Vaccaro to give New Orleans a top tandem in the defensive secondary. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B+ Best Pick: Austin Sefarian-Jenkins Late Round Sleeper: Robert Herron The Buccaneers stood pat at #7 Overall and got the receiver they wanted in Mike Evans, then got the big tight end who will free up coverage in the middle with the selection of Sefarian-Jenkins in Round 2. Third Rounder Charles Sims will be able to share the load with Doug Martin and could eventually become a full-time back. A late round sleeper could be Robert Herron, a slot receiver who will benefit for all the attention given to Evans, Sefarian-Jenkins and Vincent Jackson.

TMG DraftZone 2013 NFL Draft Grades: NFC South

The revolving door of NFC South Champions swung back to Atlanta, as the Falcons came up just short in the NFC title game against San Francisco. Their deal in 2011 to acquire Julio Jones for a truckload of draft picks is looking to be very wise. Jones has become one of the league's most dangerous deep threats, and the Falcons look to make another run at the Super Bowl with Matt Ryan at the helm. The New Orleans Saints are coming off of a lost season following the sactions imposed due to the bounty scandal. But coach Sean Payton returns, and he still has Drew Brees at quarterback. But the Saints defense fell flat on their face last year, and the hope is that first round pick Kenny Vaccaro can shore up the secondary. Tampa Bay made a move back last year, but I look for the Bucs to have a rebound season. They traded their first round pick for Darrelle Revis, and in Round 2 they selected Johnathon Banks to play corner as well. If Josh Freeman can work his way back to his 2011 form the Bucs will give the Falcons and Saints a run for the top spot in the NFC South. The Carolina Panthers are also looking to their young quarterback to lead them up the ladder. Cam Newton started slow, and there were issues with maturity, but the Panthers finished well in the last half of the season. A long term replacement for WR Steve Smith was not found in the draft, and Carolina could have trouble scoring unless the veteran wideout can keep playing as he has the last few years. So here is the TMG DraftZone 2013 NFL Draft Grades for the NFC South, with key selections and sleeper picks listed as well: Atlanta: B Desmond Trufant (CB) Zeke Motta (S) Atlanta traded up again, but not nearly as far this year as they did in 2011. They will be looking for Trufant to move into a starting corner spot right away, and if he can handle the responsibility then the Falcons will reap the rewards. Atlanta went defense for all but two picks, taking a tight end in Round 4 and a quarterback in Round 7, and with the focus on defense the Falcons may have found another impact player for the secondary in Zeke Motta. A physical safety, Motta will be able to help stop the run cover the middle for Atlanta. Carolina: B+ Star Lotulelei (DT) Kenjon Balmer (RB) The Panthers went defensive tackle in Round 1 and 2, and picked up Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short. Lotulelei was seen by many as perhaps the best player in the draft, and he fell all the way to #14 because of health concerns. But Lotulelei received a clean bill of health, and he will team with Short to build a formidable front wall for the Panthers. Balmer may be a bit undersized, but get him in the open field and he is a top flight playmaker. One scouting report stated that Balmer needs to work on his pass protection. He may, but if Balmer is in the game I don't see him in the backfield to block. If he is lined up in the backfield, he will be in space in no time at all to get his hands on the ball. New Orleans: B+ Terron Armstead (OT) Jon Jenkins (DT) The Saints had to forfeit their second round pick due to the bounty scandal, but they made their picks count. Vaccaro will be a starter right away, and the secondary will be better for it. But the Saints lost Jarrod Bushrod in free agency, and Armstead may be called on to play earlier than Nwe Orleans might like. He is physically gifted, but played against lower level competition in college. Can he meet the challenge of left tackle in the NFL? The Saints are hoping so. New Orleans got one of the steals of the draft in Jenkins, being able to select him in Round 3. His weight may have ballooned up, bu the has gotten back in better shape, and Jenkins is a prototype nose tackle in a 3-4 who can plug up the middle and snuff out the run game. Tampa Bay: B- Johnathon Banks (CB) William Gholston (DE) Banks didn't measure out well at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his play did on the field. Banks is a ball hawk who is always a threat to pick off a pass. The Bucs have invested a lot of high draft picks in defensive lineman the last three years, and Gholston may get a chance due to a lack of production and injury concerns. Josh Freeman is coming to the end of his contract, and if he does not produce this year, Mike Glennon may get his chance lat in the season if the Bucs are out of contention.

NFC South Draft Grades: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of the most surprising teams in the NFL during the 2010 season. They improved by seven victories and nearly made the playoffs, with only a late season loss at home against Detroit keeping them out. Tampa Bay went into the draft looking for the pieces to get them into the playoffs this season.

In 2010, the Bucs got the interior of their defensive line with the selection of Gerald McCoy in Round 1 and Brian Price in Round 2. This year, they got the ends with Adrian Clayborn being taken in the first round, and Da'Quan Bowers falling all the way to them with the 51st overall selection in the bottom half of the second round. But there are health concerns everywhere. McCoy tore a biceps last season, and Price suffered a pelvic fracture. The injury concerns with Bowers and his knee are well chronicled. It looks as if Clayborn, with Erb's Palsy in his right shoulder and arm, looks to be the rick of the defense. If the four young stars can stay healthy and perform to their expectations, the Bucs will have one of the best young defensive lines the league has seen in a long time.

The defense also got help later in the draft with the selection of Mason Foster in Round 3 and Ahmad Black in round 5. Foster brings a high football IQ along with playmaking ability to a young defense, and Black, though he is undersized for safety, is another sure tackler and has excellent coverage skills.

A late round sleeper looks to be Luke Stocker, a tight end out of Tennessee selected in Round 4. Stocker is a big target who can line up in tight or out wide, and has great hands and athletic ability. Kellen Winslow has battled injuries throughout his career, and Stocker gives Josh Freeman yet another target for the Bucs offense.

Draft Grade: B+

Draft Grades: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just missed the playoffs in 2008, and went into a rebulding mode instead of reloading. A new coach, a rookie quarterback, and changes on both sides of the ball brought the Bucs a 3-13 record, and the third pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. There were holes to fill on both sides of the ball, and Tampa Bay found players who can have an immediate impact.

The 3rd overall selection was used on Gerald McCoy, a defensive tackle from Oklahoma. A number of draft experts had McCoy rated ahead of Ndamukong Suh, and McCoy is seen as the heir apparent to Warren Sapp. The second round brought another defensive tackle in Brian Price. McCoy and Price play different styles, and they should compliment each other well in the middle of the defensive line.

2009 first round selection Josh Freeman discovered that if you don't have quality receivers to throw to the passing game in the NFL can be difficult. That area was addressed with the selection of Arrelious Benn in Round 2. Another receiver, Mike Williams from Syracuse, was taken in the 4th round but he had a number of off the field problems in college, but he was seen by many as possibly the most talented receiver in the draft.

A late round sleeper could be Cody Grimm, a safety from Virginia Tech. The son of former Redskins lineman Russ Grimm, Cody is a hard nosed, tough minded player who plays with a high motor all the time.

Draft Grade: B+

Tampa Bay with the 3rd Overall Selection

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009 had an interesting year, to say the least. They started out by nearly making the playoffs in 2008, then fired their coach in Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen, the man in charge of the front office. They ushered in the Raheem Morris by moving up in the draft to select Josh Freeman, then fired the offensive coordinator before the season started. Hoping to have Freeman learn from the bench with a veteran leading the team on the field resulted in a 3 win season. All three wins were directed by Freeman, who was rushed onto the field but held his own under difficult circumstances.

Now if there is one team that is looking to reap the rewards of a draft heavy at the top and deep through the first 2 rounds, it is Tampa Bay. They own the 3rd overall selection, the 35th and and 42nd as well, the latter they picked up from Chicago in the deal for Gaines Adams. Adams, the fourth overall selection in 2007, was a bust in Tampa, then tragically passed away after the '09 season following the trade to Chicago.

Tampa Bay was last in rush defense in 2009. Needing a premier defensive tackle to stop the run. How about Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy? If St. Louis selects Sam Bradford with the first pick, then either one of these tackles will be there waiting for them. If the Rams pull a surprise and don't go with Bradford, then both Suh and McCoy will most likely be gone. Alternatives. How about Eric Berry, the dynamic, game changing safety or Russell Okung, the top rated tackle to protect their franchise quarterback in Freeman. With either scenario, they look to improve immediately.

At #35, they should be able to find a quality wide receiver for Freeman to target and to compliment Kellen Winslow, Jr. Golden Tate, Demaryius Thomas, and Arrelious Benn might all be available. Seven picks later, if the Bucs are looking for more offensive weapons, perhaps Jahvid Best could be waiting for them. But one pick I believe they might look at is Brandon Spikes, the middle linebacker from Florida. Once seen as a first rounder, he has fallen out of favor due to slow 40 times at the Florida Pro Day, but he has the football instincts you need from your middle linebacker, and putting him behind Suh or McCoy would shore up the run defense immensely.

The 2010 season for Tampa Bay depends on the development of Freeman, but with their selections in the first 2 rounds, and 10 picks overall, Tampa Bay looks to be able to pick up a number of building blocks to put together a winner once again.