3 Players Each NFC South Team Should Target in the NFL Draft
Photo Credit: Boston.com
As the NFL regular season comes to an end, each team’s needs have become clear throughout the season. Some teams are luckier than others and may only need a few minor upgrades, but it’s safe to say that the teams in the NFC South will need a bit more than that. Today we’re going to go over 3 players each team in the NFC South should target in this upcoming draft class, and the range of pick they would take them in for the best value.
Atlanta Falcons
Photo Credit: Scott Clause, Associated Press
Round 1, Pick 8: - Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, Louisiana State
Jayden Daniels has undergone a meteoric rise from an average quarterback at Arizona State to the Heisman winner at Louisiana State, and his game has developed tremendously. The quarterback play in Atlanta has been undesirable to say the least, and a young, mobile quarterback could be just what the Falcons offense needs. With numerous young weapons like running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts, the Falcons need a new signal caller to breathe some life into their team.
Round 2, Pick 43: Chris Braswell, Defensive End, Alabama
Photo Credit: Chat Sports
One of the more underrated players in this draft class, Braswell was an extremely highly ranked recruit coming out of high school who struggled to see the field at Alabama at first. Once he was on the field however, he showed exactly why he was a top recruit, making plays against some of the best offensive linemen in the country on a weekly basis. Braswell is still underrated as he is thought of as a late second to early third round pick, but his combination of strength, speed, and relentless pass-rushing technique make him an excellent prospect.
Round 3, Pick 74: Devontez ‘Tez’ Walker, Wide Receiver, North Carolina
Photo Credit: The News Observer
After his highly publicized battle with the NCAA for his eligibility this season ended in Week 5, ‘Tez’ Walker made his presence known in a major way for the Tar Heels, having multiple 100+ yard and 2+ touchdown games. Walker has good size for the position at 6’ 3”, 200 lbs, but has one major component that the Falcons receiver room lacks, speed. With proven contested catch players such as Drake London and Kyle Pitts already in place, Walker could be the infusion of speed into the Falcons’ offense that changes everything.
Carolina Panthers
Round 2, Pick 33: Troy Franklin, Wide Receiver, Oregon
Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports
Troy Franklin had an absolutely exceptional year at Oregon, hauling in 81 receptions for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Ducks; and if there’s one main area the Panthers need to focus on, it’s getting more weapons on offense. Franklin is a tall and remarkably quick receiver, but needs to fill out his frame some more as he stands at 6’3”, 187 lbs, if he can get some more muscle on him once he hits an NFL weight room, he could be a notable weapon for years for the Panthers.
Round 3, Pick 65: Adisa Isaac, Defensive End, Pennylvania State
Photo Credit: Scott Taetsch, Getty Images
The Panthers have one side of their edge-rushers locked down with superstar Brian Burns, but outside of him there isn’t much pressure being put on the opposing quarterbacks. Adisa Isaac is what I like to call a high-end developmental prospect, meaning that he has the athleticism and tools to be successful on the NFL level, but needs some more time to develop into a full-time starter. I think the top of the 3rd round would be the perfect spot to draft Isaac and have him learn from one of the best edge-rushers in the league in Brian Burns.
Round 4, Pick 101: Zach Frazier, Interior Offensive Lineman, West Virginia
Photo Credit: West Virginia Athletics
Rookie quarterback Bryce Young has had a less than stellar season, and protection has been a major reason why. Frazier has been a standout center for the Mountaineers, but has experience playing guard as well, which has been arguably the weakest position for the Panthers as they have been plagued with injuries and poor play. Frazier stands at 6’3”, 310 lbs and is as powerful as they come, so if he’s still available in the early fourth round, the Panthers should run their draft card to the podium as fast as they can.
New Orleans Saints
Round 1, Pick 14: Jared Verse, Defensive End, Florida State
Photo Credit: Erin Verduzco, Associated Press
A blue chip edge prospect, Jared Verse is the real deal, he has no real weakness to his game, and is sort of a jack of all trades with no real super-strength to his game either. Verse has made his name by being good at everything, and being someone who you can count on to disrupt the opponent’s backfield, whether that be as a pass-rusher or run-defender. Verse stands at 6’ 4”, 260 lbs, with a Greek-god-esque physique, and the athleticism to match. Any team that drafts Verse will be lucky, as he appears to be one of the most pro-ready prospects in the whole draft.
Round 2, Pick 45: Tyler Guyton, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma
Photo Credit: Sooners 360
A mountain of a man, standing at 6’7”, 327 lbs, Tyler Guyton was one of the primary reasons that Oklahoma had such a stellar offense this season. For a team that has struggled to lock down their left tackle spot with former first-round pick Trevor Penning not looking like the answer, Guyton could come in on day one and contribute with his experience blocking in a pro-style offense at Oklahoma.
Round 5, Pick 148: Keith Randolph Jr., Defensive Tackle, Illinois
Photo Credit: Illinois Athletics
An integral member of Illinois’ stellar defensive lines over the past two seasons, Randolph Jr. is a great value pick for a team looking to add talent to their defensive line on day 3. He is overshadowed in this draft class by his teammate at Illinois and fellow defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton, but Randolph Jr. is a legitimate talent in his own right as well. Standing at a monstrous 6’5”, 300 lbs, Randolph is an excellent run defender, having racked up 49 total tackles in 2023. If he’s still available at pick 148, the Saints should jump on this opportunity to add some young talent to their defensive line.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 1, Pick 20: J.T. Tuimoloau, Defensive End, Ohio State
Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports
Tuimoloau is a talented and versatile pass-rusher from Ohio State who has been lighting up the stat sheet and instilling fear in Big 10 quarterbacks over the past few seasons. Standing at 6’4”, 270 lbs with impressive athleticism, Tuimoloau has both the speed and power to be successful at the NFL level. Tuimoloau also possesses immense versatility as a pass-rusher, with his frame allowing him to line up at multiple different positions in the front seven.
Round 2, Pick 51: Ja’Tavion Sanders, Tight End, Texas
Photo Credit: 24/7 Sports
The second-best tight end in the draft after generational prospect Brock Bowers, Sanders is a fantastic player in his own right. Sanders is a strong and versatile tight end prospect that stands at 6’ 4”, 230 lbs, and it is extremely difficult to tackle, with the tight end position still being somewhat of a question mark for the Buccaneers, Sanders would be great value in the mid-second round.
Round 3, Pick 84: Khyree Jackson, Cornerback, Oregon
Photo Credit: Oregon Athletics
One of the more interesting prospects in this article, Jackson saw little to no playing time before this season, playing at Alabama from 2021 to 2022. However, once he transferred to Oregon this pa he excelled immediately, looking like the once highly touted recruit that he once was. Jackson has excellent size and athleticism for the position, and has showcased high-level coverage ability and ball skills, the only real concern for him as a prospect is the low amount of tape on him, but in the mid-third round, it is a risk that teams will be willing to take.
