Boys From The South
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
With the NFL draft only a few weeks away, I want to take a look around the NFC South and see what each team needs.
New Orleans Saints (6-11): The biggest team needs are WR, Edge, OL, DL and CB.
New Orleans has the No. 8 pick in the first round. They were not good in 2025 but it looks like they found their quarterback of the future in Tyler Shough.
Shough (Louisville) was drafted in the second-round last season with the 40th pick. He became a starter in Week 9 after the team fell to 1-7.
He set the franchise record for wins by a rookie QB and he became the first rookie quarterback with 300-plus passing yards in a game in Week 16’s matchup against the Jets. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for his play in December/January.
He finished the season completing 221 of 327 passes for 2,384 yards with 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, he also rushed 45 times for 186 yards and 3 touchdowns.
I think they need another target outside of wide receiver Chris Olave. I expect them to select WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State). The 6’2, 192 lbs. receiver might be the best in the draft class. Last season he played 11 games and had 51 catches, 875 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9): The biggest team needs are Edge, DL, CB, LB, OL.
They have the No. 16 pick in the draft. The Bucs won the division in 2024, going 10-7
Last season, they were tied with Atlanta and Carolina at 8-9. They have lost veteran receiver Mike Evans in free agency to San Francisco.
Tampa ranked 20th in total defense in 2025. They also ranked 19th in sacks with 37 for the season.
I believe they would select edge Keldric Faulk (Auburn). He’s 6’6 and 276 pounds. Last season he had 29 tackles, 5 TFL and 2 sacks. In 2024, he had 45 tackles, 11 TFL and 7 sacks. He was named third-team All-SEC (2025).
Carolina Panthers (8-9): The biggest team needs are OL, S, WR, CB, DL.
Carolina has the 19th pick.
The division champs saw quarterback Bryce Young drastically improve in his third season. Young went 8-8 as a starter, completed 63.6% of his passes for 3,011 yards, 23 scores and 11 picks. He also rushed 54 times for 216 yards and 2 TD’s.
Rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with 70 receptions, 1,014 yards and 7 touchdowns.
I think they’ll get OT Blake Miller (Clemson) to strengthen their offensive line. The 6’7, 317 lbs. tackle was named First team All-ACC (2024, 2025).
Atlanta Falcons (8-9): The biggest needs are WR, DL, CB, Edge, LB.
Atlanta has the #48 pick in the second round for their first pick in the draft. I went in depth about the Falcons roster and biggest team needs last week, so I won’t delve as deep today.
Because of where they’re drafting, we do not know who will be available. I am guessing they will select edge Malachi Lawrence (UCF). The 6’4, 235 lbs. defensive end was named First-team All-Big 12 (2025). He had 28 tackles, 11 TFL and 7 sacks last season.
