By: Kenneth Harrison

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Let’s take a look around the NFC South and give power rankings for each team that includes the rookies that were added in the draft.

Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons needed WR, OL, DL, CB and LB.

They selected CB Avieon Terrell, WR Zachariah Branch, LB Kendal Daniels, DT Anterio Thompson, LB Harold Perkins Jr. and OT Ethan Onianwa.

I give their draft a B- grade. They did not have a first-round pick because it was traded to the LA Rams last year.

They picked Terrell (Clemson) who is the younger brother of current Falcon A.J. Terrell.

Branch (Georgia) should be able to contribute right away.

Atlanta has questions at the most important position, quarterback. They signed Tua Tagovailoa in free agency and he played poorly in 2025. Michael Penix tore his left ACL in November so I’m not sure if or when he will play this season.

For that reason, I expect them to finish last in the division.

Carolina Panthers: Their biggest team needs heading into the draft were OL, S, WR, TE and DL.

They drafted: OT Monroe Freeling, DT Lee Hunter, WR Chris Brazell II, CB Will Lee III, G/C Sam Hecht, S Zakee Wheatley and LB Jackson Kuwatch.

I give their draft grade an A.

They signed left tackle Rasheed Walker (Green Bay) in free agency to fill-in while Ikem Ekwonu is coming back from a patellar tendon injury.

Freeling (Georgia) was a Second-team All-SEC left tackle last season. I think he can come in and start right away. Nose tackle Hunter (Texas Tech) was a First-team All-American last season.

The Panthers won the division last season with an 8-9 record. QB Bryce Young drastically improved in his third season. Rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.

I think Carolina is the second-best team in the division but I think they will have a winning record in 2026.

New Orleans Saints: Their biggest team needs were WR, Edge, CB, DL and OL.

They picked: WR Jordyn Tyson, DT Christen Miller, TE Oscar Delp, G/C Jeremiah Wright, WR Bryce Lance, S Lorenzo Styles Jr., WR Barion Brown and CB T.J. Hall.

I give their draft grade a B+. They needed another WR to compliment Chris Olave so they drafted Tyson (Arizona State). He was First-team All-Big 12 in 2024 and 2025. He’s very talented but he dealt with injuries in college.

Miller (Georgia) was First-team All-SEC last season.

The Saints found their new franchise QB with rookie Tyler Shough. They signed RB Travis Etienne in free agency.

I think they’ll improve in 2026 and finish third in the division.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Their biggest pre-draft needs were Edge, CB, LB, OL and DL.

They drafted EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., LB Josiah Trotter, WR Ted Hurst, CB/S Keionte Scott, DT Demonte Capehart, G/C Billy Schrauth and TE Bauer Sharp.

I give their draft grade an A-.

Bain (Miami) was great in the College Football Playoffs. He won the Ted Hendricks Award and he was a Consensus All-American last year. He was also the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. I think he’s going to drastically improve the pass rush.

Trotter (Mizzou) was First-team All-SEC in 2025. His father is former NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and his older brother, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is also in the NFL.

They lost veteran WR Mike Evans in free agency to San Francisco. They hope Baker Mayfield can play like he did in 2024. Rookie WR Emeka Egbuka started the season strong last year but his play dropped off.

I think the Bucs will win the division.