NFC South Draft Needs
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.
We All Need Something
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The NFC South was the worst division in the NFL in 2022. Tampa Bay won the division but finished the season with a losing record, 8 – 9.
They did rest Tom Brady after the first drive of their final regular season game, so they were trying to rest him and not risk injury going into the playoffs. The Bucs were beaten thoroughly in the Wild Card round by Dallas, 31 – 14.
The other three teams in the division all finished 7 – 10. Do any of these teams have something to look forward to in the offseason?
Surprisingly, they all need help at quarterback. We do not know if Brady is returning for the 2023 season. He was asked this and he seemed a bit annoyed.
“If I knew what I was going to f—ing do I would’ve already f—ing done it,” he told Jim Gray. “I’m taking it a day at a time. I appreciate you asking. Thank you.”
Let’s take a look at the team needs of each franchise.
Atlanta: The Falcons have the No. 8 pick in the 2023 draft. They also have the lowest sack percentage (3.6%) and second lowest QB pressure rate (22%) in the league one year after they finished last in both of those categories.
Someone has to find a spark for the Falcons’ pass rush.
The biggest needs are quarterback, edge rusher and wide receiver. They started Marcus Mariota most of the season before playing rookie Desmond Ridder. I think the most likely scenario will be to draft a defensive player with the first pick.
One pleasant surprise was the offensive line. The unit, led by right guard Chris Lindstrom and left tackle Jake Matthews, helped to pave the way for 159.9 rushing yards per game, which ranked third in the NFL.
Carolina: The Panthers have glaring needs at QB, corner back and tight end. They hold the 9th pick.
Jaycee Horn is a very good young corner, but they need to get someone opposite of him. They desperately need to find stability at the quarterback position but that is difficult.
They started three different quarterbacks and even dropped Baker Mayfield during the season. That was surprising since Mayfield started the season opener.
They also traded Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers before the trade deadline. It looks like they are in full rebuilding mode.
Tampa Bay: The Buccaneers are picking 19th overall. With Brady’s future unknown they need to consider quarterback, defensive back and offensive line.
They had several starting offensive linemen go down with injuries and I think that’s a key reason to why they struggled.
They also fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich so we do not know who will replace him yet. If Brady does retire, they will have a very tough 2023 season.
New Orleans: The Saints traded their first-round pick to Philadelphia last April. The Eagles have the No. 10 pick thanks to that deal.
Now the first pick is No. 41 in the second round. They need a quarterback, safety, defensive tackle, guard and wide receiver.
Jameis Winston has been injury prone the last two seasons and he has not played as well as expected.
The division could be wide open next season. We will get a clearer picture after free agency and the draft.
