Buccaneers – B Two possible starters, good 1st round value, filled needs
In the 1st round, Edge/DE Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) fell to the Bucs, due to questions of his short arms, but his toughness, run stopping, and leadership aren’t questioned. 2nd round LB Josiah Trotter (Missouri), son of former LB Jeremiah Trotter, is an undersized MLB with good tackling, awareness, and pursuit, but he needs to improve in coverage. 3rd round WR Ted Hurst (Georgia State) is a lanky slot WR with good speed as a deep threat with inside/outside versatility, but he needs to play more physical and improve as a blocker. 4th round DB Keionte Scott (Miami) is a physical player who likes to help in the run game and blitz the QB, but he needs to improve his deep coverage he fits as Nickel CB/movable piece. 5th round DT DeMonte Capehart (Clemson) is a big lineman with good size and run stopping potential, but he was a limited starter in college. G Billy Schrauth (Notre Dame) is a tough, strong lineman with good leadership who needs to prove he can stay healthy and improve his technique. 6th round TE Bauer Sharp (LSU) is a converted QB who will need to earn a spot.
Falcons – C+ No starters, good prospects for depth
The Falcons didn’t have a 1st round pick after trading up for Edge James Pearce last year. The team had the feel-good story drafting CB Avieon Terrell (Clemson) to play with his brother A.J., he is another lanky playmaking CB who fits best in the slot, but he needs to add weight and clean up his technique; this was a good scenario for him. The team selected my sleeper WR Zachariah Branch (Georgia) in the 3rd round a speedy playmaker who should fill in at the return spots as he works up the depth chart. In the 4th round, LB Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma) is a coverage safety with good size, speed, and improving pass rush he will be a backup on the outside. DT Anterio Thompson (Washington) selected in the 6th round is an undersized interior rusher. LB Harold Perkins (LSU) gives them depth at Edge as an undersized pass rusher with good experience and leadership. T Ethan Onianwa (Ohio State) was selected in the 7th round and could be moved inside to Guard.
Saints – C+ 1 starter with injury concerns, good depth, too many WRs
The Saints found the #2 WR they were looking for in Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) who has good size, speed, and playmaking skill, but he needs to stay healthy. In the 2nd round, DT Christen Miller (Georgia) is a huge run stopper who will be groomed as a NT. 3rd round TE Oscar Delp (Georgia) is a backup TE with good blocking and improving pass catching. 4th round OG Jeremiah Wright (Auburn) is a strong run blocking lineman with good size, he needs to improve his pass blocking. WR Bryce Lance (NDST) is the younger brother of QB Trey Lance and a big WR with good speed he needs to cleanup his technique and route running. 5th round DB Lorenzo Styles Jr. (Ohio State) is the brother of Sonny Styles and an experienced Special Teams player with good technique and awareness, but he is still raw as a converted WR. 6th round pick WR Barion Brown (LSU) is a top-level kick returner with good speed and playmaking in space. 7th round pick CB T.J. Hall (Iowa) is a lanky, physical player who likes to hit and help in the run game while playing press coverage, he may need to earn his spot.
Panthers – B- Good value on the first 3 picks, no starters, but good depth with potential
The Panthers continued to fix the O-line with T Monroe Freeling (Georgia) getting good value as his name was rising into the top 10 before the draft as a potential starting LT with good size, arm length, and mobility; he may be the long-term RT. 2nd round DT Lee Hunter (Texas Tech) was viewed as a late 1st round pick, but didn’t show good athleticism, however he is a strong NT who can stop the run where he should see time on early downs. 3rd round WR Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee) was viewed as a sleeper with good size, speed, and hands giving him #1 WR potential if he can put it all together. 4th round CB Will Lee III (Texas A&M) is a lanky physical CB with inside/outside versatility, but he lacks speed. 5th round C Sam Hecht (Kansas State) is a strong, athletic lineman who plays with good technique, he needs to add strength but has potential. S Zakee Wheatley (Penn State) is a lanky, coverage DB and movable piece who plays with good awareness; he is still raw and most likely play on Special Teams. 7th round pick LB Jackson Kuwatch (Miami Ohio) has good size as a high-volume tackler in his one year as a starter and experienced Special Teams player.
