2019 NFL Draft Recap – NFC South

Now that the NFL Draft has long seen its completion, it’s a great opportunity to dive in and analyse the potential. The NFC South is a division that could challenge for the best in football given the state of excellence housed on each roster. Even though we witnessed a side step last year for all teams outside of the Saints, we have complete faith that after this draft, a return to form will transpire. 

NFC SOUTH

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Round 2 (48): Erik McCoy (OL) - Texas A&M
Round 4 (105): Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (DB) - Florida
Round 6 (177): Saquan Hampton (DB) - Rutgers
Round 7 (231): Alize Mack (TE) - Notre Dame
Round 7 (244): Kaden Elliss (LB) - Idaho

Undrafted Free Agents

Carl Granderson, DE, Wyoming | Derrick Kelly, OL, Florida State | Kenny Bigelow, DL, West Virginia | Jake Powell, TE, Monmouth | Lil'Jordan Humphrey, WR, Texas | Devine Ozigbo, RB, Nebraska | Shy Tuttle, DT, Tennessee | Darnell Holland, RB, Kennesaw State | Deonte Harris, WR, Assumption College | Jordan Wyatt, CB, SMU | Ethan Greenridge, OL, Villanova | Nick Moore, LS, Georgia | Chase Hansen, LB, Utah | Emmanuel Butler, WR, Northern Arizona | Mike Herndon, OL, Pitt | Corbin Kaufusi, DE, BYU | Darius Williams, Colorado State-Pueblo

When the New Orleans Saints swung for the fences last offseason and traded away their future first round pick to secure Marcus Davenport, retooling while adding depth would be a problem in 2019.

With how the Saints roster is currently constructed, only a few pieces look to be missing for them to challenge for another shot at Super Bowl supremacy. With news that their starting center Max Unger has chosen the path of early retirement from the game of football, the Saints instantly rectified that concern with selecting Erik McCoy to take his place. While McCoy isn’t the most nimble of players to grace an offensive line, his technique surely makes up for it. Filling one of their most glaring needs was the objective and the Saints wasted no time.

With depth being something of a concern on the defensive side of the ball, the Saints chose to select two safeties with rather nice intangibles. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is a player that should push the team’s current starters for playing time with his electrifying speed and quickness. Having the ability to not shy away from big hits, New Orleans might have found a true playmaker on the backend to provide greater efficiency in the secondary.

One player that does make us pause and take some notice is the Saints seventh round pick in Notre Dame prospect Alize Mack. Possessing fantastic size and speed with great agile traits, he could become quite the dark horse in this offense. While it’s understood that Jared Cook will be the starting tight end for this club, seeing the progression of Mack will be something to watch closely.        

ATLANTA FALCONS

Round 1 (14): Chris Lindstrom (OL) - Boston College

Round 1 (31): Kaleb McGary (OL) - Washington
Round 4 (111): Kendall Sheffield (DB) - Ohio State
Round 4 (135): John Cominsky (DL) - Charleston Univ.
Round 5 (152): Qadree Ollison (RB) - Pittsburgh
Round 5 (172): Jordan Miller (DB) - Washington
Round 6 (203): Marcus Green (RB) - Louisiana-Monroe

Undrafted Free Agents

Rashard Causey, CB, UCF | Parker Baldwin, S, San Diego State | Olamide Zaccheaus, WR, Virginia | Del'Shawn Phillips, LB, Illinois | Jaelin Robinson, OL, Temple | Jayson Stanley, WR, Georgia | Durrant Miles, DL, Boise State | Tre Crawford III, LB, Alabama Birmingham | Yurik Bethune, LB, Alabama A&M | Devon Johnson, OL, Ferris State | Kyle Vasey, LS, Penn State | Kahlil Lewis, WR, Cincinnati | Shawn Bane, Jr., WR, Northwest Missouri State | Chandler Miller, C Tulsa | CJ Worton, WR, Florida International | Lanard Bonner, OL, Arkansas State

Over the years the Falcons haven’t been shy in drafting the best offensive weapons to help Matt Ryan and this offense become a dominating force. However heading into this NFL draft, it was clear that general manager Thomas Dimitroff could no longer ignore the inefficiencies littered on this roster.

With an offensive line being pegged as suspect on more than one occasion, the Falcons used two first round picks to shore up their blocking issues. Selecting guard Chris Lindstrom at pick 14 should pay instant dividends to help solidify the middle of the line. Being put together extremely well, Lindstrom possesses an elite level of athletic ability that should carry him to a long NFL career.

Adding to the retooling of this line, selecting Kaleb McGary to potentially man the other bookend opposite of Jake Matthews will provide great returns early. McGary has unbelievable size standing at 6-foot, 7-inches tall and houses some of the best feet we’ve seen coming out of this draft. With protecting Matt Ryan being a primary objective, the Falcons look to have hit two giant homeruns here.

Instead of selecting the best players available, this year’s draft proved that Atlanta was forced to draft for need and depth if they would like to challenge the Saints for the division crown. Requiring help in the secondary, bringing on Ohio State standout Kendall Sheffield might provide that added punch. His speed is truly off the charts and should at minimum find a way to have a role in nickel and dime packages. There is refinement needed to his overall game, but we like the prospect of him having a role.    

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Round 1 (16): Brian Burns (DL) - Florida State
Round 2 (37): Greg Little (Ol) - Mississippi
Round 3 (100): Will Grier (QB) - West Virginia
Round 4 (115): Christian Miller (LB) - Alabama
Round 5 (154): Jordan Scarlett (RB) - Florida
Round 6 (212): Dennis Daley (OL) - South Carolina
Round 7 (237): Terry Godwin (WR) - Georgia

Undrafted Free Agents

Elijah Holyfield, RB, Georgia | Jordan Kunaszyk, LB, Cal | Corrion Ballard, DB, Utah |Damion Jeanpiere Jr., WR, Nicholls State

It was unfortunate to witness the utter collapse of the Panthers last season as they began the year perfectly. Knowing the roster did hold many issues, this draft should provide the elixir required to get back on track.

Understanding that the defense required a large face lift to get back to levels we all expect, Carolina chose edge rushing dynamo Brian Burns to help the recreation. Checking off all boxes and passing the eye test in terms of ability and size, Burns should be a day one starter wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Seeing NFL scouting comparisons to the likes of the Bears Leonard Floyd, we aren’t sure we can go that far, but Burns does possess very special talents. With recent news that Gerald McCoy has signed on with the club, this defensive front could be a very impressive unit in 2019.

While protecting Cam Newton from further injury, the Panthers selected more depth for the offensive line in Greg Little. While Little does possess good size to man the outside position on the line, he will have some work to do in camp to prove he’s worthy of a starting spot. He will have to impress to displace current starter Taylor Moton at the left tackle spot.

The buzz from this class went in the third round when the Panthers chose to select quarterback Will Grier from West Virginia. Most believe that Cam Newton still has many years left in the tank which made some take notice to the potential of Carolina moving on from him in the near future. As seen after the draft, many continue to sing the praises of Grier’s overall game, but we still have an uneven outlook. Grier has the prototypical size NFL clubs look for but lacks in overall arm strength which could become an issue. Possessing good levels of accuracy over his college career Grier should be able to remove the stigma while hitting all his receivers with regularity. This is far from a sure thing but we understand the excitement lead by some.

One player that does give us a good level of intrigue is undrafted free agent Elijah Holyfield. It was clear from the combine that Holyfield didn’t cut it in terms of athletic ability and speed which dropped his ranks to become undrafted. However, the Panthers have been looking for this type of runner to help aid super star Christian McCaffrey with a pounding type nature. It’s unclear how much work Holyfield will get this season, but he has a glorious opportunity on his plate. He is one to watch during training camp.    

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Round 1 (5): Devin White (LB) - LSU
Round 2 (39): Sean Bunting (DB) - Central Michigan
Round 3 (94): Jamel Dean (DB) - Auburn
Round 3 (99): Mike Edwards (DB) - Kentucky
Round 4 (107): Anthony Nelson (DL) - Iowa
Round 5 (145): Matt Gay (K) - Utah
Round 6 (208): Scott Miller (WR) - Bowling Green
Round 7 (215): Terry Beckner Jr. (DL) - Missouri

Undrafted Free Agents

Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Mississippi State | Kahzin Daniels, DE, Charleston | Zack Bailey, OL South Carolina | Nate Trewyn, C, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Malik Taylor, WR, Ferris State |

Anthony Johnson, WR, Buffalo | Contrelle Simpson, WR, Richmond | DaMarkus Lodge, WR, Ole Miss | Jalen Allison, WR, North Dakota State | Bruce Anderson, RB, North Dakota State | Isaiah Searight, TE, Fordham | Lukas Denis, S, Boston College | Dan Godsil, LS, Indiana

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been the epitome of disaster over the last few seasons never being able to fully realize the strengths employed on this roster. With the jury still out on what Jameis Winston could really become, new head coach Bruce Arians has a large task to bring it all together.

Starting on the right foot, the Bucs selected sure fire prospect from LSU in line backer Devin White. White was one of our favorites to come out of this draft as he checks off all the boxes we look for in a middle line backer. While his height does leave something to be desired, he makes up for it in how he carries himself on the field. White will come in day one and become a leader on a defense that requires some assistance. Playing alongside Lavonte David could prove to be one of the best duos in the NFL.

The Buccaneers have equivocally had major issues on the defensive backend with first round picks not coming to fruition these past few seasons. Adding more talent to the group, Tampa Bay secured a lock down corner in Sean Bunting. Having the desired height and good speed to keep up with elite wide receivers, his intelligence also gives him that edge. Bunting has been seen to get burned from time-to-time meaning he’ll have to iron out some technique issues as other aspects to his game look solid.

Staying the course to correct all inadequacies in the defensive back room, Tampa Bay found another blue chip prospect in Jamel Dean from Auburn. Dean is lightning fast and will rarely let any receiver gain the edge and pass him by. Dean also plays press coverage with the best in the business which makes him almost a sure thing. The red flags for Dean come in the form of a terrifying medical history where injuries jumble the overall fabric. If Dean can manage to remain on the field, the Bucs have a true difference maker on their hands.