Draft Grades: NFC South

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Grade: B

Best Pick: Jamaal Anderson

Sleeper: Laurent Robinson

Picks: (10) DE Jamaal Anderson, OG Justin Blaylock, WR Laurent Robinson, LB Stephen Nicholas, TE Martrez Milner, DT Trey Lewis, CB David Irons, C Doug Datish, S Daren Stone, FB Jason Snelling

Comments: A solid but unspectacular draft for a team in need of a good season. The Falcons definitely filled a need with top pick Jamaal Anderson. Matrez Milner is an interesting prospect at tight end, with good speed for his size.

Carolina Panthers

Grade: A

Best Pick: Ryan Kalil

Sleeper: Charles Johnson

Picks: (8) LB Jon Beason, WR Dwayne Jarrett, C Ryan Kalil, DE Charles Johnson, DE Brian Robinson, FB Donte Rosario, OLB Tim Shaw, CB C.J. Wilson

Comments: The Panthers took four players who could be key parts of a very good team in 2007. Ryan Kalil is one of my favorite picks in this draft, as he is both a leader and winner. Jon Beason will bring much-needed help to a linebacking coprs that has been decimated over the past few seasons.

New Orleans Saints

Grade: C+

Best Pick: Usama Young

Sleeper: Jermon Bushrod

Picks: (7) WR Robert Meachum, CB Usama Young, OG Andy Alleman, RB Antonio Pittman, OL Jermon Bushrod, CB David Jones, LB Marvin Mitchell

Comments: This is a draft that I'm not particularly excited about. Meachum is a very good wideout and I like the upside of Usama Young and Jermon Bushrod—but the rest of the class is lackluster at best.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Grade: B

Best Pick: Gaines Adams

Sleeper: Kenneth Darby

Picks: (10) DE Gaines Adams, OG Arron Sears, S Sabby Piscitelli, LB Quincy Black, CB Tanard Jackson, DT Greg Peterson, LB Adam Hayward, OT Chris Denman, CB Marcus Hamilton, RB Kenneth Darby

Comments: The Bucs got some much-needed youth on defense and picked up some offensive line help to boot. Gaines Adams is great at rushing the passer and will get to learn under sack master Simeon Rice.