2012 NFL Draft: Biggest Draft Need for Every NFC South Team

The NFC South is known, in part, as a division of quarterbacks.

The Saints' Drew Brees leads the NFL in passing yards last year with 5,476. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and Panthers signal-caller Cam Newton were also in the top 10, with 4,177 and 4,051 yards passing, respectively.

Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman, even in a down year, ranked 13th in the league in passing and has the upside to push up and give the division four top-10 passers.

What does this all mean for the NFL draft next weekend?

Each team will likely address the passing game with its first pick in the draft.

Tampa Bay gave up 30 touchdown passes in 2011, only two teams were worse. If things go well for the Buccaneers, they'll get LSU corner Maurice Claiborne at the No. 5 pick. This will help slow down the potent passing offensives on the NFC South.

Atlanta's new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is known for a vertical passing game. For the Falcons to pull this off, Ryan is going to have to be protected better than he was in 2011. Atlanta will likely look at an offensive lineman with its first pick in the draft at No. 55.

Carolina and New Orleans will both look at defensive ends with their first picks. The Panthers and the Saints could use some help getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Carolina picks in the first round at No. 9, but New Orleans will have wait until the third round to make its first pick.

Everything in the NFL happens for a reason. Since the NFC South is so pass happy, all four teams will need to address the passing game—either their own or the rest of the division's.

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