NFL Draft Needs: NFC South

NFL DRAFT NEEDS

NFC-South

Original Story at Opensports.com

 

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are another team that had a great turn around season this year (the others being the Dolphins and Ravens). Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, and Roddy White turned the offense into one of the league's beast. The Falcons need some help on defense though; they have one of the league’s oldest units.

Grady Jackson, Lawyer Milloy, and Keith Brooking are all past their prime. The Falcons will take the first defensive tackle in the 2009 draft, and that might be B.J Raji from Boston College, who is a run-stuffing monster. He would be an immediate replacement for Jackson.

The Falcons would then use their 2nd and 3rd round picks on a strong safety and a outside linebacker. Other areas of needs that should be addressed in this draft are offensive line depth and a pass receiving tight end.


Carolina Panthers

The Panthers had a great season as they dominated the NFC, but they fell short in the playoffs losing to the Arizona Cardinals. They do not have a first round pick in this year’s draft. Surprisingly, Carolina is one of the few teams in the NFL that does not really need a first round pick.

The Panthers could use their 2nd or 3rd round pick on a wide receiver to replace the aging Muhsin Muhammad. Another offensive position of need is a quarterback who can be groomed to back up and eventually take over for Jake Delhomme.

On the defensive side of the ball the Panthers will need to draft a defensive end if they lose star defensive end Julius Peppers to free agency, and also a outside linebacker to add depth.



New Orleans Saints

The Saints and their fans expected a playoff team this season, but that did not turn out the case. Drew Brees was amazing, almost breaking Dan Marino’s single season passing yards record. The defense is the problem for the Saints, and they should heavily address this in the draft. The Saints need linebacker in the worst way. They possibly need to replace all three starters if they lose Vilma to free agency. 

They should draft either Curry, Maualuga,or Laurinaitis in the first round. If they select a backer in the first round, it would not surprise me if they selected a second linebacker in the 2nd or 3rd round. The cornerback position will also need to be addressed in the middle rounds for their defense. On the offensive side of the ball, they need to bring in a center that could possible start right away.



Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs had a decent season going, but they choked right before the playoffs and they were left out. Their offense has immediate needs at many positions. Quarterback, running back and wide receiver all need players who can come in and start right away. When Cadillac Williams went down with another terrible knee injury every football fan had to feel terrible for him.

The Bucs will need to find a replacement that can be a work house running back, because they do not know if Earnest Graham will be healthy at season’s start. I think the Bucs will use their first round pick to select the first running back in the 2009 draft, either Chris “Beanie” Wells or Knowshon Moreno. They also will need to find a long term solution at quarterback in the 2nd or 3rd rounds. On defense, they need to find a down the road replacement for aging Derrick Brooks.