2012 NFL Mock Draft: Day 2 Predictions for the NFC South

Only two of the teams from the NFC South got to make selections Thursday night in the 2012 NFL Draft. Carolina took linebacker Luke Kuechly at No. 9, and Tampa Bay traded twice in the first round and picked twice, grabbing safety Mark Barron and running back Doug Martin at No. 7 and No. 31, respectively.

On Friday, Atlanta and New Orleans get to make their first selections of the draft while the Panthers and Buccaneers get to add on to their draft classes they began Thursday.

Here are a few predictions.

Atlanta Falcons: Round 2 (55) and Round 3 (84)

There were some surprises in the first round, but Atlanta picks at the 23rd slot in the second round. I believe that all those surprise picks will have normalized by then, and the Falcons will still be able to go with the game plan they have in place.

I still think Atlanta will grab an offensive lineman in the second and a defensive lineman in the third. It’s still a bit early for prognostications, but since I have to, I’ll say Cal offense tackle Mitchell Schwartz at No. 55 and defensive tackle Brandon Thompson at No. 84.

Carolina Panthers: Round 2 (40)

Carolina has just one pick on Friday, and the Panthers are going to benefit from some of the surprises of the first round.

Just like they did with the No. 9 pick, the Panthers will go defense again at No. 40 and take defensive tackle Kendall Reyes. This is further solidifying the Carolina front seven and should grade out high because most thought Reyes was a potential first-round pick.

New Orleans Saints: Round 3 (89)

It’s still going to be a waiting game on Friday for Mickey Loomis, but when he does get to make a selection ,I think he’ll help new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo build his front seven.

Hebron Fangupo is a thick, strong defensive tackle that brings a big value as a run stuffer.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Round 3 (68)

Tampa Bay doesn’t have a second-round pick on Friday but got to select twice in the first round.

I think the Buccaneers might revisit their need at cornerback, since they missed—or didn’t really want—Morris Claiborne. Oklahoma corner Jamell Fleming could be a good pickup here for Tampa Bay. He’s athletic and a good ball-hawking back. Playing in the NFC South, Tampa Bay could use all the ball-hawking it can get.