2010 NFL Draft Grades: NFC South

The 2010 NFL Draft is now in the books and the staff members of NFLDraft101.com have each submitted their grades. We will go division by division recapping each team's draft and presenting our staff grades. (click on the team name for pick by pick analysis)

NFC South:

Atlanta Falcons - OLB Sean Weatherspoon is not the pass rushing defensive end many expected, but arguably fills a bigger need for Atlanta. Weatherspoon is coming off a sub-par senior season but he can still make plays sideline to sideline, defend the run and pass, and has leadership potential

Third-round selection DT Corey Peters was a slight reach, but he is a penetrator who adds depth to a thin position. The Falcons also added depth in the secondary with CB Dominique Franks and S Shann Schillinger. Franks could prove to be a day three steal, as he has good physical tools and  good coverage skills in both man and zone schemes. 

Offensively, the Falcons added depth with G Mike Johnson and C Joe Hawley. Both are good run blockers who the team expects to fight for starting jobs by 2011. The Falcons' failure to draft a defensive end puts pressure on recent draftees Kroy Bierman and Lawrence Sidbury to fill the team's pass rush void. 

Grade: C+

Carolina Panthers - Expected to focus on adding depth along the defensive line due to the departures of DE Julius Peppers and DT Maake Kemouatu, the Panthers audibled their draft strategy and ended QB Jimmy Clausen's draft free-fall. The leadership concerns were validated by his slide into the middle of Round Two, but he possesses the skill set to be a franchise quarterback. His experience in a pro style offense, along with the Panthers' strong ground attack and offensive line, allow him to be a contendor for the starting job right away.

The Panthers continued their surprising offensive focus by selecting WR Brandon LaFell and QB/WR Armanti Edwards in Round Three. LaFell has to improve his inconsistent hands, but he has the  physical tools to be an ideal complement playmaker to Steve Smith. 

Trading a 2010 second rounder was a bold move, but Edwards was the draft's top wildcat quarterback and his willingness to embrace a slash role positions him to be an excellent change of pace/playmaker option for the Panthers.

Despite the offensive focus early, the Panthers managed to grab two of the draft's day three value picks in OLB Eric Norwood and DE Greg Hardy. Norwood lacks ideal measureables but has tremendous instincts and a nose for the football, which should translate into early playing time. DE Greg Hardy is a first-round talent with natural pass rush skills who fell due to durability and work ethic concerns. 

Grade: A-

New Orleans Saints - Ignoring needs in its defensive front seven in Rounds One and Two, New Orleans chose to select CB Patrick Robinson and OT Charles Brown instead. The selection of Robinson marked the third straight year in which the Saints selected a cornerback in Round One or Two. Robinson has good physical tools but failed to play up to his talent in 2009.  Brown is arguably the most underrated offensive tackle in the draft, can play left tackle, and will provide insurance at both guard and tackle. 

Some consider TE Jimmy Graham a reach in Round Three but the former basketball player flashed his potential as a pass catcher in limited action in 2009. He could play sooner than expected in the team's pass heavy attack.

DT Al Woods was the team's only defensive pick aside from Robinson, and fills the team's need for a run stuffing defensive tackle. C Matt Tennant is very experienced and fundamentally sound. He could be a surprise.

Overall, there is a lot of upside in the Saints' selections but they failed to fill needs at defensive end and outside linebacker.   

Grade: C-

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Rather than try to fill all of their needs in one draft, the Buccaneers focused on filling their most pressing needs with multiple selections.

By drafting the defensive tackle duo of Gerald McCoy and Brian Price with their first two selections, they added two of the top three defensive tackles on NFLDraft101's board. While McCoy will generate the most publicity, both players are backfield disruptors who will improve the team's run and pass defense.  

The Bucs also provided QB Josh Freeman with some new weapons by drafting second rounder Arrelious Benn and fourth rounder Mike Williams. Both players feature a good blend of size and speed. Both possess first-round talent but slid due to either production concerns (Benn) or poor character (Williams).  Both were also great value picks where they were selected.  

Sandwiched between the two wide receiver selections was the tall, instinctive, corner Myron Lewis, who should be a good fit in the team's cover-two scheme. Of the team's late rounders, look for P Brent Bowden to earn a job and keep an eye on athletic LB/S Cody Grimm, who lacks a true position but has a passion for the game and a nose for the football.  

Grade: B+

(Please note: grades are based on how team's utilized their picks on draft weekend. Trades made prior to the draft are not accounted for in these grades)

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com . He can be reached at [e-mail]. Follow me on twitter: nfldraft101 .