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NFC South - Draft Report Card Buccaneers: B Round 1 (17) Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State Gruden's ultimate undoing may have had more to do with the QB position than anyone would have realized. For years, the Bucs carried a roster full of fill-ins, but never pulled the trigger on getting a legit signal caller. At least they made an effort here. Round 3 (81) Roy Miller, DT, Texas The Bucs needed an infusion at DT, so they added a very powerful guy to their fold when they selected Miller. However, they have gone after him too early. Most considered Miller a mid to late Rounder. Round 4 (117) Kyle Moore, DE, Southern Cal Moore is a solid DE, which is a position where help was needed. At 6'5 270lbs., he has room to get even bigger. Round 5 (155) Xavier Fulton, OT, Illinois The Bucs O-Line is in good shape, but it never hurts to have rotational depth around. Fulton is raw, but he's good value here. Round 7 (217) E.J. Biggers, CB, Western Michigan Biggers is an underrated talent at CB that was worth the pick. Round 7 (233) Sammie Stroughter, WR, Oregon State Had some things happened differently for Stroughter in the past, we'd be looking at a mid-Rounder here. He's a gifted slot WR. The Bucs didn't have a lot of needs going into the draft, but they got their QB while adding some good D-Lineman. While this wasn't a real sexy draft for them, they got some nice depth/rotational guys. Falcons: A Round 1 (24) Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi I can see why Raji was rated as the best DT in the draft, but don't be shocked if Jerry ends up having the better career. This kid is an absolute best. He'll instantly make Atlanta's D-Line better. Round 2 (55) William Moore, SS, Missouri Moore's play did drop off as a Senior, but the guy was hurt most of the year. If you watch his Junior year tape, it's obvious the guy can play. He'll give DeCoud some great competition for the starting SS spot. Round 3 (90) Christopher Owens, CB, San Jose State The Falcons were looking for help at CB, and they got some here. Owens is a very good prospect that has a real shot of being a starter in 2-3 years. Round 4 (125) Lawrence Sidbury Jr., DE, Richmond Jamaal Anderson should take notice that Sidbury is in town. This kid's got loads of talent and can produce. He's a 2nd-3rd Round talent. Round 5 (138) William Middleton, CB, Furman Middleton's a small school guy with solid potential. While I did not see him going this early, he should be able to find a spot on some roster. Round 5 (156) Garrett Reynolds, OT, North Carolina Reynolds is a nice selection here and should be able to fill in at RT if the situation calls for it. He is another guy however that I think was taken a round early. Round 6 (176) Spencer Adkins, OLB, Miami Adkins is a solid player, but his play hasn't always matched his ability. He'll really need to kick it in to have any shot of making it. Round 7 (210) Vance Walker, DT, Georgia Tech This may look like a bit of a homer pick, but Walker was touted by many to be a 5th Round talent. So, he could end up being a bit of a steal here. Overall, the Falcons did a fine job of getting talent where they needed help. Bear in mind that they also got Tony Gonzales, so they had the luxury of really focusing in on Defense. With some of the aforementioned seeing time as Rookies, this team will be very strong. Panthers: B- Round 2 (43) Everette Brown, DE, Florida State Brown is a very solid, yet undersized DE. This was a nice play to help plan for the eventual departure of Julius Peppers. Round 2 (59) Sherrod Martin, FS, Troy Martin is gifted enough to play at FS or CB. Considering Marshall's recent play at CB, that may be where Martin is headed. Round 3 (93) Corvey Irvin, DT, Georgia Even though his post season workouts left a lot to be desired, Irvin had a good Senior campaign and should help bring some umph to the D-Line. Round 4 (111) Mike Goodson, RB, Texas A&M Even though Goodson is one heck of a RB, this picked surprised me. With Williams and Stewart in the backfield, how often will he get touches? Round 4 (128) Tony Fiammetta, FB, Syracuse Brad Hoover should start packing his bags. Fiametta was the best FB in the draft and is a complete stud. Round 5 (163) Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma I'm still not sure hoe Duke falls here, but the Panthers reap the spoils here. I wouldn't be shocked if he ends up being a starter in 2-3 years. Round 7 (216) Captain Munnerlyn, CB, South Carolina This kid's a head case, but he can play ball and is worth a 5th Round pick let alone a 7th Rounder. This team didn't have many needs going into the draft, so they were able to add guys in places that may have not been anticipated. Their Defense should be even better with the added D-Line and Secondary help. They did okay considering they didn't have a 1st Rounder. Saints: B+ Round 1 (14) Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State Jenkins was a solid pick here, as most viewed him to be the best prospect in the draft at CB or FS. He should fill in for Sharper nicely. Round 4 (116) Chip Vaughn, SS, Wake Forest Vaughn was one of the most athletics Safeties in the draft, and has the talent to give Roman Harper a run for his money. Round 4 (118) Stanley Arnoux, ILB, Wake Forest While I think that may have been a reach by 15-20 picks, the Saints need help at LB and Arnoux is quite respectable. He didn't get much of his deserved credit because he played alongside of Curry. Round 5 (164) Thomas Morstead, P, Southern Methodist This wasn't a sexy pick, but he certainly fills a need. With only four picks, the Saints didn't have a lot going on. However, they made the most of the picks they did have and went after their greatest needs on Defense. I think all of their selections will see a lot of playing time within 1-2 years. |