NFL Draft Review: NFC South
Tampa Bay seeks their fourth straight division title but Atlanta has arrived.
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NFL DRAFT RECAP SERIES: NFCE || AFCE || NFCN || AFCN
NFC SOUTH 2025 NFL DRAFT RECAP
While most teams build from the inside-out, Tampa Bay decided to focus upon the perimeter in this year’s draft. With Mike Evans set to turn 32 years old and Chris Godwin dealing with some injuries in recent seasons, the Bucs plucked another physical wideout in Emeka Egbuka. This trio could prove to be as good as any and Baker Mayfield is sure to benefit. On the defensive side, the team added some much needed cornerback help. In fact they doubled-down on corners and then edge rushers in the later rounds. One of the best general managers in the NFL, Jason Licht has a clear vision.
The mainstream media shared mixed reviews on the Falcons draft class but here at All Access Football, we have given them the highest rankings. While they did have to sacrifice a first round pick in 2026, in terms of talent and impact, Atlanta significantly upgraded. In fact, there is a strong chance that four-of-their-five selections (all on defense) could wind up starting as soon as this year. Atlanta should be able to light up the scoreboard with the best of them. Should their defense hold up their end of the bargain, this could be a dangerous playoff squad. (photo: Atlanta Falcons)
The Panthers youth movement is in motion, as they had eight selections to use on their continued overhaul of the roster. All of their selections focused on prospects from blue-blood programs with top-level traits. They accomplished several goals, including a better supporting cast for third-year signal-caller Bryce Young, as well as an improved pass-rush on defense. Where they really did well was in the later rounds, identifying potential role players who fit their scheme. This should be an improved team but not by much.
Buckle up and hunker down Saints fans, it could be a long season in ‘The Big Easy.’ The organization has been ravaged by bad luck, starting with the offseason retirement of Derek Carr due to injury. Alvin Kamara has sustained at a high level but will be 30 years old and no one has stepped up to fill the void left by Michael Thomas. New Orleans had little money to spend in free agency and this could be a year where new head coach Kellen Moore looks to gut the roster, weed out players who don’t fit and begin laying the foundation for next year. The second round selection of Tyler Shough now becomes their most critical draft choice, as he will enter training camp as the favorite to win the starting quarterback role.
Coming off three straight division titles, the Buccaneers will begin the year as the NFC South favorites. However, the Falcons will push to take the next step and if Michael Penix develops as anticipated, this team could bee too talented to top.
Below is a pick-by-pick look for each team in the NFC South.
OVERALL IMPACT SCALE:
5 = Major Impact || 4 = High Impact || 3 = Average Impact || 2 = Low Impact || 1 = No Impact
ATLANTA FALCONS
ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL
Rd.1 No.15. Jalon Walker, ER, Georgia — Announced as a defensive end on draft night, Walker is expected to play a pass-rush role for the Falcons. However, he could fit best as a hybrid linebacker type, as he does lack bulk. He’s expected to raise the level of intensity and competitiveness.
Rd.1 No.26. James Pearce Jr., ER, Tennessee — The Falcons made a bold move with a trade back into the first round, to double-down on the edge. Blessed with an ideal frame, tremendous athleticism and excellent bend, Pearce Jr. has been ushered in to help lead the return of ‘Sacklanta.’
Rd.3 No.96. Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame — A polished safety capable of stuffing the run but also equally inept in pass coverage, Watts stands a strong chance to start alongside Jessie Bates III.
Rd.4 No.118. Billy Bowman Jr., S, Oklahoma — Possibly the biggest steal of the entire draft, Bowman is a savvy, deceptive cover man who has played safety and corner but will slide into the nickelback role for the Falcons.
Rd.7 No.218. Jack Nelson, OT, Wisconsin — With plenty of size and experience, Nelson is a well-coached player with sound fundamentals who can provide depth as a backup swingman at tackle.
OVERALL IMPACT = 5 Major Impact
CAROLINA PANTHERS
ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL
Rd.1 No.8. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona — It’s no secret that the Panthers needed to add playmakers and McMillan is as big as it gets. A dynamic, vertical threat, he should emerge as a go-to target for Bryce Young.
Rd.2 No.51. Nic Scourton, ER, Texas A&M — Blessed with a stout anchor, Scourton is a power-rusher who can generate great push and leverage. While his production was down this past year for the Aggies, he possesses ideal size and length.
Rd.3 No.77. Princely Umanmielen, ER, Ole Miss — A pass-rusher at his roots, Umanmielen is one of the better pure edge prospects in the draft. The Panthers sorely need to do a better job of pressuring the quarterback.
Rd.4 No.114. Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia — Ensuring that they have a readily available, healthy stable of backs, Carolina Will pair Etienne with Rico Dowdle, whom they plucked via free agency to backup starter Chuba Hubbard.
Rd.4 No.122. Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State — An aggressive defender who appeared in 55 games for the Buckeyes, Ransom makes an abundance of plays behind the lien of scrimmage but has dealt with injuries throughout his career.
Rd.5 No.140. Cam Jackson, DT, Florida — This new-look defensive line is going to benefit significantly from the presence of Jackson whose impact doesn’t always show up in the box score but his ability to gobble up double teams and clog lanes is huge.
Rd.5 No.163. Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame — While Evans doesn’t possess any elite traits, he does a little bit of everything well and should fit into the offense as a nice complimentary piece.
Rd.6 No.208. Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Colorado — Look for Horn Jr. to compete for a roster spot as a return man, as he holds vast experience as both a punt and kick returner. In addition, he is a sharp route runner with speed but does lack size.
OVERALL IMPACT = 3 Average Impact
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL
Rd.1 No.9. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas — New head coach Kellen Moore understands the importance of investing in the trenches having won a Super Bowl with Philadelphia. With Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga the Saints now have bookend tackles they can bank on.
Rd.2 No.40. Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville — With the sudden retirement of Derek Carr, the college journeyman Shough suddenly finds himself in a quarterback competition for the starting job. Will it be time for the ‘Shough and Duck Era’ in New Orleans?
Rd.3 No.71. Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas — A medical recall to Indianapolis dampened the draft stock of Broughton who brings, size, experience and the ability to pressure the quarterback. He should factor as a key rotational player.
Rd.3 No.93. Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia — An aggressive, physical safety whose size, speed, leadership and tenacious style provides the Saints with a skill-set that is similar to that of Brian Branch (Lions). Look for Sanker to play multiple spots.
Rd.4 No.112. Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma — How can you not like the size, pedigree and production that Stutsman adds. However, there was an alarming amount of missed tackles that showed up on film, so he’ll need to firm that up.
Rd.4 No.131. Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville — With fluid footwork, natural instincts and the versatility to play any position in the secondary, Riley could start off in a utility role and eventually compete for a starting job.
Rd.6 No.184. Devin Neal, RB, Kansas — The Saints employ a stable of backs who have been known to miss time due to injury, so injecting the fresh, young legs of Neal into the backfield mix was a smart late round investment.
Rd.7. No.248. Moliki Matavao, TE, UCLA — A big-bodied tight end, Matavao enters a crowded tight end room but Moore does like to employ multiple tight end sets, so a practice squad spot is attainable.
OVERALL IMPACT = 4 High Impact
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL
Rd.1 No.19. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State — Look for the polished Egbuka to make an instant impact. As a refined route runner who plays with a physicality who will fit right in with Tampa, he should find quick success.
Rd.1 No.53. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame — A smooth corner when healthy, Morrison owns a high football IQ and prestige character but durability is a concern. However based on his size, film and athleticism, this was tremendous value.
Rd.3 No.84. Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State — The feisty, physical Parrish gives opposing wideouts fits due to his aggressive style and ability to jam them off their mark. He should slide into the nickelback role but will need to cut down his penalties.
Rd.4 No.121. David Walker, ER, Central Arkansas — Don’t put it past Walker to emerge as a bonafide edge presence. He fell due to Day 3 due to his small school pedigree and lack of measurables but he just finds away to make quarterbacks feel his wrath.
Rd.5 No.157. Elijah Roberts, ER, SMU — A hybrid player who owns pass-rush ability, Roberts leans on his power to win in the trenches, where he can play just about any spot along the defensive line, or stand up and play outside linebacker.
Rd.7. No.235. Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon — Why not use a late round pick to roll the dice on a pint-sized playmaker who packs explosive playmaking ability. While Johnson lacks prototype size and speed, he does know how to separate.