NFL Draft: Winners And Losers - Full Recap

NFC South The NFC South is a pass happy league. Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, and Josh Freeman. They all love to pass. Brees and Ryan are pocket guys. Newton and Freeman can move a little ,but, have live arms. In this league you need to be able to score and prevent (As much as possible) scoring. Secondaries play a key role. The Buccos needed to get some DBs to get in contention to win. They did. They went and got Goldson and Revis, two of the best in the league. The Saints had a dismantled season after losing their head coach and the Falcons had an easy path to win the league. Cam Newton had a disappointing year, and really wants to improve in 2013. The NFC South should be much improved from last season. The Bucs will contend, the Saints have Payton back, and the Falcons were 1 play from the Super Bowl. Falcons- RD 1 Desmond Trufant (CB), RD 2 Robert Alford (CB), RD 4 Malliciah Goodman (DE), RD 4 Levin Toilolo (TE), RD 5 Stansly Maponga (DE), RD 7 Kermal Ishmael (S), RD 7 Zeke Motta (S), RD 7 Sean Renfree The Falcons didn't need much in 2012. They were very nearly the NFC Champs. So, what do you do? You go get defensive help. They have White, Jones, and Gonzalez on offense and brought in Steven Jackson to run. Adding Desmond Trufant (Who has good family ties in the NFL) and Robert Alford in the first two rounds will sure up that defensive backfield. In this league, that is a good move. The two young guys rate high for everyone, but, they have a tough task in 2013. They also go get two defensive ends that can be there in the future and a TE in Toilolo that will be there next year after Tony Gonzalez is gone. With a productive draft the Falcons get a B. The Falcons only need a little bit, the two corners at the top of the draft will produce big time for this team. They got a big defensive end to start in the future and Toilolo who will learn a year under Tony Gonzalez and then start. It was a productive draft. Panthers- RD 1 Star Lotulelei (DT), RD 2 Kawaan Short (DT), RD 4 Edmund Kugbila (OG), RD 5 A.J. Klein (ILB), RD 6 Kenjon Barner (RB) The Panthers have Cam Newton and a decent offense, but, they had hardly any defense in 2012. Lotulelei and Short will likely start game 1 and will have the expectations of getting run stops and sacks. Same shoots for Klein who they rated fairly high. Kugbila has an easy job, don't let Newton get hit and open up holes for Smash and Dash. In round 6 they wanted to add another explosive back, that came in the form of the former Duck. Kenjon Barner is quick and has good enough size to be a productive back one day. The Panthers get a B-. Star is going to be a Star, or as much of a star that a DT can be. He is a force, and had a heart condition that caused him to fall. Kawaan Short will move in with him and be the defensive front for this Panthers team. They also brought Barner in to add more dash to their backfield. Saints- RD 1 Kenny Vacaaro (S), RD 3 Terron Armstead (OT), RD 3 John Jenkins (DT), RD 5 Kenny Stills (WR), RD 6 Rufus Johnson (DE) The Saints had a long year. Their defense was decimated by Goodell and so was their coaching staff. But, they're back and hungry. Drew Brees gives them a punchers chance for a Super Bowl each year. To stick with the leagues' theme, they went and got Vacaaro, the best safety in the draft, in the first round. He is smart and plays a solid safety position. He will also make big hits. Terron Armstead gets to come in and compete on day 1 to possibly start. John Jenkins is being brought in to solidify up front and probably will start. He is fast and a good tackler. Kenny Stills will be a fun toy for Brees to play with this year and will be in a receiver rotation on day 1. Who Dat? They get a C. The Saints needed some defensive help. That comes in the form of a big, smart safety, Kenny Vaccaro and John Jenkins. Kenny Stills will be yet another weapon for Drew Brees and the other two picks will add depth. Not a big draft, not overly productive. But, they took care of a need. Buccaneers- RD 2 Johnathan Banks (CB), RD 3 Mike Glennon (QB), RD 4 Akeem Spence (DT), RD 4 William Gholston (DE), RD 5 Steven Means (OLB), RD 6 Mike James (RB) The Bucs added even more defensive back depth with Banks. He joins Darrelle Revis in the back field, and he has to be excited for that. Mike Glennon will be brought in to push Freeman, who may be in a make or break year. Akeem Spence, William Gholston, and Steven Means will all be brought in to possibly start, but, will probably be depth guys in year one. The Buccos' didn't have much to do after a productive off-season. The Buccaneers get a D+. The Buccos did a lot in the offseason, they don't have much to use in the draft. They did bring in a solid corner, a solid backup (maybe starter next year) and some good depth. Not a very productive draft other than Banks.