Division by Division NFL Draft Recap, Part Three: AFC and NFC South
With the NFL Draft in the rearview, I’ll be breaking down each class by division over the next few days. For this edition, we’ll take a look at the South divisions in both conferences. To read my recaps of the North and East divisions, click on the links below:
In this series, I’ll be giving my thoughts on the overall classes and highlighting my favorite selections and a surprise pick for each squad, as well as giving my “Draft Grade.” My grades are very much grounded in process and perceived value, relying on consensus rankings and my own evaluation of the class. An average Draft from that perspective would garner a “C” grade. The following grading scale will be used for all class evaluations:
A = Exemplary selection process and value added
B = Good process and solid overall prospect value
C = Average process and value added
D = Poor process or value added
F = Failure to effectively plan and execute a competent Draft strategy
With that in mind, let’s dive into my evaluation of the AFC and NFC South team Drafts.
AFC SOUTH
HOUSTON TEXANS
Favorite Pick: OT Aireontae Ersery (2nd Rd)
Surprise Pick: WR Jaylin Noel (3rd Rd)
Draft Grade: B-
My Take: Houston’s offense-heavy Draft class should help boost a unit that struggled in CJ Stroud’s sophomore campaign, one that was majorly derailed by the total collapse of the OL. The addition of Ersery with their 2nd Round 2 selection gives them upside for the future at OT, and he was a player getting 1st Round consideration late in the Draft process, so good value for HOU there. The Noel pick was interesting after using the 34th pick (from NYG) to snag his college teammate at the same position in Jayden Higgins. I don’t dislike the move, but it’s an interesting case study for 2 very different players stylistically. Overall, I felt the Texans could have done more at OL, but I can’t complain with most of their selections.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Favorite Pick: TE Tyler Warren (1st Rd)
Surprise Pick: CB Justin Walley (3rd Rd)
Draft Grade: B+
My Take: Landing Warren was a dream come true for Indy, addressing their top need with many evaluators’ top player at the position after another TE already came off the board (Colston Loveland to CHI, Pick 10). Warren gives embattled young QB Anthony Richardson an “easy button” target over the middle of the field. Walley is a good player, but I thought it was a reach in the 3rd Rd. I really liked the Colts’ approach to this Draft overall, adding talent at premium positions early and giving their young QB his best chance to succeed by adding a playmaker like Warren. Finding out who Richardson is this season is the priority.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Favorite Pick: CB Travis Hunter (1st Rd)
Surprise Pick: LeQuint Allen (7th Rd)
Draft Grade: B+
My Take: The Jags’ new Front Office wasted little time making a big splash in Year 1, sending a haul to Cleveland to move up to No. 2 Overall for transformational talent Travis Hunter. Hunter will give QB Trevor Lawrence another elite target across from Rookie sensation Brian Thomas Jr. and he’ll also give JAX much-needed coverage help on defense. It’s a big swing, but it could prove fruitful for an organization hoping to rebound after a disappointing showing in 2024. Allen was the 2nd RB taken by the Jags in this class despite having Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby already locked in for 2025, so that was a little strange, but overall I like the Jags’ trajectory after this Draft.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Favorite Pick: QB Cam Ward (1st Rd)
Surprise Pick: ED Olu Oladejo (2nd Rd)
Draft Grade: A-
My Take: Cam Ward is getting zero headlines and honestly, while it’s a bit strange and unfair for the 1st Overall pick, it’s not a bad thing for the young passer or the Titans in 2025. I think the Ward pick could be a homerun for a struggling organization, but is this the coaching staff to take advantage? Going with Oladejo in the 2nd Round and waiting to make a move at WR until Rd. 4 was an interesting choice. If I’m a TEN fan I’m not loving a WR room with a projected starting trio of Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, and Treylon Burks for my Rookie QB. Overall though, an A-level grade for process by taking the best player in the Class at the game’s most important position.
NFC SOUTH
ATLANTA FALCONS
Favorite Pick: ED/LB Jalon Walker (1st Rd)
Surprise Pick: ED James Pierce, Jr. (1st Rd)
Draft Grade: C-
My Take: Wow. Okay. This is the 2nd Draft class in a row for the Falcons that leaves you guessing, but maybe it hits like the Penix pick did last year and everyone will be good with it. I love Jalon Walker at 15th overall, but coming back up for the polarizing Pierce, Jr. and giving up a future 1st Rd pick to do so reeks of desperation, and mortgaging the future out of desperation rarely works out for a Front Office. I get attacking your biggest need (ED) and getting more dynamic there quickly, but when accounting for value and good process, I think this class leaves something to be desired.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Favorite Pick: WR Tet McMillan (1st Rd)
Surprise Pick: ED Princely Umanmielen (3rd Rd)
Draft Grade: B+
My Take: I’m more intrigued about CAR than I have been in a while, with HC Dave Canales’ and GM Dan Morgan’s doing a great job of adding talent to fill needs while maximizing value. The Tet McMillan pick makes a ton of sense for QB Bryce Young, and the narrative around McMillan as the Draft got closer never made sense. He was always WR1 in the class based on the tape and tools. Adding Umanmielen immediately after selecting ED Nic Scourton a round previous was interesting in the moment, but with Jadaveon Clowney moving on after the Draft it makes a little more sense. The Panthers’ defense was non-existent in 2024. Addressing it early in the Draft was a necessity.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Favorite Pick: QB Tyler Shough (2nd Rd)
Surprise Pick: SAF Jonas Sanker (3rd Rd)
Draft Grade: B
My Take: Derek Carr’s eventual retirement makes the Shough selection even more understandable and likeable given the dearth of high-end talent at the position. They get an experienced player with physical upside, despite him being an older prospect with an injury history. If it’s a bad year, you move on without remorse based on where you took him, but if he’s at least intriguing by year’s end, it’s great value for HC Kellen Moore and Co. All that said, I did not get the Sanker pick in Rd. 3 based on value. He was projected a late Day 3 player by most, so a reach by consensus account.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Favorite Pick: CB Benjamin Morrison (2nd Rd)
Surprise Pick: WR Emeka Egbuka (1st Rd)
Draft Grade: C
My Take: A lot of people love what the Bucs did on Draft Weekend. I’m cooler on the process than I am the actual prospects taken, but that doesn’t mean I hate it. It’s an average-type class in my book. Loved the Morrison pick in Rd. 2. If he had been healthy, he would’ve been a 1st Rd. pick. The Egbuka pick in Rd. 1 went against convention, with most, including myself pegging them for defensive help, but a little forward thinking provides context, with Mike Evans aging and Chris Godwin’s injury history, plus I love the player. Given the state of the current roster, I do feel they should have addressed the LOS on Defense earlier than Round 4 when they took ED David Walker out of Central Arkansas.
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