The NFC South is at a crossroads as the 2022 NFL Draft approaches. The division became wide open with Tom Brady announcing his retirement, only to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40 days later. Bruce Arians stepped down as head coach weeks later and Tampa Bay gave the job to former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, so there will be new leadership among the Super Bowl contenders.
Sean Payton retired from the New Orleans Saints, who tasked Dennis Allen to keep the most successful run in franchise history going. New Orleans was in the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes before deciding to bring Jameis Winston back for two more seasons, hoping to make a playoff run with one of the top defenses in the NFL.
The Atlanta Falcons moved on from longtime quarterback Matt Ryan, the organization's leader in passing yards and touchdowns. A rebuilding Falcons team is entrusting Marcus Mariota to steer the ship in 2022, the first year of the post-Ryan era. The Carolina Panthers have a defense good enough to compete for a playoff berth, but have an issue at quarterback in Sam Darnold. This is a problem for head coach Matt Rhule, who needs to improve the team in 2022 in order to solidify his coaching future. Both teams were also in the mix for Watson before he chose the Cleveland Browns.
While the Buccaneers are looking to repeat as division champions, the Saints are seeking their fifth division title in six years as they look to regain the division throne. This year's draft will be crucial toward the rebuild of the Falcons, the Panthers searching to become a playoff team, the Saints seeking to make a playoff berth of their own, and the Buccaneers emerging as the top team in the conference.
All the NFC South teams must identify their most crucial needs, starting with this weekend's draft:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top 5 needs (unranked): IOL, CB, IDL, TE, RB
The Buccaneers are still waiting on what Rob Gronkowski or Ndamukong Suh will do in the coming weeks, making tight end and defensive tackle paramount in this draft. Tampa Bay did acquire Shaq Mason to help out the offensive line, yet still needs help to overcome the retirement of Ali Marpet and the loss of Alex Cappa in free agency. Tampa Bay could also give Tom Brady extra help at wide receiver, needing depth at the position until Chris Godwin is fully recovered from knee surgery. The Buccaneers could also use a No. 2 running back to pair with Leonard Fournette after Ronald Jones left in free agency.
The Buccaneers traded the No. 27 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the first pick in the second round (No. 33), a fourth-round pick (No. 106), and a sixth-round pick (No. 180).
2022 draft picks:
| Round (Overall Pick) | Selection | Grade |
|---|---|---|
2 (33) | TBD | |
2 (60) | TBD | |
3 (91) | TBD | |
| 4 (106) | TBD | |
4 (133) | TBD | |
| 6 (180) | TBD | |
7 (248) | TBD | |
7 (261) | TBD |
New Orleans Saints
Top 5 needs (unranked): QB, S, TE
The Saints will be getting Michael Thomas back, but another reliable option at wide receiver will be important for Winston -- or whomever their quarterback is -- in 2022.
New Orleans added an extra first-round pick to get into the quarterback market, making the Saints a player for one of the top signal-callers available. They traded the No. 16 pick to the Washington Commanders to move up to No. 11, selecting Chris Olave from Ohio State. He'll pair with Thomas at wide receiver. New Orleans gave up No. 16, No. 98 and No. 120 to move up five spots.
The Saints needed to find a long-term solution for departed tackle Terron Armstead, which they believe they found in Trevor Penning. They'll also need to find a long-term solution for retired safety Malcolm Jenkins, a leader on their roster over the last few years.
2022 draft picks:
| Round (Overall Pick) | Selection | Grade |
|---|---|---|
1 (11) -- from Washington | Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State | C+ |
1 (19) | Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa | B- |
2 (49) | TBD | |
5 (161) | TBD | |
| 6 (194) | TBD |
Atlanta Falcons
Top 5 needs (unranked): EDGE, S, LB, QB
The Falcons have one of the worst rosters in the NFL, so they practically have a need at every position. Outside of Kyle Pitts, Marcus Mariota had no reliable pass-catching options after Russell Gage departed to the Buccaneers and Calvin Ridley was suspended a year for gambling.
Wide receiver was be the primary target in the first round, as teh falcons took the first wide receiver in the draft with Drake London at No. 8. London had 88 catches for 1,084 yards despite his season-ending injury in October.
2022 draft picks:
| Round (Overall Pick) | Selection | Grade |
|---|---|---|
1 (8) | Drake London, WR, USC | B- |
2 (43) | TBD | |
2 (58) | TBD | |
3 (74) | TBD | |
3 (82) | TBD | |
4 (114) | TBD | |
5 (151) | TBD | |
6 (190) | TBD | |
6 (213) | TBD |
Carolina Panthers
Top 5 needs (unranked): QB, IOL, EDGE, LB
The Panthers pick in the top 10, then don't select until near the end of the fourth round thanks to the Sam Darnold trade last offseason. Carolina needed help on the offensive line, which makes that No. 6 pick important for a team that could use a franchise left tackle -- which they think they landed in Ickey Ekwonu. He allowed just three sacks in 500 pass-blocking snaps last year.
Having to wait 130 picks until their next selection isn't ideal for Carolina, especially for a roster that relies on Christian McCaffrey's health to win games.
2022 draft picks:
| Round (Overall Pick) | Selection | Grade |
|---|---|---|
1 (6) | Ikem Ekwonu, OL, NC State | B+ |
4 (137) | TBD | |
5 (144) | TBD | |
5 (149) | TBD | |
6 (199) | TBD | |
7 (242) | TBD |
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