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4/29/08
NFL Draft Grades - NFC South: Matt Ryan Faces A Dogfight
Who had the best draft? The most accurate way to grade every team is to say: Incomplete.

But that's no fun.

We obviously won't be able to judge for several years, but in terms of addressing needs and getting players of value, here's some of my thoughts on the AFC South, but I'm more interested in yours.

(Just including top 5 picks, but grade based on total draft)


Atlanta Hawks
1 (3) - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
1 (21) - Sam Baker, OT, USC
2 (37) - Curtis Lofton, LB, Oklahoma
3 (68) - Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU
3 (84) - Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville
Glenn Dorsey was the best player available at No. 3, but I'm not going to be overly critical of an organization that desperately needs to head in a new direction at QB. A direction that's not Chris Redman. I firmly believe Dorsey will be a regular Pro Bowler, so Ryan is going to face a tremendous amount of criticism throughout his career, regardless of his success. Trading up for Baker was a little puzzling. Chevis Jackson dominated many football games. Great steal there at 68. B

Carolina Panthers
1 (13) - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
1 (19) - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
3 (67) - Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa
3 (74) - Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
5 (141) - Gary Barnidge, TE, Louisville
One of the bigger curveballs of the draft was Stewart rising to be the 2nd RB taken. I like Stewart, but not that high. The Panthers could have made their current running backs significantly better by drafting a couple lineman instead. Otah at 19 works for me. I think Dan Connor was one of the biggest steals in the draft. B+

New Orleans Saints
1 (7) - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
2 (40) - Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
5 (144) - DeMario Pressley, DT, North Carolina State
5 (164) - Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
6 (178) - Taylor Mehlhaff, K, Wisconsin
Sean Payton may have found himself another Colston in 7th round pick Adrian Arrington. I like him more as a NFL guy than Manningham. Sedrick Ellis is a stud. Good solid draft, addressed needs as best they could. A-

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1 (20) - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
2 (58) - Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian State
3 (83) - Jeremy Zuttah, OG, Rutgers
4 (115) - Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
5 (160) - Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego
If not for admitting he smoked a few times, Talib would have been taken 10th overall. Great get. Dexter Jackson has the speed to be a great Wes Welker-type sliding into holes in the slot position. Not terribly familiar with Josh Johnson, but I like the small amounts I've seen. They needed to take a chance on a future QB in the late rounds. B+

Who was the best pick in this division? Worst? Your thoughts are welcome below.

Up next: AFC West
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