NFL

2008 NFL Draft Needs: NFC South

All four teams in the NFC South have their share of holes to fill in three weeks to make the division as competitive in 2008 as it was supposed to be before injuries, inconsistency, and idiocy made the division an afterthought in 2007.

Atlanta Falcons (4-12 in 2007)

Coach: Mike Smith (1st year)

What didn’t go wrong for the Falcons last year? From Mike Vick getting put away for his illegal hobby, to Bobby Petrino bolting out of nowhere in December, it was a forgettable season for the Dirty Birds.

But, it’s time to look to the future, with a new, more committed head coach in place, and there are already building blocks in place in the likes of RB Michael Turner. However, there are quite a few needs that must be addressed on draft weekend to really put Atlanta on the right track.

Draft Needs: OL, QB, DT, CB, WR, LB, TE

1. Offensive Line: Atlanta needs a new QB, but they need to make it a priority to get some new bodies to protect the QB and open holes for Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood.

They might be best suited to go for Michigan’s Jake Long with their first pick, because several of the top offensive tackles will be off the board when they pick in the second round.

Quarterback: Chris Redman and Joey Harrington likely aren’t the answer, that much is true. Do they go for Matt Ryan in the first, or wait for Chad Henne, Joe Flacco, or possibly Brian Brohm in the second? It might be in their best interests to go for the latter idea.

3. Cornerback: With them trading away DeAngelo Hall, they need a new stud in the secondary. With three second-round picks, they could go for Brandon Flowers, Tracy Porter, Reggie Smith, or Justin King in the second round.

Carolina Panthers (7-9 in 2007)

Coach: John Fox (7th year)

The Panthers were expected to be a contender in the NFC, but thanks to a slump after a solid start, things went downhill for Carolina, and they missed out on the playoffs.

2008 could be a make-or-break year for Fox and GM Marty Hurney, so the draft will be pivotal, because those early rounds could produce a couple of instant-impact players that help the Panthers get back to contending for the playoffs.

Draft Needs: DE, FS, OL, DT, RB, QB, WR, TE

1. Defensive End: Mike Rucker doesn’t have much left, and Julius Peppers is coming off of a career-worst season.

So, the Panthers need to use one of their first two picks on a dominant end that can take over for Rucker, and make Carolina’s pass rush feared once again.

2. Free Safety: The free safety class is pretty light, but they could nab their future at the position in a DaJuan Morgan in the second or third round, and may get the good fortune of having Miami’s Kenny Phillips falling into their laps at that point.

3. Offensive Line: It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Panthers use the #13 pick on a tackle like Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah, or Chris Williams, which would allow current left tackle Travelle Wharton to move to guard.

New Orleans Saints (7-9 in 2007)

Coach: Sean Payton (3rd year)

After being one of sports’ biggest feel-good stories in 2006, when they made it to the NFC Championship Game, the Saints took a step back, with a 0-4 start dooming them in what ended up being a 7-9 season.

Draft Needs: CB, FS, C, NT, OLB, TE

1. Cornerback: New Orleans had one of the worst pass defenses in the league last season, and were burned for an inexcusable 32 touchdown passes. They signed Randall Gay from the Patriots, but with the likes of Leodis McKelvin, Mike Jenkins, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie all worthy of top-10 selections, they need to use that #10 pick to nab one of those talents.

2. Center: Jeff Faine signed with the division rival Buccaneers, so an early pick needs to be used on getting his replacement. Arizona St.’s Mike Pollak could be an option in the second round, and they could also consider Wake Forest’s Steve Justice or Notre Dame’s John Sullivan in the third.

Another potential option could be Rutgers’ Jeremy Zuttah, who played at both tackle and guard in college, but could move to center in the NFL, and after a great combine showing, could very well be an option with their third-round pick.

3. Nose Tackle: The Saints aren’t young at the defensive tackle position, and they could choose to use their second or third-round pick on a Trevor Laws, Pat Sims, Dre Moore, or Red Bryant. If Sedrick Ellis or Glenn Dorsey drop to #10, they’ll certainly be in play.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7 in 2007)

Coach: Jon Gruden (7th year)

2007 was a resurgent season for the Bucs, as they rebounded from a dismal 4-12 season in 2006 to go 9-7 and win the NFC South by two games. However, there are several needs that must be addressed to help Tampa keep the winning going in 2008.

Draft Needs: WR, QB, CB, LT, TE

1. Wide Receiver: Joey Galloway is still going strong, but he’s 36 and will be 37 in November, and Michael Clayton has produced nowhere near as expected since a monster rookie season in 2004.

With so many talented receivers available, the Bucs could use their first-round pick on a DeSean Jackson or Devin Thomas, who could not only beef up Tampa’s passing game, but improve their chances of returning a kickoff for a touchdown before 2038.

If they don’t go for a receiver in the first, there will be several quality pass-catchers on the board in the middle of the second, in the Vanderbilt’s Earl Bennett, Kansas St.’s Jordy Nelson, Virginia Tech’s Eddie Royal, and maybe Florida’s Andre Caldwell could all still be available at that point.

2. Quarterback: Having enough QBs isn’t the problem for the Bucs, but what they need to do is to start looking towards the future under center. Jeff Garcia did a great job leading the team last season, but at 38, his time is numbered. There’s also Luke McCown, Bruce Gradkowski, and Chris Simms, but none of them are the long-term answer, and Brian Griese isn’t either. If Brian Brohm is on the board at #20, Jon Gruden would be as giddy as a schoolgirl.

3. Left Tackle: Luke Petitgout has been beset by injury problems over the last couple of seasons, breaking his leg in 2006 and tearing his ACL in 2007. He’ll be ready to go for the upcoming season, and if healthy, will be a key member of the line, but his durability has to make Gruden feel a little uneasy. Donald Penn has potential, but if a Chris Williams or Jeff Otah is still there at #20, they would be a possibility, while Kansas’ Anthony Collins could be ripe for the picking in round 2, if he lasts that long.

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