NFL Draft Preview: NFC SOUTH
In 2024, the NFC South was arguably the most disappointing division in football. From Carolina’s ongoing quarterback carousel to Tampa Bay sneaking into the playoffs by default, there wasn’t much to write home about. But with fresh picks and new leadership in play, the 2025 NFL Draft offers a real chance for these teams to reset and reload. Here is an NFL Draft Preview: NFC South edition, detailing what each team needs to focus on.
Carolina Panthers
Top Needs: EDGE, WR, CB, TE, DL
After trading away Brian Burns, the Panthers are now staring down EDGE as a top draft priority — no shock there. The front seven still has some talent, with DE Derrick Brown and veteran Jadeveon Clowney holding things down, but neither offers the kind of pass rush presence that puts fear in opposing QBs.
If the Panthers want Bryce Young to develop, they’ll need to give him more support. A WR to pair with Xavier Legette or a TE from this deep draft class could do wonders for the offense. The CB room also needs help, especially after handing Jaycee Horn a massive deal despite his injury history. And while they’ve brought in free agents to patch the interior D-line, those moves don’t solve long-term problems.
Top 100 Projected Targets:
- #8: EDGE Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), WR Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), TE Tyler Warren (Penn State)
- #57: DL Alfred Collins (Texas), TE Mason Taylor (LSU), EDGE Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss)
- #74: EDGE Jordan Burch (Oregon), DL Omar Norman-Lott (Tennessee), WR Jaylin Noel (Iowa State)
New Orleans Saints
Top Needs: EDGE, CB, TE, WR, OL
The Saints have kicked the salary cap can so far down the road they’ve basically fallen into a ditch. Restructured contracts everywhere, Derek Carr locked in whether they like it or not — it’s not ideal.
That means the draft is their lifeblood. They need to hit on low-cost, high-value contributors, especially on defense where Cameron Jordan is aging and they’re banking on Kool-Aid McKinstry to lead the secondary after trading Marcus Lattimore.
Don’t rule out a TE or WR either. The Saints have a weird mix at tight end and while Olave and Shaheed are explosive, neither has been consistent enough to carry the passing game alone.
Top 100 Projected Targets:
- #9: WR Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), CB Will Johnson (Michigan), TE Tyler Warren (Penn State)
- #40: CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky), EDGE Nic Scourton (Texas A&M), CB Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)
- #71: TE Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green), QB Quinn Ewers (Texas), WR Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)
Atlanta Falcons
Top Needs: DL, LB, CB, EDGE, S
The Falcons defense is… well, bad. David Onyemata and Leonard Floyd are the only names of note in the front seven, and after Jessie Bates and AJ Terrell, the secondary gets bleak fast.
The offense has talent and flashes at times, but this defense desperately needs an overhaul. Sitting at 15, Atlanta will likely look to take the best available defensive player on the board. They only have two picks in the top 100, so they’ve got to make them count.
Top 100 Projected Targets:
- #15: DL Kenneth Grant (Michigan), EDGE Mike Green (Marshall), CB Jahdae Barron (Texas)
- #46: DL Tyliek Williams (Ohio State), CB Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State), DL Darius Alexander (Toledo)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top Needs: LB, CB, S, OT, WR
Tampa Bay has pieces in place — a solid offense with Baker Mayfield, emerging RB Bucky Irving, and of course, Mike Evans doing Mike Evans things. But their defense needs upgrades if they want to advance beyond the Wild Card round.
LB Jihaad Campbell feels like a natural fit next to Lavonte David, and their corner depth is almost nonexistent. The same goes for safety behind Antoine Winfield Jr. The Bucs might also look to reinforce the offensive line or add youth at receiver with Evans aging and Godwin coming off injury.
Top 100 Projected Targets:
- #19: LB Jihaad Campbell (Alabama), S Malaki Starks (Georgia), CB Jahdae Barron (Texas)
- #53: S Xavier Watts (Notre Dame), LB Carson Schwesinger (UCLA), OT Cameron Williams (Texas)
- #84: OT Emery Jones Jr. (LSU), LB Demetrius Knight (South Carolina), WR Xavier Restrepo (Miami)
Final Takeaway:
Tampa Bay feels closest to playoff contention, but New Orleans and Atlanta could make some real progress if they hit on their picks. Carolina’s a ways off, but any step forward helps. With limited cap flexibility across the board, the NFC South is leaning heavily on the 2025 Draft to reset their trajectories. Buckle up — it could get interesting fast.
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