NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: CB (9.5), DE (9), OLB (9), WR (8), DT (8), OT (7.5), OG (7.5)

People jumped the gun when they went 11-5 last year. This is a decent team, but is not more than a .500 team either. They need ajor help on D. They could use an every-down DE opposite John Abraham, and OLBs behind them to help stop the run and cover TEs. They were torched all over the secondary, so two new CBs would help. They lost Boley (OLB) and a starting CB last year, so that didn’t help. The right side of their line has expiring contracts, so look for them to get some young talent for the Rt and RG positions.

Carolina Panthers: DT (9.5), DE (9), QB (8.5), WR (8.5), OT (8), OG (8), OLB (8), TE (7.5)

Can’t figure this one out. Looks dominant, then looks pathetic. I actually think they are closer to dominant than the latter. They have a great running game, a great MLB to lead the defense, and a great WR for big plays. The need help at DT and along the D line, especially because Peppers will probably be gone, unless they want to pay him 22 million for one year. Their linebackers are playing well, although they could use an OLB. They could also use a big WR opposite Steve Smith, a perfect landing spot for Golden Tate or Dez Bryant, but this may just be too lesser of a need to take them in the first round. OT and OG are also changeable, but not a huge need. The final question is their QB. I doubt journeyman Matt Moore is the answer, although he looked very good late in the season. They may wait another year to find their franchise QB.

New Orleans Saints: DT (9), CB (9), DE (8.5), S (8.5), WR (8), OT (8)

The Saints have a very good offense, but a bad defense. They got away with it early in the season with their complex blitz packages and coverages, but they have been exposed since. They need new CBs and a new run-stopping/pressure creating DT. Their secondary is their big weakness, so a couple of corners and a solid DT in this draft would actually make their overrated defense a very solid unit. On offense, look for them to add depth at OT, as Brees has faced more pressure than he would like late in the season. Opposite Will Smith, they could use some depth at DE to help create more consistent pressure without having to bring the house on every down.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT (9), DE (9), OLB (9), WR (8.75) x2, S (8.75), OT (8.5), RB (8.25), CB (8)

Bad team, and actually the team I project to have the most losses in the next two seasons. Usually, bad teams are fairly young. Here, the Bucs have an old defense and an old offense (besides Freeman, of course), so they need to do some major rebuilding. At CB, Ronde Barber may retire, so they have a need there, even though Talib looks like a star. They need help along the defensive line to help stop the run, and although their young DEs have shown flashes, they have been a disappointment overall. They need two WRs. Antonio Bryant is a decent #2, but he is not a #1 WR in this league. If Cadillac and Ward are not the answer at RB, look for them to get a new RB too. They missed Derrick Brooks dearly this year, so they will try and get a replacement OLB early too. Let’s see, that’s 1…2…yup, as long as they have 5 picks in the first round, they will be ok.