First Round Pick Analysis By Division: NFC South
While the Falcons look like a talented team with the likes of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones leading the way, they are really as talent-dearth as the likes of Tennessee and Jacksonville. Their biggest needs are at running back, tight end, left guard, and edge rusher, while they also need a defensive tackle or two, inside linebacker, and some replacements in the secondary. Those that can possible be addressed with their first pick are left guard, with Brandon Scherff and La'el Collins being possible candidates, edge rusher, with Vic Beasley and Shane Ray projected to be available, among others, and defensive tackle. With left guard, they can wait until Day 2 to address, while one of the top two tackles, Leonard Williams and Danny Shelton, are fully expected to be picked up, though they may reach for a guy like Malcom Brown. That leaves edge rusher as the most reasonable pick, but who they pick is the question. Ray looks to be the more natural fit, as he primarily played end in college, but Beasley is the more athletic and highly coveted player, while Randy Gregory--who the Falcons may eventually deem as too small--and Bud Dupree are also in the mix.
Top Three Prospects:
1.) Vic Beasley - OLB Clemson
2.) Shane Ray - DE Missouri
3.) Brandon Scherff - OG Iowa
Making it to the divisonal round of the playoffs, many of the Panthers' early-season weaknesses had turned into strengths, with young players stepping up. However, they still have weaknesses along their offensive line and in their secondary. Left tackle is of top priority while slot corner and strong safety shuold be up there too. In the first round there are not any corners that would fit as the Panthers' third guy while outside of Landon Collins there is no safety worth their first-round pick, so they will likely look to take a left tackle. Ereck Flowers and D.J. Humphries are the top prospects with potential to play on the left side and of the two, Humphries looks like the safer option, with Flowers being a bit more raw.
Top Three Prospects:
1.) D.J. Humphries - OT Florida
2.) Ereck Flowers - OT Miami (Fla.)
3.) Jake Fisher - OT Oregon
The Saints are one of the teams with two first-round picks, which will come in handy as they seem to enter a rebuilding phase. They have created a few holes with their trades, with tight end and guard coming to mind first, but they already had troubles with inside linebacker and the cornerback position. Of those needs, guard is the only one that should be addressed at 13, but they must also get a little lucky for Brandon Scherff or La'el Collins to fall to them, with the Giants, Rams, and Vikings all possibilities to draft a guard with their first pick. With their second pick, they will more likely than not go with inside linebacker. Tight end can be addressed during Day 2 while there are some nice nickel corners in projected to go in the third round. They have a few teams ahead of them that also have a hole at inside linebacker, so they might have to trade up or just be happy with who is available.
Top Three Prospects:
1.) La'el Collins - OG LSU
2.) Eric Kendricks - ILB UCLA
3.) Stephone Anthony - ILB Clemson
It is almost certain that the Buccaneers will go Jameis Winston, but let us momentarily explore the other possbilities. If the Buccaneers are content with Mike Glennon at helm, they could trade down or have their choosing of one of the top prospects in the draft. Leonard Williams immediately comes up to mind, as pairing him with Gerald McCoy would strike fear in opposing quarterbacks, but guys on the edge like Dante Fowler or Vic Beasley could also work. For their offense they could pick up Amari Cooper, who would be dangerous in the slot with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson attacking defenses out wide. The possibilities would be endless for the Buccaneers if they did not need a quarterback.
Top Three Prospects:
1.) Jameis Winston - QB Florida State
2.) Amari Cooper - WR Alabama
3.) Leonard Williams - DE USC
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