NFC South 2024 NFL Draft Classes Ranked

Now that the draft is all said and done, let’s take a look at what the rest of the NFC South did

With the NFL draft all done and the Buccaneers picks being analyzed by our staff here at BucsNation, we decided to take a look at how the Bucs foes fared in the draft and who had the best class of all the NFC South.

Let’s rank these draft classes and see who nailed the weekend.

Number One: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 1: OL Graham Barton

Round 2: EDGE Chris Braswell

Round 3: S Tykee Smith

Round 3: WR Jalen McMillan

Round 4: RB Bucky Irving

Round 6: OL Elijiah Klein

Round 7: TE Devin Culp

The Bucs were able to add multiple players who will make an impact this season as positions of need. Graham Barton falling was a pleasant surprise for Tampa Bay and figures to be the team’s long term center. On Day two they addressed their pass rush as well as added depth to both the secondary and wide receiver room. They didn’t have many picks on day three, but the team added a running back to pair with Rachaad White, more depth along the interior offensive line and a depth tight end.

Overall, some nice work by Jason Licht and company.

Number Two: New Orleans Saints

Round 1: OT Taliese Fuaga

Round 2: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

Round 5: QB Spencer Rattler

Round 5: WR Bub Means

Round 5: LB Jaylan Ford

Round 6: DL Khristian Boyd

Round 7: OT Josiah Ezirim

The Saints only had two selections in the first four rounds, but they made two great picks with those selections. Fuaga addresses a major need for them and the value of Kool-Aid McKinstry in the second round was too good to pass up. The Spence Rattler pick on day three is intriguing. Derek Carr was not outstanding last year, so there is a chance Rattler could overtake him if things get messy in New Orleans. They spent the rest of their draft adding depth to the receiver and linebacker rooms as well as both the offensive and defensive lines.

Getting Fuaga gives them the tackle they have been missing. Even without a lot of premium picks, they still made out pretty well.

Number Three: Carolina Panthers

Round 1: WR Xavier Legette

Round 2: RB Jonathan Brooks

Round 3: LB Trevin Wallace

Round 4: TE Ja’Tavion Sanders

Round 5: DB Chau Smith-Wade

Round 6: DL Jaden Crumedy

Round 7: LB Michael Barrett

The Panthers entered the draft without a first round pick, but that changed when they moved up one spot with the Buffalo Bills to secure a weapon for Bryce Young in South Carolina’s Xavier Legette. The big bodied receiver will bring some help to a Carolina offense that needs it. They continued to add on offense with running back Jonathan Brooks, which seemed like a bit of a reach for me. My favorite pick of their draft though is Ja’Tavion Sanders. I was surprised that the standout tight end was not a day two pick, but he should make an immediate impact in Carolina.

Number Four: Atlanta Falcons

Round 1: QB Michael Penix Jr

Round 2: DL Ruke Orhorhoro

Round 3: EDGE Bralen Trice

Round 4: DL Brandon Dorlus

Round 5: LB JD Bertrand

Round 6: RB Jase McCLellan

Round 6: WR Casey Washington

Round 6: DL Zion Logue

Atlanta was destined to be last on this list as soon as they made their first round selection. The Falcons shocked the world by selecting a QB with the eighth overall pick. This comes just a month after they gave Kirk Cousins a massive four year deal with 100 million dollars guaranteed. They decided to use their top ten pick on Michael Penix Jr who I like as a prospect, but this just makes no sense from an Atlanta perspective. They could have gotten a difference maker immediately and instead picked a player who will sit on the bench for at least two seasons.

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Outside of that, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the rest of their selections either. Ruke Orhorhoro is a fine player, but passing on Johnny Newton could prove to be a massive mistake. Simply put, Atlanta fumbled an opportunity to add talented players to a solid roster.

For the second straight year of doing this, the Bucs are in the top spot of these rankings. Jason Licht has done a great job of filling the roster with talent through the draft.