The NFL draft is one of the most exciting times of the year for Dynasty Fantasy Football enthusiasts. This is the time of year when our leagues, and more importantly, our teams, get an injection of new blood and talent. The fortunes of imaginary leagues worldwide are directly affected by what 32 teams do in the NFL draft. I will highlight one division for this article, listing all new players added by round and pick. Then we will briefly discuss the fantasy-relevant players and give each team a draft grade and, more importantly for us, a dynasty grade. Without further ado, let us dive into the NFC South draft grades.
New Orleans Saints
Kendre Miller gets the call early and will play for the New Orleans Saints after being drafted in the third round. https://t.co/Fjdmw7dphx via @roadtocfb
— Killer Frogs (@Killer_Frogs) April 29, 2023
(RD1) – Pick 29, Bryan Bresse, DT, Clemson
(RD2) – Pick 40, Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame
(RD3) – Pick 71, Kendre Miller, RB, TCU
(RD4) – Pick 103 Nick Saldiveri, OL, Old Dominion
(RD4) – Pick 127 Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State
(RD5) – Pick 146 Jordan Howden, S, Minnesota
(RD6) – Pick 195 A.T. Perry, WR, Notre Dame
We keep waiting for the Saints to fix their cap, and they keep kicking the can down the road. We keep waiting for the year when the Saints will trade away the farm and attempt to reset the cap situation. This was not that year. After the free agent addition of former Raiders QB Derek Carr, the stage was set to bring in players to help him win. The team added some nice talent on the defensive side of the ball with Bresee and Foskey. They also managed to snag two interesting dynasty assets as well. Kendre Miller is a talented RB who could emerge in the next couple of seasons as Jamaal Williams and Alvin Kamara age. Jake Haener is a quality QB stash for your deep Superflex leagues. Finally, A.T. Perry offers some shades of Saints Ring of Honor Member Marques Colston. He is a nice target later in your rookie drafts.
NFL/Grade = B
Dynasty/Fantasy = B+
Atlanta Falcons
#Falcons Bijan Robinson takes a number of an Atlanta legend Michael Vick. #DirtyBirds pic.twitter.com/HM2DWM6MU3
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 3, 2023
(RD1) – Pick 8, Bijan Robinson, RB, University of Texas
(RD2)- Pick 38, Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
(RD3) – Pick 75, Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State
(RD4) – Pick 113, Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
(RD7) – Pick 224, DeMarcco Hellams, S, Alabama
(RD7) – Pick 225, Jovaughn Gwyn, G/C, South Carolina
The Atlanta Falcons entered the 2023 NFL draft with some major needs. The team didn’t have their full complement of draft picks but managed to come away with some quality assets. First and foremost, the Falcons decided to help out sophomore quarterback Desmond Ridder by giving him one of the best overall weapons in the entire draft with running back Bijan Robinson. He is an exceptional talent who will help take the pressure off Ridder and the passing game. In tandem with second-year back Tyler Allgeier and a mobile Ridder, the Falcons should boast one of the best rushing attacks in the entire league. The Falcons also helped their team by adding offensive tackle Matthew Bergeron. This makes an already solid offensive line that much better. Throw in a few defensive selections, and the Falcons had a decent draft.
NFL/Grade = B+
Dynasty/Fantasy Grade = A-
Carolina Panthers
New #Panthers 1st overall pick QB Bryce Young will wear #9 in the pros, same number he did in Alabama.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 2, 2023
QB Matt Corral previously had the number but changed it for Young. pic.twitter.com/nXjdKlEKHL
(RD1) – Pick 1, Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
(RD2) – Pick 39, Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
(RD3) – Pick 80, DJ Johnson, LB, Oregon
(RD4) – Pick 114, Chandler Zavala, G/C, NC State.
(RD5) – Pick 145, Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
The Carolina Panthers were the talk of this year’s draft. Following a trade-up with Chicago, where they paid a steep price, they finally nailed their franchise QB, Bryce Young. The former Heisman Trophy winner out of Alabama has all the tools you love in a QB. He packs them into a very compact frame. The Panthers then went out in the second round and gave their new QB a weapon to grow within Ole Miss WR Jonathan MIngo. He was a late riser up draft boards but had all the tools you want in an outside WR. Carolina only had three other picks and sought to supplement their defense and offensive line as best they could.
NFL/Grade = B
Dynasty/Fantasy Grade = B+
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I am #PL34SED to be a Buccaneer! pic.twitter.com/xro9Y0PTqB
— Sean Tucker (@seantucker2020) April 30, 2023
(RD1) – Pick 19, Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt
(RD2) – Pick 48, Cody Mauch, OT, NDSU
(RD3) – Pick 82, YaYa Diaby, DE, Louisville
(RD5) – Pick 153, SirVocea Dennis, LB, Pitt
(RD5) – Pick 171 Payne Durham, TE, Purdue
(RD6) – Pick 181, Josh Hayes, CB, Kansas State.
(RD6) – Pick 192, Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska
(RD6) – Pick 196, Jose Ramirez, OLB, Eastern Michigan
(UFA) – Sean Tucker, RB, Syracuse
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently a team in transition. Following their short run with future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, the team seemed particularly interested in rebuilding the defensive side of the ball. With a healthy supply of picks, they hit the trenches and defensive side of the ball hard. While they did add a couple of skill players in tight end Payne Durham and wide receiver Trey Palmer, I believe undrafted free agent Sean Tucker offers the biggest upside from a Dynasty perspective. If his medicals check out, he can challenge Rachaad White, who struggled with efficiency in 2022. This is one of those cases where the NFL grade and Dynasty grade will alter dramatically.
NFL Draft Grade = B+
Dynasty/Fantasy Grade = C+
Final Thoughts
Overall I believe the teams in the NFC South did an excellent job of adding talent to their squads. Talented players on both sides of the ball were brought in to help boost their NFL teams and your dynasty squads. Each analyst will differ in their grades for a particular draft class. These are my feelings on the NFC South. I hope you find them useful in your upcoming drafts. Good luck this draft season, and until next time, take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.
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