2018 NFL Draft Recap, pick-by-pick: NFC South
6 min read
NFC South
| Carolina Panthers |
 Notable picks: The addition of Thomas adds versatility to the middle of the field when the Panthers use multiple tight ends. In addition, Moore’s arrival means that the team actually has another big play option to mix with last year’s second-round pick Curtis Samuel. Jackson brings speed to what was a slow secondary a year ago. This draft seemed to be about adding speed to the roster. |
|||
| Round,
Selection,
|
Player | School | DN Big Board
Rank/ Grade |
‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (24) | DJ
Moore 6’0 210 |
Maryland | 38 (2nd Round) | Moore has the task of providing new OC Norv Turner with a legitimate deep threat. Turner has coached elite route runners in his past (Henry Ellard, Los Angeles Rams, 1985-1990). |
| 2 (55) | Donte
Jackson 5’10 178 |
LSU | 93 (3rd Round) | Despite a lean build, Jackson will tackle. His confidence in his 4.32 speed benefited him in school, but he won’t be able to sit on as many routes at the next level. |
| 3 (85) | Rashaan
Gaulden S-6’1 197 |
Tennessee | 199 (4th Round) | Gaulden didn’t make a lot of plays on the ball, but the energetic former Vol can contribute in a number of ways. Needs to get stronger. |
| 4 (101) | Ian
Thomas 6’4 259 |
Indiana | 143 (3rd Round) | Thomas’ breakout performance against Ohio State in the 2017 season opener was perhaps a harbinger of things to come. His run after the catch skill will complement Greg Olsen. |
| 5 (161) | Jermaine
Carter LB-6’1 243 |
Maryland | 327 (5th Round) | He had over 100 tackles in back-to-back years and was a sack artist as well (9.5 career sacks). Carter forced eight fumbles in school. |
| 7 (234) | Andre Smith LB-6’0 237 | North Carolina | 237 (4th Round) | Smith’s ability to close distances from the inside-out covers up some slight stiffness. If not for injury in 2017, he would have gone much higher in the draft. |
| 7 (242) | Kendrick
Norton DT-6’3 314 |
Miami (Fla.) | Norton is an athletic one-technique DT who can stand to use his 10 ¾-inch hands with more force down-to-down. At 314 pounds, he’s slippery and has a five-yard burst to close air. | |
| Atlanta
Falcons |
 Notable picks: Oliver has the length to make up for the release of Jalen Collins from a season ago. Ridley’s speed will win a number of one-on-one matchups in the slot or on the outside. It eases the departure of Taylor Gabriel. Four wide receiver sets could include he and fourth-year man Justin Hardy in the slots. If Ridley and Julio Jones are outside, then Mohamed Sanu and Hardy can man the slot positions. |
|||
| Round,
Selection,
|
Player | School | DN Big Board
Rank/ Grade |
‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (26) | Calvin
Ridley 6’1 188 |
Alabama | 47 (2nd Round) | Ridley is more than capable of winning one-on-one matchups. Don’t be surprised if he is used in the slot in three wide receiver sets. |
| 2 (58) | Isaiah
Oliver 6’0 201 |
Colorado | 20 (2nd Round) | Oliver’s length mirrors former Falcons’ cornerback Jalen Collins. He will intensify the team’s nickel packages. |
| 3 (90) | Deadrin
Senat DT-6’0 314 |
USF | 100 (3rd Round) | Squats nearly 700 pounds. Barreling block destructor. He dominated his final career game (2017 Birmingham Bowl) and then it carried over to a dominant week of work during 2018 East-West Shrine practices. |
| 4 (126) | Ito
Smith RB-5’9 200 |
Southern Miss | 218 (4th Round) | Smith’s production in school should not be underestimated. Aside from posting back-to-back 1,400-yard rushing seasons, he also caught 83 passes the last two seasons. |
| 6 (194) | Russell
Gage WR-6’0 182 |
LSU | 522 (6th Round) | Gage’s versatility extends beyond the passing game. He ran for over 230 yards for the Tigers in 2017 and contributed 11 tackles on special teams. |
| 6 (200) | Foye
Oluokun LB-6’0 215 |
Yale | N/A | Oluokun overcame a 2015 injury to earn 2nd Team All-Ivy League honors in 2017. He finished his career with an eye-opening 18 pass break-ups and three blocked kicks. |
| Tampa
Bay Buccaneers |
 Notable pick: Vea adds substance to a defensive interior that allowed nearly 118 yards per game on the ground in 2017. The team also put an emphasis on getting more physical in the secondary with the additions of Davis and Stewart. |
|||
| Round,
Selection,
|
Player | School | DN Big Board
Rank/ Grade |
‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (12) | Vita Vea
DT-6’4 347 |
Washington | 17 (2nd Round) | Vea’s presence in the middle of the defense should create more one-on-one matchups for Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy. |
| 2 (38) | Ronald
Jones II 6’0 205 |
USC | 88 (3rd Round) | The departure of Doug Martin opens up the possibility that Jones II could get major touches in Year 1. |
| 2 (53) | M.J. | UNC | 57 (2nd Round) | Stewart’s positional flexibility extended itself to special teams during his senior campaign (11 yds/PR). He will be a candidate for sub-package duty immediately. |
| 2 (63) | Carlton
Davis CB-6’1 206 |
Auburn | 32 (2nd Round) | Davis’ length adds a measure of size to the cornerback spot that was lacking when the team had to defend the Michael Thomas and Julio Jones-types in the division. |
| 3 (94) | Alex
Cappa OL-6’6 305 |
Humboldt State | 224 (4th Round) | Cappa is yet another pick who can play multiple spots on game day. The college left tackle’s roughhouse approach may give him a chance to earn repetitions as a guard spot in the NFL. |
| 4 (117) | Jordan
Whitehead S-5’10 195 |
Pittsburgh | 149 (3rd Round) | Whitehead plays with the passion necessary to earn playing time on special teams. He was always one of the Panthers top tacklers and he plays extremely fast. |
| 5 (144) | Justin
Watson WR-6’2 215 |
Penn | 319 (5th Round) | The Ivy League’s all-time leading receiver was used on the outside, in the slot and even in the backfield during school. |
| 6 (202) | Jack
Cichy LB-6’1 230 |
Wisconsin | Cichy looked like an early round pick when healthy in school. He is a downhill player with a measure of explosiveness as a tackler. | |
| New
Orleans Saints |
 Notable Pick: No pick will be more scrutinized than Davenport. But should it be? The team finished 27th in the NFL in sacks in 2017 (30). |
|||
| Round,
Selection,
|
Player | School | DN Big Board
Rank/ Grade |
‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (14) Trade from Green Bay | Marcus
Davenport DE-6’6 258 |
UTSA | 25 (2nd Round) | Davenport has all of the tools to excel in the team’s creative schemes. With Cameron Jordan on the field, he will help to create havoc off the edge with Alex Okafor. |
| 3 (91) | Tre’Quan
Smith WR-6’2 202 |
UCF | 44 (2nd Round) | 34 ½-inch arms with an ability to snap out of his hips at the break points. He will be a back-shoulder option to complement Thomas. |
| 4 (127) | Rick
Leonard OL-6’5 307 |
Florida State | 487 (6th Round) | Leonard is a good enough run blocker that he may get looks at an interior line position. |
| 5 (164) | Natrell
Jamerson S-5’10 200 |
Wisconsin | 146 (3rd Round) | Jamerson continued his upward trek through the postseason with a fine week of work during 2018 East-West Shrine practices. The former WR has positive ball skills and was one of the better gunners (punt team) in the draft. |
| 6 (189) | Kamrin
Moore CB-5’10 203 |
Boston College | 272 (4th Round) | Moore’s versatility (corner or nickel) was a big reason the Eagles finished in the Top 35 in passing defense in each of the last two seasons (2016-17). He is a physical player who likes to challenge opponents. |
| 6 (201) | Boston
Scott RB-5’6 203 (E) |
Louisiana Tech | N/A | Scott supplanted 2016 1,000-yard rusher Jarred Craft from the lineup and paved his own path to getting drafted. He may be short, but he is by no means an easy tackle at 203 pounds. |
| 7 (245) | Will
Clapp OC-6’4 311 |
LSU | 321 (5th Round) | Clapp is assignment-sound with positive size. He frequently won with positioning and guile as a blocker at LSU. Shoulder issues may have caused a slide in the draft. |
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