2025 NFC South NFL Draft recap | Pick-by-pick, trades, analysis
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The Power Four conferences were a factor in many of the NFC South's top selections in this year's draft.
The 2025 NFC South NFL Draft recap saw aggressive moves made by Falcons GM Terry Fontenot and Saints GM Mickey Loomis. Those moves could prove to be game-changers for the respective franchises.
Meanwhile, the Panthers and Buccaneers stayed pat and still produced productive drafts.
What did the each of the teams do to set them apart?
Falcons Beak
The Atlanta Falcons’ pass rush has been stuck in quick sand since the 2015 first round selection of Vic Beasley. A year after getting picked, Beasley led the league with 15.5 quarterback sacks. His story has been a unique one since that season.
Perhaps more importantly, the most sacks by a Falcon since that season was Adrian Clayborn’s nine-and-a-half take downs in 2017. It hasn’t been like the team hasn’t attempted to solve the problem.
And, in this draft, the aforementioned Fontenot went all-in to rid the team of the ongoing issue. Two aggressive moves in the first round of this year’s draft made a statement.
Will it pay off?
If either of those draft picks are efficient at catching their prey, then maybe so.
Panthers double down…too
It wasn’t just the Falcons doubling up on pass rushers. The Panthers doubled down with its first two picks as well. They grabbed two of the SEC’s top pass rush prospects in the first three rounds. One may be more polished than the other. The “other” could have more upside at the next level.
From there, Carolina went in a number of different directions. A behemoth nose guard in the fifth round could help address the team’s biggest need (rush defense) in no particular order.
The other two
So what did the other two teams do to conclude the division’s draft?
Well, the Buccaneers surprised many by taking one of the draft’s safest bets at wide receiver. They took a brief gamble with an injured corner in Round Two but, then again…..was it?
They came right back and took a competitive stalwart from the Midwest. To close out the proceedings on Day Three, Tampa Bay decided that styles make fights. Both of their pass rush selections vary in style, which could make it hard to block them in sub-packages.
And as for the Saints?
Well, they took a former four-star recruit who finally found a rhythm attacking the opposition in Year Seven. And its first round pick sent a message to the offensive tackles currently on the roster.
| New Orleans Saints | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selection | Player Selection | Position- School | Nasty’ Take: | Value (1-5) | Trades |
| 1 (9) | Kelvin Banks, Jr. | 6’5” 315 OT-Texas | Banks, Jr. has started since 2021 and competes on the move as a puller. The Saints try their hand at picking an offensive tackle once again, having recently selected Trevor Penning in the first round. Banks, Jr. will get first crack at manning the left tackle spot opposite 2024 first-round pick RT Taliese Fuaga. | 4.5 | |
| 2 (40) | Tyler Shough | 6’5 221 QB-Louisville, Texas Tech, Oregon | A former four-star recruit who was one of the top recruits in the 2018 recruiting class, there’s not a throw in the route tree he cannot make in his sleep. With that said, the injury history ranks as a major question mark. His football acumen, however, could be more advanced than his lack of overall repetitions suggest. | 4 | |
| 3 (71) | Vernon Broughton | 6’5 311 DT-Texas | Broughton used his impressive length to separate more effectively as a run defender this past season. He also took the next step as a pass rusher. Broughton will be expected to split reps with veteran free agent addition Davon Godchaux. | 3.75 | |
| 4 (93) | Jonas Sanker | 6’0 206 S-Virginia | Sanker aced most of the pre-draft process, but that pales in comparison to the on-field production. He led the Cavaliers in tackles for losses (8.5) a year after leading the team in pass breakups (11). During his career, the energetic safety forced four fumbles. | 4 | |
| 4 (112) | Danny Stutsman | 6’3 233 LB-Oklahoma | Stutsman finished his career with three straight 100-tackle seasons. He runs well, has made plays in coverage and can contribute on special teams. The former four-star recruit comes from a family full of athletes. | 4.5 | |
| 4 (131) | Quincy Riley (video profile)  | 5’11 194 CB-Louisville, MTSU | Riley -a former SC high school state 100-meter champ- may have been one of the more undervalued corners in this year’s draft class. He competed favorably with Eagles safety Reed Blankenship in a stellar MTSU secondary dating all the way back to 2021. 15 career INTs (463 yds, 2 TDs). Threat to score with the ball in hands. Strong Senior Bowl week. | 4.75 | |
| 6 (184) | Devin Neal | 5’11 213 RB-Kansas | It is real easy to look at 40-yard dash times and determine whether a RB can break big runs. Neal (4.58 40-yd) produced explosive runs with hot feet and quick burst. In four years, he had 41 runs of 20-plus yards and produced 53 TDs. | 4.25 | |
| 7 (248) | Moliki Matavao | 6’6 260 TE-UCLA, Oregon | It would be easy to assume that Matavao is a 260-pound people mover. His blocking needs some work. However, the Nevada native averaged 20 yards per catch in 2023 and tallied 41 catches this past season. Details will be key in his NFL development. | 4 | |
| 7 (254) | Fadil Diggs | 6’4 257 DE-Syracuse, Texas A&M | Diggs gradually improved over two different stops in school. He has not always been the most stout run defender, but his heavy hands are capable of setting the edge. Using his 4.57 speed to run down on special teams (PP at Texas A&M in 2021) could help him in his fight for a roster spot. | 4.5 | |
| Notable UDFA signing: | Chris Tyree | 5’9 192 All-Purpose/Virginia, Notre Dame | His Pro Day proved to be not much of a surprise. Tyree’s 4.28 speed only clocked at 4.39, but he still posted a 42” VJ and 4.15 20-yard SS. In addition, he did 19 reps at 225 lbs. He’s been a RB, WR, KR and PR in school. He even averaged nearly 17 yards per catch at Notre Dame in 2023. Underwhelming as a KR at Virginia in 2024, Tyree still returned both a punt and KO for scores in his career. | 4.25 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.25 | ||||
| Atlanta Falcons | |||||
| Selection | Player Selection | Position- School | Nasty’ Take: | Value (1-5) | Trades |
| 1 (15) | Jalon Walker | 6’1 243 OLB-Georgia | The Falcons had to be ecstatic that Walker fell into their laps. Now they have to figure out the best way to use him on the field on first and second down. Can he have high-level production playing as a stand-up Rush OLB? | 4.5 | |
| 1 (26) | James Pearce, Jr. (video profile) | 6’5 243 DE-Tennessee | The get-off is unique out of a four-point stance. Pearce, Jr. also has above average burst out of either a two-point ROLB or LOLB position. The big question is whether he can consistently finish once he gets over the top of offensive lineman. We think so. He gives the front seven a nice complement to fellow first-round pick Walker. | 4.75 | Falcons traded a 2025 2nd Round pick (46th overall), 2025 7th Round pick (242nd overall) and a 2026 1st Round pick to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a 2025 first-round pick (26th overall-Pearce, Jr.) and 2025 3rd Round pick (101st overall). |
| 3 (96) | Xavier Watts | 6’0 204 S-Notre Dame | For a team that had yet to re-sign Justin Simmons, Watts could be a clone. Like Simmons (4.61 coming out of school), Watts’ testing numbers don’t excite the masses. His production over the last two seasons (12 INTs) helped earn him back-to-back Consensus All-American honors. | 4.5 | The Falcons traded a 2025 third-round pick (101st overall) and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick (96th overall-Watts). |
| 4 (118) | Billy Bowman | 5’10 192 S-Oklahoma | Bowman is different than Watts in style, but not in production. He pilfered six passes in 2023, returning three of those to the house for touchdowns. His size could be a deterrent covering TEs, but he has excellent quickness. Bowman should be able to match up with slot receivers. | 4.5 | |
| 7 (218) | Jack Nelson | 6’7 314 OL-Wisconsin | With 33 1/2-inch arms and experience dating back to 2021 at OG, Nelson gives the Falcons an extra body up front with versatility. He’ll be locked in a competition for a roster spot with a number of players who have NFL experience. But it doesn’t stop there. The team’s undrafted free agent, Joshua Gray, has experience at nearly every offensive line spot…too. | 4.25 | |
| Notable UDFA signing: | Joshua Gray | 6’5 300 OL-Oregon State | Gray won’t wow with brute force, but his mobility has to excite the Falcons brass. For a team that values linemen winning to a spot through their zone run schemes, Gray could challenge for a backup spot. It could be argued that he’s a good of a fit as the team’s aforementioned seventh-round pick Nelson. | 4.5 | |
| Honorable mention: | Joshua Simon TE-WKU, Malik Verdon S-Iowa State, Nick Nash WR-San Jose St.Cobee Bryant (video profile) CB-Kansas | 4.75 | |||
| Draft Grade: | 4.53 | ||||
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |||||
| Selection | Player Selection | Position- School | Nasty’ Take: | Value (1-5) | Trades |
| 1 (19) | Emeka Egbuka | 6’1 202 WR-Ohio State | Egbuka’s feel for changing speeds when running crossing patterns makes it tough to handle him in man coverage. He also blocked don the perimeter when the team ran WR screens to fellow wideouts (see CFP Playoff Semifinals ’24). His 4.4 speed shined on bend seams or when running box fades from the No. 2 slot. He should find an immediate role in the Buccaneers offense. | 4.5 | |
| 2 (53) | Benjamin Morrison | 6’0 193 CB-Notre Dame | Morrison must have given the team comfort to spend a second-round draft pick on him despite hip issues. There were several games that his best attributes shined against top-level competition. Flashes closing speed making up ground on crossing patterns (INT, 3rd QTR, Clemson ’22). In that same contest, he picked off a back-shoulder pass like a gymnast and took it back 96 yards for a TD. The injury concerns are hard to ignore, however. | 4.25 | |
| 3 (84) | Jacob Parrish (click name) | 5’10 191 CB-Kansas State | Parrish competed favorably on the outside lanes, but could very well project to a full-time nickel role in Tampa Bay. If so, that would probably necessitate a move by Tykee Smith to the safety spot. This is something that the team has discussed in detail through the offseason. | 4 | |
| 4 (121) | David Walker | 6’1 263 DE-Central Arkansas | Walker has a number of similarities to former Buccaneers pass rusher Shaq Barrett. They’re built low to the ground, play with outstanding leverage and are generally tough to latch. Walker has been a dominant playmaker at a high level for years at the FCS level. That showed itself during this year’s postseason. | 4.75 | |
| 5 (157) | Eljiah Roberts (click name) | 6’4 285 DE-SMU, Miami (Fla.) | We spotlighted Roberts’ pure power and speed in our video review. He’s a big man that contains rare field speed at 285 pounds. The Mustangs used him in a stand-up role even over offensive guards. That type of creativity should work well in Todd Bowles’ various blitz schemes. In addition, he could be able to give Logan Hall a breather if he can get into the rotation at the LDE spot. | 4.5 | |
| 7 (235) | Tez Johnson | 5’10 154 WR-Oregon, Troy | Johnson may have only run 4.5-flat, but the 6.65 three-cone time was elite. That type of quickness is rarely seen and gives a preview of how to use Johnson. He’s very tough to handle in the slot when given room. Can he steal the punt return job as a seventh-round pick? They did not get much production at the position in 2024. Can he really do the job at 154 pounds? | 4 | |
| Notable UDFA signing: | Garrett Greene | QB-West Virginia | Greene may have run just 4.5-flat in the 40-yard dash, but his field speed is legitimate (see TD, Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl ’24). Quite the competitor, he actually rushed for over 700 yards in each of the last two seasons. His 4.08-second time in the 20-yard short shuttle gives credence to his instant nature. Can he make the transition to WR or punt returner? | 4 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.29 | ||||
| Carolina Panthers | |||||
| Selection | Player Selection | Position- School | Nasty’ Take: | Value (1-5) | Trades |
| 2 (51) | Nic Scourton | 6’4 257 DE-Texas A&M, Purdue | Scourton’s hand usage is going to be a bonus for a team that needs to be all-in on stopping the run after a poor performance in 2024. In addition, he contains much more pass rush variety than he showed at times this past season. He may find a home in sub-packages in Year 1. | 4.5 | The Panthers traded a 2025 second-round pick (57th overall), 2025 third-round pick (74th overall), a 2025 fourth-round pick (111th overall), a 2025 seventh-round pick (230th overall) to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a second round pick (51st overall-Scour ton), a 2025 third-round pick (85th overall), a 2025 fourth-round pick (122nd overall-Ransom) and a 2025 sixth-round pick (208th overall-Horn). |
| 3 (77) | Princely Umanmielen | 6’4 244 DE-Ole Miss, Florida | Umanmielen has a number of unique pass rush techniques that could need refining. Becoming a more consistent run defender is also going to be a focus. Despite being a third-round pick, he has a steep hill to climb for playing time. He’s in a rotation that includes D.J. Wonnum, Nic Scourton, Jadeveon Clowney and Patrick Jones II. It could be exactly what he needs to reach his vast potential. | 4.5 | |
| 4 (114) | Trevor Etienne | 5’9 198 RB-Georgia, Florida | Etienne is yet another piece in a deep running back room. Where will he fit in with UFA signing Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard? His pick does send a message about the health of former second-round pick Jonathan Brooks (2nd torn ACL in Dec ’24). Better yet, Etienne’s kickoff return experience (24.9 yds/KR in 2023) could come into play. As of press time, that spot is currently owned by Raheem Blackshear, who’s pretty good in the role. | 4.25 | |
| 4 (122) | Lathan Ransom | 6’0 206 S-Ohio State | Ransom has an aggressiveness that fits a linebacker’s approach and it is no doubt that he can provide a physical presence. The scheme’s multiple packages could hide him in coverage. However, he has to do a better job as a tackler if he wants to earn playing time beyond special teams for the Panthers. | 4 | |
| 5 (140) | Cam Jackson | 6’6 328 DT-Florida, Memphis | Jackson was active dating back to Memphis and was very tough to block one-on-one at the 2025 Senior Bowl. At 328 pounds, could he be a rotation piece at NG in Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 schemes? It will all come down to pad level. | 4.25 | |
| 5 (163) | Mitchell Evans | 6’5 263 TE-Notre Dame | Evans proved more than capable of showing up on the big stages. He caught 10 passes in the team’s CFP semifinal and national championship games. It actually paled in comparison to his 2023 production, when he posted at least 60 receiving yards in five of his eight appearances. | 4.5 | |
| 6 (208) | Jimmy Horn, Jr. | 5’8 174 WR-Colorado, USF | For those who think that Horn, Jr. is a bit of a reach, look no further than his time at USF prior to arriving in Boulder. He averaged nearly 30 yards per kickoff return in 2022 and then cleared the 26-yard average a year later at Colorado. Injuries have been a slight concern -as have drops- but he has an ability to separate easily vs. man coverage. | 4 | |
| Notable UDFA signing: | Ryan Fitzgerald | 6’1 190 PK-FSU | Fitzgerald has an opportunity, but he’ll be locked in a competition with five-year veteran Matthew Wright, who’s a Super Bowl champion. Range could the key to him making the team. The Lou Groza Award finalist even kicked a 59-yard field goal against Georgia Tech in 2024. That ranked as the third-longest in ACC history. | 4.5 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.31 |
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