2022 NFL Draft Grades: NFC South
The NFC South feels like Tampa’s division to lose. Of course, the 2022 NFL Draft goes a long way toward debunking the Bucs strangle hold over the division. Let’s get right to the grades. How did the NFC South perform during the 2022 NFL Draft?
Atlanta Falcons: Grade F
- Round 1: No. 8 – Drake London, WR, USC
- Round 2: No. 38 (from NYG via NYJ via CAR) – Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State
- Round 2: No 58 (from TEN) – Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
- Round 3: No. 74 – Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
- Round 3: No. 82 (from IND) – DeAngelo Malone, LB, Western Kentucky
- Round 5: No. 151 – Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU
- Round 6: No. 190 – Justin Shaffer, G, Georgia
- Round 6: No.213 – John FitzPatrick, TE, Georgia
I’m surprised there haven’t been stories about Terry Fontenot receiving death threats from the local fan base in Atlanta. Obviously, I’m not condoning death threats. It’s worth noting that at minimum, if you’re a Falcons fan, you have just cause for turning your fan card in.
May have been the single worst draft class of any team. Any team that picks Drake London in the top ten either clearly doesn’t watch college football or they’re just not intelligent. I’ll go with the latter because these dopes picked Desmond Ridder in the same draft.
I’m not doing this. There is no reason to analyze the rest of the draft class. This Fontenot/Arthur Smith regime will be fired within three years and this draft will be a big reason why. I don’t even have words without crossing a line. I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I were Fontenot. I’m just glad I’m not as dumb as that guy. You couldn’t pay me enough to change brains with that guy. You can’t fix stupid and all this draft did was put a big stupid sign right on that guy’s forehead.
Carolina Panthers: Grade D
- Round 1: No. 6 – Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
- Round 3: No. 94 (from KC via NE) – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
- Round 4: No. 120 (from NO via WAS) – Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State
- Round 6: No. 189 (from WAS) – Amare Barno, LB, Virginia Tech
- Round 6: No. 199 (from LV) – Cade Mays, G, Tennessee
- Round 7: No. 242 (from NE via MIA) – Kalon Barnes, CB, Baylor
Listen, there are some nice picks here but it’s hard to not think about what could have been. This is a team that had no second or third round picks coming into the draft. They traded up a bunch to correct the mistake costing them for next year. I also think there is a real chance Ickey Ekwonu stinks. I haven’t totally decided but something about his knees bothers me. Evan Neal would have been the better choice at six.
The only reason this draft isn’t an F is because there are some great selections thrown in here. Matt Corral could easily be the best quarterback in the class. Really intriguing arm talent that can make plays off platform. Needs work but they may have found something special.
Brandon Smith is a damn good linebacker with some sneaky athletic traits. Amare Barno can really rush the passer. I’m not sure he can do anything else but that’s all you’re looking for out of a six rounder. Seek traits. Just like with Cade Mays. Really tough guy. A bit limited but he can be nasty and will try his best.
New Orleans Saints: Grade F
- Round 1: No. 11 (from WAS) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
- Round 1: No. 19 (from PHI) – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
- Round 2: No. 49 – Alontae Taylor, S, Tennessee
- Round 5: No. 161 – D’Marco Jackson, LB, Appalachian State
- Round 6: No. 194 (from IND via PHI) – Jordan Jackson, DT, Air Force
Mickey Loomis needs to be taken out back if you know what I mean…
Don’t get me wrong, I love Chris Olave. I love him a lot less when context is included. Most fans obviously don’t keep track of every trade so let me help you. To acquire the Ohio State receiver, Loomis traded No. 98, No. 101, No. 120, a 2023 first-rounder, and a 2024 second-rounder to get him. I swear I didn’t make that up. It actually happened.
I wouldn’t have even drafted Penning. Guy blows. Go rewatch the Senior Bowl stuff and try to argue against it. Good luck with that cheese. Not to mention, what the hell was the Alontae Taylor pick? Did they actually scout him? Really bad athlete and is a safety only. No chance he can actually stick at corner.
Sean Payton wanted out for a reason. He has no quarterback and his general manager has lost his mind. I would have left too.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Grade F
- Round 2: No. 33 – Logan Hall, DE, Houston
- Round 2: No. 57 (from BUF) – Luke Goedeke, OT, Central Michigan
- Round 3: No. 91 – Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State
- Round 4: No. 106 (from JAX) – Cade Otton, TE, Washington
- Round 4: No. 133 – Jake Camarda, P, Georgia
- Round 5: No. 157 (from JAX via MIN) – Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
- Round 6: No. 218 (from LAR) – Ko Kieft, TE, Minnesota
- Round 7: No. 248 – Andre Anthony, DE, LSU
Yes, I gave every team in the division an F. Deal with it. You know I’m right so don’t even try to argue. I actually think Logan Hall is kinda interesting. Takes care of the defensive tackle need. Really tall body that performed well at the Senior Bowl. Not sure he’s a safe pick but I get it.
The rest of this draft is a joke. Luke Goedeke? I watched all I need to see from that guy. He blows. I can’t believe Rachaad White went in the third round. He’s very average. Has major issues and wasn’t even the best running back on his own college team. Which is a problem when we’re referring to Arizona State.
If you want to talk yourself into some of these later picks, be my guest. Is Jake Camarda saving this awful draft? How about Sam Houston State corner McCollum? OR Cade Otton? They’re fliers. It’s a bad draft all the way around.
