2008 NFL Draft Report Card-NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Round 1 #3 QB Matt Ryan, Boston College
Round 1 #21 OT Sam Baker, USC
Round 2 #37 LB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma
Round 3 #68 CB Chevis Jackson, LSU
Round 3 #84 WR Harry Douglas, Louisville
Round 3 #98 S Thomas DeCoud, California
Round 5 #138 LB Robert James, Arizona State
Round 5 #154 LB Kroy Biermann, Montana
Round 6 #172 RB Thomas Brown, Georgia
Round 7 #212 CB Wilrey Fontenot, Arizona
Round 7 #232 TE Keith Zinger, Duke

Overall Grade: B

Fantasy Outlook: The success of this draft for the Falcons rests on the shoulders of Matt Ryan. Ryan is being asked to be the new face of the franchise, and he will be given every opportunity to compete for the starting job. He may not be the opening day starter, but he figures to be given the job at some point in the season. Consequently, Ryan is worth a look in keeper leagues. Atlanta attempted to protect their investment by drafting a offensive tackle in Sam Baker. Baker should help keep Ryan and the rest of their signal callers upright. Chevis Jackson has a great opportunity to play right away with the departure of DeAngelo Hall, but Atlanta will likely still be a middle-of-the-road fantasy defense.

Carolina Panthers

Round 1 #13 RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
Round 1 #19 OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
Round 3 #67 CB Charles Godfrey, Iowa
Round 3 #74 LB Dan Connor, Penn State
Round 5 #141 TE Gary Barnidge, Louisville
Round 6 #181 DT Nick Hayden, Wisconsin
Round 7 #221 LB Hilee Taylor, North Carolina
Round 7 #241 OT Geoff Schwartz, Oregon
Round 7 #250 G Mackenzy Bernadeau, Bentley

Overall Grade: A-

Fantasy Outlook: Jonathan Stewart will be given a significant amount of touches in his rookie campaign. Stewart has great strength and quickness, which should bode well at the NFL level. Therefore, Stewart warrants strong consideration as a No. 2 running back in fantasy. Jeff Otah was a smart pick for Carolina as he will help open the holes for Stewart and the running game.  Speaking of solid picks, the Panthers snagged a couple of potential starters on defense in Charles Godfrey and Dan Connor. Carolina is a perennial top tier fantasy defense, and this year will be no exception.

New Orleans Saints

Round 1 #7 DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
Round 2 #40 CB Tracy Porter, Indiana
Round 5 #144 DT DeMario Pressley, North Carolina
Round 5 #164 OT Carl Nicks, Nebraska
Round 6 #178 K Taylor Mehlhaff, Wisconsin
Round 7 #237 WR Adrian Arrington, Michigan

Overall Grade: B

Fantasy Outlook: The Saints may have found three starters on defense with their first three draft selections. Sedrick Ellis will be an instant impact player and a disruptive force in the backfield. Therefore, New Orleans should be considered more than a serviceable fantasy defense in 2008. On the other side of the ball, Adrian Arrington has good hands and runs precise routes, which could earn him a roster spot. They also may have found their kicker by taking Taylor Melhaff in the sixth round.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 1 #20 CB Aquib Talib, Kansas
Round 2 #58 WR Dexter Jackson, Appalachian State
Round 3 #83 G Jeremy Zuttah, Rutgers
Round 4 #116 DT Dre Moore, Maryland
Round 5 #160 QB Josh Johnson, San Diego
Round 6 #175 LB Geno Hayes, Florida State
Round 7 #238 RB Cory Boyd, South Carolina

Overall Grade: C+

Fantasy Outlook: Tampa Bay wanted to get younger in their secondary so they took Aqib Talib with their first pick. Talib will get the chance to compete for the starting job on an already upper tier fantasy defense. Dexter Jackson could end up being one of the steals of the 2008 NFL draft. Jackson has the ability to make big plays every time he touches the ball. Look for Jackson to help out more intially in the return game, but he could be given a bigger role in the passing game later in the year. The Buccaneers brought yet another quarterback onto their roster when they selected Josh Johnson towards the end of the draft.  Johnson is a project quarterback and does not warrant any fantasy consideration until he has been given playing time and proven he can adjust to the pro game.