2009 NFL Draft Report Card-NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Round 1 #24  DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi
Round 2 #55 S William Moore, Missouri
Round 3 #90 CB Christopher Owens, San Jose State
Round 4 #125 DL Lawrence Sidbury, Richmond
Round 5 #138 CB William Middleton, Furman
Round 5 #156 OT Garrett Reynolds, North Carolina
Round 6 #176 LB Spencer Adkins, Miami
Round 7 #210 DT Vance Walker, Georgia Tech 

Overall Grade: B

Fantasy Outlook: The Falcons were on a mission to use to help their defense as they devoted seven out of their eight picks on that side of the ball.  There is a good chance that three of four of them will be instant starters as well.   Peria Jerry should help improve Atlanta’s run defense, and William Moore will likely solve their issues at safety.  With that being said, the Falcons still should be viewed as a middle-of-the road fantasy defense. 

Carolina Panthers

Round 2 #43 DE Everette Brown, Florida State
Round 2 #59 DB Sherrod Martin, Troy
Round 3 #93 DT Corvey Irvin, Georgia
Round 4 #111 RB Mike Goodson, Texas A&M
Round 4 #128 FB Tony Fiammetta, Syracuse
Round 5 #163 G Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
Round 7 #216 CB Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina 

Overall Grade: C+

Fantasy Outlook: The Panthers also focused their draft on the defensive side of the ball taking three defenders in each of their first three picks.  Everette Brown figures to be a starter even if Julius Peppers remains on the team.  Duke Robinson was a nice value in the fifth round.   Robinson should compete for a starting job and help open holes for their fantasy studs at running back. 

New Orleans Saints

Round 1 #14 CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
Round 4 #116 S Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest
Round 4 #118  LB Stanley Arnoux, Wake Forest
Round 5 #164 P Thomas Morstead, SMU

Overall Grade: C-

Fantasy Outlook: Malcolm Jenkins and Chip Vaughn should be stars in the Saints’ secondary for years to come.   Jenkins figures to be a solid pro, but New Orleans did pass up on drafting his college teammate,  running back Chris “Beanie” Wells in order to take him.  The Saints were targeting Wells and tried to trade back into the first round to get him, but were unable to do so.  It will later be revealed if they made a mistake or not. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 1 #17 QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State
Round 3 #81 DT Roy Miller, Texas
Round 4 #117 DE Kyle Moore, USC
Round 5 #155 OL Xavier Fulton, Illinois
Round 7 #217 CB E.J. Biggers, Western Michigan
Round 7 #233 WR Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State 

Overall Grade: B

Fantasy Outlook: The Buccanneers may have taken Josh Freeman a little early in the draft, but it was a move they needed to make.  Freeman may need to take a couple years to develop, but he certainly has all the tools to be successful in this league.  Therefore, he warrants some fantasy consideration in keeper leagues.  The Bucs helped their defense with the additions of Kyle Moore and Roy Miller.  The aforementioned duo should instantly improve their pass rush.  Tampa Bay took a flier on Sammie Stroughter late in the draft, and in a year or two, he could end up being a legitimate starter in this league.