NFL MOCK DRAFT 2022- A LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL FIRST PICKS FOR EVERY TEAM IN THE NFC SOUTH

NFL / Football

Written by Joel Lefevre

Three of the four teams in the NFC South will have a chance to pick in the top 20 of this year’s NFL draft. The unretirement of Tom Brady has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as solid favourites to repeat as division winners for a second-straight season. Besides Tampa, the other three teams in this division have plenty of offensive deficiencies that could use an upgrade in this draft. Here is a look at who I see dawning the NFC South colours of the Bucs, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints when the draft opens on April 28.

Kenny Pickett | Source (Background Photo): Getty Images

Carolina Panthers- Round 1- Pick#6- Kenny Pickett, quarterback

The quarterback position may not be at the top of the list for most teams in this draft, but that is an area where the Panthers could use some help. Carolina averaged 17.9 points per game last year and struggled in the red zone, averaging 1.5 touchdowns a game. There are still some QBs with NFL experience available, namely Baker Mayfield, though his harsh words for the Cleveland Browns seem to have left GMs around the league hesitant to take a chance on him.

Kenny Pickett is considered the most NFL-ready quarterback in this year’s class, with connections to current Panthers head coach Matt Rhule, who recruited the Pittsburgh product when he was in charge at Temple. Sam Darnold has not gotten the job done in Carolina, and while the former Jets pivot would make a solid backup, he does not look like the answer to the Panthers' woes. Pickett has drawn comparisons to Andy Dalton, and the youngster made a big impact in college, breaking Dan Marino’s Pitt passing records. He is great at recognizing corner schemes in the secondary, with the velocity to stay ahead of closing coverage. He has the good arm strength to push deep-outs without a problem. Pickett can also extend a play and win on the move with his arm, which is a must if you are to be an elite quarterback in the NFL.

Atlanta Falcons- Round 1- Pick#8- Garrett Wilson, wide receiver

Atlanta is taking a big gamble by trading away a consistently strong performer in Matt Ryan, replacing him with Marcus Mariota. Having a big-play receiver could take the pressure off the former Tennessee Titans pivot, who has seen limited playing time over the past couple of seasons. The Falcons failed to move the ball consistently in 2021, averaging 18 first downs per game, which was 28th in the NFL.

With tremendous speed and hands, Garrett Wilson is the best receiver available in this year’s draft. Wilson can keep drives alive with his size and ability to get away from aggressive corners in tight windows. He can be another threat to this passing attack that has missed a lot since Julio Jones, considered the best receiver in franchise history, left for Tennessee in 2021. The former Ohio State player can be an option to throw outside, while also taking some of the pressure off Kyle Pitts, who drew a ton of attention from opposing corners last season.

New Orleans Saints- Round 1- Pick#19- Matt Corral, quarterback

A completion rate of 58.1% will not cut it if you want to make the postseason in the NFC. New Orleans has a pair of veteran QBs on the depth chart in Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston, but they have to be looking towards the future as those two players might be past their prime.

Corral may not provide the greatest run-pass option, but he brings an extra dimension that new coach Dennis Allen will need. He can get the ball out of his hands quickly, which will be a massive benefit to Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas. Corral has plenty of patience, allowing receivers to finish their routes, and that quality will take him far. While not the flashiest pivot out there, you are unlikely to see the Mississippi product force a throw into tight coverage and risk an interception. He is excellent at delivering the ball into areas where only his receiver can catch it and should benefit from a veteran receiving corps on the Bayou.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Round 1- Pick#27- Boye Mafe- defensive lineman

Tom Brady and Chris Godwin coming back are huge for the Bucs' title hopes but adding a solid defensive prospect would be ideal. Todd Bowles will need more interior pressure from his players to unseat the likes of the Rams, even if Tampa can bring back Ndamukong Suh.

Boye Mafe has incredible power, which can disrupt the run, and is capable of lining up on the end or inside. He may only be a depth player, though, given the bumps and bruises which players experience throughout a long season, he could step in and make a significant contribution. This Minnesota lineman is explosive, powerful, and able to dismantle tight ends at the point of attack. The son of Nigerian natives, Mafe has a good IQ and can generate some strong rush momentum when his feet are charging forward.