2026 NFL Draft Grades: NFC south
By Jack Brentnall
With the 2026 NFL Draft complete, it’s time to assess how each team navigated the board. These grades weigh my own evaluations against the consensus, with a focus on value, decision-making, and how effectively teams maximised their draft capital.
Atlanta Falcons
With limited early capital, this was always likely to be a class with a capped ceiling, but Atlanta made the most of their opportunities. The standout addition is Avieon Terrell at No. 48, which represents excellent value. Widely viewed as one of the top defensive backs in the class, landing him in the middle of the second round without needing to move up is a strong piece of business, and the added element of pairing him with his brother only enhances the appeal.
Zachariah Branch at No. 79 comes with some questions around his role at the next level, but this is a far more palatable range to take that kind of bet. The Kendal Daniels selection at No. 134 is harder to justify, particularly with Kyle Louis still on the board, who profiles as the stronger option in a similar role.
Overall, this is a solid class that does well to extract value at the top, even if the lack of premium picks limits its overall impact.
Grade: B+
Draft in full
48 (R2) – Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
79 (R3) – Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia)
134 (R4) – Kendal Daniels (LB, Oklahoma)
208 (R6) – Anterio Thompson (IDL, Washington)
215 (R6) – Harold Perkins Jr. (LB, LSU)
231 (R7) – Ethan Onianwa (OT, Ohio State)
Carolina Panthers
This is one of the more complete classes in the division, with Carolina consistently finding value and building with a clear plan in mind. Monroe Freeling at No. 19 may have been a slight surprise, but the upside is easy to see. His athletic profile fits the direction this offensive line is heading, and it’s a move that aligns well with the need to better support Bryce Young.
Chris Brazzell adds another dimension to the receiving corps, pairing well with Tetairoa McMillan to give the offense both speed and size on the outside.
The value throughout the rest of the class is what really stands out. Zakee Wheatley at No. 151 is one of the better picks of day three relative to the board, and more broadly, this is a group that consistently found players in favourable ranges. It’s a well-executed class that balances upside with value across the board.
Grade: A-
Draft in full
19 (R1) – Monroe Freeling (OT, Georgia)
49 (R2) – Lee Hunter (IDL, Texas Tech)
83 (R3) – Chris Brazzell II (WR, Tennessee)
129 (R4) – Will Lee III (CB, Texas A&M)
144 (R5) – Sam Hecht (IOL, Kansas State)
151 (R5) – Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State)
227 (R7) – Jackson Kuwatch (LB, Miami (OH))
New Orleans Saints
There are elements to like here, but the class is shaped heavily by its first-round decision. Jordyn Tyson fits nicely alongside Chris Olave from a stylistic standpoint, though taking him at No. 8 feels a little aggressive given his significant injury history.
The second round provides a strong counterbalance. Christen Miller at No. 42 is excellent value and brings a combination of run defense and pass rush upside that should translate well. Oscar Delp is another intriguing addition, offering a different skill set to the Saints’ current tight end room with his ability to contribute as an inline blocker while still carrying developmental upside as a pass catcher.
Day three is more uneven. While Bryce Lance at No. 136 stands out as one of the better value selections at that stage of the draft, the class as a whole lacks consistency. There is enough here to keep it in positive territory, but the early investment in Tyson caps the overall ceiling for me.
Grade: C+
Draft in full
8 (R1) – Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
42 (R2) – Christen Miller (IDL, Georgia)
73 (R3) – Oscar Delp (TE, Georgia)
132 (R4) – Jeremiah Wright (IOL, Auburn)
136 (R4) – Bryce Lance (WR, North Dakota State)
172 (R5) – Lorenzo Styles Jr. (S, Ohio State)
190 (R6) – Barion Brown (WR, LSU)
219 (R7) – TJ Hall (CB, Iowa)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is one of the most coherent and well-executed classes in this year’s draft. Tampa Bay clearly has a vision for what it wants to be, and this group reflects that identity throughout.
Rueben Bain at No. 15 is one of the best picks of the first round, combining high-end talent with strong value relative to the board. Josiah Trotter fits neatly into Todd Bowles’ defensive structure as a physical, downhill presence who can contribute as a blitzer, while Ted Hurst in the third round represents another strong value addition.
That consistency carries into day three. Keionte Scott at No. 116 is an excellent schematic fit and reunites with Bain, while DeMonte Capehart at No. 155 adds a sturdy presence against the run with the traits to develop further. It took until No. 185, with the selection of tight end Bauer Sharp, for a pick that didn’t offer the same level of value as the rest of the class.
This is a draft that combines value, fit, and a clear organisational identity, making it one of the stronger hauls in the division.
Grade: A
Draft in full
15 (R1) – Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami)
46 (R2) – Josiah Trotter (LB, Missouri)
84 (R3) – Ted Hurst (WR, Georgia State)
116 (R4) – Keionte Scott (CB, Miami)
155 (R5) – DeMonte Capehart (IDL, Clemson)
160 (R5) – Billy Schrauth (IOL, Notre Dame)
185 (R6) – Bauer Sharp (TE, LSU)
JACK BRENTNALL
HEAD OF NFL DRAFT CONTENT
Previously the founder of The Jet Sweep, Jack joined The Touchdown as head of Draft Content in 2024. A Scouting Academy alumnus, Jack has been Covering the NFL Draft since 2020. Follow him on Twitter @Jack_Brentnall.