Re-grading every NFL team's 2020 rookie class: NFC South
With the 2020 NFL season officially complete, theScore's NFL editors reevaluate the performance of each team's rookie class.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Atlanta Falcons
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | CB A.J. Terrell |
| 2 | DL Marlon Davidson |
| 3 | OL Matt Hennessy |
| 4 | LB Mykal Walker |
| 4 | S Jaylinn Hawkins |
| 7 | P Sterling Hofrichter |
Grade: C
The cornerback position is notorious for being one of the hardest in terms of transitioning from college to pros. Terrell definitely had his fair share of rookie struggles after giving up 900 yards and five touchdowns, but he showed flashes of his potential with an overall underperforming secondary. The cornerback finished with 71 tackles, seven pass breakups, and one interception. Davidson and Hennessy were largely nonfactors in their rookie years, mainly due to injuries. But Walker helped boost Atlanta's grade with a surprisingly strong campaign playing behind Deion Jones and Foye Oluokun. The linebacker gave up just 5.7 yards per catch and earned 45 total tackles.
Carolina Panthers
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | DT Derrick Brown |
| 2 | DE Yetur Gross-Matos |
| 2 | LB/S Jeremy Chinn |
| 4 | CB Troy Pride Jr. |
| 5 | S Kenny Robinson |
| 6 | DT Bravvion Roy |
| 7 | CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver |
Notable UDFAs: S Sam Franklin, RB Rodney Smith
Grade: B-
Chinn was the early standout performer for Carolina's group. The second-round safety racked up 117 total tackles, one interception, and five pass defenses while playing the second-most snaps among all rookies. Chinn had one of the season's most memorable sequences, scoring back-to-back fumble-return touchdowns in Week 12. Brown put together an inconsistent campaign, especially against the run. But while the defensive tackle had just two sacks, he was second on the team in pressures with 34. Gross-Matos produced three sacks and 20 pressures in half as many pass-rush opportunities as Brown.
New Orleans Saints
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | G Cesar Ruiz |
| 3 | LB Zack Baun |
| 3 | TE Adam Trautman |
| 7 | QB Tommy Stevens |
Notable UDFAs: WR Marquez Callaway
Grade: D
The Saints had just four draft picks in 2020, and seventh-rounder Stevens didn't make the roster. Ruiz was easily the weak link on one of the game's top offensive lines, struggling particularly in pass protection. The right guard gave up 25 pressures in 15 appearances (nine starts). Baun only saw 102 snaps during the season. Trautman provided some solid blocking but didn't make an impact as a receiver, producing 175 yards. Callaway, an undrafted free agent, contributed 213 receiving yards, most of which came during Michael Thomas' absence.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | OT Tristan Wirfs |
| 2 | S Antoine Winfield Jr. |
| 3 | RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn |
| 5 | WR Tyler Johnson |
| 6 | DT Khalil Davis |
| 7 | LB Chapelle Russell |
| 7 | RB Raymond Calais |
Grade: A+
The Bucs signing Tom Brady was the catalyst for their Super Bowl run, but they likely wouldn't have gotten to the biggest stage if they didn't nail their first two draft picks. Wirfs exceeded expectations and instantly became a top-tier pass-protector, allowing just one sack and finishing the year as PFF's 11th-ranked offensive tackle. He came up just short of an All-Pro nod, but he'll be a mainstay in Tampa Bay for years to come. Meanwhile, Winfield was a key reason for the Bucs' No. 1 run defense, racking up 64 total tackles and three forced fumbles. The young safety's blitzing skills were perfect for defensive coordinator Todd Bowles' aggressive scheme. Vaughn and Johnson struggled to see the field, but that was expected given Tampa Bay's embarrassment of riches on offense.