2025 NFL Draft Grades: NFC South
With the 2025 draft complete, theScore's senior NFL writer Dan Wilkins hands out his initial grades for each team's incoming rookies.
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Grade: B
This is a tough one to evaluate. On one hand, the haul is incredibly exciting. The Falcons defense needed all the talent it could get. Doubling down on both pass-rushers and defensive backs was smart, and you can argue each pick was excellent value at its respective draft slot. The bad news: sending the Rams a 2026 first-rounder to move up 20 spots for Pearce is downright reckless. The Falcons probably plan on being a playoff team, mitigating the potential value surrendered with the pick, but that's far easier said than done. There's just too much risk here, and that weighs down what would have been an outstanding grade.
Grade: A-
This is a fun group for Carolina. McMillan adds a true No. 1 target for Bryce Young, giving the former top pick every opportunity to keep his development headed in the right direction in Year 3. McMillan's a big body who can dominate the contested catch game and make things happen with the ball in his hands. While the pick might have been a little surprising to anyone hoping the Panthers would bolster their pass rush, they made up for that on Day 2. Scourton and Umanmielen both offer plenty of upside in that regard. There were some curious decisions in the fourth round, as the Panthers almost certainly didn't need another running back, and Ransom doesn't exactly fill the need of a coverage free safety alongside big-money free-agent addition Tre'Von Moehrig. But it's an impressive haul on the whole. And don't overlook the addition of Evans on Day 3. The Notre Dame product has good ball skills and can contribute as an in-line blocker, making him my No. 7 tight end in this class.
Grade: C+
The Saints' draft was a bit of a mixed bag. Banks is probably a smart pick, even if yet another offensive lineman has fans begging for more excitement. There were also some nice additions to the defensive side, with Sanker, Stutsman, and Riley all offering potential starter upside. Broughton was a bit of a reach in the third. The Shough pick is the real tough one, though. He probably has the ability to start sooner rather than later, and that'll be important for New Orleans with Derek Carr's status seemingly up in the air. But what's the real upside here? The Saints should be building the roster with a focus on the future. Shough, who didn't break out until the final season of an injury-ridden, seven-year college career, turns 26 in September. There were probably better ways to use a pick of that value.
Grade: A
Taking Egbuka in the first round didn't make much sense at first. Tampa Bay had some major needs defensively, and the receiver group was stacked. It doesn't look so weird now. The Bucs went hard after defensive players on Day 2, landing a pair of potential starting corners in Morrison and Parrish. They took a similar approach to address the edge on Day 3, and Walker is a particularly interesting addition after truly dominating FCS competition at Central Arkansas. The excellent work to shore up the defense on Day 2 continues an incredible run of drafting from Jason Licht and the Bucs front office. And Egbuka's going to be a star in that offense.