Identifying the biggest need for every NFC South team
theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest positional needs for all 32 NFL teams entering the 2017 draft, which will be held from April 27-29.
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Atlanta Falcons
Biggest need: Defensive end
Other needs: Guard, defensive tackle
The Falcons are in pretty good shape coming off their Super Bowl loss without any major losses through free agency, but like any team, they have room to improve.
Vic Beasley's league-leading sack total took focus away from the fact that Atlanta's defensive line wasn't a huge cause for concerns among the opposition in 2016. Free agent Dontari Poe will help with Grady Jarrett's development at defensive tackle, but the ends - Brooks Reed, Adrian Clayborn, and Ra'Shede Hageman - could use a face lift.
Former starter Chris Chester retired this offseason and will likely be replaced by free-agent acquisition Hugh Thornton, however, depth will be needed.
Potential draft targets: Picking at the end of each round, the Falcons may be better off just taking best player available as they don't have any glaring needs, but if they want to hit hard on the needs, there a few fits to consider.
Western Kentucky guard Forrest Lamp is an athletic piece who can play multiple positions along the offensive line and should be available at the end of the first round. He could play as the team's sixth blocker in his rookie year before becoming a starter down the road.
At defensive end, either Auburn's Carl Lawson or Missouri's Charles Harris could make a great bookend to pair with Beasley.
Carolina Panthers
Biggest need: Offensive tackle
Other needs: Defensive end, running back
The Panthers took a hard fall from grace last season, but now comes the bright part - having a high draft pick.
Free-agent signee Matt Kalil can't really be counted on as a solid left tackle and Michael Oher's concussion problems have gone on for an alarming stretch of time. Adding an offensive tackle to create more protection for their franchise quarterback is definitely a need.
The Panthers are also set to rely on an aging set of defensive ends to pressure the quarterback.
Cornerback may seem like a need, but Carolina went heavy on its secondary last draft and will let those players continue to develop.
Potential draft targets: Unfortunately for the Panthers, there aren't any offensive tackles worth taking with the eighth overall pick, but if Alabama's Cam Robinson is still available early in the second round, he's an easy pick.
In the first round, athletic pass-rusher Haason Reddick out of Temple might be the ideal fit to learn from the veteran duo of Julius Peppers and Charles Johnson. Reddick played as a hybrid linebacker in college, but could easily transition to full-time defensive end - especially under Peppers' Hall-of-Fame-worthy tutelage.
Leonard Fournette has also been mentioned as a possible target with the eighth pick. However, he may already be off the board and, with the Panthers running a lot of rushing plays from the shotgun, his system fit is debatable.
New Orleans Saints
Biggest need: Cornerback
Other needs: Linebacker, pass-rusher
The Saints need to go heavy on defense in this year's draft to help fix a broken unit while Drew Brees is still capable of leading a top-notch offense.
The pressure is on.
New Orleans is one of three teams with multiple first-round picks, so they will be looking to plug up two holes early on as a cornerback and pass-rusher are needed.
Adding a quarterback to eventually succeed Brees is certainly a possibility, but New Orleans will try to add players that will make a difference on the field next season in the early rounds.
Potential draft targets: The Saints can't really miss with their first pick, the eleventh overall selection, with so many solid defenders to chose from early, but Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster could be the Jon Vilma-esque piece the team has been searching for since 2012.
Taking Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley 32nd overall - assuming he's available - might be the most perfect pick imaginable for New Orleans. He would fill the need at corner and be reunited with safety Vonn Bell, who was drafted last year from the Buckeyes.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Biggest need: Safety
Other needs: Running back, defensive line
A late-season winning streak gave the Buccaneers quite a bit of hope exiting the 2016 season and their roster is in pretty good shape, save for a few positions.
Doug Martin is suspended for the first four games of the season and may get cut before that as his ban negates the guaranteed money from his hefty contract. If the Bucs can fill that need with one of the top backs of the draft, his chances of release increase.
None of the safeties on Tampa Bay's roster are threatening starters. As it stands, teams will be looking to test their skill with a slew of deep balls and seam routes.
Potential draft targets: If Jamies Winston's former college teammate Dalvin Cook is on the board when the Buccaneers are up with the 19th pick, it should be a quick decision. If not, scooping up Tennessee's Alvin Kamara in the second round would also work fine.
The Bucs should be able to get a top safety in the first round if they're willing to reach a little bit.
Michigan's Jabrill Peppers is a risky pick because of his experience as a linebacker in college, but could very well become a playmaking stud.
Connecticut's Obi Melifonwu is expected to be a late first-rounder, though his supreme athleticism is enough to argue that No. 19 is late enough. Washington's Budda Baker should also still be on the board and is expected to be a competent starter, while not as balanced as some may desire.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)