2016 NFL Mock Draft: NFC South

Instead of a traditional 2016 NFL mock draft, let’s look at the top three picks for each club as if the author was the GM for each team. Now: the NFC South. One last note before we begin: players can be picked more than once but only outside of the division. So, look at this as a mock draft in and of each division.

Atlanta Falcons
1. Corey Coleman, WR Baylor
2. Darron Lee, LB Ohio State
3. Deon Bush, S Miami(fla) 

The Falcons are a mess, and most of that mess started with the decision to hire Kyle Shanahan as their offensive coordinator and thinking that Vic Beasley would do a double somersault and fix their defense. Dan Quinn is starting to look like Jim Zorn 2.0 so he’ll need to inject ready to play talent in this upcoming draft.

Lee and Bush start to fix the defensive issues. Coleman replaces Roddy White, who’s too slow now to be of any use to them. Julio Jones just can’t do it all for them.

Coleman has thrived in that up-tempo Baylor offense. With Kyle Shanahan close to being shown the door, they need to find an offense and a wideout to take the pressure off of Jones. The Falcons just need him to give them 50 catches in 2016 and the offense should hum.

Carolina Panthers
1. Jayron Kearse, S Clemson 
2. Joe Haeg, OL North Dakota State
3. Kenyan Drake, RB Alabama 

Carolina is hitting on most(if not all) cylinders right now but no matter how they’re doing Gettleman will focus on just adding talent wherever he can find it. This draft is trying to fuse their want for sheer talent with the best fit.

Kearse, Haig and Drake all are potential guys over “ready to play” prospects. But all three positions are ones that the Panthers should start focusing on in the near future.

Drake could be the star of this group: he has the physical tools, but just can’t stay healthy. Haeg is getting noticed thanks to scouts looking at his quarterback Wentz. He has an NFL body and great technique.

New Orleans Saints:
1. Shaq Lawson, DE Clemson 
2. Karl Joseph, S WVU 
3. OJ Howard, TE Alabama

Nothing is going to fix that mess in the Saints’ defense in one draft or offseason. They lack talent in so many places that it’s hard to know where to start. This draft gives them 2 hard workers in Lawson and Joseph.

More from With the First Pick

But this also fixes the TE spot(or tries to) to replace the chain moving production that left with Jimmy Graham. Howard only has 61 receptions in 3 seasons but he has the big soft hands that the NFL looks for in a receiving TE.

Joseph will need time to recover, but he has top 15 talent and probably should go much higher than round 2.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1. Jonathan Bullard, DL Florida
2. Tyler Boyd, WR Pittsburgh
3. Pat Elflein, OL Ohio State 

The Bucs have come around thanks to the play of their rookie QB. Jamies Winston still is wild under center but he’s making more positive plays on a consistent basis.

This draft is about adding more pro ready guys over potential. Bullard starts tomorrow for them at weakside defensive end. Boyd makes Vincent Jackson and his $12.3 million salary expendable. Boyd is also a good compliment for Evans: he doesn’t have the drops but doesn’t have Evans’ freakish physical tools.

Elfein is limited, but you can find a use for him. Probably the best idea is to develop him until Mankins is ready to retire.