2019 NFL Draft Dynasty Review: NFC South

Dwight Peebles

The NFC South featured four competitive teams with one legitimate Super Bowl contender. In the 2019 NFL Draft, all four teams focused on ancillary pieces – at least from a fantasy perspective – and not a single player who will help your fantasy teams this season (unless you play IDP, of course!)

The Saints were one of the most dominant teams all season and their season ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Rams in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. They moved up last year to take Marcus Davenport and only had a handful of picks in the 2019 draft. The Falcons featured an offense which seemingly scored at will but a defense marred by injuries led to them finishing the campaign with a 7-9 record despite Matt Ryan’s career year.

The Panthers also clawed their way to a 7-9 record with Christian McCaffrey lighting the NFL on fire and Cam Newton trying to stay on the field and fight through injuries. The Buccaneers threw the pigskin a ton with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston leading the way. A prolific offense couldn’t overcome the terrible defense, and this draft focused on getting the team balanced.

There isn’t much to report from a fantasy standpoint here. But below are a few of the pieces who may make a difference in one of the most offensive-focused divisions in the NFL.

ATLANTA FALCONS

Chris Lindstrom, OG Boston College (ROUND 1, 14th OVERALL)

Kaleb McGary, OT Washington (ROUND 1, 31st OVERALL)

Protecting Matt Ryan and providing running lanes for Devonta Freeman were the top priorities in the draft. Lindstrom is a quick and physical lineman best suited for zone schemes. He can move and counter well with defensive lineman but is not the strongest lineman overall. The Falcons then moved up and snared McGary at the end of the first round. McGary has always played tackle but might be more suitable inside where his lateral limitations won’t be as exposed. He might require a little more patience and may not start initially but both of these players are critical for the offense to have continued success.

Qadree Ollison, RB Pittsburgh (ROUND 5, 152ndOVERALL)

I really liked a lot about Ollison in his time at Pitt. However, he’s big and doesn’t run with the punishing style you would expect, and doesn’t do a lot to make him an elusive back either. Ollison had a great senior year, tallying over 1,200 yards on a 6.3 yards per carry average, and caught balls out of the backfield each of his four years as well. He’s a solid overall back and a backup who will help with depth behind Freeman and Ito Smith.

Marcus Green, WR Louisana-Monroe (ROUND 6, 203rd OVERALL)

A multi-talented weapon who can catch, run, and contribute on special teams, Green was taken in the sixth round and will make an instant impact as a returner. He returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in 2018 and was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, awarded to the nation’s best all-purpose threat. Green was used mostly from the slot and lacks route running refinement. He uses his speed to create mismatches but doesn’t have the best hands in contested situations.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Will Grier, QB West Virginia (ROUND 3, 100th OVERALL)

The Panthers drafted Grier and he will get the opportunity to be Cam Newton’s backup. With the health issues of Newton looming yearly, a quality backup is more critical in Carolina than with some teams.

Grier is a gun-slinging quarterback but lacks the arm talent and quickness to match his mentality at times. He uses his eyes well and reads through progressions, makes a lot of accurate throws including on deep throws. Grier has a few flaws: average arm in regards to velocity and quick release, footwork, and his mechanics break down when plays go awry. There is a lot to build on and he should be a solid backup for a long time in the league.

Jordan Scarlett, RB Florida (ROUND 5, 154th OVERALL)

A talented back with off-field issues which limited his playing time in Gainesville, Scarlett has an intoxicating blend of size, strength, and quickness. He makes space with good movement and power to break tackles, yet is limited by poor vision and hands which inhibit his pass-catching ability. Scarlett is fun to watch – he moves so well in the open field and really embarrasses would-be tacklers frequently but the vision and off-field issues will limit his role in the NFL.

Terry Godwin, WR, Georgia (ROUND 7, 237th OVERALL)

A slot receiver with good route running techniques, Godwin was selected late but has a path in front of him which is pretty clear to getting targets. He has short-area quickness that creates mismatches but doesn’t have the speed or explosion to really excel much beyond the short area. Godwin will likely play early and see targets in the slot but I don’t see him making much of a dent in the stat lines.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The Saints drafted a center at 48th overall pick in the second round, Eric McCoy from Texas A&M and then followed up by drafting two safeties. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson from Florida was selected in the fourth round and then Saquan Hampton from Rutgers in the sixth – both are solid defensive players who will help the Saints defensive depth.

Alize Mack, TE Notre Dame (ROUND 7, 231st OVERALL)

Boasting one of the most potent offenses in the NFL, the Saints didn’t go offensive skill position until the final round – adding pass-catching tight end Mack to their stable of weapons. He was used primarily running routes and was not asked to block much – he is a liability in there. Even though used mostly as a receiving option, he doesn’t have much run after the catch ability and lacks many of the small skills that could make him a dangerous option from the position.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The Bucs also focused on defense. In the first round, they selected Devin White at fifth overall and he will anchor the defense for a very long time. He has a relentless motor and is only getting better, having converted from running back, which he played in high school.

The secondary was addressed with the selection of Sean Bunting from Central Michigan in the second round and then Jamal Dean from Auburn in the third round – both cornerbacks will get playing time right away for a secondary that has been atrocious the past few seasons. They also selected versatile safety Mike Edwards from Kentucky in the third round as well. He will be a piece for the defense to move all around and help in both safety roles.

Anthony Nelson is a ferocious defensive lineman from Iowa taken in the fourth round with the potential to make a lot of noise in the front seven for Tampa Bay.

Scott Miller, WR Bowling Green (ROUND 6, 208th OVERALL)

Miller provides the Bucs will a speedy option from the slot to replace Adam Humphries. Miller has the early acceleration to create mismatches quickly and then burning speed to beat defenses over the top. He works all levels of the field and can finish well in traffic as well. He isn’t very big at 5’9” and 175 pounds – his durability and ability to take hits could be his biggest detriment in his game. Miller is an intriguing option in this prolific offense and won’t have to do a lot to help out the team.

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