#259: 2021 NFL Draft Recap (NFC South with Jeff Barnes)

Sports Krunch w/DKROM

1. Falcons

-With the fourth overall pick, the Falcons decided to pass on a potential successor to Matt Ryan and instead took Kyle Pitts, the best non-QB prospect in the draft. Even though Pitts is listed as a tight end that, at least to some degree, is a misnomer. You can line him up inline, in the slot, or even at the X receiver position, and he is still equally as effective. Assuming the Falcons keep Julio Jones this season, does the addition of Kyle Pitts make the Falcons pass catching unit the most dangerous in the NFL?

-In the second round, the Falcons traded down five spots and selected Richie Grant, the talented, versatile safety out of UCF. Atlanta obviously needed a safety, but some would argue they should’ve went with Trevon Moehrig, who went just three picks later to the Raiders. Do you think Richie Grant was the right pick for the Falcons in terms of fit, or do you think they’ll regret taking him over Moehrig?

-In the third round, the Falcons made their first of two dips in the interior offensive line pool by selecting Jalen Mayfield, who played tackle at Michigan, but projects far better at guard in the NFL. Some were putting him in first-round mocks early in the process, but an underwhelming Pro Day sent him tumbling down the board. Do you think Mayfield is one of those prospects where the tape is far better than the way he tested? Does he have a shot to beat out Josh Andrews for that starting LG spot in training camp?

2. Panthers

-With the eighth overall pick, the Panthers selected South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn, making him the first defensive player off the board. As you discussed on our Dash To The Draft DB’s special, Horn is the ideal corner for a press/man scheme. However, the Panthers run more of a zone-oriented scheme under defensive coordinator Phil Snow. Are you at least somewhat troubled by the scheme fit here between the Panthers and Jaycee Horn?

-After trading down twice in the second round, the Panthers got potential highway robbery with LSU WR Terrace Marshall, Jr. Marshall fell due to concerns about his injury history, but he brings a Courtland Sutton/Alshon Jeffery skill-set that the Panthers were sorely lacking at receiver. Sam Darnold now has a mouth-watering 11 personnel package with D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, and now Terrace Marshall. With weapons like these plus a healthy Christian McCaffrey, is Sam Darnold a quiet candidate for 2021 Comeback Player of the Year honors?

-With their first of two third-round picks, the Panthers went with a sorely needed OL upgrade in Brady Christensen, who protected Zach Wilson’s blindside at BYU. However, Matt Rhule said that the Panthers view him as someone who can play four different OL positions and added that he can be “elite” at guard. Do you think Brady Christensen will be better at tackle or guard in the NFL?

3. Saints

-For the second time in four years, the Saints selected a “non-Power Five” pass rusher (Marcus Davenport in 2018, and Payton Turner in 2021). Turner obviously flew up draft boards after his freakish Pro Day, where he showed off his 84-inch wingspan. Can you see Payton Turner overtaking Marcus Davenport for the starting DE spot opposite Cameron Jordan at some point this season?

-In the second round, the Saints filled a massive void at linebacker with Ohio State’s Pete Werner, While nowhere near the freak athlete his fellow Buckeye Baron Browning is, he is a cerebral, hard-hat/lunch-pail player in the mold of long-time Vikings LB Chad Greenway. Do you see Pete Werner become the starting MLB with on-field play-calling duties in New Orleans relatively quickly?