NFC South 2025 NFL Draft Outlook, Team Needs: Is Jaxson Dart The Way To Go For The Saints?

It was a rough 2024 for the NFC South. Only the Buccaneers won double-digit games, while both the Panthers and Falcons dealt with QB drama. This season, though, could it be the Saints' turn for some drama in the way of drafting Jaxson Dart to sit behind or compete with Derek Carr? Tipp Major gives his thoughts and insights on in this 2025 NFC South Draft Outlook and Team Needs breakdown.

Tipp Major

Apr 4 2025, 7:02pm | 10 min read

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NFC South 2025 NFL Draft Outlook, Team Needs: Can Michael Penix, Falcons Overcome Disappointing Season?

"Rise to the occasion" does not accurately describe the NFC South division. Over the past three seasons, the teams in this division have combined for just 84 wins. Among them, there was only one team with a double-digit win total last season in particular, which was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Each team had its surprises in 2024, from the Buccaneers' top-notch offense to the Saints’ struggling to march into any stadium. A key moment in the division was the benching of Bryce Young at the start of the season by the Carolina Panthers. However, he made an impressive comeback towards the end, thanks in part to a strengthened offensive line that became one of the better units in the league.

Let’s take a closer look at the teams in the NFC South and their needs heading into the draft. It will be interesting to see how Bijan's team rebounds after a disappointing 2024 season

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2025 NFC South Odds

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +130
Atlanta Falcons +250
Carolina Panthers +450
New Orleans Saints +800

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NFC South 2025 NFL Draft Outlook and Team Needs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2025 Draft Picks

1st round: Pick 19
2nd round: Pick 53
3rd round: Pick 84
4th round: Pick 121
5th round: Pick 157
7th round: Pick 253

2024 Record and Division Finish

2024 Record: 10-7
Division Finish: 1st

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (LB) K.J. Britt, (C) Robert Hainsey, (T) Justin Skule, (OLB) Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Tavierre Thomas
Notable Additions: (P) Riley Dixon, (T) Charlie Heck, (OLB) Hasson Reddick, (DB) Kindle Vildor
Team Needs: LB, DB

Losing Dave Canales as the figurehead of the offense was supposed to spell doom for the Bucs. Booming is the only way to describe the offense in 2024. Their offense would relentlessly attack a defense and finish in the top ten in scoring for each quarter. Check out this breakdown:

Season Averages per quarter:

1st Quarter: 6.7 points (#1 in the NFL)
2nd Quarter: 7.8 points (#10th in the NFL)
3rd Quarter: 5.7 points (#8 in the NFL)
4th Quarter: 8.6 points (#2 in the NFL)

Skeptics would argue that the team needs a strong offense. They have a future Hall of Fame receiver in Mike Evans, along with one of the best slot receivers in the league, Chris Godwin. However, these two veterans combined to miss 13 games due to injuries. Despite this, the offense continued to thrive. Liam Coen, who is now the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, still brings an element of cringe. Josh Gizzard, the Buccaneers' passing game coordinator, provides a similar voice to the offense, with Baker Mayfield at the helm. This should create a smooth transition.

The primary focus for the Buccaneers in the 2025 draft will be on improving their defense. While their offense performed well, their defensive performance was only average. This is a key concern for head coach Todd Bowles.

Last season, particularly in the final three games, the Bucs defense failed to generate any turnovers. Recently, Hall of Fame Buccaneers safety Ronde Barber provided some insight into what the team is targeting in the draft. They are looking for an inside linebacker and a cornerback to help create those much-needed turnovers. Jihaad Campbell, a linebacker from Alabama, appears to be a strong candidate. His combination of size and speed, along with satisfactory athleticism, stands out. Campbell will need to improve his anticipation skills when planning to utilize the pass rush, and Coach Bowles will be instrumental in his development.

A sharp focus on strengthening the defensive lineup is essential for the Buccaneers in the upcoming draft. The question remains: can they retain their top position in the division?

Atlanta Falcons

2025 Draft Picks

1st round: Pick 15
2nd round: Pick 46
4th round: Pick 118
7th round: Pick 218 and 242

2024 Record and Division Finish

2024 Record: 8-9
Division Finish: 2nd

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (DT) Grady Jarrett and (C) Drew Dalman
Notable Additions: (WR) Jamal Agnew, (TE) Feleipe Franks, (S) Jordan Fuller
Team Needs: DT, EDGE

Last season for the Falcons can be summed up as sheer disappointment. However, some grace should be extended, and here's why: the Arthur Smith regime needed a full season to get washed out. Coach Raheem Morris waited patiently with Kirk Cousins until it was time to make a change. Did he wait too long to pull the plug? Perhaps, but he did eventually make the switch, and the team continued to move forward.

What I observed was that the team put in a lot of effort when it was time to switch quarterbacks and give Michael Penix a chance, even when the team seemed to be struggling. With Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Michael Penix leading the offense, there's potential for success. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson initially deserved much of the blame for the stale playcalling at the start of the season. However, things started to improve, and in the last three games of the season, the Falcons averaged 32 points per game. This was more than both the Ravens and Bills, as well as their division rival, the Buccaneers.

It’s important to pay attention to trends like this, as they can serve as a foundation for the upcoming season.

New Orleans Saints

2025 Draft Picks

1st round: Pick 9
2nd round: Pick 40
3rd round: Pick 71 and 93
4th round: Pick 112 and 131
6th round: Pick 184
7th round: Pick 248 and 254

2024 Record and Division Finish

2024 Record: 5-12
Division Finish: T-4th

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (DB) Shemar Jean-Charles, (DB) Paulson Adebo, (RB) Jamaal Williams
Notable Additions: (WR) Brandin Cooks, (TE) Jack Stoll, and (S) Justin Reid
Team Needs: CB, WR, OL, LB

The Saints are marching in the wrong direction. Last season, they won only five games after winning nine in 2023. It’s safe to say Dennis Allen finally ran out his welcome in the Crawfish Town.

Who remembers when this team was averaging 45.5 points per game in the first two games? It looked like another hit for me when I called this offense back in August to surprise us. Mainly because I thought Klint Kubiak would bring some life to this offense, and I feel the same about the Seahawks this year.

When discussing the Saints and their draft needs, the list seems extensive. This team is looking to fill multiple positions. Saints fans, it’s time to exercise some patience. Derek Carr was brought in as a potential savior, but the Saints may need to start exploring other options for a future quarterback.

Jaxson Dart, the QB from Ole Miss, could be a viable candidate. Derek Carr has always taken pride in the quarterback position and might be aware that his time in the NFL could be limited. He would make a great mentor for a young player. Dart possesses several talents that are relevant in today’s NFL, but he must focus on improving his footwork. If he has a year or two to learn from the sidelines, it could significantly benefit his development.

There are certainly other positions that the team needs to address. If the Saints can acquire Dart, allow him to learn the game, and work on resolving their cap space issues, they could move in the right direction.

Carolina Panthers

2025 Draft Picks

1st round: Pick 8
2nd round: Pick 57
3rd round: Pick 74
4th round: Pick 111 and 114
5th round: Pick 140, 146, and 163
7th round: Pick 230

2024 Record and Division Finish

2024 Record: 5-12
Division Finish: T-4th

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (S) Xavier Woods
Notable Additions: (RB) Rico Dowdle, (Edge) Patrick Jones II, (S) Tre’Von Moehrig, (DL) Tershawn Wharton, (C) Austin Corbett
Team Needs: WR, EDGE, OL

We witnessed a season of record-breaking performances in the NFL in 2024. The Panthers came very close to tying a long-standing record set by the 1981 Baltimore Colts, who allowed 533 points in a single season. In 2024, Carolina was just a touchdown away from matching that record — what a remarkable feat!

As a result, the Panthers are placing a strong emphasis on enhancing their defense in the offseason. While they've made some improvements to strengthen their defensive lineup, it’s crucial that they continue to prioritize this area during the draft.

The offense showed significant progress as the season progressed, but the defense struggled in the last three games, allowing over 38 points per game. Carolina definitely needs to fix that defense!

When it comes to the draft, the strategy of "sniping" isn't just for fantasy football; it’s an opportunity for the Panthers to snipe the Saints who draft after the Panthers. If they decide to forgo selecting an edge rusher, they could consider drafting Will Johnson, a cornerback from Michigan. Although he is currently dealing with a hamstring issue that sidelined him during his pro day, I appreciate the smooth fluidity of his playing style, even if he lacks the speed of some top corners. Pairing him with a player like Jaycee Horn could potentially create a dynamic duo.

You're welcome, Panthers — just kidding!

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Tipp Major

@tippmajor

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Tipp Major here, yes that is my real name! What can I say I LOVE SPORTS, particularly football. I especially enjoy Fantasy Football. When I am not watching sports, you can find me spending time with my family, at the gym, or at the record store! Oh ya, I love sneakers too.

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