Best, worst draft picks in the NFC South
WORST | Falcons, DE Zach Harrison (third round): Harrison’s selection represents the trickle-down effect of Atlanta’s decision to select running back Bijan Robinson eighth overall. Harrison’s length should translate well to the NFL; per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, he had “the longest arms (36 1/4 inches) and wingspan (85 1/2 inches) among defensive linemen in this draft class.” But he struggled at getting sacks in college, something the Falcons desperately needed to improve this offseason. He had 3.5 sacks last season and 13 in 46 college appearances (28 starts).
According to ESPN, Harrison was the ninth-best defensive end in the class; Brugler ranked him 13th. He could have a positive impact in Atlanta but he needs to become something he wasn’t in college for the Falcons not to regret passing on more productive pass rushers earlier in the draft.
BEST | Falcons, CB Clark Phillips III (fourth round): Few expected Phillips to drop as far as he did and the Falcons wisely scooped up a corner who showed great instincts in college. Last season, he had six interceptions, tied for third-most in college football. In three seasons, he had nine interceptions, four of which he returned for touchdowns.
Per data from Pro Football Focus, he allowed 511 yards and four touchdowns on 66 targets a year ago. With A.J. Terrell manning one side of the field, Phillips could end up being a worthy running mate.
WORST | Saints, RB Kendre Miller (third round): New Orleans likely got a productive player in Miller, but the selection came at a high pick and over higher-graded backs including Devon Achane, Roschon Johnson, Tank Bigsby and — most painfully — local Tulane product Tyjae Spears, who went 10 picks later to the Titans.
Miller had 224 carriers, 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, but is coming off an MCL injury that forced him to miss the Horned Frogs’ national championship game massacre. Spears helped lead Tulane to an improbable Cotton Bowl win over USC in January and could have received a storybook beginning to his NFL career. Saints fans will undoubtedly roar after every Miller touchdown, but also quietly wonder what could have been.
BEST | Saints, WR A.T. Perry (sixth round): Three rounds later, New Orleans got arguably the biggest steal in the draft of any team in the division when it landed Wake Forest wide receiver Perry 195th overall. He’s a big target for new QB Derek Carr to throw to at 6-foot-3 and was productive for the Demon Deacons with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022. He was exceptional at using his big frame — and deceptive speed — to get separation.
