SNS 2025 NFL Draft & UDFA Analysis - NFC South

John B. Everett
May 1
7 min read

*Kelvin Banks / OT / New Orleans Saints*

Atlanta Falcons

1 (15)	Jalon Walker	LB-EDGE	Georgia
1 (26)	James Pearce	EDGE	Tennessee
3 (96)	Xavier Watts	S	Notre Dame
4 (118)	Billy Bowman	S	Oklahoma
7 (218)	Jack Nelson	OT	Wisconsin

UDFA Signings
	Nate Carter	RB	Michigan State
	Nick Nash	WR	San Jose State
	Quincy Skinner	WR	Vanderbilt
	Seven McGee*	WR	Albany
	Josh Simon	TE	South Carolina
	Jordan Williams	OT	Georgia Tech
	Joshua Gray	IOL	Oregon State
	Simeon Barrow	IDL	Miami, Fl
	Dontae Manning	CB	Oregon
	Cobee Bryant	CB	Kansas
	Malik Verdon	S-LB	Iowa State

			*Mini Camp Invitee

2025 NFL Draft & UDFA Analysis

For years since the retirement of John Abraham, the Falcons have sought a pass rusher who could consistently apply pressure on the pocket. And finally, this year Atlanta took the task seriously and used two first round picks to acquire Walker and Pearce, who will both start from day one as rookies. Walker and Pearce are both likely to line up at outside LB on running downs and then line up at EDGE on passing downs. Watts and Bowman are two balhawking safeties who both figure to get significant playing time as rookies with one starting next to Jessie Bates and the other getting significant time in the nickel and dime defenses. Nelson has started more than three dozen games at OLT in Madison and will be developed as a versatile swing OT to provide depth along the OL. Simon is a tremendous athlete with middling production who surprisingly went undrafted after a great winter at the Senior Bowl and Combine. Simon should make the final roster in September.

After having only five picks in the draft, the Falcons got busy signing a large class of UDFA. Carter had a fantastic Pro Day workout and vaulted himself into draft consideration. He is a powerful and decisive inside runner with good agility. He'll battle for a practice squad spot. Nash led the nation in catches, yards, and TDs last year and offers a sure-handed target with a large wingspan. Nash has an excellent chance of making the 53-man roster. Simon surprisingly went undrafted despite solid performances at the Senior Bowl and Combine. He should make the final roster in September. Williams has years of starting experience at OLT and will puch Nelson for a job on the 53-man roster. Gray has starting experience at OT and OG but figures to be an IOL in the NFL. Gray should at least make the practice squad in the fall. Barrow had a very good senior season in Coral Gables and has a combination of size and quickness the NFL covets. Bryant earned a third-round grade from SNS and headlines this UDFA class. Bryant has a strong chance of starting before his rookie season ends in Flowery Branch.

Draft & UDFA Grade - A-

Carolina Panthers

1 (8)	Tetairoa McMillan	WR	Arizona
2 (51)	Nic Scourton	EDGE	Texas A&M
3 (77)	Princely Umanmielen	EDGE	Ole Miss
4 (114)	Trevor Etienne	RB	Georgia
4 (122)	Lathan Ransom	S	Ohio State
5 (140)	Cam Jackson	IDL	Florida
5 (163)	Mitchell Evans	TE	Notre Dame
6 (208)	Jimmy Horn	WR	Colorado

UDFA Signings
	Ethan Garbers	QB	UCLA
	Kay'Ron Lynch Adams	RB	Michigan State
	Kobe Hudson	WR	UCF
	Muhsin Muhammad III	WR	Texas A&M
	Michael Tarquin	OT	Oklahoma
	Luke Kandra	IOL	Cincinnati
	Jared Harrison-Hunte	IDL	SMU
	Corey Thornton	CB-WR	Louisville
	Mike Reid	CB	South Dakota
	Isaac Gifford	S	Nebraska
	Jack Henderson	S	Minnesota

2025 NFL Draft & UDFA Analysis

The Panthers did not use the eighth pick on an EDGE defender, deciding to draft McMillan instead. McMillan is a long, tall WR with remarkable agility for a man his size but some question his love of the game. Carolina has no such concerns and they see McMillan as true #1 WR. The Panthers used their next two selections on EDGEs Scourton and Umanmielen, two experienced and productive SEC pass rushers. Etienne is a faster version of his brother, the Jags' starting RB. He flashes high end skill but has not proven he can consistently produce. Ransom should be a day one starter as a complete safety who fills a huge need on the Panthers' defense. Jackson is a massive man who needs to be kept fresh to be productive. Evans has battled injuries but finally looks healthy and like a possible future starter. Horn is an explosive option for Bryce Young out of the slot.

Garbers flashes NFL-level skill but is relatively inexperienced and inconsistent. He needs an impressive preseason to earn a practice squad position. Lynch-Adams is a hulking inside runner who relishes contact. He will push for a practice squad spot this summer. George has solid game film but ran slower than he plays and will need an impressive summer to stick with the team. Muhammad is a second-generation Panther. His father, Muhsin II, is one of the best WRs in team history, and his son is a similarly big, physical WR - just not not as productive or healthy. Thornton played CB in college but was signed as a WR. His length is his biggest asset at either position. Kandra is an experienced and durable IOL who will push for a spot on the 53-man roster. Harrison-Hunte had a terrific senior season and he offers quickness and leverage as an inside player. Martin-Scott has very good size and hits like a truck. Special teams will be his ticket to the NFL. Gifford and Henderson are similar players who are smart, disciplined, and look like possible special teams stalwarts at the next level.

Draft & UDFA Grade - A-

New Orleans Saints

1 (9)	Kelvin Banks	OT	Texas
2 (40)	Tyler Shough	QB	Louisville
3 (71)	Vernon Broughton	IDL	Texas
3 (93)	Jonas Sanker	S	Virginia
4 (112)	Danny Stutsman	LB	Oklahoma
4 (131)	Quincy Riley	CB	Louisville
6 (184)	Devin Neal	RB	Kansas
7 (248)	Moliki Matavao	TE	UCLA
7 (254)	Fadil Diggs	EDGE	Syracuse

UDFA Signings
	Marcus Yarns	RB	Delaware
	Chris Tyree	WR	Virginia
	Moochie Dixon	WR	SMU
	Easton Kitty	OT	Kansas State
	Torricelli Simpkins	IOL	South Carolina
	Jasheen Davis	EDGE	Wake Forest
	Omari Thomas	IDL	Tennessee
	Tyreem Powel	LB	Rutgers
	Dalys Beanum	CB	South Dakota State
	Elliott Davison	S	UTSA
	James Burnip	P	Alabama

2025 NFL Draft & UDFA Analysis

Banks, SNS' #1 ranked OT / #3 Big Board 300, steps in as the immediate starter at OLT and gives the Saints a potential Pro Bowler blocking the QB's blindside. And that QB may be Shough. And it may be sooner than later if reports about the extent of Carr's shoulder are true. Sanker is a physical leader who should be great on special teams. Stutsman is likely destined to be the Saints' eventual starting MLB. Riley is another future starter with the fluidity and ball skills desired at CB. Neal is a stong runner with a punishing straight-arm and surprising deep speed. Matavao is a better athlete than player at this point but he has an upside worth developing. Diggs was a 5-star recruit who never played up to his potential in college but flashes the quickness and burst desired at the position.

Yarns is explosive and plays a similar style to Alvin Kamara. He'll push for a roster spot. Tyree has experience at RB and WR but his ticket to the NFL may be as a returner. Tyree has explosive qualities in space. Simpkins is a tough, hard-nosed, and durable SEC lineman. Davis is a tall, lanky EDGE with a huge wingspan who is high cut and has difficulty protecting his legs, leaving him susceptible to being cut. Powell flashes moments of dominance and has good range and hitting ability. He should push for a roster spot. Burnip is a big Australian punter with a booming leg - he will push for the job this summer.

Draft & UDFA Grade - C+

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1 (19)	Emeka Egbuka	WR	Ohio State
2 (53)	Benjamin Morrison	CB	Notre Dame
3 (84)	Jacob Parrish	CB	Kansas State
4 (121)	David Walker	EDGE	Central Arkansas
5 (157)	Elijah Roberts	EDGE	SMU
7 (235)	Tez Johnson	WR	Oregon

UDFA Signing
	Connor Bazelak	QB	Bowling Green
	Jordan McCloud*	QB	Texas State
	Josh Williams	RB	LSU
	Garrett Greene	WR-QB	West Virginia
	Will Sheppard	WR	Colorado
	Anthony Landphere	TE	Memphis
	Ben Chukwuma	OT	Georgia State
	Ben Scott	IOL	Nebraska
	Desmond Watson	IDL	Florida
	John Bullock	LB	Nebraska
	Shilo Sanders	S	Colorado
	JJ Roberts	S	Marshall

			*Mini Camp Invitee

2025 NFL Draft & UDFA Analysis

Egbuka gives the Bucs a top three WR group of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Egbuka but more importantly provides a young, talented WR that is capable of starting for Evans or Godwin, who have both spent time on IR. Morrison would have been a Top 20 pick if he had stayed healthy last season and gives Tampa a potential #1 CB. Parrish has experience at outside CB but looks ideally suited for lining up at slot CB. Both Morrison and Parrish should start at rookies. Walker is a small school prospect with two years of dominate production at the FCS level. He is a powerful bull rusher who hits like a tank. Roberts really came on last year at SMU and is a well-rounded prospect who produces in both the run and pass defense. Johnson went from being a potential first round pick to falling to last two dozen picks of the draft. He is razor thin and his timed speed is poor. But he shows up game in, game out as the go-to WR for both Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel at Oregon. His NFL future is a fascinating case to observe.

Bazelak went from draft after-thought at Missouri and Indiana to revitalizing his career with two solid seasons in the MAC. Bazelak has a good arm, reads the field well, and has plenty of college experience. He will try to continue his career on Tampa's practice squad this season. Greene was a quality college QB but lacks the arm talent to play in the NFL. But he is adynamic athlete who will attempt to transition to WR in the NFL. Williams has never been able to stay healthy but looked like a legit bellcow RB with special skill when healthy. Sheppard is big, strong, and sure-handed. He just lacks quickness, speed, and burst. He is likely to start his career on the practice squad. Majors gave up zero sacks last year but went undrafted because he lacks great size, length, or athleticism. All he is is effective. Majors looks like an ideal backup at center for the Bucs. Scott is a typical Cornhusker OL - he's tough and mean. He just is limited athletically. Watson is HUGE and unbelievably strong. But his stamina is poor and he offers little as a pass rusher. But damn. He is HUGE. Bullock is a guided missile of a LB who excels as a blitzer where his timing and finishing burst are impressive. He will need to excel on special teams to make the roster. Sanders is a hard hitter with the mental and physical makeup to excel on special teams.

Draft & UDFA Grade - A