Four years have gone by since the 2021 NFL draft, and its players have made their marks. Teams in the south divisions however, did not make the best selections. Of the nine first round picks these franchises made, very few have worked out long term. Teams like the Buccaneers and Titans have only made one or no selection that is still with the team to do this day. As such, it can be hard to see which front office did best, but some hidden gems have shined despite the misfortune around them.
New Orleans Saints: CB Paulson Adebo
Paulson Adebo offers a unique boom or bust playstyle as a cornerback. After the Saints selected the Stanford product at pick 76 in the third round, he’s constantly seen balls come his way. In this past season, quarterbacks targeted Adebo nearly 22 percent of the time he was on the field. However, he held his ground by only allowing 34 receptions on 57 targets. Additionally, what makes Adebo special is his ability to get his hands on the ball. He’s totaled 10 interceptions during his four years as a pro, and was on track to break his personal record of 4 this previous season prior to a season ending injury. Furthermore, he’s broken up passes at an elite level, with a combined 28 in the past 22 games he’s started. The former Stanford graduate has brought value by giving New Orleans big plays in the secondary. While his playstyle is volatile, it’s earned him a 54 million dollar contract with the Giants, where he will bring some big plays to a defense that was 31st in interceptions last season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C Robert Hainsey
The Bucs brought in the versatile Robert Hainsey in round three with the 95th pick. The Bucs originally intended to have Hainsey as a flexible backup, and he served that role in year 1. However, after long time center Ryan Jensen sustained an injury prior to 2022, Hainsey was the next man up. In his first season as primary starter, he displayed a high level of competency at center. While his run-blocking needed improvement, his pass-blocking was highly efficient. The following season when Ryan Jensen would call it a career, Hainsey would continue his role. In 2024, despite the fact that rookie Graham Barton won the starting job ahead of him, he earned an 81 pass-blocking grade when he did play. In an emergency situation, Hainsey provided the Bucs with stability and high level play at center for two years. Additionally, he’ll earn a shot to be a starter with the Jaguars, who gave him a 3 year 21 million dollar deal.
Carolina Panthers: RB Chuba Hubbard
After star RB Christian McCaffrey missed most of 2020 with a litany of injuries, Carolina made sure to have a reliable alternative in the backfield to take some of the workload off CMC. They accomplished this goal and more by taking Canada’s own, Chuba Hubbard, in the fourth round. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy would have to face competition before earning the full-time starting role. In his first three years, he’d be listed below Christian McCaffrey, D’Onta Foreman and Myles Sanders on the depth chart. However, after eclipsing 900 rushing yards in year 3, he was the named the starter ahead of 2024, and made the most of it. Last year, he averaged 4.6 yards a carry (12th in the league) and had 3.5 yards after contact per attempt (3rd in the league). He’s been a focal point of the Dave Canales offense, and his rushing efficiency assisted in Bryce Young’s resurgence. Hubbard signed a 33.2 million dollar extension to stay in Carolina, and will hopefully be joined with Jonathan Brooks to lead a formidable backfield.
Atlanta Falcons: C Drew Dalman
After not allowing a single pressure or sack in his senior year, Drew Dalman was selected by the Falcons with pick 114 in the fourth round. He backed up Matt Hennessey his rookie year. Since then, the Stanford grad has helped establish one of the better offensive lines in the game. In his first year as starter, Atlanta’s o-line jumped from 28 to 5th in PFF’s rankings, and jumped to 4th in 2023. This excellence has been large part to the rest of the line being solid on their own, but Dalman’s contributions have been crucial to the offensive line’s success as a unit. In his most recent season, his PFF score of 78.8 ranked him 4th among centers. Furthermore, he was particularly dominant in the run game, having a grade of 79.8, making him 5th among centers. Chicago hopes to replicate the quick rise of Atlanta’s offensive line, and signed Dalman to a three year 42 million dollar contract.
Tennessee Titans: OL Dillon Radunz
Radunz’s time with Tennessee has had its fair shares of ups and downs. But by looking at the rest of this Titans draft class, there are worse options than an average level guard. The Titans selected the North Dakota State Bison in the second round. He struggled to earn himself a role as a starter, only logging five games as first stringer his first two years. He saw more reps in his third campaign, and played multiple roles on the Titans’ line. It was in his last year where head coach Brian Callahan named him a full time guard. He was at his best when playing inside, with Callahan even saying he thrived at guard after week six. Radunz ended his season allowing 6 sacks and 23 pressures, and earned average PFF grades for his position. While he didn’t meet expectations, his decent play at guard provided a degree of stability for Tennessee. He will continue his career inside for the New Orleans Saints after signing a 1 year deal.
Indianapolis Colts: G Will Fries
Finding a high level guard is difficult, finding one in the seventh round even more so. Yet, the Indianapolis Colts struck gold when they picked Will Fries at 248 out of Penn State. Fries, alongside fellow linemen Ryan Kelly and Quenton Nelson, is a big contributor on a stellar interior unit of protectors. After a disappointing 2022 campaign, the line bounced back the following season, specifically in Fries’ first year as full-time starter. On an individual level, he displays high level play both in the run and the pass. In 2024, on 153 passing down snaps, he allowed just six total pressures. However, he shines brightest when opening up lanes for the backfield, posting the fifth best PFF run-block grade among guards. He will continue playing next to Ryan Kelly, this time in a Vikings unform, after inking a five year 88 million dollar contract.
Houston Texans: WR Nico Collins
Collins did not walk into a team with the best quarterback situation after he was drafted in the third round. As such, a turbulent QB room with Davis Mills under center stymied the former Wolverine’s development at the pro level. However, when Houston selected CJ Stroud to be the face of their franchise, it unlocked Collins. After not even passing 1000 yards receiving in his first two years, he smashed his personal records and caught 80 balls for nearly 1300 yards in year three. Furthermore, despite missing five games last year, he still managed to pass the thousand yard mark. His efficiency comes from his 14.8 yards per reception and league leading 3 yard per route run. Additionally, he earned a nod as a pro bowler this previous season. With another fully healthy season alongside Stroud, Collins’ list of accolades will just keep growing.
Jacksonville Jaguars: LT Walker Little
Rounding out the South teams, and the third Stanford Cardinal on this list, Walker Little was picked by the Jaguars in the second round at pick 45. Little did not see many starts during the early onset of his career, due to Cam Robinson solidifying the spot. Little would see his first chance as first stringer after Robinson suffered an injury in 2022. He proved capable in the games he did play, notably shutting out Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa in the wild card round against Los Angeles. He earned the job as the team’s starter once again after the team traded Robinson to Minnesota in week 9 of 2024. During that span, PFF noted that he allowed a just 1.5 percent knockdown rate, tying with Rashawn Slater. He also allowed just 62 pressures, rising as the best man on a struggling Jacksonville offensive line. He’s earned a 3 year 45 million dollar extension, and will protect Trevor Lawrence’s blindside for years to come.
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