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NFC South rookie grades: How has each team's top pick fared?
New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga. Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

NFC South rookie grades: How has each team's top pick fared?

By Eric Smithling  |  Last updated Sep 24, 2024 1:27 PM ET

After three weeks of the regular season, several rookies are already making their mark in the NFL.

Here's an evaluation of each NFC South team's top draft pick, accompanied by a grade based on how they've fared:

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (No. 8 overall)

Penix Jr. has looked great holding a clipboard, but he's an enigma on the field. Atlanta even hid him in the preseason, only playing him for five offensive series against the Dolphins.

We'll give Penix Jr. an "I" for "incomplete" thus far. On a positive note, at least he's looked better than Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.

Grade: I

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (No. 32 overall)

Legette finally got to display his athleticism in Week 3, with quarterback Andy Dalton unlocking the best version of Panthers head coach Dave Canales' offense.

The former South Carolina wideout had a 35-yard reception on an incredible throw from Dalton, who threaded the ball between two Raiders defenders.

Legette caught the ball at the Las Vegas 36-yard line and raced 26 yards to set the Panthers up with a first-and-goal.

Legette has six receptions for 77 yards, but his role should expand. On Tuesday, the Panthers announced veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) had been placed on injured reserve, forcing him to miss at least the next four weeks. 

Grade: C

New Orleans Saints left tackle Taliese Fuaga (No. 14 overall)

Fuaga has played a key role in the Saints' offensive line, going from a weakness to strength. Per ESPN, New Orleans ranks ninth in pass-block win rate and second in run-block win rate. According to Pro Football Focus data, Fuaga has allowed three total pressures in 71 pass-rush opportunities.

NFL Network's Brian Baldinger praised Fuaga following Week 1, highlighting several plays in a video breakdown, including one where Fuaga "walked" Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown down the field on a run play.

Baldinger boldly described Fuaga as "the second-coming of Willie Roaf," the Hall-of-Fame former Saints (1993-2001) and Chiefs (2002-05) left tackle who made seven consecutive Pro Bowls in New Orleans (1994-2000) and was a member of the Hall of Fame's All-1990s and All-2000s Teams.

Grade: A

Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Graham Barton (No. 26 overall)

Tampa's rushing offense remains a work in progress, but Barton has already raised the team's ceiling running the ball.

He's already made several blocks that jump out, including this one against Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (No. 34), when Barton (No. 62) drove the eight-year veteran 20 yards downfield.

Barton displayed athleticism when out in space, blocking on a screen pass. He blocked a pair of Lions defenders, showing the awareness and relentlessness necessary to thrive as a starting NFL offensive lineman.

The Bucs rank 25th in rushing and quarterback Baker Mayfield has already been sacked 13 times. Barton hasn't been credited with allowing a sack but has allowed seven pressures.

He's performed better than an average rookie, but Barton is still scratching the surface of what he can be.

Grade: C+

Eric Smithling
Twitter/X Muck Rack

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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