The Move The Sticks podcast is identifying "Perfect Pairs" -- the ideal top two picks -- for each NFL team leading up to the 2016 NFL Draft, which will be held April 28-30. NFL Media analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks will unveil a new set of picks for a tandem of divisions each week, continuing with the AFC South and NFC South today. The analysts will reveal their picks for AFC West and NFC West teams next week.
Buccaneers
Brooks' perfect draft pair: Clemson DE Shaq Lawson (Round 1, pick (9); Miami CB Artie Burns (Round 2, pick 39)
Brooks' take: The Bucs should feel good about their offense -- they need to improve their defense to give themselves a chance to compete. I believe they need to look at the pass-rusher position and cornerback. For a pass rusher, I like Lawson for the Bucs. He's an edge rusher who can set the edge in the run game and also has some nice hand skills. I love the way he's combative at the point of attack. I think he's going to be a double-digit sack artist at the next level. Burns is a super-explosive athlete. He's long, rangy and does a great job of getting his hands on the ball (6 interceptions last season). He'd be a nice fit in coordinator Mike Smith's defense because they play a lot of zone.
Saints
Jeremiah's perfect draft pair: Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell (Round 1, pick 12); Boise State OLB Kamalei Correa (Round 2, pick 47)
Jeremiah's take: Treadwell would give the Saints some size in the red zone, which is something they've been in need of since Jimmy Graham was traded last offseason. Correa is one of my favorite players to watch among this year's prospects. He has a lot of production as a pass rusher. Against the run, he has some shock in his hands and he will give you unbelievable effort from the back side to make plays. As a prospect, I liken him to a poor man's Clay Matthews. I think his best football is ahead of him.
Falcons
Brooks' perfect draft pair: Ohio State OLB Darron Lee (Round 1, pick 17); UCLA DT Kenny Clark (Round 2, pick 50)
Brooks' take: Head coach Dan Quinn needs to get his defense to play faster, and Lee is a perfect fit at the weakside linebacker position. He's an explosive athlete with great instincts. He has the versatility that you look for in terms of being able to get to the quarterback as well as cover receivers in the slot. I think the Falcons will double-down on defense in Round 2. Clark is athletic and versatile -- he can play multiple positions along that defensive line. When Quinn was coaching the Seahawks' defense in his previous position, he had a lot of players up front that could move around and do a bunch of different things. Clark can be that type of guy for Atlanta.
Panthers
Jeremiah's perfect draft pair: West Virginia S Karl Joseph (Round 1, pick 30); Penn State DE Carl Nassib (Round 2, pick 62)
Jeremiah's take: Joseph is kind of a poor man's Earl Thomas in that he's a little bit undersized but plays bigger than his size. He has unbelievable range from the middle of the field and has good ball awareness. He's a big hitter, too. He's a stud. He brings energy and excitement to a defense. Nassib is an ultra-productive pass rusher. He walked-on at Penn State and had to earn his way. He blossomed late in his career. Nassib has long arms and he knows how to use them. He would give them some more edge rush to team up with their stud defensive tackles.
On the Move the Sticks podcast, former NFL scouts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks break down the latest news and action around the league from a scout's perspective, alongside NFL player personnel executives.
