Let's go back to a link I used earlier in the week from ESPN. I like this analysis in that it averages the draft grades of 9 popular or well-known NFL authorities to better level the overall opinion. So you can quickly see that on average the Panthers draft was rated second best in the division. So let's look at the grades assigned to our division foes and see if we should be worried about their challenge to our division crown:

#1 Atlanta Falcons (2.96) Solid B

The Falcons targeted their defense early and often, first with the selection of highly rated DT Peria Jerry. They then added three players to the defensive backfield in S William Moore and CB's Chris Owen and Will Middleton. The top 5 is rounded out with DE Lawrence Sidbury, a guy many of us at CSR had hoped would end up in Carolina blue.   

The Falcons know that in order to beat the Panthers twice in 2009 they had to upgrade the run defense. In addition to a DT though they really needed a stand out LB but failed to get one. Jerry will be real good one day but he will need time to develop. Moore is known as a big hitter but lacks great coverage skills. Sidbury may actually have the biggest impact of these rookies in 2009 as his speed could spell trouble for our pass protection. But in the end I still think the Panthers will be able to run the ball against the Falcons and hopefully keep Matt Ryan off the field as much as possible. So overall I'm not too worried about what the Falcons have done for the 2009 season.

#3 New Orleans Saints (2.30) Solid C

The Achilles heel of the Saints for the past couple seasons has been their defensive backfield so in turn they took the CB most people had at the top of their board Malcolm  Jenkins. He should be a player for years to come so it was a good selection. From there they added a safety in Chip Vaughn and LB Stanley Arnoux, both former WF Deacons. Jenkins could provide a bit of a throttle on the Panther passing game and they already had a fairly good front line to deal with the Panther rushing game. Overall though I think its safe to say one guy isn't going to improve the defense enough to keep the Panthers from putting a good many points on the board. In 2009 I can see both games with the Saints playing out like 2008 where it's all about who can outscore the other. I like our chances of sweeping the Saints yet again.

#4 Tampa Bay Bucs (2.00) Low C bordering on D

Was anyone else puzzled that the Bucs traded up two picks to grab QB Josh Freeman at #17? Was Panthers GM Marty Hurney calling around to trade up in front of the Bucs to grab Freeman, only to make them over pay? That's just a guess by why else would they do that? You might recall in the SBN mock draft that Freeman was still there when we picked at #59. Freeman may end up being a great NFL QB but I have no fear of that in 2009. In fact I really hope he starts as the Panthers will certainly bring the pressure in hopes of rattling the rookie.

Though the Bucs really needed more help on offense they instead added to the defense with their next two picks, DT Roy Miller and DE Kyle Moore. Miller is strong enough to start right away and could add to an already stout defense. I don't see any other picks that will get on the field in 2009. Overall I'm betting the change in QB and defensive scheme causes the Bucs to regress a bit in 2009 and therefore allows the Panthers a good chance to sweep them for the first time since the 2006 season.

Summary

It should be no surprise that given how explosive this division is on offense (outside of the Bucs) that all four teams targeted their defense in the draft. The Panthers have to feel good that in spite of having the toughest schedule in the division they should still do well within the division, a key to defending the crown. So my early division predictions are:

Panthers - Division Winner

Falcons

Saints

Bucs