Poaching players from NFL roster cut downs: the NFC South

This series will involve scouting - electronically - the 90 man rosters of the other 31 teams in the league for players who might get left behind at final cut downs, who could potentially provide value as the 52nd or 53rd man on the Redskins’ roster.

This edition takes a look at the NFC South, home of the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Read other articles from this series:

Poaching players from NFL roster cut downs: the AFC East

Poaching players from NFL roster cut downs: the AFC South

Poaching players from NFL roster cut downs: the AFC West

Poaching players from NFL roster cut downs: the NFC East

Atlanta Falcons

Matt Gono (OT) - A 2018 UDFA signed from Wesley College in Delaware, Gono has played both guard and tackle for the Falcons this pre-season, showing a versatility any team would love to have. His physicality, in particular, has been noted by the Falcons’ brass. One current issue is that the Falcons’ OL is so depleted, he could virtually be assured of a roster spot.

Qadree Ollison (RB/ST) - Drafted by the Falcons in the 5th round of the draft, from Pitt, Ollison currently appears to be at the edge of the Falcons’ RB depth chart. He’s large back who could come in handy in goal line situations, but who also has the capacity to play special teams.

Jaeden Graham (TE) - Graham, a UDFA out of Yale, picked up by Atlanta in 2018, is currently in a heated battle with former Redskin Logan Paulson for the last TE spot on the Falcons’ roster. He helped himself by getting the highest PFF grade on the team in pre-season game 2.

Carolina Panthers

Marquis Haynes (EDGE) - Taken by the Panthers in the 4th round of the 2018 draft out of Ole Miss, Haynes has been overshadowed a bit by 2019 first rounder Brian Burns. If Haynes makes the team, it’s possible that former ‘Bama standout, Christian Miller doesn’t. Either player could be worth a long look.

Ross Cockrell (S) - Originally selected by the Bills in the 4th round of the 2014 draft out of Duke, Cockrell had a Robert Davis like moment in last year’s training camp. He broke both his tibia and fibula when his leg got caught under Torrey Smith. He originally played CB, but the Panthers have moved him to FS because of his successful ability to track the ball and his football IQ.

Terry Godwin (WR/ST) - Godwin was one of the players I highlighted on HH before the draft, and was eventually selected in the 7th round by the Panthers out of Georgia. To date, he has already proven to be a special teams ace during the Panthers’ pre-season, working alongside former Redskins and AFL star, Rashad Ross.

New Orleans Saints

Devine Ozigbo (RB) - A UDFA out of Nebraska, Ozigbo is making a lot of good impressions in a crowded Saints’ backfield. Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, Jaquizz Rodgers, and Buck Allen, among others, are currently ahead of him or competing with him for a spot on the depth chart.

Kaden Elliss (LB) - Selected in the 7th round out of Idaho, Elliss appears to be carving out a role on special teams with the Saints. There’s talk that injuries could allow Elliss to potentially compete for significant playing time this year, but if he manages to fall off the Saints roster, he could both provide critical ILB depth as well as special teams support.

Porter Gustin (EDGE) - Though projected to go later in the draft, the USC-trained Gustin was signed as a UDFA instead after testing positive for Adderall at the NFL combine. The Saints have shifted him from outside linebacker to defensive end, but he’s essentially still playing the same EDGE role he’s used to.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Terry Beckner (DL) - Taken in the 7th round out of Missouri, Beckner appears to be the first man off the roster on the Bucs DL. Beckner suffered serious knee injuries on both knees in college, but was a run-stopping machine when he was healthy in his junior and senior years. Touted as the top defensive prospect in the country when he left high school, this guy is an intriguing talent.

Jeremiah Ledbetter (DL) - This 2017 6th round pick from Arkansas was working himself into second team status before suffering a high ankle sprain. Depending on the prognosis for that injury, it’s possible Ledbetter doesn’t make the 53-man roster.

Emanuel Hall (WR) - Originally projected as a possible 4th round draft pick, this speedster from Missouri ended up being signed as a UDFA by the Bears. He was then cut by the Bears and signed by the Bucs. A master of the “go” route, Hall’s senior season was cut short by a groin injury. If he happens to also slip off the Bucs roster, he could merit a glance.

Next up: NFC North