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The NFC South is filled with wild cards and question marks. Can the Bucs find enough in free agency to round out new coach Jon Gruden's squad? Can John Fox lead the Panthers to at least twice as many wins as last year (one)? Can Michael Vick and Warrick Dunn bag a few wins for Home Depot in Atlanta? Will the Saints come marchin' back to their playoff form of two years ago or will their exodus of star players make New Orleans the Big Queasy?

Questions, questions, oh so many questions.

New Orleans Saints

Saints coach Jim Haslett and general manager Randy Mueller are entering the final season of their contracts, so they need this draft to be a doozy. They need to find solid players who can contribute immediately to bolster a roster that lost Pro Bowlers La'Roi Glover, Joe Johnson and Willie Roaf as well as RB Ricky Williams and backup QB Jeff Blake. Nothing spells help in contract talks like W's. If not, Mardi Gras might not be as much fun for the Saints next year.

Needs: OG, DT, DE

The Saints like Tennessee DT John Henderson's versatility.(Allsport)

As part of the Williams' trade, the Saints will have an active first day with three of the first 44 picks of the draft -- two in Round 1.

Their top priorities are along the lines, and considering where they pick, the Saints can bolster both sides of the ball in the first round. Provided Tennessee DT Albert Haynesworth and UNC's Ryan Sims are off the board by the time they make their first selection at No. 13, they might have their choice of two other top defensive tackles, Tennessee's John Henderson and Wisconsin's Wendell Bryant.

Even with the signing of Grady Jackson, the Saints would tab Henderson over the Badgers' Bryant because of Henderson's versatility. The Volunteers standout can kick out to end if needed. The signing of Jackson means the Saints might shift focus to DE before DT, with eyes on Georgia's Charles Grant, who ranks just behind Julius Peppers.

Their other top priority is on the interior of the offensive line. The team is very high on Ohio State's LeCharles Bentley, the draft's top-rated center. The Saints could grab him with the 25th pick in the draft and play him at guard for the first year while he learns the line calls from incumbent center Jerry Fontenot. Bentley, a versatile blocker experienced at guard and even tackle, is the type of mean, nasty, combative player that might remind Haslett of, well, um, Jim Haslett.

If Bentley is gone, the team would be wise to grab Colorado's Andre Gurode to replace Chris Naeole, who signed with Jacksonville last week. He may not be on the board, but luckily for the Saints, guards often drop down on draft day.

The Saints have the solid Joe Horn at one starting wideout slot and have signed former Colt Jerome Pathon to fill a need on the other side.

Atlanta Falcons

Dan Reeves still holds the final say on the draft despite the presence of recent hire Bobby Beathard. Reeves gave his scouting department more influence last year on the team's draft day picks. It shouldn't change much, but will likely be dramatically different next year when a new GM is hired to run the show.

Several league executives believe that former Packers top dog Ron Wolf will take the job following the draft. Wolf turned down the team's offer in late March, but league people believe this was merely due to timing. One month is not enough time to come in and conduct a draft. His good buddy Beathard was brought in to assist in the hiring process.

Needs: WR, OG, LB, S

The Falcons have their QB of the future in Michael Vick, a solid Thunder and Lightning running back tandem in Warrick Dunn and Jamal Anderson and an improved offensive line. So what's left? A wide receiver to stretch the field.

Atlanta has extensively scouted Tennessee WR Donte Stallworth, but his offseason performances will have him off the board before Atlanta picks at No. 17. They don't have a second-rounder after trading it as part of the Vick deal with San Diego last year. While coach Dan Reeves has hardly been shy with draft trades, he won't have the proper ammo this year to move up for Stallworth (unless he gives up a future first-rounder). Should Stallworth drop in the first round, Reeves will strongly consider giving up a future No. 1 to jump up and grab him.

If they don't move up for Stallworth, another player they will strongly consider is Florida State receiver Javon Walker. Walker has been steadily moving up in value over the past week. By the time the draft arrives, there is a good chance Walker will be rated ahead of the more highly touted Jabar Gaffney of Florida. If the Falcons come away with either of these players, they will have dramatically upgraded their receiving corps.

Atlanta also needs to bolster the interior of its offensive line. The Falcons are solid at tackle but must find an upgrade at guard and perhaps at center, where a starting prospect can probably be found in the draft's middle rounds.

Having switched to the 3-4 defense, the Falcons are in need of linebackers both inside and outside. They can grab an OLB pass-rushing project in the middle rounds by finding a solid "tweener" -- a college end who is too small to play defensive end in the 4-3 scheme most teams employ.

Carolina Panthers

It's pretty hard to screw up the second pick of the draft, although it has been done before. Of the first six Round 1 selections in franchise history, none will be with the Panthers for the 2002 season. One is in jail for murder (Rae Carruth), one probably won't play again because of a neck injury (Jason Peter) and one (Kerry Collins) was exiled after several off-field incidents overshadowed his early success. Surely, new coach John Fox can only go up from there.

Needs: DE, RB, OG, TE, CB, S

Quentin Jammer is the top corner available and would vastly upgrade a weak Panthers secondary.(Allsport)

Despite popular belief, the Panthers are not yet set on their pick. Carolina DE Julius Peppers is the likely candidate, but not the lock others seem to believe at this point. Although Fox loves his athleticism and pass-rushing ability, Peppers has not blown the team out of the water as of yet. Some personnel executives believe Carolina will go with quarterback Joey Harrington because of Chris Weinke's shoulder scope. Fox is a Weinke fan, so this strategy has not yet come into play. However, it could change if there is a concern in the next week over his shoulder.

Their other option lies with defensive back help. The Panthers are extremely high on Texas cornerback Quentin Jammer, considered a bona fide blue-chip prospect.

The Panthers are also considering trading down in Round 1, providing a team makes them an offer they can't refuse. Although Peppers is considered the draft's best player, moving down to grab additional picks and perhaps future first-rounders is quite tempting. The Panthers have many holes to fix so additional picks are enticing.

When the smoke clears, if the Panthers are unable to fetch a king's ransom in a trade, they will likely go with Peppers. Remember this though: a lot can happen in the next 10 days.

Fox will also come away on Day 1 of the draft with a running back to challenge recent free-agent pickup Lamar Smith, who has greatly impressed thus far. The Panthers are looking for a back to contribute immediately, but also show potential to grow to become their feature back of the future.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

SportsLine.com has obtained Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden's special NFL Draft Palm Pilot. We didn't check out his phone numbers, but couldn't resist the urge to open up the file for his draft-day plans. Just how will the man who is worth the Bucs' top two picks in this year's draft (half of the trade value the Glazer family sent to the Raiders for Gruden's services) spend April 20? SportsLine.com reveals exclusively Gruden's secret draft-day strategy.

11 a.m.: Set up Barbecue

12 p.m.: Apply SPF 4 Ultra Tanning Maximizer

12:05 p.m.: Work on killer tan

2 p.m.: Turn over

4 p.m.: Tap keg

5 p.m.: Hit the pool

6 p.m.: Bathroom

6:30 p.m.: Shower

7 p.m.: Take a look at who's left on the draft board

8:34 p.m.: Make first selection of the Jon Gruden era.

Needs: WR, TE, RB, LB, OG, CB, S, P

After signing wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, the Bucs need a burner to stretch the field on third downs. Auburn's Tim Carter or Utah's Clifford Russell fit this bill as possible third-round speedsters.

The team also needs help replenishing its backfield. If a guy such as North Dakota State's Lamar Gordon or Maurice Morris of Oregon are on the board, they could be considered. Gordon is a project back who showed at the Senior Bowl he can play with the bigger-school kids. Morris is an explosive back with very good breakaway speed.

The team lost TE Dave Moore to free agency and currently has the inconsistent former Bengal Marco Battaglia slated to start. The Bucs need another tight end. If any of the second tier of prospects drop to them at No. 86 (TCU's Matt Schobel, BYU's Doug Jolley or Jerramy Stevens of Washington), they should scoop him up. Virginia's Chris Luzar is a massive 6-7, 270-pound body who is a decent short-range target. If the Bucs want more of a receiving tight end, Michigan State's Chris Baker was a four-year starter who was used a lot in the passing game. Either could probably be had by Tampa in the fourth round.

Although they signed the underrated Kerry Jenkins to start at guard, the team needs to find some depth at the position. They also need to find future contributors at LB and safety.