From the wintry north, we rotate down to the sultry south for our first such glimpse of the NFC.
Atlanta Falcons
Fresh off of a sparkling 2300 total yards that included just the second 800-yard receiving campaign by a running back since 2019, in March Bijan Robinson finally saw his longtime vulture-in-chief depart in free agency. With a presumed increase to his already ample workload (over 360 touches last two seasons), many have Robinson tabbed for No. 1 pick status this year. But while Atlanta's newest Robinson was anything but a flashy signing, he can do a lot of the same things as his predecessor. Kevin Stefanski also appears to be a fan. At the very least, fantasy drafters need to be extra cautious going to the draftboard in August. ... After the new Matt Ryan-Ian Cunningham regime swept into power in January, the organization's tone on Michael Penix changed overnight. Considering Stefanski put in a request for a noodle-armed southpaw last spring, perhaps the arrival of Tua Tagovailoa shouldn't have come as much of a surprise. But the fact that this is a real competition — one Penix appears destined to lose even if he's a full go by training camp — definitely qualifies as one. Who knows how long it lasts, but Tua looks to have pole position for the Week 1 nod. ... Probably no Falcon's 2026 fate hangs in the balance of the QB battle more than that of rookie Zachariah Branch, a run after catch maven who could benefit greatly from a quarterback who excels at underneath throws. Even if he doesn't see the field much on offense, Branch should make some noise in the return game.
Carolina Panthers
If the matter of who would be starting across from Tet McMillan going forward wasn't already decided by then, Jalen Coker's career performance in Carolina's near upset of the Rams in the Wild Card round clearly slammed the door. Out of the race to start, Xavier Legette still had his strong size-speed profile to fall back on for playing time — until the Panthers added Chris Brazzell and his 4.37 jets. Already 26 at the end of 2026, Legette desperately needs to have a strong training camp. ... For those interested in drawing blood from this franchise's tight end stone, Tommy Tremble is generating the closest thing to a buzz right now. Tremble did stabilize as an every-down player for Carolina down the stretch. ... Prudent or not, Carolina making no effort to retain Rico Dowdle has since paved the way for a resurgence in Jonathon Brooks excitement. Widely regarded as the top receiving back in a so-so 2024 running back class, Brooks should have little trouble peeling off most of that work from Hubbard, who was the least efficient receiving back in the NFL in 2024. After Week 9, Hubbard out-targeted Dowdle zero times. ... With only Kenny Pickett of consequence behind their starter after shipping Andy Dalton to Philly, Carolina is almost conspicuously thin at quarterback. Consider them a leading candidate to swing a trade for help — and a dark horse for Sorsby.
New Orleans Saints
Rookie Bryce Lance has made noise this spring, as you might expect a 24-year-old rookie with track star speed to do in shorts. This has largely been enabled by the absences of Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson; Lance could see playing time as a strict vertical operator, but he's not taking anything away from the guys ahead of him. One of those guys ahead of him: Devaughn Vele. ... Another rookie that has been getting after it in camp has been Oscar Delp, to the point that the local beat has begun sounding the alarm. Juwan Johnson's contract isn't going anywhere anytime soon, but Delp could be running unopposed as the offense's only true tight end (Johnson is a converted WR). ... Although he appears to be on track in his recovery from last year's ACL tear, the fate of Kendre Miller very well may come down to whether or not Alvin Kamara is willing to accept either a trade or pay cut.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It was quiet, but Baker Mayfield put a shot across the front office's bow for apparently soft-pedaling his future with the team. Sure to be seeking a deal for upwards of $50 million a year, Mayfield would be the hottest QB commodity to make it to free agency since his predecessor. Very unlikely Tampa Bay allows that to happen, but nothing's done until it's done. ... Unsurprisingly, the departure of Mike Evans leaves the Bucs with a major personnel quandary. Veteran Chris Godwin has been lining up primarily from the slot, as expected. Emeka Egbuka, widely viewed as the team's new top dog, figures to line up primarily at flanker, albeit motioning all over the formation. But Jalen McMillan isn't really cut out for life as an 'X', meaning rookie Ted Hurst has a real shot to edge him in playing time. ... Good to see Bucky Irving doing light football things, but that hardly papers over his ongoing shoulder issue. Enter Kenneth Gainwell, whom the Bucs leapt to pay almost as much per year as the deals for Javonte Williams and D'Andre Swift.
—Luke Wilson
