Power Ranking the Quarterbacks in the NFC South

Published: Monday, July 20, 2026 at 1:43 am

As NFL training camps loom, the landscape of the NFC South quarterback hierarchy is coming into focus. A recent power ranking places Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the top, a decision deemed straightforward by analysts. Mayfield's performance last season, which saw him in MVP contention for the initial seven weeks before injuries impacted the team, highlights his potential. With a history of back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons in 2023 and 2024, and a receiving corps including Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson, Mayfield is expected to deliver strong numbers in 2026, despite the departure of a key weapon.

Following Mayfield is Tua Tagovailoa of the Atlanta Falcons. Evaluating Tagovailoa's upcoming season is complex due to significant changes, including new receivers like Drake London, Zachariah Branch, Jahan Dotson, and Olamide Zaccheus, a new offensive coordinator in Tommy Rees, and a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski. However, drawing from his successful seasons with the Miami Dolphins in 2022 and 2023, Tagovailoa has the potential to rival Mayfield's performance. The addition of dual-threat running back Bijan Robinson to the backfield further bolsters the Falcons' offensive capabilities. The success of Tagovailoa's 2026 campaign is seen as pivotal for the trajectory of his NFL career.

Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers is ranked third, showing promising signs of improvement. Last year, he achieved a career-best 63.9 percent completion rate, throwing for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Young also led the Panthers to an 8-8 record and their first division title since 2015. The team has focused on enhancing their offensive line protection with the acquisition of rookie tackle Monroe Freeling and veteran Rasheed Walker. With a receiving group that includes Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Leggette, Chris Brazzell, John Metchie, and Jimmy Horn Jr., Young is poised for a potentially stronger 2026 season.

Rounding out the NFC South quarterback rankings is Tyler Shough of the New Orleans Saints. This assessment expresses skepticism regarding Shough's potential. In his rookie season, he accumulated 2,384 passing yards over 11 games, with a modest 10 touchdowns against six interceptions, numbers that do not suggest a franchise-caliber quarterback. While the Saints have added receivers Jordyn Tyson, Bryce Lance, and Barion Brown, and boast a promising running back trio of Travie Etienne, Alvin Kamara, and Kendre Miller, Shough faces the considerable challenge of proving his worth. His performance will be crucial in determining whether the Saints will need to pursue a passer in the early rounds of the 2027 draft.

BNN's Perspective: The NFC South quarterback rankings reflect a division in transition, with established talent at the top and question marks further down the list. Baker Mayfield's strong showing last season positions him as the clear frontrunner, while Tua Tagovailoa's success hinges on his adaptation to a new environment. Bryce Young's development is a key storyline for the Panthers, and Tyler Shough faces a critical juncture in his career to prove he can lead the Saints. The division's competitive balance will likely be heavily influenced by how these quarterbacks perform in the upcoming season.

Tags: NFC South, quarterback rankings, Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, MVP, Tua Tagovailoa, Atlanta Falcons, Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers, Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints, training camp, NFL, offensive coordinator, head coach, rookie, draft, passing yards, touchdowns, interceptions, division title, offensive line, receivers, running back.

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