ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler checked in on several NFC players this week, and the league’s evaluators had plenty to say about stars in Tampa Bay, Atlanta and Carolina.
In Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield landed only an honorable mention in Fowler’s quarterback rankings, but the praise was still strong from one anonymous NFL coordinator: “He’s a winner. [He] can make every throw.
Fearless. Teammates seem to love to play for him.”
Tristan Wirfs, who was last year’s No. 1 tackle, slipped after dealing with injuries and missing five games. Fowler’s reporting on the top offensive tackles included a candid reaction from one NFL coordinator: “When I saw Chase Young beating him off the edge pretty clearly, I was like, ‘That’s new,'” the coordinator said.
“He makes the very difficult look extremely easy. There’s probably another level he can still get to.
Still so much untapped potential.”
Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea also picked up an honorable mention on Fowler’s interior defensive linemen list. An NFL defensive line coach described him this way: “He’s still such a load to deal with, and he played a little lighter last year, which is good for him,” said an NFL defensive line coach.
Atlanta had one of the biggest names at the top of Fowler’s running back rankings for 2026, with Bijan Robinson taking the No. 1 spot. Coaches and executives around the league voted him there, and one NFC executive explained why: “Bijan is just more dynamic than the rest of the field in terms of creating positive runs despite blocking failure,” an NFC executive said.
“Combo of his bend, feet and agility. His size shows up with physicality.
And while Gibbs is top-end faster, Bijan is still explosive in his own right, creating home run plays.”
Kyle Pitts also drew attention in Fowler’s tight end rankings. One NFL coordinator pointed to how much the Falcons can get out of him when things are rolling: “If he’s confident and you believe in him, he will ball out.
If he gets involved early, he can be the most dominant player on the field. “
On the offensive line, Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom earned praise from an NFC coordinator on Fowler’s interior linemen list: “Athleticism and explosiveness - his size makes him somewhat of a specific scheme fit, but there really isn’t anyone who does a lot of the things that he can do. They never ask him to pull, but he would open some eyes if he did. He doesn’t get enough recognition - he’s been really good for a long time.”
A.J. Terrell was the Falcons defender highlighted at cornerback, with a long-tenured NFL defensive coach noting: “He’s been really good for a long time. He just can’t get the ball [with six interceptions in six NFL seasons].”
Carolina had three players mentioned across Fowler’s lists. Guard Robert Hunt was an honorable mention among interior linemen, with an NFC scout saying: “He’s not in the elite group, but as a run-game mauler, there aren’t many better. He just wasn’t healthy last year.”
Defensive tackle Derrick Brown was included among the league’s best interior defensive linemen. A veteran NFL assistant coach said: “We actively ran our running plays completely away from him,” a veteran NFL assistant coach said.
“That’s how good he is. The only reason he’s not a household name is that he plays in Carolina.”
At cornerback, Jaycee Horn checked in at No. 8 after drawing a tough scouting report from a veteran NFL offensive coach: “When you go against him, you better be ready for a street fight,” said a veteran NFL offensive coach. “Physical, strong, can play press coverage. Ain’t always flashy but really rugged player…Size, length, competitiveness, toughness, football intelligence, work ethic is what you get with Horn.”
In Other News...
Falcons Just Got Linked To A Receiver Trade Fans Will Debate
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The appeal is easy to see from Atlantas side: there is room to make a move, and there are still questions about how much reliable production the receiver room can provide beyond the top options. The suggested target is a young pass catcher who flashed with a career-high 503 receiving yards in 2024, even if his situation in Denver never fully settled, which is exactly the kind of profile that can spark debate about whether a trade would be worth the cost. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Created A Defensive Problem Fans May Regret All Season
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For Atlanta, the concern is less about finding a body and more about finding someone who can actually do the job Elliss was doing. The current options bring different skill sets, but the Falcons are still searching for the kind of presence that can keep the defense organized and competitive over the course of a season. After finishing near the bottom of the league against the run, losing a player like Elliss only adds another layer of uncertainty to a unit that already had plenty. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Allgeier May Be Stuck In The Same Spot Again
Tyler Allgeiers move to Arizona was supposed to give him a fresh start after leaving Atlanta on a two-year, $12 million deal, but the early picture looks a lot like the one he was trying to escape. The Cardinals have packed their backfield with multiple options, and even before a snap is played, the workload appears anything but clear.
Bleacher Reports Moe Moton went so far as to tab Allgeier as Arizonas biggest bust for 2026, a label rooted less in anything Allgeier has done than in the crowded setup around him. If the Cardinals spend much of the year chasing games with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, the kind of steady run volume Allgeier needs could be hard to find, leaving him fighting for touches in a room that already feels tight. [Read more 🡒]