The NFC South was a rollercoaster in 2025 - and not the kind you get off of with a clear winner. What started as a potential runaway for Tampa Bay ended in a three-way tie at 8-9, with Carolina, Atlanta, and the Bucs all finishing with identical records both overall and within the division (3-3).
Even the last-place Saints, who stumbled to 6-11, managed to hold their own in divisional play. That kind of parity doesn’t just make for entertaining Sundays - it sets the stage for a fascinating offseason and a critical 2026 NFL Draft.
Let’s break down where each team stands heading into draft season, what their pick positions mean, and how close this division really is to being flipped on its head.
Carolina Panthers
Draft Pick: No. 19
Carolina finished on top of the NFC South, but just barely. At 8-9, they edged out the rest of the division thanks to tiebreakers and a well-timed late-season surge.
The Panthers showed real signs of growth down the stretch, capping it off with a Wild Card win over the Rams that hinted at a team turning the corner. But consistency - or the lack of it - was the story all year.
With the No. 19 pick, Carolina finds itself in a position to reinforce rather than rebuild. Expect them to continue building around Bryce Young, whose fifth-year option is likely to be picked up.
That vote of confidence signals a commitment to continuity, and now it’s about giving him the tools to take the next step. The trenches - both offensive and defensive - remain areas of focus, and adding another playmaker wouldn’t hurt either.
The Panthers aren’t far off, but the margin for error in this division is razor-thin.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Draft Pick: No. 15
The Bucs looked like they were ready to run away with the South early in the season. Then came the injuries, then the playcalling questions, and suddenly Tampa was in a dogfight they couldn’t quite finish. Like Carolina and Atlanta, they ended up at 8-9, but a second-place finish lands them at No. 15 in the draft - right in the middle of the first round and right in the middle of a division that couldn’t separate itself.
Tampa still has a core that can compete, but there are some glaring needs that can’t be ignored. Special teams were a problem, and some defensive positions - particularly in the secondary - need long-term solutions. The Bucs don’t need a full reset, but they do need to hit on this pick if they want to avoid falling behind in a division where every team is within striking distance.
Atlanta Falcons
Draft Pick: No First-Round Pick (traded to Rams)
Atlanta’s season was defined by its quarterback carousel. After Michael Penix went down, Kirk Cousins stepped back in and helped steady the ship.
Despite being written off by midseason, the Falcons clawed their way back into the mix and finished at 8-9 like everyone else up top. But thanks to tiebreakers, they ended up third in the South - and without a first-round pick, thanks to a previous trade with the Rams.
Still, this is a team that’s not far off. Under new head coach Kevin Stefanski, the Falcons showed flashes of a team that can compete now while building for later.
With no first-rounder, they’ll have to get creative on Day 2 and beyond. Defense remains a priority, and don’t be surprised if they target skill positions to give the offense a little more juice.
The foundation is there - now it’s about adding the right pieces.
New Orleans Saints
Draft Pick: No. 8
The Saints may have finished last in the division, but they weren’t the pushover their record might suggest. A 6-11 season included a 3-3 mark in the division, and a midseason quarterback change injected some life into the offense. Rookie Tyler Shough showed promise down the stretch, giving New Orleans a potential long-term answer under center.
Picking at No. 8 gives the Saints a chance to add a real difference-maker - and they’ll need it. The roster has holes, especially at linebacker and along both lines.
But the late-season momentum, coupled with a high draft pick, gives them a shot to reset quickly. If Shough continues to develop and the Saints hit on this pick, they could be back in the thick of things sooner than expected.
The Big Picture
What we’ve got here is a division without a clear alpha. All four teams finished with the same division record.
Three of them finished with the same overall record. And none of them are more than a few smart moves away from taking control of the South.
That makes the 2026 NFL Draft a pivotal moment for the NFC South. With minimal turnover in coaching staffs and quarterback rooms, the balance of power could shift based on how well each team executes in April. Whether it’s Carolina reinforcing their core, Tampa shoring up weak spots, Atlanta getting creative without a first-rounder, or New Orleans capitalizing on a top-10 pick - this division is wide open.
The margins are thin, the stakes are high, and the draft could be the difference between another muddled race and a team finally breaking through.