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.”
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Bucs Enter 2026 With One Huge Question Hanging Over Everything
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Todd Bowles enters the year with pressure building, and the defense remains the most obvious place where the Bucs need answers after another uneven showing. If the group cant take a clear step forward and the wins dont follow, the conversation around the franchise could shift quickly from contention to what comes next, including whether Tampa Bay is forced to rethink its direction again in 2027. [Read more 🡒]