FOX Sports’ latest 2026 NFL Power Rankings offer a pretty clean snapshot of where Florida’s three NFL teams stand heading into camp: Tampa Bay is moving up, Jacksonville is still in the playoff conversation, and Miami is staring at a reset.
The Buccaneers are the state’s biggest riser in the rankings, coming in at No. 20 after climbing two spots. The read on Tampa Bay is encouraging. FOX Sports points to a defense that has gotten better, but the more important shift could come from what happens on offense if the team can simply stay healthier and more stable.
That’s where the Baker Mayfield situation sits at the center of everything. FOX Sports makes clear that the contract issue remains the main storyline, and the idea is that clearing that out of the way could help the offense find more consistency.
Tampa Bay’s offseason emphasis on depth, continuity and defensive upgrades has them looking like a team that could push upward in the NFC South. After spending the past two seasons around the playoff bubble, the Bucs have a path to move higher if Mayfield and the offense hold up.
Jacksonville, meanwhile, lands at No. 11, which is still a strong spot even after sliding from No. 8 in the previous rankings. FOX Sports is not sold on everything the Jaguars did this offseason, especially at running back, where the team is counting on an unproven committee.
Even so, the ranking says plenty about the respect Jacksonville still has nationally. Coaching stability and overall roster strength keep the Jaguars in the mix.
They remain the highest-ranked Florida team and the only one viewed as a clear playoff contender. But the margin for error looks smaller now than it did a year ago, and FOX Sports is signaling that the ceiling is still high if the offseason bets work out.
Miami is the team taking the hardest fall. The Dolphins sit at No. 31, and FOX Sports treats the season as the start of a full rebuild under first-year head coach Jeff Hafley. The quarterback situation has some intrigue, with Malik Willis offering upside, but the lack of proven weapons and a brutal schedule make the climb steep.
That ranking reflects a franchise in transition. Miami still has talent on defense and a quarterback with potential, but the message from FOX Sports is that 2026 is more about development than chasing wins. For a fan base used to watching playoff pushes, patience may be the price this year.
Put it all together, and Florida’s NFL picture is pretty straightforward right now. Tampa Bay is trending up, Jacksonville is still in the hunt but under a sharper spotlight, and Miami is rebuilding from the ground up. Camp will tell us whether the Buccaneers’ health, the Jaguars’ roster decisions and the Dolphins’ new direction can change the story before Week 1.
In Other News...
Benjamin Morrison's Setback Just Turned Up The Heat On Jason Licht
Benjamin Morrisons early camp setback has only sharpened the Buccaneers concerns about a position group that already looked fragile. The rookie corner has been dealing with injuries since the start of his pro career, and Tampa Bay has little margin for error at outside cornerback, where the depth chart is thin enough that any absence can quickly become a roster issue.
That is why the front office now sounds as if it may need to keep scanning the veteran market for help. The Buccaneers have been linked to several experienced corners as they look for stability behind their top options, and with Morrisons availability already in question, Jason Lichts next move could go a long way toward determining how much risk this defense is willing to carry into the season. [Read more 🡒]
Former Bucs Quarterback Suddenly Lands On Another Teams Radar
Kyle Trask is still looking for his next NFL home after leaving Tampa Bay following the 2024 season, and his path back into the league has taken him through a familiar kind of quarterback limbo. The former Buccaneers passer has limited game experience, but teams continue to take a look at him as a potential depth option, and he has already spent time on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.
Now another NFC South stop is in play, with Carolina giving Trask a workout as it weighs whether there is room for him in a quarterback room that already has several names in the mix. The Panthers do not need to force the issue, but they may still decide Trask is worth adding for competition, whether that ends up being on the roster or the practice squad. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs May Have Found A Backfield Upgrade Fans Are Overlooking
Kenneth Gainwell may not have been the splashiest name on Tampa Bays offseason ledger, but he could end up mattering more than some bigger headlines. After a productive season in Pittsburgh, where he showed he can handle a steady passing-game role and keep an offense moving, Gainwell arrives with a chance to fit into a backfield that has been looking for a dependable complement. The Buccaneers clearly saw enough to bring him in on a two-year deal, and the fit makes sense for a team trying to keep its offense versatile and balanced.
What makes the move more interesting is the opportunity in front of him. Tampa Bay has moved on from Rachaad White, and Gainwell could be positioned for a similar workload alongside Bucky Irving if the coaching staff decides to lean into a committee. For a player who has already shown he can contribute in multiple ways, this is the kind of opening that can quietly reshape a backfield, especially if the Buccaneers are willing to trust him with a larger role. [Read more 🡒]