For all the jokes about the NFC South, the division is usually decided by paper-thin margins.
That makes the play of this year's rookie class even more important as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons try to separate themselves from the pack.
For as much as we focus on the NFL Draft each year, it should be viewed as more of a team-building strategy than a "getting better right now" button. But that doesn't mean a rookie, or even an entire class, can't make an immediate impact.
With all four teams potentially relying on key starters from their rookie classes, let's wrap up this series by ranking the eight NFC South rookies who could have the biggest impact in 2026.
Ranking the 8 NFC South rookies who could make the biggest impact in 2026
8. New Orleans Saints DT: Christen Miller
The Saints have undergone a youth movement on the defense in the last two seasons. That continued this year when New Orleans selected Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller in the second round.
Miller has good size and athleticism and can line up on the defensive line from the 0 to the 5-technique. At nearly 6'4 and about 320 pounds, Miller isn't an explosive athlete, but he is light on his feet and well-balanced.
He is already a strong run defender and has a good repertoire of pass-rush moves. And while he is in a crowded defensive line room in New Orleans, he's had a strong camp and summer overall.
With Bryan Bresee out for the season, Miller suddenly has a much clearer path to a significant role, if not a starting job, in New Orleans. For a Saints team with legitimate dark-horse potential in the NFC South, the rookie's ability to strengthen the middle of the defense could make him much more important than his second-round status suggests.
7. New Orleans Saints WR: Bryce Lance
The Saints made a lot of investments via the draft at wide receiver, and Bryce Lance has a chance to be the most impactful of them all.
With Jordyn Tyson out for a couple of months with a hamstring injury, there is a path for Lance to get on the field. He will have to overtake Devaughn Vele to do so, but a strong end of camp for Lance could help him make that push.
Barion Browning, the team's sixth-round pick, has also had a strong camp. Maybe even stronger than Lance's when you consider how consistent Browning has been. Browning will be a factor on special teams, and offensively could be a strong role player right away.
But Lance has the size and athleticism to line up anywhere in the offense and make a number of different types of plays. If he can get a hold of the starting job across from Chris Olave soon, and hold on to a large role even with the eventual return of Tyson, Lance could have a big year for New Orleans.
6. Atlanta Falcons WR: Zachariah Branch
The Atlanta Falcons selected Zachariah Branch in the third round of April's draft. Branch is the perfect complement to Atlanta's top two pass catchers in Drake London and Kyle Pitts. With their size and ball-winning ability, Branch's talents underneath using his speed are a great value to the offense.
Branch is not yet listed as a starter, but the reviews out of camp are glowing. Everyone on the team, from players to coaches, is making sure everyone knows Branch is going to have a good season.
The quarterback is the main limiting factor for Branch in 2026. Tua Tagovailoa would be the clear best fit for Branch since he loves the quick game and doesn't have a strong arm. But Michael Penix, who is working to get healthy enough to play in Week 1, is the more talented quarterback capable of leading a good offense. Even if that offense pushes downfield more - away from Branch's part of the heat map.
Whoever ends up taking snaps for Atlanta, Branch certainly seems on his way to a big role. And if Atlanta wants to raise their chances of making the playoffs, they'll want to get him there sooner rather than later.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR: Ted Hurst
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a hot start to the 2025 season, going 6-2 before their bye week. But once injuries took over the team, they finished 2-7 and missed the playoffs.
They will look to bounce back in 2026, but will need to do so without Bucs legend Mike Evans on the outside. In his stead, they will look to a group of Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Tez Johnson, and Jalen McMillan.
But don't count out third-round pick Ted Hurst. Hurst comes from Georgia State and burst onto the draft scene at the Senior Bowl. Then, at the combine, he measured in at 6'4 with a 4.42 40-yard dash, and 135" broad jump, which is in the 97th percentile for receivers.
He's made use of that frame and athleticism in camp, making a collection of spectacular catches outside his frame.
Godwin and Egbuka will lead the wide receiver group, but both sustained injuries during the 2025 season. Making it imperative for Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers to know what else they have in the room.
As the prototype big-bodied outside receiver, similar to the one that just left the building, there's a real chance Hurst is part of the plans to get Tampa Bay back in the playoffs.
These NFC South rookies could become immediate starters
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB: Josiah Trotter
On the other side of the ball for the Bucs, fellow day two pick Josiah Trotter has seemingly played his way into the starting lineup.
Known for his physicality and downhill play, Trotter has also impressed in camp with his professionalism and intelligence. Seemingly having very few problems adjusting to the NFL at one of the toughest positions to play physically and mentally.
In a recent joint practice, Trotter was lined up next to Alex Anzalone with the first-team defense.
Tampa Bay lost another legendary Buc this offseason when Lavonte David retired. Now, Trotter and Anzalone will have to work together to take on that role.
Trotter hopes to be part of a young core looking to revitalize the Todd Bowles defense on their way to the playoffs.
3. Atlanta Falcons CB: Avieon Terrell
The Atlanta Falcons selected Avieon Terrell in the second round of the draft. The younger brother of star cornerback AJ Terrell is also a cornerback out of Clemson.
Terrell can make a big impact on the Falcons this season with his versatility and playmaking. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has praised Terrell's ability to play outside and in the slot, where he has been getting most of his work in camp. And in his three-year college career, he had three interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and eight forced fumbles, including five just last season.
Terrell has the sticky coverage ability, speed, and instincts to play on the outside, but also the quickness and physicality to play in the slot. This increases his chances of getting on the field and staying on it once he is there.
Terrell's overall talent will give the Falcons a ceiling raiser on defense. And with a depleted pass rush from last season, the secondary is going to need play like his to remain competitive.
Two rookies who could help decide the NFC South
2. Carolina Panthers OT: Monroe Freeling
The Carolina Panthers took Monroe Freeling in the first round of the draft, thinking he'd have time to develop before becoming a starter. But on the first day of training camp veteran right tackle Taylor Moton was placed on the NFI list for a blood clot issue, and Freeling has been in his place ever since.
Freeling is a huge player (over 6'7) with good length and elite athleticism. And that shows on tape. He can get to the second and third level of the defense and make clean blocks in space. And in pass protection, he keeps his balance while making good use of his hands and feet.
Freeling's one downfall is his aggressiveness in certain situations. In the run game, it's short-yardage. He'll try to get such a quick and powerful push that he's easy to knock to the ground. And in pass protection, if he tries to strike too early, he can miss and again lose his balance.
Freeling's summer hasn't been the most consistent, but he has a good infrastructure around him. Head Coach Dave Canales has been a smart offensive designer and Freeling will play next to Pro Bowl guard Robert Hunt on the line.
There are big questions for the Panthers to answer this season. They need to know how real they are and if they can win the division for a second year in a row. They also need to come up with an answer about Bryce Young, who does not yet have a long-term extension, but is under the fifth-year option for 2027.
Freeling's ability, or inability, to give Canales and the team the chance to determine what works on the offense and what doesn't, makes Freeling very important in 2026. And if Carolina can remain competitive this year, a starting lineman of any ability is going to be impactful.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers EDGE: Rueben Bain Jr.
When the Bucs selected Rueben Bain Jr in the first round of the draft, it was a hand-in-glove fit. Bain is the exact style and level of player that Todd Bowles needed to add to the defense this season.
Bain is a strong edge setter in the run game, and he uses his power in a variety of ways as a pass rusher. Speed to power is one of his favorite moves, as well as strong hands to shock blockers back to give him enough space.
Bain Jr. had 33.5 sacks in three years of playing at Miami. Meanwhile, the Bucs haven't had a player reach double-digit sacks in a season since 2021.
Bain should be competing for the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. And if that competition leads to a resurgence by Tampa Bay's defense, it will be huge for a team looking to get back into the playoffs.
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