Let’s be honest— the NFC South is like the Wild West of the NFL, or more accurately, the NFL’s version of Mad Max. Explosions? Check. Confusion? Plenty. A sense that anything can happen and probably will? Oh, absolutely. The division’s unpredictability is what makes it such a compelling watch. One week, a team looks like a playoff lock. The next, they’re struggling to get a first down. But buried underneath the chaos are young, rising stars ready to change the game in 2025.
Each of the four teams—Buccaneers, Saints, Falcons, and Panthers—have seen their share of highs and lows. But this upcoming season, we could be on the verge of seeing some serious breakout performances. Whether it’s a second-year quarterback turning the corner or an underrated pass rusher finding his groove, the NFC South is packed with potential.
So, who's about to make the leap in 2025? Let’s dive into one breakout player from each NFC South team you should keep your eyes on.
🐦 Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., QB
Let’s kick it off with the Falcons. There’s a quarterback battle brewing in ATL—or at least, there was. The team snagged Michael Penix Jr., and folks, this kid can sling it.
Now, yes, there was some debate. Should it be Penix, or should it be defensive back Clark Phillips III? But when you look at the upside and the infrastructure around the QB spot, the call is clear—Penix is the guy.
Penix impressed scouts and analysts alike with his strong arm and his ability to read the full field. He’s not just hitting layups—he's connecting on throws across the hashes and showing off NFL-level anticipation. What really stands out, though, is how he avoids disastrous plays. That’s rare for a young quarterback.
He still needs to tighten up some mechanics—especially when throwing short and over the middle—but with Drake London stepping up at wideout and a solid offensive line protecting him, there’s every reason to believe Penix Jr. can explode onto the scene in 2025.
Watch For:
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Deep ball precision
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Development in quick-game decision-making
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Building chemistry with Drake London
🐆 Carolina Panthers: Jalen Coker, WR
If you're looking for a hidden gem in Carolina, look no further than Jalen Coker. This dude may not be a household name yet, but he’s putting up numbers and making critical plays when it matters most.
Coker’s rookie campaign didn’t just earn praise—it earned data-backed respect. He ranked third among Panthers wideouts in Yards per Route Run (minimum 10 routes) and second in EPA per target. That’s not just good—that’s borderline elite for a rookie in an offense that was, let’s say, “a work in progress.”
He brings toughness across the middle, reliability on third down, and a knack for catching balls in traffic. Bryce Young’s development will be helped tremendously by having a receiver who consistently gets open and finishes plays.
As the Panthers look to build a competitive offense, Coker should be a focal point. If he gets the target share he deserves, we could be looking at a legit WR1 breakout.
Watch For:
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Increased red zone usage
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Expanded route tree responsibilities
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Chemistry with Bryce Young on timing routes
⚜️ New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OL
The Saints had an up-and-down year in the trenches in 2024, but if there’s one guy who could flip the script in 2025, it’s Taliese Fuaga.
Fuaga isn’t just your typical offensive lineman—he’s got elite movement skills, great power at the point of attack, and a mean streak that makes him a menace in the run game. His ability to execute backside zone blocks and finish at the second level is going to be critical as the Saints retool their ground game.
The most exciting part? The Saints are experimenting with moving Fuaga to the right side of the line following their selection of Kelvin Banks in the first round. This shift could unlock a whole new level in Fuaga’s game.
Even in a turbulent 2024 season, Fuaga showed flashes of dominance. If he cleans up some technique in pass protection, especially against speed rushers, he could emerge as the breakout star along the Saints' front line.
Watch For:
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Improved anchor in pass protection
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Run blocking synergy with new-look offensive line
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Potential Pro Bowl buzz by midseason
🏴☠️ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Yaya Diaby, EDGE
Okay, let’s play a little trivia. Who finished in the top 10 in pressures last season? Nope, not a household name. It’s Yaya Diaby—Tampa Bay’s quietly ascending edge rusher.
Diaby doesn’t win with finesse. He’s pure power and explosion, blowing up blockers with a combination of strength and burst. He’s also a solid run defender, rarely getting beat on the edge, which makes him valuable on all three downs.
But here’s the kicker—despite generating a boatload of pressures, Diaby had one of the lowest sack conversion rates among high-volume edge rushers. According to Sports Info Solutions, among players with at least 40 pressures, he’s tied with Jared Verse for the lowest sack rate in that top tier.
Translation? He’s getting there, but he’s just not finishing—yet. If Diaby can control his momentum, stay balanced, and close out plays, we might be talking about him as one of the top breakout defenders in the league.
Watch For:
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More controlled finishing moves at the QB
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Usage in different blitz packages
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Increased snap count as a three-down player
Final Thoughts: Welcome to the NFC South—Where Anything Can Happen
This division is chaos incarnate. It’s where the script changes weekly and the underdogs often steal the show. But that’s also what makes it a goldmine for breakout talent.
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Michael Penix Jr. could be the Falcons’ next franchise QB.
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Jalen Coker might be Bryce Young’s new best friend.
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Taliese Fuaga is anchoring a new wave of Saints O-line play.
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And Yaya Diaby is a sack artist just waiting to hit his stride.
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