The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and the biggest wave of free agency is over. That makes it a perfect time to take stock of NFL rosters as we head toward the 2026 season. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends for all 32 NFL Teams. I’ll be ranking each unit 1-16 in their conference. When it comes to taking stock of the whole unit, it’s not just about star power but depth. Today, it’s the bottom half of the draw in the NFC QB room. Teams appear in ascending order.
#16: Arizona Cardinals
On the Roster: Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, Carson Beck, and Kedon Slovis
About: The Cardinals were one of the few teams in the NFL that, when they spent the first pick in the Third Round of the NFL Draft on quarterback Carson Beck, it could have been considered a starting option. Yes, Brissett finished as QB6 from Week 6 on when he took over as the starting quarterback. And he rightly enters this season as the likely starter. But it’s a new coaching staff, a new scheme, and a new holdout from Brissett. The team added Beck in the draft and Minshew in free agency and, to this point, refuses to name a starter. That gives me pause. Even if Brissett is the option, he’s no lock to start all season. The Cardinals have a long road to climb toward the playoffs, and this room doesn’t make it any easier.
#15: New Orleans Saints
On the Roster: Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Zach Wilson
About: Shough, taken in the Second Round of the 2025 NFL Draft, proved to be a sturdy and capable starter for the Saints and for fantasy. He finished as QB9 after taking over in Week 9. Now, he enters this season as the unquestioned starter. The Saints have worked on building up the team around him, too. Behind Shough, we have a couple of veteran options in Rattler and Wilson, who are likely in the career backup range of their careers. It’s not a bad room, but it’s not a great room. A lot of it depends on how Shough progresses in year two.
#14: Carolina Panthers
On the Roster: Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett, Will Grier, and Haynes King
About: Young was solid enough in year three to get the Panthers to the playoffs. He finished as QB19 for the season. The Panthers are still working to build that offense, which led them to grab more weapons in the draft. But this room takes a big hit because of the lack of depth. Veteran Andy Dalton is gone, with journeyman Pickett and Grier now in. They added an interesting enough undrafted free agent in King, but there isn’t much security behind Young.
#13: Atlanta Falcons
On the Roster: Michael Penix, Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Siemian, and Jack Strand
About: I don’t know what to make of the Falcons. After two years, it’s still a little unclear what they have in Penix. Tagovailoa is a veteran who has had some high seasons, but he’s an injury risk who has been inconsistent of late. Siemian is a solid career backup that provides depth, but it’s really about Penix and Tagovailoa. The duo, who complement each other well in style and are left-handed passers, was enough to get the boost over the Panthers. But this unit will go as Penix goes, which means they could rise or fall on these rankings.
#12: Minnesota Vikings
On the Roster: Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer
About: Last year, McCarthy really struggled. It was bad enough that Justin Jefferson finished outside the Top 24 at receiver. While Wentz looked solid when in the lineup, it was clear that the tandem wasn’t enough. So, the Vikings are taking a swing at Murray. As an NFL success, the jury is still out on Murray. He was OK at times for the Cardinals, but the team often questioned his commitment. But in terms of fantasy, he was a relatively solid producer when he was on the field. With a solid supporting cast in Minnesota and Kevin O’Connell as head coach, he could rehab his career. That makes this an interesting unit poised to take a step forward in 2026. But it’s still wise to be cautious.
#11: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On the Roster: Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning, Connor Bazelak, and Jalon Daniels
About: I love Baker Mayfield. I think he’s a solid starting quarterback. Even for an injury-riddled team and battling injuries himself, Baker finished as QB12 on the season. But he plays for a team that doesn’t have much behind him. The Buccaneers added Browning, who at times looked solid behind Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. But he struggled so much in 2025 that the Bengals made a hasty trade for Joe Flacco. That doesn’t inspire confidence. So, that leaves the Buccaneers a bit lower as a group.
#10: New York Giants
On the Roster: Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston, Brandon Allen, and Evan Simon
About: The Giants have an upstart prospect in Dart, who, as a rookie, was QB14 despite missing a few games due to injury and not taking over until Week 4. Can Dart stay healthy? Will this new scheme be a good fit? Those are all fair questions, but Dart has upside. Behind him, the team has a solid backup in Winston and a great No. 3 option in Allen, a veteran NFL backup. That leaves the team in good shape even if an injury occurs. But the ceiling might not be as high as others, which is why they’re in the bottom half of the draw.
#9: Green Bay Packers
On the Roster: Jordan Love, Tyrod Taylor, Kyle McCord, and Kyron Drones
About: This is the final team in the first half of the NFC. Up until this week, I had the Packers a bit lower because of the unsteady options behind Love. I think Baker Mayfield has more upside as the QB1, and with Desmond Ridder leading the backups, I had the Packers one slot below the Buccaneers. But this week, the Packers signed veteran Tyrod Taylor and jettisoned Ridder. That made me re-think things slightly, giving the Packers a bump over the Buccaneers due to the backup situation and the Giants due to questions about upside. I like Love, and I think he’s a solid QB2. Some think he’s a potential NFL MVP, but I don’t see him getting there. However, a strength of this group last year was backup Malik Willis, who parlayed his good play into a starting spot with the Dolphins. Taylor isn’t quite that strong, but he’s a solid and capable backup and spot starter. I like that mix, along with McCord as a development prospect.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
