The NFC South has been in a rough spot for a few seasons at this point, and it’s always one of the least competitive to play in or against in Madden. The teams in the NFC South haven’t been a true threat to win the conference championship since the days of Tom Brady in Tampa Bay, and while the four teams in the division are looking stronger for Madden 26, all of them still need some work if they want to compete in a stacked NFC.
As with any team in the NFL, there are players more crucial to the success of every squad in the NFC South. While the superstars of each team undoubtedly need to perform well, they all also have a couple of “make or break” players who play an underrated part in the team’s success.
Recently, we have been identifying every team’s make or break players for the 2025 season in Madden 26. Today, we’ll be going over the NFC South and picking one player who is vital to how well the team performs. If you’re interested in other divisions, we’ve already covered the AFC East, NFC East, and AFC South.
TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are always a fun team to watch year in and year out. Not necessarily because of the players on the roster, but more so due to the unpredictable nature of the organization, both on and off the field. The team signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a massive deal a year ago, drafted rookie Michael Penix Jr., and now they’re left with one of the most overpriced backup QBs in history.
While quarterback play from Penix Jr. is going to be the biggest “if” with the Falcons, the performance of their tight end is arguably the biggest factor in ensuring the quarterback can succeed. Kyle Pitts is still seen as one of the highest-ceiling tight ends in the NFL, but he has yet to put together an above-average season since being drafted fourth overall in 2021. He’s always labeled as a key player for Atlanta prior to a season starting, but has never truly delivered on his potential.
Now is the time for Pitts to become the player Falcons fans envisioned him as when he was drafted. If he can get open more consistently, especially in the red zone, Penix Jr. will have another reliable target to throw to aside from receiver Drake London. This could change the entire outlook of Atlanta’s offense and drastically improve their chances in the NFC South. Of course, if Pitts continues to perform poorly in 2025, the Falcons might be looking at another .500 season.
WR Tetairora McMillan, Carolina Panthers
It’s never fair to put a ton of pressure on a non-rookie quarterback in the NFL, but the Carolina Panthers and quarterback Bryce Young could benefit immensely from former Arizona Wildcat Tet McMillan. Possessing one of the flashiest skill sets out of any rookie receiver in 2025, McMillan was drafted with the intention of becoming the number one option for Bryce Young.
The Panthers have lacked a true top receiving option for the entirety of Young’s career, and with the quarterback finally showing his potential at the end of 2024, McMillan has everything he needs to succeed. A potential Offensive Rookie of the Year-esque season from McMillan would be huge for Carolina’s offense and the team itself. The Panthers have one of the toughest schedules in Madden 26 during the regular season, but if Young and McMillan can form a lethal duo, the team could be an underdog candidate every week.
Of course, if McMillan plays like a rookie, that’s not necessarily a bad thing for Carolina. The only disastrous situation occurs if the rookie starts dropping passes and can’t separate from NFL defensive backs. If that happens, the Panthers will once again turn to Adam Thielen as their number one receiver, and we’ve seen how that’s worked out so far in 2023 and 2024.
OL Kelvin Banks Jr., New Orleans Saints
We have another rookie that’s being thrust into the make or break category, and this time it’s the Saints’ first round pick, Kelvin Banks Jr. He was once seen as potentially the top left tackle in this class, but rises from other tackles in the draft process caused him to slide to ninth overall. There was also some concern that Banks Jr. wouldn’t be quick enough to play left tackle at the NFL level, and that has shown in the early days of the offseason for New Orleans.
The Saints have lined Banks Jr. up at left tackle, left guard, and right tackle in OTAs and mini-camp so far. While it’s clear the rookie will start at one position when the 2025 season begins, it’s not clear where. However, regardless of where Banks Jr. plays, it’s imperative that he step up to the task and be a stalwart along the offensive line.
With the Saints likely starting rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and featuring an already-shaky offensive line, Banks Jr. emerging as a consistent presence against the rush would be a blessing. This helps Shough develop and helps the Saints determine exactly where Banks Jr. excels. If the rookie starts off the season rough, though, this might make New Orleans move him around to different positions, which isn’t usually great for rookie linemen. After the departure of Ryan Ramcyzk and in the midst of a rebuild, the Saints need all the stability they can get, and Banks Jr. can either offer that in spades or not at all.
LB Hasson Reddick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay made a couple of splashes in free agency, including bringing back franchise favorites Chris Godwin and Lavonte David as well as signing some veterans and depth players. However, the move has the biggest boom-or-bust potential is signing linebacker Haason Reddick to a one-year deal. Haason Reddick was seen as one of the league’s most feared defenders just a couple of years ago. However, after a falling out with Philly and playing a shortened season with the Jets due to a holdout, Reddick has lost his previously high stature.
Now, Reddick is playing on a one-year prove-it deal, and if he can return to being one of the best linebackers/edge rushers in the NFL, it would do wonders for the Bucs’ defense. The Bucs should have a decent defense regardless, but it could be one of the league’s best pressure and run-stopping units if Reddick plays at the level we’ve seen him at before. Paired with players like Lavonte David, Vita Vea, and Calijah Kancey, Reddick should have the supporting cast to excel.
There’s also the chance that Reddick can’t get back to his previous level, though. In that case, the Bucs’ defense loses a valuable potential piece of the puzzle.
That wraps up our picks for the NFC South’s make or break players in Madden 26. Did we get it right? Let us know down in the comments below.
