The 2026 NFL season starts tomorrow when the Seahawks host the Patriots. The great NFLSU legacy continues that night and on throughout the rest of the season, but some teams have recognized that better than others. Last Week, I passed judgment upon the teams in the AFC. It’s time to grade each NFC team on its NFLSU-ness, a thing which is totally well defined and not a nebulous thing.
Cowboys: N/A
I guess good ol’ Jerry boy wants to extend that NFC Championship drought.
Grade: F
Giants: WR Odell Beckham Jr., WR Malik Nabers, CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (IR)
First of all, I completely forgot
Jarrick Bernard-Converse was in the league. Good for him despite the injury. Anyway, OBJ is back where he belongs after a long time away from New York, and he gets to team up with the latest star wide receiver out of LSU in Malik Nabers. Beckham isn’t the same guy he was when he made the greatest catch of all time, but he’s more than earned his spot on the roster. I would knock the Giants for not going after other LSU guys to fix holes on the roster, but it’s not their fault JBC got hurt.
Grade: B
Eagles: LB Andre’ Sam (IR)
The Eagles have one guy and he’s on injured reserve. That’s unfortunate.
Grade: D
Commanders: Former LSU QB #5, LB K’Lavon Chaisson
Sadly, I am not allowed to talk about the Washington Commanders’ starting QB after the cease and desist forbade him from being part of NFLSU long-term. If he isn’t even being mentioned in the NFLSU segment on the Tiger Stadium video board, he ain’t part of NFLSU. K’Lavon Chaisson is, though, and he’s hung on in the league thanks to his toughness. He’s struggled to be a top performer, but the talent’s still there. I won’t ding the Commanders’ grade for the choices made by a QB who won as many games in a season as Danny Etling, though.
Grade: A-
Cardinals: N/A
This is how a franchise remains irrelevant.
Grade: F
Rams: LB Omar Speights
A solid LB for the 2023 Tigers after a good career at Oregon State, Omar Speights has found a good spot in Los Angeles since going undrafted in 2024. The Rams are a juggernaut this season that are expected to roll through the NFC and make a bid for another Lombardi, but it won’t be on the backs of superstar Tigers.
Grade: C
49ers: N/A
With all the injuries this team has, there’s a chance the 49ers pick up a former Tiger later in the season. For now, though, do better.
Grade: F
Seahawks: G Anthony Bradford
The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks continued the decades-long tradition of getting at least one LSU player a ring each season thanks to having Anthony Bradford. Bradford is a stalwart on the Seahawks’ offensive line, but that’s all the roster has to offer.
Grade: C+
Bears: WR Zavion Thomas (rookie)
For drafting any offensive player off last year’s LSU team, the Bears get a bump. LSU had so much talent in 2025, but it was hampered by a bad offense led by an injured QB. Zavion Thomas is explosive and is going to be a great addition to a Bears offense looking to make some noise in 2026.
Grade: B
Lions: G Miles Frazier, DT Mekhi Wingo, LB Devin White, LB Damone Clark (IR)
The Saints open their season with this Lions squad that’s got a couple former Tigers looking to find their footing and a veteran star. Miles Frazier only played five games his rookie year, and Mekhi Wingo missed most of 2025 attempting to recover from a knee injury. Devin White is still on his horse in the league, though, and he’s trying to prove he’s got gas left in the tank. Since two of the three active players have barely played, this roster lacks the NFLSU-ness needed to move up to the highest grade.
Grade: B
Packers: WR Chris Hilton Jr. (PS, rookie)
Practice squad is fine, but it’s not going to cut it when it comes to this grade.
Grade: D
Vikings: WR Justin Jefferson, S Jay Ward, LB Jamal Adams (IR)
Pour one out for Jamal Adams missing the entire 2026 season. I guess the Prez won’t be running during the midterm season. Anyway, Justin Jefferson is looking to bounce back after a rough 2025 season where the superstar looked super meh. Maybe it’ll go better when his QB isn’t the guy Michigan made sure wasn’t a factor in their offense when winning a national title and is instead Kyler Murray. Jay Ward has had a solid NFL career so far with consistent play time, and he’s coming off his most productive season by far. All in all, this is solid.
Grade: A
Failcons: DT Maason Smith, LB Harold Perkins Jr. (rookie), G Josh Thompson (PS, rookie)
Despite the excusable hatred for this team, they deserve props for drafting the Perkinator. I haven’t been this annoyed about a division rival’s draft pick since Devin White went to the Bucs for obvious reasons. Perkins has so much upside, and if a team more competent than LSU under Brian Kelly can figure it out, he’ll be a monster for years to come. As for Maason Smith, he’s been underwhelming to start his career. Seeing the way Jaguars fans talked about him when he left told me everything. By the way, Josh Thompson started every game at right guard for LSU last year and I couldn’t tell you a thing about him because that run game was so bad.
Grade: B
Panthers: G Damien Lewis
A solid guard who’s started every game in which he’s played, Damien Lewis is the only member of the Panthers who fits on the NFLSU board. He’s good, but he’s not the stud that gets a team a great grade.
Grade: C
Saints: WR Barion Brown (rookie), DT Davon Godchaux
The Saints appear to have a featured LSU player on offense for the first time since Devery Henderson, and he might fill a similar role. Barion Brown is the SEC’s all-time leader in kickoff return TDs with six, and he’s shown that he can be a deep threat on offense, too. With injuries to the Saints’ top two wideouts early on, Brown should see substantial action. Davon Godchaux is in his second year in New Orleans as part of a decent career. With two solid guys, the Saints have one of their better NFLSU grades in the past few years.
Grade: B
Buccaneers: TE Bauer Sharp (rookie), RB Josh Williams (PS)
Despite having a somewhat underwhelming year at LSU in 2025, Bauer Sharp impressed the Buccaneers enough to make the 53-man roster. Perhaps he’ll benefit from playing in a functional offense. Also, Josh Williams in on the practice squad. Good job. Still, this is fine for grading purposes.
Grade: C
