NFC South QB power rankings after final preseason game

2. Baker Mayfield, Bucs

It is fairly easy to put Baker Mayfield ahead of two younger quarterbacks like Young and Ridder, but the Bucs' starting quarterback actually earned this spot. He is still further ahead than Young and Ridder, and the preseason proved that.

Mayfield did enough to earn that starting job in his first preseason action with the Bucs. He didn't even need to play in the team's second exhibition. But, as final preparation for the regular season, Tampa did play him in the third contest.

All in all, Mayfield completed 14 of 15 passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns in his preseason action. For those wondering at home, that's good for a rating of 135.4. He did about as much as you could possibly ask him to do during his preseason time.

Maybe, just maybe, the Bucs will be totally fine in Baker's hands. If the preseason is any indication of what's to come in the regular season, the Bucs' offense might surprise some folks. Mayfield does have some weapons at his disposal, and he's already shown he knows how to use them. Can he return to the form we saw him early on in his career? He very well could.