2026 Post Draft NFL Power Rankings

 

1. Rams

The Rams are pretty much everyone’s pick as the top team heading into next season as of now. The Rams along with Seattle were the two best teams in the sport a season ago and quality of special teams’ play was essentially the only thing that delineated them. The special teams’ woes are certainly a correctable issue heading into next season for Los Angeles. When compared to the rest of the NFC I like the Rams more than anyone in the conference. Both the Rams and Seahawks lost an offensive coordinator to a head coaching job this offseason, but the Rams are in better position to overcome the loss. As Los Angeles onboarded veteran coach Kliff Kingsbury to their coaching staff who may be just as good if not a better offensive coach than their now departed offensive coordinator from this past season in Mike Lafleur.  Whereas Seattle lost an offensive coordinator to a head coaching job, but he is now being replaced by a rookie unproven offensive coordinator. The Rams will also be in position to overcome the loss of their offensive coordinator because of head coach Sean McVay’s offensive background. Whereas Seattle head coach Mike MacDonald has a defensive background and the team may struggle to overcome the loss of their offensive coordinator from this past season in Klint Kubiak as a result. Detroit is still far too reckless in the postseason and still has not shown they can overcome the loss of their two coordinators from their Super Bowl contending 2023 and 2024 seasons. The Eagles still feel far too stale on offense and have not yet shown they can overcome the loss of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore from their Super Bowl winning season. As Philadelphia has now hired another rookie offensive coordinator to try to replace him, with Philadelphia falling off a cliff on offense last season while having a rookie offensive coordinator. The Vikings feel very dangerous but are totally unproven with new QB Kyler Murray who has never even won a playoff game in his career. While the likes of the 49ers, Commanders, Bears, Packers, and anyone else in the conference feeling good but not special as of now either. The Rams are in the argument for having the best overall roster in the sport with the combination of Matthew Stafford/Sean McVay being in the discussion for the best coach + QB combination in the sport as well.

 

2. Chiefs

People forget how good the Chiefs led by Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid truly are as they still have won three times as many Super Bowls as any other current head coach + QB combination. Nearly halfway through last season I still felt as if the Chiefs were as big of a threat as anyone to make the Super Bowl and were in the argument for the best team in the sport. Patrick Mahomes/Andy Reid are still likely the best head coach + QB combination in the sport and Steve Spagnulo is still one of the best defensive coordinators in the sport. The return of offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy could see Patrick Mahomes recapture the form he had earlier in his career after looking pretty average for two straight seasons now. Kansas City is now shifting their identity to prioritize running the football as they have onboarded two marquee running backs this offseason. Reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III joins the Chiefs’ backfield along with Emari Demercado who has always been perhaps the most underrated back in the sport. The duo of Walker III and Demercado could prove to be one of the premier running back tandems in the sport. The Chiefs’ offensive line projects to be one of the better if not one of the best in the sport as well if 2025 rookie first round tackle Josh Simmons improves off his solid rookie campaign. Although the Chiefs’ receiving core is questionable but still respectable and Kansas City has looked closer to average on offense for 2+ seasons in a row now, I trust Patrick Mahomes/Andy Reid with a potentially elite level offensive line and running back room to return to elite offensive form next year. Despite the presence of Steve Spagnualo who is likely the first- or second-best defensive coordinator in the sport, the defense is concerning for the Chiefs. Chris Jones is aging and declining while the Chiefs lost two very good to elite secondary starters from last season in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Kansas drafted two first rounders in this past draft to replace the production of Chris Jones and the two departed secondary players, but they will still be rookies, nonetheless. Kansas City ranked 6^th in points allowed last season but I question if they can maintain elite defensive form. The Chiefs certainly have question marks but certainly a path to be elite on both sides of the ball. They are to be trusted in big playoff games more than any other team as of now and still have the potential for an elite ceiling.

 

 

3. Lions

The Detroit Lions during the 2023 and 2024 seasons put together two of the best seasons in NFL history that did not culminate in a Super Bowl appearance. The Lions held a three-possession lead in the NFC title game during the 2023 season but failed to close it out and make the Super Bowl. The Lions went an astounding 15-2 during the 2024 season but lost in the first round of the playoffs after suffering devasting injuries on defense. Detroit being on two rookie coordinators this past season were humbled, going 9-8 and missing the playoffs all-together. The Lions seem to be primed to continue their success from the 2023 and 2024 seasons now that they have gotten their coordinators in check. As they have hired a proven sharp veteran offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing, with their rookie defensive coordinator from 2025 going into year 2 as well. The Lions during the 2024 season had a historically great offense that was amongst the most prolific in league history with Ben Johnson serving as the offensive coordinator of the team. After Johnson left to become head coach of the Bears, the Lions’ offense saw a noticeable drop off with a rookie offensive coordinator. The Lions were still among the top offensive teams in the sport, however, ranking 5^th in both points and yards accumulated last season. The Lions have since fired that rookie offensive coordinator who took over the position for Johnson and have now hired former Cardinals’ offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to assume the role. Petzing made career backup Jacoby Brissett look like a viable starter last season for Arizona and Petzing has multiple years of experience as an NFL offensive coordinator. So, I certainly feel that the Lions are in much better position now to overcome the loss of Johnson in the offensive coordinator role. However, it remains to be seen, and I am certainly skeptical as to whether Petzing can be the caliber of coordinator for the Lions that Johnson was. As a result, I am skeptical as to whether Detroit can recapture their historic offensive form from the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Although I certainly feel that the Lions will be one of the premier offenses in the NFL next season regardless. On the defensive side of things, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard heads into year 2 in the role after looking solid as a rookie defensive coordinator. As the Lions had the fifth highest graded defense in the sport last season according to Pro Football Focus despite Sheppard being a rookie in the role. Recklessness in the playoffs cost the Lions during their standout 2023 and 2024 seasons. If the Lions can hone it in come playoff time next season while recapturing the ceiling they had in 2023 and 2024, the Lions are absolutely as big of a Super Bowl threat as anyone in the sport.

 

4. Seahawks

The defending champion Seahawks find themselves this low for a few primary reasons. Firstly, the combination of Sam Darnold and head coach Mike MacDonald making the Super Bowl in each of their first two seasons together feels unlikely. As not even the likes of Patrick Mahomes/Andy Reid, Tom Brady/Bill Belichick, or anyone else have pulled that off. Additionally, the loss of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak feels massive and an offensive drop off seems imminent with Seattle next season. Especially since Sam Darnold, although very good, is not viewed as an elite QB yet and they have hired a rookie offensive coordinator to replace Kubiak as well. However, if the Seahawks hired the right offensive coordinator to replace Klint Kubiak in the role, the Seahawks are as big of a threat as anyone to win next year’s Super Bowl. QB Sam Darnold certainly has an argument to be viewed as one of the elite QBs in the sport, right in the same class as Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen as well. As he is coming off a Super Bowl win while leading one of the league’s premier offensive attacks despite being surrounded with good but not great players on offense and a defensive minded head coach. This was after leading the Vikings to a 14-3 season the year prior while also leading one of the premier offenses in the sport that season as well. However, making back-to-back Super Bowls in an unprecedented fashion while playing in arguably the league’s toughest division with a rookie offensive coordinator feels like a tall ask for the Seahawks. However, if they can overcome the loss of Kubiak next season, Seattle could have one of the league’s top offenses, with perhaps the leagues’ best defense, and could very well repeat.

 

5. Vikings

Despite missing the playoffs last season at 9-8 the Vikings find themselves ranked #5 on this list for several reasons. Minnesota finished above .500 playing in a tough division despite having among the league’s worst QB play. This was after the Vikings finished 14-3 the season prior while having strong QB play in Sam Darnold. One cannot deny the strong infrastructure of the Vikings’ organization from head coach Kevin O’Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and the team’s strong roster. The Vikings are truly the one team in the NFL who is a QB away and they have acquired former #1 overall pick Kyler Murray to play the position for them. Kyler Murray despite his misgivings with the Arizona Cardinals is still an elite generational type of talent at the QB position in my estimation. No quarterback in the history of the sport has had Murray’s combination of foot speed, arm strength, and natural throwing ability in my estimation. Murray going to the Vikings feels eerily similar to Matthew Stafford going from the Lions to the Rams. Both players being #1 overall picks viewed as generational talents, but both were drafted by weak organizations who do not know how to put QBs in positions to succeed. Both players still were good with the teams who initially drafted them, making a combined three pro bowls, but they certainly did not live up to their potential. Once Stafford went to an elite organization in the Rams, he won the Super Bowl in year 1 and has the Rams as a Super Bowl contender on a year in year out basis while also winning a league MVP as well. The same could certainly happen with Murray as the Cardinals surrounded Murray with subpar coaching staffs and subpar offensive personnel on a yearly basis. While the Vikings’ combination of offensive coaching and personnel ranks up there with any team in the NFL. The combination of the uniquely gifted Murray with the Vikings’ offensive minded head coach Kevin O’Connell and elite offensive personnel could see the Vikings have an explosive offense next season that ranks up there with any in the NFL. On the defensive side of things, the Vikings are led by one of the league’s top defensive coordinators in Brian Flores who has had the Vikings as a top 7 scoring defense for two seasons in a row now. Flores had the Vikings as a borderline elite to an elite defense last season despite the offense not producing and leaving the defense in consistently bad spots. Flores with very good defensive personnel heading into next season should have the Vikings as one of the league’s top defenses next year especially with the offense likely being much improved. During the 2024 season, the Vikings went 14-3 but felt a notch below the likes of the truly elite NFC teams in the Eagles and Lions. Kyler Murray, being potentially an upgrade over the likes of Sam Darnold, could take the Vikings up a notch from their 14-3 2024 form.

 

6. Colts

This Colts’ team heading into next season feels very similar to the 2023 to then 2024 Eagles. Where the Eagles were the top team in the NFC if not in the NFL to many sitting at 10-1 during the 2023 season. Philadelphia then of course collapsed to end the season finishing 1-6 with a quick postseason exit. The Eagles then rebounded to win next year’s Super Bowl in resounding fashion, however. This Colts’ team after 10 games this past season was sitting at 8-2 and were arguably the top team in the AFC and certainly one of the top teams in the NFL. Indianapolis then collapsed to end the season finishing 0-7 and missing the playoffs all together. The issues that haunted Philadelphia during the 2023 season were the lack of capable coordinators after the likes of their previous two coordinators from their Super Bowl run the previous season became head coaches. Philadelphia then of course addressed those issues by hiring Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio, two of the best coordinators in the sport, and then the Eagles won it all. The issues that haunted the Colts last season which led to their collapse was the lack of health at the QB spot, along with questionable QB depth. Starting QB Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending injury, with QB Anthony Richardson being unavailable for the most part due to a freak injury as well, while the Colts third string QB was an averagely talented late round rookie draft pick in Riley Leonard. The Colts had to revert to signing a 44-year-old Phillip Rivers out of retirement who had not played in the league in half a decade. Even with Rivers at the helm, who I would argue at age 44 having not played in the league for 5 years was not even a good backup QB, they still were right in most of their games. With Rivers the Colts held a lead late on the road vs the eventual champion Seahawks but could not close it. The Colts with Rivers came up just one possession short of the Jaguars late in the season, with Jacksonville playing as good of football as anyone down the stretch last regular season. The Rams and Seahawks were unequivocally the class of the NFL this past season and the Colts were consistently right on the level of both. They lost by one possession to the Rams which was due to a goal line unforced fumble that was foolishly lost by the Colts due to a premature celebration, costing them a touchdown which was the difference in that game. The Colts, as aforementioned, held a very late lead on the road vs the eventual Super Bowl Champion Seahawks despite having a 44-year-old Phillip Rivers at QB playing his first game in 5 years vs arguably the league’s top defense. The Colts’ late season collapse was due to a brutal schedule down the stretch combined with multiple QB injuries and a lack of depth at the position. Now that Daniel Jones is coming back healthy, rookie Riley Leonard heads into year 2, and Anthony Richardson has another year of development under his belt. The Colts could certainly build off their 8-2 start from a season ago and replicate the Eagles from the 2023 to the 2024 season.

 

7. Bears

The Bears had a successful first season in the first year of the Ben Johnson/Caleb Williams era. They went 5-12 in the year prior to Johnson’s arrival to then 11-6 in year 1 with Johnson which included a playoff win and a very narrow 2^nd round playoff loss. The Bears, despite having a 2^nd year QB and a rookie head coach, were in a very similar spot to the eventual champion Seahawks. Both the Bears and Seahawks held late leads over the Rams in the playoffs but Chicago as the younger team with the younger QB could not close it out as Williams made a key error down the stretch, essentially costing them that matchup. The intangibles of this Bears’ team are why I have them so high, they are a very disciplined and strong team, reminding me a lot of the Chiefs’ dynasty. Where the teams made little to no mistakes and were so good in big close games, and they won as a result despite often having a lower ceiling than the other team and a ceiling that was not intimidating by any stretch. This Bears’ team led the league in turnover differential last season and Caleb Williams was the best fourth quarter QB in the NFC as well. This Bears’ defense led by defensive coordinator Dennis Allen started to round into elite form late in the year as well. Holding the high-level Packers’, Lions’, and Rams’ offenses to 20 points or less each down the stretch. Caleb Williams was a number one overall pick for a reason and Ben Johnson is one of the sharpest young offensive minds in the sport. The Bears project to be potentially elite on both sides of the ball next season as Johnson/Williams head into year 2 together and if Allen can keep the defense rolling from its late season form. They also seem to have the championship DNA as a football team being very disciplined and mentally/emotionally tough, which is why they find themselves in the top 10.

 

8. 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers returned to being a dangerous playoff team who was in the Super Bowl mix this past season. Their only weakness was that they were not as good as the Seattle Seahawks. Which is nothing to be ashamed of as no other team in the NFL this past season was as good as Seattle. The offense led by Kyle Shanahan, who is arguably the smartest offensive coach ever was once again elite as Pro Football Focus graded them as the #2 offense in the sport last season. The defense had its ups and downs with Robert Saleh returning to coordinate it, but it seemed to round into elite form holding an explosive Seahawks offense to only 13 points in the final week of the regular season. However, the 49ers were wiped off the field in a humiliating 41-6 loss on the road in the playoffs to the eventual champion Seahawks. On the bright side, the Seahawks and Rams were easily the two best teams in the sport this past season and the 49ers were able to beat both. However, after starting off 2-0 vs the likes of the Rams and Seahawks, the 49ers proceeded to go 0-3 vs those two teams the rest of the season losing by multiple possessions in every game. The 49ers unfortunately seem to be a clear third in likely the toughest division in the sport to the Rams and Seahawks who are arguably the two top teams in the NFL. Heading into next season I have little to no doubt that the offense will be elite led by Kyle Shanahan as it always is. Especially now that they have added star veteran wide out Mike Evans to the mix and drafted another wide receiver in the 2^nd round to complement him. The defensive side of the ball is the concern however as they have now replaced veteran defensive coordinator Robert Saleh with veteran defensive coordinator Raheem Morrris. Both defensive coordinators are highly capable as they have each landed multiple head coaching jobs with their defensive backgrounds. While also having coached in Super Bowls as defensive coordinators with Morris winning one. But it remains to be seen if Morris will be an upgrade over Saleh although he certainly could be. Their personnel on defense is very good and if Morris can be an upgrade or potentially just as good as Saleh then the 49ers will be in good shape. If the 49ers want to reach the level of the Rams/Seahawks next season, Kyle Shanahan will need to figure out Mike MacDonald next season as MacDonald had Shanahan’s number last year. While Raheem Morris will need to be an elite defensive coordinator as well. If those two things occur, the 49ers can absolutely be in position to finally get over the hump and win it all next year. However, because of the concerns surrounding the team playing in perhaps the toughest division in the sport and the tougher conference, they remain outside the top 5 for now.

 

9. Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles had a bit of a Super Bowl hangover but still made the playoffs and barely lost while boasting one of the league’s best defenses. The biggest thing that led to their drop off this past season was the departure of now Saints’ head coach Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator. The Eagles with Moore were one of the premier offenses in the sport and in the first season without Moore they became a very average to a mediocre offense. This was despite retaining almost all the same players, the same head coach, and the same QB. The Eagles had a rookie offensive coordinator in the role this past season and his lack of experience in the role led to their demise. They have since onboarded another rookie offensive coordinator to attempt to replace Moore. Although I do feel as if he will be better than last year’s coach in the role, as it would be hard to be worse, them onboarding another unproven rookie offensive coordinator is why they remain at 8 and not higher. If they had brought on the likes of Brian Daboll or Mike McDaniel or even Drew Petzing, then I would likely have the Eagles in the top 5 or top 3. Although Jordan Love and Malik Willis produced at an elite level with the Packers with now Philadelphia offensive coordinator Sean Mannion as an offensive assistant/QB coach with Green Bay. One could certainly attribute their success to offensive minded head coach Matt Lafleur and offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich. The hire of Mannion as the offensive coordinator was underwhelming especially with such elite proven candidates such as McDaniel and Daboll on the market and the Eagles’ glaring need in the role. However, general manager Howie Roseman is likely the sharpest general manager in the sport, and I trust him to not whiff on two straight offensive coordinators. If Sean Mannion proves to be the right hire as the offensive coordinator and if they can overcome the imminent loss of superstar wide out A.J Brown, the Eagles could absolutely vie to win it all again.

 

10. Patriots

The defending AFC champions find themselves at #10 but perhaps I have them too low. This team is in a similar boat to the Jacksonville Jaguars coming off one of the greatest single season turnarounds with a first-year coach in league history. New England in the season prior to head coach Mike Vrabel’s arrival went 4-13 but then went 13-4 in the first season with Vrabel and made the Super Bowl. Although the Super Bowl loss for the Patriots was relatively embarrassing, the spread entering that game was still only 3.5 for a reason and the Patriots only ended up losing by two possessions for a reason as well. This team like the Jaguars has no real weakness as New England ranked 2nd in points scored last season and 4^th in points allowed last season as well. However, like Jacksonville, this Patriots team has not shown me the ability to be next level transcendent great on either side of the ball as well. However, like the Jaguars again, this New England team led by Maye/Vrabel has not had enough of a chance to prove it as the pairing has been together for only one season. If this Patriots team can take it up a notch on either side of the ball heading into next season, perhaps they can close the gap between them and the likes of a team such as the Seahawks and get over the hump and win it all.

 

11. Bills

I have my concerns with the Bills but in a game of QBs one would be hard pressed to argue that any QB in the NFL is better than Josh Allen as of now. The Bills have solid offensive personnel surrounding Allen with an offensive minded head coach as well. As a result, with Allen healthy, the Bills will unequivocally have one of the premier offenses in the sport next season. The defensive side of the ball is where my concerns with this team lie. As the team has a rookie offensive minded head coach, a rookie defensive coordinator, and subpar defensive personnel comprised of a defensive roster that did not warrant a single pro bowl selection from a season ago. However, this Bills’ defense could still be pretty good if Joe Brady proves to have a strong grip on the opposite side of the ball and if they nailed their new defensive coordinator hire. This Bills’ defense in the 2^nd half of last season and into the playoffs looked pretty viable and could recapture that form although doing so without the defensive minded head coach Sean McDermott will be a tall ask. If the Bills’ defense can just be solid, then Buffalo will absolutely be a threat to make the Super Bowl next season.

 

12. Jaguars

The Jaguars in the first season with Liam Coen at the helm had one of the greatest turnarounds in league history with a first-year head coach. As the Jaguars went from 4-13 in the season prior to Coen’s arrival to then 13-4 in the first season with Liam Coen. The NFL is constantly on the hunt for the next coach in the Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan mold and the prime candidate to be the next coach in that mold is Liam Coen in my estimation. The job that Coen did as the offensive coordinator of the Buccaneers mirrored that of Kyle Shanahan’s with the Falcons. Coen with an averagely talented Baker Mayfield, surrounded by average caliber offensive personnel, along with a defensive minded head coach turned the Bucs into one of the premier offensive attacks in the sport. The Bucs then saw a substantial drop off in year 1 of the post Liam Coen era and I certainly question whether Baker Mayfield is truly a franchise caliber QB, as outside of the one year with Coen, Mayfield has looked very ordinary. The Jaguars down the stretch of last year’s regular season looked like a juggernaut going 8-0 in the final 8 regular season games while leading the league in both points scored and allowed. Jacksonville last season also accrued multiple noteworthy wins over strong competition by multiple possessions. Beating the AFC finalist Broncos on the road by multiple scores, blowing out the playoff bound Chargers by 29 points, and beating the at the time Super Bowl contending Colts by three scores as well. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was a #1 overall pick viewed as a generational talent who could go down as the next all-time great QB for a reason. When Lawrence has been healthy and has had time to click with his coaching staff, he has lived up to that billing. As he heads into year 2 with Liam Coen, Lawrence will be primed to be a perennial league MVP candidate at the QB spot. The Jaguars have maybe the most overlooked defensive mind in the sport in Anthony Campanile as well. As a rookie defensive coordinator this past 2025 season, he took a bottom 5 caliber defense from the year prior and turned it into a top 10 caliber defense. The Jaguars defense will be in line to be amongst the league’s best units heading into next season as Campanile heads into year 2 as a defensive coordinator in the NFL. This Jaguars team remains at 12 and not higher because they have not shown me the ability to be next level transcendent great on either side of the ball. Like the Lions have shown me on offense with Dan Campbell/Jared Goff, like the Texans have shown me with DeMeco Ryans. They also do not have the championship experience of teams like the Eagles, Rams, and Chiefs. Just in their own division I do not feel as if they have an identity of being specifically the best at something like I feel the Colts and Texans do. For instance, I feel as if the Colts have the best overall roster in the AFC and the Texans have the best overall defense in the NFL, and I do not feel as if the Jaguars have the “best” anything. However, this Jaguars team led by Liam Coen and Trevor Lawrence has not had a legitimate chance to accrue championship experience and show transcendent ability on either side of the ball. They very well could prove it starting next season and climb this list as a result.

 

13. Bengals

If I knew for sure that Joe Burrow would remain healthy, I would likely have the Bengals higher. The Bengals have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons now with Burrow missing large chunks of time in two of those three seasons. People however forget that this Bengals team led by Burrow is the only AFC team to have beaten Mahomes/Reid/Chiefs in the playoffs. 1-2 small things go differently, and the Bengals may have won multiple Super Bowls by now as Cincinnati came up inches short in the Conference Championship and Super Bowl in each of the first two seasons with a healthy Burrow. With Burrow healthy the Bengals are certainly in line to build off those elite years and with him healthy will absolutely be a threat to win the AFC. Defensive coordinator Al Golden had a horrific start to his career as an NFL defensive coordinator as the Bengals’ defense was historically bad in the first half of last season. The defense in the latter half of the season looked decent, however, and Golden was able to retain his job as a result. Al Golden, with several high draft picks and a ton of talent on defense and the newly acquired superstar Dexter Lawrence will be expected to have the Bengals’ defense be in elite form in 2026. If Burrow can stay healthy and Golden proves to be the right hire, the sky is the limit for this Bengals team in 2026, and they certainly could get over the hump as they came so close to doing so in the first two seasons with a healthy Burrow.

 

14. Ravens

The Ravens have perhaps the highest ceiling of any team in the NFL but remain at 14 for two primary reasons. Quarterback Lamar Jackson cannot be trusted come playoff time and they are on a rookie head coach. The 2023 Ravens led by Jackson playing at an MVP level and now Super Bowl winning Seahawks’ defensive mastermind head coach Mike MacDonald as defensive coordinator was as dominant of an NFL team as I can ever remember seeing. The Ravens are now seeking to recreate that formula by onboarding the defensive minded head coach Jesse Minter who they hope can be the defensive mastermind to complement Jackson just as MacDonald was. I am very optimistic for the sake of Ravens’ fans about the qualifications of Minter as the head coach and his capability to be a defensive mastermind. But he will be a rookie head coach next season nonetheless and rookie head coaches typically have their growing pains and do not win Super Bowls. I am almost certain the offense will be amongst the league’s best with Jackson healthy especially now that he is paired with a young offensive genius in Declan Doyle who was able to land an offensive coordinator job at the age of only 29. Although their offensive personnel with the aging of Derrick Henry and Mark Andrews along with the departures of Tyler Linerbaum and DeAndre Hopkins is concerning. I still however feel they will have decent offensive personnel surrounding Jackson, and Jackson, being likely the league’s most talented QB, does not need elite personnel. I trust the defense to be elite as they have hired maybe the sharpest young defensive mind in the sport and their raw talent on defense ranks up there with any team in the NFL. However, their youth at offensive coordinator, head coach, along with me not being able to trust Jackson in the playoffs has them at 14 despite them having perhaps the highest ceiling of any team in the sport.

 

15. Chargers

 

I am starting to feel as if both head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert are overrated. I felt as if the Chargers captured lightning in a bottle pairing Harbaugh with Herbert and they were in line to be the next dynasty of the NFL. Despite making the playoffs in each of their first two seasons together, I have been underwhelmed by the pairing as they have yet to win a playoff game losing each of their first two playoff games by multiple possessions as well. The team’s subpar roster is certainly culpable to a certain extent for the lack of playoff success that the pairing has seen. However, Jim Harbaugh has not won a playoff game in the NFL in over a decade, while Justin Herbert has never won a playoff game in the NFL while also showing that perhaps he is in the mold of Lamar Jackson/Peyton Manning/Kirk Cousins as he has consistently really underwhelmed come playoff time. From an optimistic standpoint, the Chargers with Harbaugh/Herbert still had one of the better turnarounds with a first-year head coach in league history, while the duo still made the playoffs in year 2 together. With the onboarding of former Dolphins’ coach Mike McDaniel as the offensive coordinator, the Chargers with Jim Harbaugh’s offensive background as well are set to be as smartly coached on offense as any team in the sport next season. The onboarding of McDaniel as the offensive coordinator is however offset by the departure of Jesse Minter as the defensive coordinator of the team. Minter has now been replaced by a rookie in the role, and I question how good the Chargers will be on defense next season as a result. I certainly could have this team too low as year 3 may be the breakout year for Harbaugh/Herbert where they start to live up to their dynastic expectations, but as of now they remain in the middle of the pack.

 

 

16. Texans

 

The past two Super Bowl champions in the Eagles and Seahawks had a defense that was in the definitive discussion for being the best in the sport. The only reason why both those defenses were not definitively the best defense in the NFL was because of the presence of the Texans’ defense led by the defensive mastermind DeMeco Ryans. The Texans certainly have what it takes in my estimation to be the next team that follows the mold of the Eagles’ and Seahawks, being led by an elite defense that was in the argument for the best in the sport. This Texans’ defense over the past two seasons has likely been the best in the sport and likely the best defense the league has seen on a consistent basis since the legion of boom Seahawks, with the Texans’ defensive minded head coach DeMeco Ryans being likely the sharpest defensive mind in the game of football today. The Texans have left much to be desired on the offensive side of things however in the CJ Stroud/ DeMeco Ryans era, however. During the 2023 season, CJ Stroud had one of the greatest rookie QB seasons in league history, finishing 6^th in passer rating despite having a rookie defensive minded head coach, a rookie offensive coordinator, and below average offensive personnel. Stroud has unfortunately regressed the past two seasons, he had a sophomore slump, while struggling this past season with a rookie offensive coordinator and subpar offensive personnel. However, the Texans’ offensive personnel heading into next season projects to be above average if not borderline elite as of now. The Texans’ rookie offensive coordinator from the 2025 season is heading into year 2 as an NFL offensive coordinator as well. Stroud is certainly in line to build off his elite rookie season as a result and the Texans’ offense could be a handful next season. If the Texans’ offense plays to its potential with the defense likely being the best in the sport, this Houston team mirrors the past two Super Bowl champions quite a bit.

 

17. Broncos

Despite coming off a season where they got the #1 seed in the AFC and came up three points shy of making the Super Bowl despite being on a backup QB, the Broncos find themselves this low. Like the Bears, Denver won games last season not because of an intimidating ceiling but rather by playing clean football and being strong in big/close games. Just like the Bears, that is certainly applaudable but cannot be the secret to long-term success at the highest level. It should rather be viewed as a complement to a team’s overall ceiling rather than the driving force of a team’s success. The Broncos had a very average ceiling by any stretch last season as they had a very good defense that was not in the discussion for the best in the sport, however. On offense, Denver felt like a team that was closer to average and I still do not buy Bo Nix as a legitimate franchise quarterback. He has some talent and was as good of a fourth quarter QB as there was in the sport last season, but relatively speaking is a bottom ten starting QB talent and may be better suited as a backup. Perhaps with the addition of Jaylen Waddle, the improvement of young players, and Bo Nix/Sean Payton heading into year 3 together, maybe Denver could become an elite offensive team. But I have my doubts about it although it is certainly possible as Denver’s offensive personnel ranks up there with any team in the sport and Sean Payton ranks up there with any offensive mind in the sport.

 

18. Packers

The Green Bay Packers in the Jordan Love/Matt Lafleur era have always felt as if they are the epitome of good but nothing special. They always make the playoffs but never feel like they have an intimidating ceiling or a next gear to them. Their offense is always borderline elite but never truly elite with the same being said for their defense as well. Now they have lost backup QB Malik Willis who was likely the top backup QB in the sport while also losing defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley who was among the top defensive coordinators in the sport as well. Although Jordan Love can certainly stay healthy and they may not need a high level backup, and former Cardinals’ head coach Jonathan Gannon was a very strong pick to replace Hafley, I do not buy that all of a sudden Green Bay will take it up a notch and break out of their good but not special mold. However, they had the Bears beaten in a playoff game and the Bears had the Rams beaten in a playoff game with the Rams of course coming up one possession short of likely winning it all. So, if the Packers had closed out their opening round playoff game vs Chicago, who knows how far they could have went last season. The combination of Lafleur at head coach, Love at QB, and Gannon at defensive coordinator is still very formidable, so perhaps I am underrating this team.

 

19. Cowboys

The Cowboys are perhaps a team that I am underrating and may deserve to be ranked higher than this. Their offense ranked 2^nd in yards per game last season and 7^th in points per game last season despite having a rookie head coach and a rookie offensive coordinator. Their offense was borderline elite to elite last season and is only in line to improve as Prescott goes into year 2 with his offensive minded head coach and coordinator no longer being rookies in their roles. With Prescott healthy or even with dynamic backup Joe Milton III, the Cowboys’ offense will likely be one of the premier units in the sport next season. The Cowboys’ defense was the team’s undoing last season as Dallas’ defense was perhaps the worst in the NFL allowing the most points. This was despite having a proven veteran defensive coordinator in Matt Eberflus who has since been terminated. The Cowboys as of now project to have strong defensive personnel heading into next season and new defensive coordinator Christian Parker will have his work cut out for him. Parker was the defensive backs coach for both the Broncos and Eagles before accepting the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator gig. He consistently coached players in the backend of those defenses to all-pro honors and was very qualified for the job. I am optimistic he can be the correct defensive coordinator for Dallas although I do think he will have his growing pains. If Parker was indeed the right choice as defensive coordinator this could be a very scary team next season. The offense will rank up there with any and Dallas’ defensive personnel is very good. If that strong Dallas defensive personnel can be coached well, the sky is the limit for this team.

 

20. Dolphins

New QB Malik Willis projects to be the next Lamar Jackson but a better version of him without the big game performance concerns. While new head coach Jeff Hafley projects to be the next DeMeco Ryans/Mike MacDonald level defensive mastermind head coach. If those two fulfill their potential then the Dolphins will have in my estimation the premier head coach + QB combination in the sport, even greater than Stafford/McVay or Mahomes/Reid, or anyone else. Malik Willis’ physical attributes are toe to toe with Lamar Jackson and Willis is essentially a doppelganger of Jackson as a QB talent. In 3-4 games worth of snaps outside of his rookie season, Willis looked every bit as good as Jackson as well, posting an abnormally high 130+ passer rating and having running numbers right on par with Jackson as well. Lamar Jackson has always been likely the most talented QB ever to step on an NFL field. The only reason why Jackson is not on pace to be the greatest ever is because of his postseason performance concerns. Malik Willis is in line to be Lamar Jackson but clutch which would essentially be the ultimate QB in my estimation. Jeff Hafley’s Packers’ defenses were consistently borderline elite to elite as well. His defense in the final game of the 2024 season holding an otherwise explosive Eagles’ offense to only 22 points in Green Bay’s postseason loss, along with his defense in the first two games this past season holding an otherwise electric Lions’ offense and Commanders’ offense led by Jayden Daniels to less than 20 points each looked like the best defense in the sport. The Lamar Jackson caliber dual threat QB who can run like a defensive back or a wide out paired with the defensive mastermind coach is the ultimate head coach + QB combination and the Dolphins might just have it. The Ravens team during the 2023 season with Jackson playing at an MVP level with now Super Bowl winning head coach Mike MacDonald serving as the team’s defensive coordinator was as dominant of an NFL team as I can remember watching. The Dolphins have perhaps the better version of that formula with Willis being potentially the clutch version of Jackson at QB. However, the youth of the head coach and QB combination along with how unproven they are combined with a questionable roster is why they remain this low. However, if Willis and Hafley live up to their potential and can come into their own even in their first season as a starting QB and head coach respectively and if young players on the roster develop and live up to their potential, I would want no part of this Dolphins’ team.

 

21. Falcons

The Falcons were my breakout team last season but underwhelmed but I think they certainly could break out next season. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr saw his struggles last season as he again struggled to stay healthy while also struggling to get into the flow of things with a defensive minded head coach in his first season as starter. What led to the Falcons’ undoing last season was Penix Jr’s lack of health, the lack of a veteran offensive mind to guide the young Penix Jr, with the team also lacking a high-level backup QB. With the addition of former Browns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski and former Dolphins’ QB Tua Tagovailoa, they have seemingly solved both issues. Kevin Stefanski is a two-time coach of the year with an offensive background who can provide Penix Jr with some stability. While Tua Tagovailoa is in the definitive discussion for being the best backup QB in the sport as of now and will certainly push Penix Jr for the starting job. The Falcons’ personnel on offense is borderline elite to elite and Atlanta could have one of the premier offensive attacks in the sport with either Tua or Penix Jr under center. The Falcons also have borderline elite to elite defensive personnel with a defensive coordinator going into year 2 and head coach Kevin Stefanski being well versed on defense despite having an offensive background. As the Browns’ defense with Stefanski last season was amongst the league’s best despite his offensive background. The Falcons have one of the premier rosters in the sport, a two-time coach of the year, a coordinator on both sides of the ball going into year 2 as an NFL coordinator, along with two very capable QBs. The Falcons are perhaps the most underrated team in the NFL heading into the 2026 season.

 

 

22. Commanders

The Commanders in year 1 with Jayden Daniels at QB got to a conference championship game with Daniels having one of the best rookie QB seasons ever. Daniels struggled to stay on the field in year 2 and even when he did play, he looked like a shell of himself. Before the arrival of Malik Willis with the Dolphins, I viewed Jayden Daniels to be Lamar Jackson but with a clutch gene which would be the ultimate QB in my estimation. Although I view Willis to be more-so fitting that mold now, I am still very high on Daniels. There is a very strong argument to be made that Daniels is indeed the premier QB in the NFC. Head coach Dan Quinn, although he has had his pitfalls as a head coach was still viewed as maybe the sharpest defensive mind in the sport at a certain point and could still live up to that billing. However, in the Dan Quinn/Jayden Daniels era the team’s roster has always been subpar and rebuilding. Despite going into year 3 of the era, the roster still feels below average if not poor in my estimation. However, it is still a coach + QB league, and the combination of Daniels/Quinn could prove to be lethal. If the roster can prove to be just solid, if Jayden Daniels is indeed Lamar Jackson but clutch, and if Dan Quinn is indeed a defensive master mind, this team could be very dangerous.

 

23. Browns

The Browns will be a fun watch next season, and this could be the beginning of Cleveland starting to consistently climb out of the NFL purgatory. The Browns’ defense was one of the premier defenses in the sport last season and their talent on the defensive side of the ball ranks up there with anyone. It remains to be seen however if Cleveland can maintain elite play on defense now losing their veteran head coach Kevin Stefanski and their veteran defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. With both now being replaced by a rookie offensive minded head coach and a rookie defensive coordinator. The Browns’ defense is loaded with talent, but it remains to be seen if there will be a noticeable drop as they likely won’t be coached as well. However, this Browns’ defense was a top 5 unit in the sport by any stretch last season and could very well remain one next year as well. The offensive side of the ball was a shipwreck for the Browns last season however as they were among the worst offensive teams in the sport. The Browns started multiple rookie quarterbacks and had offensive personnel that ranked near the bottom of the sport. Offensive minded head coach Kevin Stefanski started to run his course with the Browns last season and him along with their rookie offensive coordinator were terminated. The Browns have now onboarded former Ravens’ offensive coordinator Todd Monken as head coach and Browns’ fans should be optimistic about the hire. Monken coordinated one of the greatest offenses in league history in 2023 with the Ravens, which was also maybe the greatest season a QB has ever had which was Lamar Jackson’s 2^nd MVP season. The Browns have respectable but still pretty average offensive personnel and no clear-cut starting QB as the likes of Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel are all vying for the starting job. With none of the three being a high-level player as of now with three other future hall of famers under center in the division. Best case scenario is that the Browns are the Texans of last season, a closer to average offense with an elite defense. Which would be a huge step in the right direction for Cleveland, which has been perhaps the ineptest NFL franchise for the foreseeable past.

 

 

24. Buccaneers

This may be the last season of the Baker Mayfield-Todd Bowles era in Tampa Bay as the pairing had a very disappointing season last year. I am starting to question whether Baker Mayfield is truly a high-level franchise QB. As outside of the tutelage of Liam Coen, he feels like a high-end backup to me in all honesty. Mayfield is coming off a disappointing season where he noticeably regressed going from the offensive mastermind Coen to a rookie offensive coordinator. The Bucs have since hired Zac Robinson as their offensive coordinator who underwhelmed with the Falcons. However, at least Robinson has years of experience in the role, and he will likely be an upgrade over the Bucs’ rookie offensive coordinator from a season ago. But I do have my doubts as to whether Robinson can be an elite level coordinator who can get elite caliber play out of Mayfield like Liam Coen did. Todd Bowles is firmly on the hot seat entering next season as despite his defensive background, his defenses have been consistently below average in the NFL. With the success that the Bucs have seen with him as the head coach being attributed more-so to offensive coordinators than to him in my estimation. However, this team was still a team that went on the road and beat the Seahawks last season with the Bucs scoring 38 points on the league’s top scoring defense in that game. This Bucs team also beat the 49ers by multiple possessions last year as well. In the previous season this Bucs team beat both the #1 and #2 seeds in the NFC in Philadelphia and Detroit. While also coming up just one possession short of the juggernaut Lions during the 2023 season in the playoffs. The Bucs’ offense with Mayfield was top five during the 2024 season, the Bucs’ defense with Bowles was top five during the 2023 season. If both can get their side of the ball flowing next season in peak form, this could be a dangerous team that I would not want to play. However, if they do not then changes will likely be coming to Tampa Bay.

 

 

25. Panthers

The Panthers could certainly rank higher than this as one could argue that they were in a very similar situation to the eventual champion Seahawks last season. As both teams held a late home playoff lead vs the Rams, but the Seahawks were able to close it out while Carolina could not. However, this Carolina team is certainly not a team that I buy as a viable Super Bowl threat next season despite their impressive postseason outing this past season. They have a pretty average roster, a QB who is undersized who I do not buy as a legitimate franchise caliber player as of now, a head coach who I do not buy as the long-term solution at the head coach spot, along with pretty ordinary non-noteworthy coordinators. However, Bryce Young was viewed as the next Russell Wilson and was taken number one overall for a reason. Dave Canales was viewed as the next great young offensive mind for a period of time as well after resurrecting the careers of both Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith, and the roster does have a good amount of talent as well.

 

 

26. Steelers

With the impending return of Aaron Rodgers to the team this Steelers’ team feels pretty ordinary but still is one that could be reckoned with. It is possible however unlikely that Mike McCarthy could squeeze one last MVP caliber season out of the 42 going on 43-year-old Rodgers. Pittsburgh has a ton of talent on the offensive line and still solid skill position players to pair with it. If Rodgers can have one last rejuvenate season reuniting with McCarthy the Steelers offense could be something special next season. On the defensive side of things, the team obviously will struggle to overcome the loss of Mike Tomlin, who is one of the greatest defensive coaches in league history. However, they do have a talented defense with a strong defensive coordinator. It is within the realm of possibility that the Steelers have an elite defense next season but just like with Rodgers having one last great season, it is possible but not likely. This team will likely hover around .500 and narrowly miss the playoffs or make the playoffs and lose instantly as they have for the past several seasons in a row now. Perhaps the Steelers should consider bringing on a young QB such as Anthony Richardson to learn under Rodgers and maybe even push Rodgers for the starting job.

 

 

27. Giants

The Giants were a scrappy team last season who was able to beat the defending champion Eagles by three possessions, they led the AFC finalist Broncos by three possessions on the road, they beat the playoff bound Chargers, while also beating the Detroit Lions. This is a team like the Carolina Panthers where I do not necessarily see a clear route to contention for them, but they will still be a tough scrappy team. The Giants have a below average roster and a QB who I do not buy as a franchise level player yet. Head coach John Harbaugh will have his work cut out for him, but this team will likely finish last in an increasingly tough NFC East and will see their growing pains in year 1 with Harbaugh.

 

28. Raiders

The Raiders finally seem to be headed in the right direction with number one overall pick QB Fernando Mendoza and new head coach Klint Kubiak. Mendoza was a Heisman Trophy and National Title winning quarterback who projects to be a star at the next level. Kubiak pulled off a masterpiece in coordinating the Super Bowl winning Seahawks’ offense over the course of this past season. The Raiders will be fun to watch on offense next season with Mendoza and the offensive minded Kubiak. They have strong offensive personnel and once Mendoza/Kubiak establish some chemistry together, they will have the ability to put up points in bunches. However, the Raiders likely won’t make the playoffs next season as Mendoza/Kubiak are still too young and the team projects to be awful on defense as of now.

 

29. Saints

Saints’ head coach Kellen Moore is perhaps the most underrated young offensive mind in the sport. The Eagles’ offense with Kellen Moore was among the best in the NFL if not among the best ever. In the first season without Moore the Eagles’ offense fell off a cliff and was average to mediocre. He made a high second round pick rookie in Tyler Shough look like a viable starting caliber quarterback as well. Kellen Moore, I believe is the long-term fix at the head coach spot for New Orleans and certainly could be a coach in the Sean McVay mold as a young offensive mind. The Saints have onboarded former 2^nd overall pick Zach Wilson to compete for the starting QB job as well. Zach Wilson is a QB in the Geno Smith/ Sam Darnold mold. Where both Smith and Darnold were drafted highly but by the hapless Jets who put QBs in positions to fail, and both were viewed as busts as a result. Both Darnold and Wilson then hooked up with smart young offensive coaches and lived up to their potential as a result. There is an argument to be made that Wilson was more talented than both Darnold and Smith as he was drafted number two overall. With the only reason he was not drafted number one overall, being the generationally gifted Trevor Lawrence being drafted ahead of him. Wilson was compared to Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers coming out of college and if he were to live up to his potential now leaving the Jets, the Saints may have their long-term answer at QB. The Saints also have good offensive personnel for a guy like Wilson to work with as well. However, Wilson is still listed as only third on the Saints’ depth chart behind both Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler so winning the starting job will be an uphill battle. This Saints’ team will likely miss the playoffs again, but the Zach Wilson narrative is something to look out for.

 

30. Cardinals

The Cardinals have a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball and have onboarded a young offensive minded head coach. Perhaps Arizona is just a QB away from being an elite offensive team. Career backup Jacoby Brissett is currently set to start for the Cardinals, but I would love to see them onboard a player such as Mac Jones, Anthony Richardson, Justin Fields, or Trey Lance who could come into their own with Arizona. Starting Jacoby Brissett feels very bland to me and if I were a Cardinals’ fan I would feel very unenthused. However, if this team can get a Dante Moore or an Arch Manning in 2027 to pair with their borderline elite to elite offensive personnel and young smart offensive minded head coach, they could be headed in the right direction.

 

31. Jets

The Jets went 3-14 in the first season with Aaron Glenn at the helm and he is perhaps on the hottest of seats heading into next season. Glenn, despite his defensive background, had the Jets as one of the worst defensive teams in the sport in his first season on the job. The Jets were actually bad on defense in a historic fashion, being the first team in league history to go an entire season without recording an interception. The Jets have nowhere to go but up but seem to be trending in no man’s land as a franchise. As of now Aaron Glenn is not the answer at head coach and bringing the veteran bridge QB in Geno Smith felt questionable to me. They will likely circle the NFL drains again and big changes will be coming to gang green after this season in all likelihood.

 

 

32. Titans

The Titans have been the weakest NFL team for the past two seasons in a row now accruing a 3-14 record in back-to-back years. However, although they will still likely struggle next season, things seem to be headed in an upward direction although there is nowhere to go but up for this franchise. They have onboarded Robert Saleh as the new head coach, which was a very strong hire in my estimation. As Saleh consistently had the Jets field elite defenses with him as the head coach of that franchise. They have brought on Brian Daboll as the offensive coordinator who as of now is among the premier offensive coordinators in the sport. 2025 number one overall pick Cam Ward heads into year 2 after a respectable rookie season. However, this team has likely the worst overall roster in the sport and Cam Ward has not yet proven to be a franchise level QB. They will likely be among the worst teams again next season, but things seem to be headed in the right direction with Ward, Saleh, and Daboll.