These 2026 NFL power rankings weigh 2025 performance, quarterback stability, coaching, roster changes, draft additions, depth, and expected improvement or regression. The rankings are subjective and reflect projected strength entering the 2026 regular season rather than simply last year’s record; last updated on May 21, 2026.
| Rank | Team | Movement |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Miami Dolphins | No Change |
| 31 | Arizona Cardinals | No Change |
| 30 | New York Jets | No Change |
| 29 | Tennessee Titans | No Change |
| 28 | Carolina Panthers | No Change |
| 27 | Las Vegas Raiders | No Change |
| 26 | Cleveland Browns | -1 |
| 25 | Washington Commanders | +1 |
| 24 | Pittsburgh Steelers | No Change |
| 23 | Indianapolis Colts | No Change |
| 22 | Houston Texans | No Change |
| 21 | New York Giants | No Change |
| 20 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -2 |
| 19 | Atlanta Falcons | +1 |
| 18 | Minnesota Vikings | +1 |
| 17 | New Orleans Saints | No Change |
| 16 | Chicago Bears | No Change |
| 15 | Cincinnati Bengals | -1 |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | +1 |
| 13 | Philadelphia Eagles | No Change |
| 12 | Kansas City Chiefs | No Change |
| 11 | Jacksonville Jaguars | No Change |
| 10 | Dallas Cowboys | No Change |
| 9 | Green Bay Packers | No Change |
| 8 | Los Angeles Chargers | No Change |
| 7 | Detroit Lions | No Change |
| 6 | San Francisco 49ers | No Change |
| 5 | Denver Broncos | No Change |
| 4 | New England Patriots | No Change |
| 3 | Buffalo Bills | -1 |
| 2 | Seattle Seahawks | -1 |
| 1 | Los Angeles Rams | +2 |
The Miami Dolphins roster has a massive turnover, and it’s not like the team went out and got better talent. They signed Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal to quarterback a weathered version of the old offensive shine. Furthermore, WR Tyreek Hill has been replaced by Malik Washington on a four-year, $4.2 million contract. The previous WR2, Jaylen Waddle, has also been replaced by Jalen Tolbert on a one-year, $1.4 million deal. The pair scored just four total touchdowns last season, instilling little confidence in these 2026 NFL power rankings.
The Arizona Cardinals are doomed for more of the same in the upcoming NFL Regular Season. After moving on from quarterback Kyler Murray, the Cardinals are again going with Jacoby Brissett on a one-year, $15.5 million fully guaranteed contract, with extra incentives on the table. RB James Conner has been the heart of this offense for years, but after playing in three games last year due to injury, the top of the depth chart looks different.
2026 third-overall draft pick Jeremiyah Love is listed as RB1, and that’s after giving now-RB2 Tyler Allgeier a two-year, $12.25 million deal. Their 2025 27th-ranked defense allowed 117 more PA than the next team in the division, and the offense is simply running it back with a rookie RB.
The New York Jets were the 2025 29th-ranked offense and 25th-ranked defense, and changes are minimal. They attacked the draft to address their needs, which included three first-round picks: EDGE David Bailey (Texas Tech), TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon), and WR Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana). There’s no denying the enticing draft results, but for now, they’re unproven rookies going to one of the worst organizations in football.
The Tennessee Titans’ defense wasn’t as poor as some of the statistics and rankings may indicate. It was their abysmal offense that kept them on the field far too often, and they understandably broke down as the season progressed. Their first-overall draft selection, rookie quarterback Cam Ward, didn’t leave much room for optimism for these 2026 NFL power rankings, including the 28th-ranked QBR.
While a fun one, the Carolina Panthers’ fraudulent playoff push was propelled largely by the shockingly underperforming division. No team in the NFC South had a winning record, with three teams reviewing tiebreakers. The 27th-ranked offense doesn’t scream playoffs, but a 16th-ranked defense, combined with the division’s collapse, aligned the stars for the 2025 season.
The Las Vegas Raiders claimed to have made all the right moves going into the 2025 season, only to finish 3-14 and head back to the drawing board. They now expect fans to buy the same story, albeit with a new list of names, highlighted by 2026 first-overall draft selection quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana.
Despite some highly touted selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns continue taking shots in the dark at the quarterback position. ESPN lists Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders atop the QB depth chart, so the team’s offensive ceiling lies with one’s opinion of them. Their defense is elite, but because the Browns scored the second-fewest PPG in the NFL, that defense can only take them so far.
The Washington Commanders have raised the level of their receiver room with the addition of Stefon Diggs on a one-year deal, worth up to $12 million. After bursting onto the scene with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels two seasons ago, the team fell off a cliff in the last one. With the addition of LB Sonny Styles from the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the improved roster hopes to find the playoffs again.
With the reunion of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy, the Pittsburgh Steelers retooled for a final run. With acquisitions like running back Rico Dowdle on a two-year, $12.25 million contract, a Super Bowl is the goal. That said, they were terrible, so fans await to see if they can climb these 2026 NFL power rankings.
The rise and fall of the 2025 Indianapolis Colts could be quite the interesting documentary. They started 7-1, only to miss the playoffs by losing the final seven games of the season. Quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 14, and after an MVP-caliber start from running back Jonathan Taylor, the production dipped along the way. Will they bounce back to dominant form in these 2026 NFL power rankings?
The Houston Texans are the most predictable team in the NFL: the defense will be one of the best, but their OL will allow quarterback CJ Stroud to get lit up, wasting said defense. They hope their 26th-overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, G Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech), can be the part of the solution as these 2026 NFL power rankings continue.
The New York Giants are a young and exciting team, backed by veteran depth. After a slew of injuries derailed the 2025 train, they’ve added tools to their belt to become a relevant franchise this year. Offensive signings like TE Isaiah Likely on a three-year, $40 million contract or WR Darnell Mooney on a one-year, $3 million contract will aid their young talent. In addition, their 2026 NFL Draft was highlighted by fifth-overall pick, EDGE Arvell Reese (Ohio State), who joined two new veteran DTs, DJ Reader and Shelby Harris. There are a lot of moving parts here, but the Giants are an intriguing team heading into the regular season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offseason has been a bumpy one. DT Vita Vea requested out, and quarterback Baker Mayfield claimed to have received disrespectful offers and plans to walk after playing out this final year. It’s also the changing of the guard at a couple of other positions. Wide receiver Mike Evans entered free agency, while veteran linebacker Lavonte David announced his retirement.
Outside of management or non-player personnel, the Atlanta Falcons have barely made a ripple in the pool this offseason. In fact, they’ve cut valuable pieces and made confusing signings. It’s just a one-year, $1.215 million contract, but it’s unclear what their intentions are with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, for example. This places them 19th on the 2026 NFL power rankings.
The Minnesota Vikings brought in Kyler Murray on a one-year, $1.3 million deal in hopes of an adequate QB for their star receivers. The ceiling may remain low for his production, but the jump from now QB2 with last year’s third-ranked defense will be a fun observation as the 2026 NFL power rankings progress.
The New Orleans Saints took an unexpected step into relevancy, largely because of their ninth-ranked defense. That said, the offense also came with delightful surprises, including apparent reliability from the 40th-overall selection in the 2025 draft, quarterback Tyler Shough. Saints management has invested heavily around him this offseason, both in the draft and in free agency. Their eighth-overall selection, WR Jordyn Tyson, highlights their draft class and will pair nicely with the recently extended WR Chris Olave. Their offseason acquisitions are highlighted by a four-year, $52 million contract with RB Travis Etienne Jr. and a four-year, $45 million deal with G David Edwards.
Quarterback Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears’ offense found their way in their second year together, but the league’s 29th-ranked defense truly limited them. After trading away WR DJ Moore, they gave Kalif Raymond a one-year deal. Chicago is hoping for continued growth from second-year receiver Luther Burden III, but the offense is likely to take a dip. The Bears hope the three-year, $40 million contract given to S Coby Bryant, or the three-year, $30 million deal for LB Devin Bush, can lift the defense into respectability.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ offense is every fantasy manager’s dream; however, their abysmal defense may be even worse this year. They replaced their 2024 sack leader and four-time Pro Bowler by trading their tenth-overall pick to the Giants for DT Dexter Lawrence II. While an elite talent, the Bengals are, on paper, starting the year with a net negative in talent, placing them 15th in these 2026 NFL power rankings.
The Baltimore Ravens’ offensive depth and defense were tested and failed last year. Quarterback Lamar Jackson played in 13 games due to injury, and the offense looked completely lost without him. Furthermore, their defense was not only 24th-ranked, but it also found the perfect times to blow games. With a four-year, $112 million deal for EDGE/DE Trey Hendrickson and EDGE Zion Young (Missouri) drafted in the second round, the Ravens are planning on a bounce-back season.
The Philadelphia Eagles finally cut the toxicity of WR AJ Brown; however, that does lower the ceiling of the receiver room. Perhaps the improved chemistry is enough to compensate, and their 20th-overall draft selection, WR Makai Lemon (USC), will make a splash. They finished the 2025 NFL regular season with the fifth-ranked scoring defense, so it’ll come down to the progression of their 24th-ranked offense in the upcoming one.
After concerns that the Kansas City Chiefs would be forced to start the season with quarterback Justin Fields, head coach Andy Reid has since announced that Patrick Mahomes is expected to be ready. The lack of QB depth was stressed after Mahomes’ injury last year, so the team picked up Fields from the Jets for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick. The Chiefs had a top-ten defense last year, and could be even better after two first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. They started by trading up to six for CB Mansoor Delane (LSU) and snagged DT Peter Woods (Clemson) at 29.
The Jacksonville Jaguars finally emerged as a threat. They are relying on added depth, along with the natural progression of their high-end pieces, to cement that their 13-4 record wasn’t a fluke. With only the 56th pick in the opening two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jaguars loaded up with three third-rounders, followed by another six selections.
The Dallas Cowboys’ offense is absolutely stacked, returning the major pieces of last year’s second-ranked offense. Their 30th-ranked defense, however, was an issue. For all the deserved hate owner and general manager Jerry Jones receives, the addressing of the defense this offseason is commendable. Starting with the draft, Jones selected both S Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and EDGE Malachi Lawrence (UCF) in the first round. Continuing to the free-agent market, the team signed S Jalen Thompson on a three-year, $33 million deal, along with other depth pieces.
The Green Bay Packers battled through widespread injuries to key players all year, but still managed to fight their way into the postseason. They went head-to-head with the Bears, and whether you blame those injuries or a lack of third-down success, they dominated most stats, only to lose a one-possession game. With some health luck, the Packers look to be a top-ten offense and defense.
The Los Angeles Chargers are an example of slow and steady; however, they’ve yet to win the race, placing them eighth in these 2026 NFL power rankings. The defense hasn’t been an issue, including a top-five finish, and the offense is slowly finding its way with safe but efficient play. Former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was hired as the offensive coordinator under head coach Jim Harbaugh, with hopes of getting the offense elite vis-a-vis the defense.
The Detroit Lions had tough luck, missing the postseason in the NFC North, where all four teams finished with winning records. Furthermore, their top-five offense scored more points than any other team in that division. The Lions were active in both free agency and the draft to find promising depth to help them in these 2026 NFL power rankings.
The San Francisco 49ers had the second-most man-games lost per player last season, yet finished with a +3.9 PPG winning margin. They even upset the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round, before getting steamrolled by the eventual Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks. Health alone should improve their production, but they’ve also signed some name-brand talent. Those agreements include a three-year, $60.4 million deal for Mike Evans and a highly incentivized one-year, up to $7 million contract for WR Deebo Samuel.
The Denver Broncos had a nightmare finish to a fairytale run, with the injury of quarterback Bo Nix in the postseason last year. The team is looking to bolster him and run it back, most notably by trading away four of their 2026 draft picks to the Dolphins for WR Jaylen Waddle. They already boast last year’s second-ranked defense and can reasonably be expected to take a slight uptick on their top-ten defense.
The 2025 AFC Champion New England Patriots have improved even further since the initial version of these power rankings. Key acquisitions include free-agent EDGE Dre’Mont Jones on a three-year, $39.5 million deal and the trade for AJ Brown.
The Buffalo Bills dropping a spot isn’t truly all their fault, as they’ve made some promising and notable changes. They’ve moved on from head coach Sean McDermott, promoting Joe Brady on a five-year deal. This subsequently ushered in a new defensive coordinator, Jim Leonhard. The Bills also traded for DJ Moore from the Bears.
The 2025 Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks are still the team to beat; they just haven’t improved to the level of the new number one. The team focused on returning most of the core, which was a top-seven offense and defense; the number one team in these power rankings has just emerged as undeniable.
The Los Angeles Rams addressed all of their issues to overtake the Seahawks in the 2026 NFL power rankings. The Rams were last year’s best offense, and the only team to average more than 30 points. Their defense has been naturally progressing over the last couple of seasons, and they’ve iced the cake this offseason. Key defensive acquisitions include trading for EDGE Myles Garrett and CB Trent McDuffie, plus signing CB Jaylen Watson to a three-year, $51 million deal. Furthermore, there are rumors of retired DT Aaron Donald returning.
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The Rams enter the season as the top dog, but the gap at the top is narrow. The Seahawks, Bills, and Patriots remain legitimate Super Bowl contenders, while several teams outside the top ten could make significant jumps during the regular season. Updates will continue for these 2026 NFL power rankings on Stadium Rant.
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