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2026 NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stack Up Entering Training Camp?
Things are about to get real.
Granted, it's still a while before the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks open the 2026 NFL season on September 9, but all 32 teams are about to kick their offseason preparations up a notch.
Pads are coming on, and players are about to get hit—well, the ones who aren't quarterbacks, anyway. Training camp is about to begin.
With full rosters out there and actual contact, training camp offers up our best opportunity to date to see how the league's rosters will look in the season to come.
And with that in mind, Bleacher Report NFL Analysts Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have come together to rank all the league's teams from worst to first as we prepare to go camping.
32. Miami Dolphins
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Not much has changed for the Miami Dolphins since April's draft. Miami still looks like a team that will go through the motions in 2026, hope that Malik Willis becomes a legitimate NFL starter, and target a top QB in 2027 if he doesn't.
Along the way, the Dolphins will look to develop a massive draft class that includes 13 draft selections.
Miami certainly hopes that early picks like tackle Kadyn Proctor, cornerback Chris Johnson, and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez become franchise building blocks while multiple other rookies emerge as impactful contributors. That would help fast-track the latest rebuild, though one great draft class won't turn the Dolphins from also-rans to contenders.
The Dolphins should have a real shot at the No. 1 overall pick in 2027, which they could likely ransom for a hefty return if Willis proves to be a quality starter.
—Knox
31. Arizona Cardinals
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The good news for the Arizona Cardinals is that the team has a new offense-minded head coach in Mike LaFleur and an immensely talented young running back in first-round rookie Jeremiyah Love.
That's it. That's the good news.
It's going to be a long year in the desert. The Cardinals are more likely to "earn" the first pick in 2027 than make the playoffs.
The team's quarterback in 2026 will either be a journeyman on his sixth team who was sacked 43 times last year or a third-round rookie. The pass-catchers in Arizona are actually pretty good, but that does the quarterback no good if he spends the season under constant pressure. The defense has edge-rusher Josh Sweat, safety Budda Baker—and not much else.
Oh, and the Cardinals play six games against the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.
What could go wrong?
—Davenport
30. Cleveland Browns
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The Cleveland Browns will evaluate quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders in an open training camp battle. Meanwhile, the club needs its new starting offensive line to jell over the summer.
Defensively, the Browns will likely regress after trading star edge rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for edge rusher Jared Verse and three early-round draft picks over the next three years.
So, of course, Cleveland is near the bottom of the power rankings.
New head coach Todd Monken and his staff have a lot to figure out before Week 1 of the upcoming season. Our analysts don't expect much from the Browns, but this team could be fun to watch with young new faces in key positions.
—Moton
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29. New York Jets
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The New York Jets aren't expected to be very good this season, but they may still provide fans with an extremely exciting season.
New York brought in Geno Smith and took a fourth-round flier on Clemson's Cade Klubnik. However, it also owns three 2027 first-round picks and is most likely to find its quarterback of the future in next year's draft. That means the upcoming season will largely be about setting the table for said quarterback-to-be-named later.
What's exciting is the fact that the Jets have some very promising offensive pieces in place. Tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou form a terrific tandem. Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr.join veterans Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall to form an enviable skill group.
Fans should find it fun to watch the offense evolve—and seeing what second overall pick David Bailey can do on defense—while knowing that they could be adding a franchise quarterback and a Day 1 starter next April.
—Knox
28. Tennessee Titans
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The keyword for the Tennessee Titans in 2026 is progress.
The 2025 season was a miserable one in Nashville, but that was to be expected—the Titans were coming off a three-win season and rolling out a rookie quarterback in Cam Ward. But after a 1-5 start, head coach Brian Callahan was shown the door and another 3-14 debacle of a season, Robert Saleh has been tasked with pulling the Titans out of the AFC South basement.
There is some reason for optimism. Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson are major improvements for Ward at wide receiver. The team was aggressive in both free agency and the draft in upgrading all three levels of a defense that allowed over 345 yards per game a year ago.
Camp will be about all these pieces coming together, and there's nowhere to go but up for the Titans. How far up is another matter. Seven wins would be a success in 2026.
—Davenport
27. New York Giants
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The New York Giants will be much-improved under new head coach John Harbaugh, but they must focus on getting through training camp healthy.
Harbaugh doesn't know when wideout Malik Nabers will return from a torn ACL, which is "not a simple knee injury." Running back Cam Skattebo is recovering from a dislocated ankle, fractured fibula, and a torn deltoid ligament. Quarterback Jaxson Dart was in and out of the medical tent after he took over the starting job last September.
A healthy Giants team finishes the upcoming season with a winning record and a shot at a playoff berth. If Big Blue's core three offensive players miss extended time, this club's roster depth will be under a microscope. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy would need to get creative with his play-calling.
—Moton
26. Atlanta Falcons
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The Atlanta Falcons will be NFC South contenders in 2026 if they can find steady play at the quarterback position.
The Falcons have a terrific skill group led by Bijan Robinson, and their defense, which ranked 15th overall last season, has some legitimate playmakers. However, Atlanta enters training camp with the fourth-worst QB situation, at least until it proves otherwise.
Atlanta has a playoff-caliber roster, and new head coach Kevin Stefanski has shown that he can deliver a playoff berth when he has a legitimate starter behind center. The hope is that the impending battle between former first-round picks Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa will yield a legitimate starter.
—Knox
25. Las Vegas Raiders
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The Raiders currently project as the AFC West's fourth‑best team.
While the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs operate at Super Bowl standard—at least that's what they expect—the Raiders are still trying to build a strong foundation.
In a change of pace, the organization finally appears to be heading in the right direction after selecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza with this year's No. 1 overall pick. Plus, a plan is in place not to have Mendoza start right out of the gate, with veteran Kirk Cousins leading the team until the rookie is ready to take the reins.
Also, improvements to the offensive line, specifically the signing of three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, should make last year's top-six draft pick, Ashton Jeanty, far more effective in Year 2.
The Raiders are finally making sound decisions.
—Sobleski
24. Washington Commanders
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The Washington Commanders have several storylines ahead of training camp. They could add a wideout to bolster their offense. Aside from Terry McLaurin, the receiver group is unsettled.
Now healthy, quarterback Jayden Daniels must build a rapport with a new safety blanket in the offense. The team hasn't re-signed tight end Zach Ertz, who's recovering from a torn ACL. In both of his years with the Commanders, he finished second on the team in targets.
Washington is much younger on the defensive side of the ball. The club signed edge-rushers Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson, who are in the prime of their careers. Entering his age-26 campaign, Leo Chenal will likely start at linebacker alongside rookie first-rounder Sonny Styles.
Head coach Dan Quinn could turn his revamped defense into a top-10 unit in scoring and total yards. That said, the Commanders' playoff hopes likely hinge on how well first-time offensive coordinator David Blough develops Daniels as a pocket passer.
—Moton
23. New Orleans Saints
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Late last season, something clicked for rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and the New Orleans Saints. The Louisville product began to establish himself as a legitimate dual-threat playmaker, and the Saints won four of their final five games.
This year, Shough has a legitimate opportunity to become the most dangerous quarterback in the division. He has the highest physical ceiling of any signal-caller in the NFC South, and New Orleans has added weapons like Travis Etienne Jr. and Jordyn Tyson to his supporting cast.
If Shough makes a significant second-year jump, he'll enter the Pro Bowl conversation while giving the Saints one of the more exciting offenses in the NFL. Paired with an underrated defense that ranked ninth overall last season, that could be a recipe for a playoff run.
—Knox
22. Indianapolis Colts
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The Colts were one of the NFL's surprise success stories last year, with Daniel Jones playing arguably the best football of his career and guiding the team to an 8-2 start.
But then the quarterback tore his Achilles and that the party was over. Indianapolis lost seven straight games to close the season and missed the playoffs.
Jones' potential availability for the start of the regular season is the dominant question surrounding the Colts entering camp, but it isn't the only one.
Can Alec Pierce live up to his new contract and lead the wide receiver room? Can defensive tackle DeForest Buckner rebound from a second straight injury-marred season? What will the Colts defense look like after the team's top two tacklers from a year ago departed in the offseason?
That's a lot of questions for a team sitting in a division with two teams that won at least 12 games last year.
—Davenport
21. Minnesota Vikings
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The Vikings' success or failure is rather simple to ascertain simply because the outcome relies almost solely on how the quarterback position progresses.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell is viewed as a quarterback whisperer based on what he was able to accomplish with Sam Darnold before he left to join the Seattle Seahawks.
O'Connell didn't have the same success last year while trying to bring along JJ McCarthy and the other quarterbacks on the roster. Now, Kyler Murray likely steps into the starting role.
Murray's natural ability has never been questioned. O'Connell must get the most out of the former No. 1 overall pick from a mental standpoint while also maximizing his tantalizing athleticism. If the Vikings' coaching staff gets the most out of Murray, Minnesota will make some noise this fall.
—Sobleski
20. Carolina Panthers
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The Carolina Panthers are the reigning NFC South champions, and, on paper, they're a better team now than they were a year ago.
Carolina upgraded a defense that ranked 16th overall last season by adding the likes of Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd, and Lee Hunter. It added a couple of pieces to Bryce Young's supporting cast in receivers John Metchie III and Chris Brazzell II.
Of course, the Panthers' 2026 season will largely be defined by the growth that Young does or doesn't make. He played at an above-average level in 2025, but he still hasn't quite established himself as a franchise quarterback. Carolina is going to need one to fend off the rest of the division.
The Panthers have the pieces to repeat as division champs, but an 8-9 record isn't likely to get it done this year.
—Knox
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are a veteran-led team with an established head coach in Mike McCarthy, whose clubs have won 61 percent of games under his tutelage. With Aaron Rodgers back for his 22nd and final season, don't expect Pittsburgh to bottom out under a new coaching regime.
McCarthy will likely keep the team's streak of non-losing seasons intact, but one has to wonder whether Rodgers will begin to show signs of decline in his age-43 season. He could be under duress behind an offensive line with a question mark at left tackle.
According to The Athletic's Mike DeFabo, Broderick Jones could open the season on injured reserve, which means right tackle Troy Fautanu could flip to the left side if rookie first-rounder Max Iheanachor isn't ready to play right away.
—Moton
18. Dallas Cowboys
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We can mark down the Dallas Cowboys as a top-10 scoring team with quarterback Dak Prescott under center, throwing to CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Jake Ferguson. Don't forget Javonte Williams, who racked up 1,338 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns in his best season last year.
The Cowboys made significant defensive changes this offseason. They hired first-time play-caller Christian Parker, who was the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach over the last two years.
Dallas added several veterans, including edge-rusher Rashan Gary, linebacker Dee Winters and safety Jalen Thompson. The club also selected safety Caleb Downs in the first round of the draft.
The Cowboys' new-look defense will either propel them into the playoffs or, once again, be the reason this team struggles to finish above .500 for a third consecutive season.
—Moton
17. Kansas City Chiefs
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The Chiefs find themselves in a spot the organization hasn't experienced in over a decade. Andy Reid and Co. are entering a campaign after not making the playoffs thanks to a non-winning season.
Furthermore, Patrick Mahomes experienced his first major injury and the timetable for his return remains up in the air.
From a roster standpoint, Kansas City isn't significantly better today than it was a year ago.
Kenneth Walker III's addition should help balance the offense and place a greater emphasis on the Chiefs' ground game. Otherwise, this squad has a lot to prove and shouldn't be viewed as a Super Bowl contender.
Kansas City must first prove it's capable of returning to the postseason.
—Sobleski
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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One way or another, 2026 is going to be a pivotal season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They looked like one of the top teams in the NFC early last season before a rash of significant injuries led to a late-season slide.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield played like an early MVP candidate before injuries started to impact his performance too.
Mayfield started all 17 games last season. However, recently retired linebacker Lavonte David told The Arena podcast (h/t NFL.com's Kevin Patra) that the QB "had a lot of injuries that you didn't expect a quarterback to play through."
Now, Mayfield is entering a contract year, and while the Bucs should be healthier, they'll also be moving forward without David and fellow franchise cornerstone Mike Evans.
Tampa will have to stay healthy, adequately replace its departed stars, and get the good version of Mayfield to reclaim its spot atop the NFC South. If those things don't happen, we could see significant changes next offseason.
—Knox
15. Cincinnati Bengals
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At the start of mandatory minicamp, quarterback Joe Burrow compared this year's Cincinnati Bengals team to the 2019 LSU squad he led through an undefeated collegiate campaign.
With those high expectations, Cincinnati needs to at least win a playoff game this year, or Burrow's frustrations could boil over and lead to changes next offseason. Head coach Zac Taylor should be on the hot seat after missing the playoffs in three consecutive years.
Based on the Bengals' offensive talent alone, this club should be a playoff contender, but the defense must pull its weight. Cincinnati's defensive units have ranked in the bottom half across the league in all but one season since 2018.
—Moton
14. Green Bay Packers
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A consistent, albeit slight, downturn has occurred during Matt LaFleur's tenure as Packers head coach.
Green Bay lost in the NFC Championship Game during his first two seasons. The team then lost in the divisional round during two of the next three campaigns.
Over the last two years, the Packers lost in the Wild Card Round. Green Bay has also posted double-digit regular-season wins only once in the last four seasons. The franchise has reached a pivotal point.
The talent found on the roster is clearly evident, particularly if this group can stay healthy. Micah Parsons' recovery from last year's knee injury is key, though. If he comes back this season and terrorizes opponents, as he's capable of doing, he can elevate the entire team. How explosive he'll actually be remains to be seen, though.
Tight end Tucker Kraft is coming off a season-ending injury as well. The Packers extended wide receiver Christian Watson despite his history of injuries.
An NFL season is a war of attrition, and the Packers must find ways to win the weekly battles.
—Sobleski
13. Baltimore Ravens
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If we can bank on anything with the Baltimore Ravens under new head coach Jesse Minter, it's an improved defense. As the Los Angeles Chargers' defensive coordinator, Minter's units allowed the fewest points in 2024 and ranked ninth in scoring last season.
Minter takes over a defense that finished 18th in scoring and 24th in total yards last season. With the addition of Trey Hendrickson on the edge, Baltimore's defense should be able to keep the team in games while Lamar Jackson adjusts to a new offensive system.
The Ravens are right where they should be in the power rankings after an 8-9 season—in the teens. Baltimore plays in a competitive division. So, it's not a given that this team will rebound from a losing season.
—Moton
12. Detroit Lions
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The biggest issue within the Lions organization has nothing to do with the roster. Detroit remains one of the league's most talented teams, but the losses of its offensive and defensive coordinators last year had a profound effect on the on-field product.
Eventually, head coach Dan Campbell took over offensive play-calling duties. Now, Drew Petzing takes over the role. His addition shouldn't be viewed as a positive or negative. It's just a different setup. Yes, Petzing has experience designing and calling an offense.
At the same time, his Arizona Cardinals offenses finished among the top-half of the league once in three seasons. Jared Goff is a system quarterback. The question is whether the Lions are better schematically today than they were after losing Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears.
—Sobleski
11. Los Angeles Chargers
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The growth potential found within the Chargers' roster may be the most significant of any team in the league.
The assessment is based on two factors. First, Los Angeles' offensive line was held together last season by duct tape and bubble gum. Starting offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are both expected back after suffering season-ending injuries.
The organization also bolstered its offensive interior by bringing in veteran center Tyler Biadasz, signing Cole Strange after a solid outing with the Miami Dolphins and drafting Jake Slaughter in this year's second round. The team drafted four offensive linemen in total.
Second, Mike McDaniel steps in as the squad's offensive play-caller. His quarterback-friendly and proven system should place Justin Herbert in the MVP conversation and make the Chargers more potent.
—Sobleski
10. Chicago Bears
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The Bears will lean more on expected natural improvement than anything else this fall. Whether the franchise's choice to do so is a smart approach remains to be seen.
Specifically, expectations for quarterback Caleb Williams, wide receiver Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland are expected to be much higher in 2026 after an overtime loss that prevented the Bears from reaching the NFC Championship Game.
However, Chicago didn't make significant improvements to the roster. DJ Moore, Tremaine Edmunds, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker are gone. Left tackle wasn't upgraded, and the front office somehow didn't add to the team's pass rush, which was arguably the squad's biggest need heading into the offseason.
The Bears better hope their young players show marked improvement. Otherwise, Chicago will be a prime regression candidate.
—Sobleski
9. San Francisco 49ers
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The 49ers probably just want to survive training camp without any catastrophic injuries. Because while the team won 12 games last year and made the playoffs, the theme of the entire campaign was injuries that blasted San Francisco—especially on defense.
The return of a healthy Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for the season opener in Australia isn't guaranteed but would be welcomed. Veteran tight end George Kittle being ready is less likely. San Francisco's biggest offseason acquisition (wide receiver Mike Evans) is himself an aging star coming off an injury-plagued season.
You can't ever count the 49ers out—they demonstrated that in 2025. If things fall into place, the Niners can hang with the Rams and Seahawks.
But that's a long line of dominoes. A lot of vets who have to rebound—never mind Christian McCaffrey's career-high 413 touches last year.
San Francisco's window is still there in theory. But games aren't played in theory.
—Davenport
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jacksonville Jaguars are a Super Bowl contender.
Yes, you read that right.
The Jaguars aren't without issues—there are questions at running back after Travis Etienne Jr. bolted in free agency. The team badly needs a bounce-back year from wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. And after primarily playing wide receiver in an abbreviated rookie season, Travis Hunter will play more cornerback in 2026 in a secondary that needs the help.
However, quarterback Trevor Lawrence is coming off the best season of his five-year career. Jacksonville was eighth in points allowed and led the league in run defense last year, and it closed out the 2025 regular season 9-1 after its bye week.
If the Jaguars take another step forward in Liam Coen's second year as head coach, they could do some real damage in the playoffs.
—Davenport
7. Philadelphia Eagles
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The Philadelphia Eagles are hoping for addition by subtraction after they traded star wideout A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. Perhaps the combination of Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks and rookie first-rounder Makai Lemon fills a major void in the passing attack.
Most importantly, head coach Nick Sirianni has to get the offensive coordinator hire right this time. The Eagles will start their fourth consecutive season with a new offensive play-caller because their previous coordinators have either left for head-coaching jobs or been dismissed.
Sean Mannion will call plays for Philadelphia's offense this year. The Athletic's Zach Berman expects to see play-action designs and quarterback Jalen Hurts under center a lot more in the new system.
It remains to be seen if that's a negative or a positive for the offense, but the Eagles are the most trustworthy team in the NFC East and should be favored to win the division for a third consecutive year.
—Moton
6. New England Patriots
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Logically, the New England Patriots should be considered one of the top contenders in the AFC. They represented the conference in Super Bowl LX, they have a legitimate MVP candidate in quarterback Drake Maye, and they added some intriguing pieces during the offseason.
Most notably, New England got Maye a new No. 1 receiver by trading for A.J. Brown.
However, fans shouldn't be entirely shocked if the Patriots regress a bit in 2026. The Patriots had one of the league's easiest schedules a year ago. This season, they'll face the sixth-toughest. Add in the weight of expectations, and it's not hard to see why following up last year's campaign will be difficult.
Even if the Patriots do take a step backward, however, they're too talented and too well-coached to fall entirely out of the playoff picture—and they just might be up to the challenge of replicating last season's success.
—Knox
5. Houston Texans
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Last year, the Texans rode one of the NFL's best defenses to 12 wins, a postseason trip and a playoff win. But after a pair of atrocious performances from C.J. Stroud in the playoffs, all eyes are on the fourth-year quarterback entering what is a make-or-break season for the 2023 second overall pick.
Outwardly, the Texans have expressed every confidence in the 24-year-old, but they have also made no effort to extend Stroud. There's no sugar-coating things: the Ohio State product hasn't been able to recapture his rookie success over the last couple of seasons, and last year's playoffs were poor.
If Stroud can turn back the clock and avoid turnovers this year, the Texans could be a legitimate Super Bowl contender. But if his 2026 looks like the end of his 2025 campaign, the next offseason in Houston will be awkward.
—Davenport
4. Buffalo Bills
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Heading into training camp, plenty of eyes will be on coordinator-turned-head-coach Joe Brady, new receiver D.J. Moore, and how they can help Josh Allen finally push the Buffalo Bills into Super Bowl contention. However, the building of Buffalo's defense might actually be the more important storyline of training camp.
With a new defensive coordinator in Jim Leonard and new players like Bradley Chubb, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, T.J. Parker, and Davison Igbinosun, Buffalo has a chance to significantly improve a unit that ranked 12th in points allowed last season.
The Bills are viewed as legitimate AFC contenders, but they'll need a defense that can hold up against other top teams if they hope to navigate the postseason and reach Super Bowl LXI.
—Knox
3. Denver Broncos
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Sean Payton's squad was one step away from reaching the Super Bowl. Who knows? If not for awful weather during the AFC Championship Game, Denver could have faced the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
Instead, the Broncos had to take a step back and find ways to improve. One significant acquisition can elevate the entire offense. Jaylen Waddle's addition via trade should provide Payton's offense with a difference-maker at wide receiver. The 27-year-old veteran is a proven target with multiple 1,000-yard campaigns already under his belt.
If not for the Miami Dolphins' upheaval in recent seasons, he could have five straight such campaigns to start his career. Instead, he became expendable after a regime change, and the Broncos wisely pounced to give quarterback Bo Nix an explosive receiving threat.
—Sobleski
2. Seattle Seahawks
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The Seahawks are now the hunted. Kings of the proverbial mountain. The reigning champions of the National Football League.
Seattle won't be relinquishing that throne without a fight, either. There were losses from last year's No. 1 defense in terms of points allowed, but there's no reason to expect a major backslide defensively. The Seahawks have the reigning Offensive Player of the Year in Jaxson Smith-Njigba and a Super Bowl champion quarterback in Sam Darnold.
If a dark cloud looms for Seattle, it's the run game. Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III is gone. Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL last postseason. Jadarian Price was a first-round pick, but he didn't start for his college team last year.
Seattle needs to get that ground game figured out during training camp, because every team's best shot is coming in 2026—starting with the AFC champs in Week 1.
—Davenport
1. Los Angeles Rams
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This analyst has long had an unwritten rule where these Power Rankings are concerned—the reigning Super Bowl champions get the top spot until they lose a game that counts. But this year, that stance must be altered.
There's a reason why the Rams are the betting favorites to win Super Bowl LXI—and it's not especially close. First, they addressed their biggest weakness from a year ago in a massive way, trading a first-round pick to the Chiefs for Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie.
Rams general manager Les Snead was just getting started.
L.A. then made the single biggest acquisition of the offseason, trading for edge-rusher Myles Garrett after he broke the single-season sack record in Cleveland last year.
The Rams had the best offense in the NFL last year in terms of both yards and points scored. The defense has the potential to be every bit as good.
If that's the case, the Rams are going to be a juggernaut in 2026.
—Davenport
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