Updated BR NFL1000 Team Rankings After 2026 Roster Cuts

The NFL's annual cutdown day is always difficult for everyone involved. Ultimately, the league's 53-man roster mandate is supposed to serve as a way to level the playing field, but not all active rosters are built the same.

Prior to the start of the preseason, Bleacher Report identified the league's most stacked rosters. A revisit was necessary after moves were made at this year's initial roster deadline.

Interestingly, the same 10 teams remain at the top. However, some of the positions shifted, with a noticeable trend in favor of those squads cutting graded players. Conversely, organizations that can move on from graded players demonstrate just how deep their rosters are.

The B/R NFL 1000 continues to serve as a barometer to determine which squads are the most talented based on how they're currently built. The following 10 teams have the highest concentration of top talent based on their average overall grade among those appearing on the list and how many of those individuals cracked B/R's Top 100.

Click here for a rundown of the full NFL 1000 series slate.

10. Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

James Cook Jr.

Average Grade: 71.8
Top 100 Players: 4
Highest-Rated: Josh Allen

Offensively, the Buffalo Bills know what they have. Quarterback Josh Allen is an annual MVP candidate. Running back James Cook Jr. returns as the league's leading rusher. DJ Moore was added to the mix this offseason, which increased the talent and depth at wide receiver. Buffalo's offensive line is experienced. The defense is primarily where question marks still exist.

A lack of cornerback depth is concerning. Granted, CJ Gardner-Johnson and Jalon Kilgore present flexibility as safeties with plenty of experience covering the slot. Still, the team's pure cornerback options are thin at best.

Furthermore, the transition to Jim Leonard's new scheme remains a work-in-progress. The Bills should be more aggressive overall. It's still not known whether all the right pieces are in place for this group to legitimately play strong complementary football.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Cameron Heyward

Average Grade: 72
Top 100 Players: 4
Highest-Rated: Zach Frazier

The Pittsburgh Steelers will again hang their hat on a veteran-laden defense, with Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt and Jalen Ramsey leading the way. The unit will also benefit from the investments made in Keeanu Benton, Nick Herbig, Jamel Dean and Jaquan Brisker.

The biggest changes to the roster from the start of training camp to the end of preseason came along the offensive line, where center Zach Frazier serves as the anchor.

Pittsburgh traded 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones to the Dallas Cowboys after injuries clouded his future and the Steelers have a viable replacement in Troy Fautanu, who shifted from right to left tackle. The entire right side of the line will look different this fall.

Dylan Cook is expected to open the season at right tackle and hold down that spot until first-round rookie Max Iheanachor is ready. Spencer Anderson should be the new starting right guard as well. Even if some of the names are the same, three-fifths of the Steelers offensive line will be new this season.

Obviously, Pittsburgh has plenty of talent at multiple positions, but the Steelers could be held back by an aging quarterback playing behind a reworked front five.

8. Denver Broncos

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Bo Nix

Average Grade: 72
Top 100 Players: 5
Highest-Rated: Patrick Surtain II

The depth of a roster can often be ascertained by its rookie class. First-year players, particularly Day 3 draft picks, have a much harder time cracking a quality lineup.

Case in point, the Denver Broncos drafted seven players this past April. Three of them have already been cut. In fact, all but one of the team's draftees in the fifth round or later failed to make the roster.

The vast majority of Denver's roster returns from last season. The Broncos were one game away from making the Super Bowl. Significant changes weren't necessary. If anything, a young core of talent can continue to grow together.

Quarterback Bo Nix, running back RJ Harvey, wide receiver Troy Franklin, pass-rusher Nik Bonitto, safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss and Ja'Quan McMillian are all 26 or younger.

As that group develops, the Broncos expect bigger and better returns each season.

7. Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Nick Emmanwori

Average Grade: 72.2
Top 100 Players: 4
Highest-Rated: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

A pair of significant injuries could mar the early portion of the Seattle Seahawks' 2026 campaign. The organization already planned for one, but it doesn't necessarily have a fallback plan for the other.

Expectedly, Zach Charbonnet will open the season on the physically unable to perform list after suffering a torn ACL during the team's Super Bowl run. First-round rookie Jadarian Price will function as the Seahawks' lead back to open the campaign.

"He's done a great job. He really has—all three downs," head coach Mike Macdonald said, per ESPN's Brady Henderson. "He's a rookie in terms of, there's going to be things that we're going to attack in his game that will show itself in games. We haven't been afforded the luxury of having the bodies right now at running back to give him the reps in a [preseason] game that we would normally give to a rookie runner."

Conversely, last year's superstar rookie, Nick Emmanwori, may not be ready for Week 1 after requiring offseason ankle surgery. He is a legitimate difference-maker and valuable defensive piece thanks to his versatility. He can't be immediately replaced.

Otherwise, Sam Darnold moves into his second year as Seattle's starting quarterback. The squad's top wide receivers and starting offensive line remain intact. Maybe most importantly, the Seahawks' veteran defensive front still has Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II and DeMarcus Lawrence to help dictate contests.

6. Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Trey Hendrickson

Average Grade: 72.2

Top 100 Players: 5

Highest-Rated: Kyle Hamilton

Four significant additions could change the face of this Baltimore Ravens squad (beyond the hire of head coach Jesse Minter).

Offensively, a pair of rookies should help to address significant need areas. The first-round selection of Olaivavega Ioane can provide a physical tone-setter along the offensive interior. With the loss of three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency, Ioane can now be the tip of the spear for Baltimore's front five.

Third-round wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane was the most pleasant surprise from the Ravens' training camp. He is a big-bodied target to provide a different dynamic in the team's passing attack.

On the other side of the ball, Nnamdi Madubuike's expected return from a serious neck injury could provide a significant lift since he's one of the game's best interior pass-rushers.

Madubuike played in only two games last season before being sidelined. He's starting the 2026 campaign on Baltimore's active roster.

Finally, Trey Hendrickson's signing gives the squad the caliber of pass-rusher it's lacked for a long time.

Those four coupled with quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, tight end Mark Andrews, wide receiver Zay Flowers, linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Kyle Hamilton make the Ravens an AFC favorite if the group stays healthy.

5. Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Jalen Carter

Average Grade: 72.4
Top 100 Players: 6
Highest-Rated: Lane Johnson

Talent has never been in question with the Philadelphia Eagles. General manager Howie Roseman understands how to draft and stack a roster. This year's squad is all about whether the team actually jells. It didn't happen last season despite an 11-6 record and postseason berth.

It's clear the Eagles have the capabilities of competing at a high level. High-end performers can be found throughout the lineup.

Obviously, the AJ Brown trade changes the Eagles' aerial attack. However, the signing of Dontayvion Wicks and first-round selection of Makai Lemon give Philadelphia two more options beyond DeVonta Smith.

Beyond signing Riq Woolen to upgrade the outside corner spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell, the Eagles have everything in place to succeed and possibly compete for another Super Bowl appearance.

Even so, the team keeping four quarterbacks became the most interesting aspect coming out of training camp and the preseason. Jalen Hurts' erratic play proved to be rather limiting in 2025. The team now has veteran Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee backing up the incumbent. Plus Cole Payton is a developmental option. The Eagles are too talented overall to have their quarterback hold them back.

4. Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Penei Sewell

Average Grade: 72.4
Top 100 Players: 7
Highest-Rated: Jahmyr Gibbs

Even though the Detroit Lions now find themselves among the league's top four squads, the team did take a significant hit during training camp when center Cade Mays suffered a fractured wrist.

Mays is expected back this season after being placed on injured reserve with a designation to return. Still, his absence will be felt. Detroit features significant offensive talent, specifically quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. But the offense is built on a strong offensive line.

Now, the O-line is questionable. Penei Sewell is making the switch from right to left tackle. Rookie Blake Miller takes over at right tackle. The coaching staff was experimenting with options to take over at center leading into the regular season. Detroit did acquire Juice Scruggs, as part of the David Montgomery trade, to help offset the injury loss.

Beyond that specific concern, the Lions lineup is far better than last season's 9-8 record indicates. This group may not be 15-2 good, but it's likely closer to what it was two seasons ago than last year, mainly due to the hire of Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator and Kelvin Sheppard being more experienced as the defensive play-caller.

3. Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Greg Beacham

Aaron Donald

Average Grade: 72.8
Top 100 Players: 5
Highest-Rated: Myles Garrett

The Los Angeles Rams are a legitimate wild card in these rankings. They're ranked third without a designation for Aaron Donald, who just came out of retirement and re-signed with the team.

For transparency's sake, Donald wouldn't have received a grade from the B/R Scouting Department, because he hasn't played since the 2023 campaign. No one knows exactly the caliber of performer returning to the Rams. Though most expect him to be a quality performer once again, even if the 35-year-old is no longer competing to win a fourth NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

There's a world where Donald is still an excellent player even if he takes a couple of steps back. If so, the Rams could realistically be the No. 1 team among these rankings. Even without him, the roster is loaded.

Myles Garrett is the No. 1 overall player on the B/R NFL 1000. Matthew Stafford is the league's reigning MVP. An argument can be made in favor of Puka Nacua as the game's top wide receiver. The defensive front also features Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske. Plus, general manager Les Snead upgraded the secondary this offseason with the acquisitions of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.

As a result, the Rams continue to receive significant Super Bowl hype and deservedly so.

2. San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Mike Evans

Average Grade: 73
Top 100 Players: 6
Highest-Rated: Fred Warner

The San Francisco 49ers' regular-season roster benefited the most from new rankings. They moved from ninth to second after making cuts and nearly caught the No. 1 team. This movement shows how strong San Francisco's talent core really is.

The last point should come as no surprise. San Francisco has regularly featured some of the league's best rosters since John Lynch became general manager and Kyle Shanahan took over as head coach.

Injuries have been the franchise's bugaboo, and the 49ers defense will rely heavily on Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams and Fred Warner this year. All three are coming off of significant season-ending injuries. Conversely, the squad shouldn't count on Christian McCaffrey as much as last season. He's now 30 coming off a 400-plus-touch campaign.

The talent is readily available and obvious, with Brock Purdy, Trent Williams and George Kittle to go along with those already mentioned.

To the organization's credit, it still signed Mike Evans, re-signed Deebo Samuel and drafted De'Zhaun Stribling to rework the wide receiver room. Fourth-round rookie Carver Willis could be a first-year starter at left guard. Dre Greenlaw is back as well.

At the same time, a delicate balancing act (and a little luck) is necessary for the Niners to fully capitalize during this window.

1. Houston Texans

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

C.J. Stroud

Average Grade: 73.1
Top 100 Players: 6
Highest-Rated: Derek Stingley Jr.

The Houston Texans remain in the top spot after reducing their roster to the 53-man limit. But the organization wasn't content with what it already had on the roster. Instead, general manager Nick Caserio swung a pair of low-level but possibly significant trades at the deadline.

Obviously, the Texans will be built around their defense. Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley Jr., Jalen Pitre and Calen Bullock are all standouts. No opponent wants to face this group. However, the Texans can't be considered legitimate contenders until their offense proves itself, starting with C.J. Stroud.

In order for the quarterback to thrive, the Texans did what they could to solidify their offensive line and improve his surrounding cast. This offseason, Houston brought in running back David Montgomery, as well as offensive linemen Wyatt Teller, Braden Smith and first-round rookie Keylan Rutledge. The team didn't stop there.

Caserio traded for wide receiver Kayshon Boutte and offensive tackle Nate Thomas this week. Boutte finished second on the New England Patriots last season with six touchdown receptions. He also averaged 16.7 yards per catch—which topped everyone on the Texans. Meanwhile, Thomas made four starts at left tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, giving Houston more experienced depth.

The Texans may be talented, but they haven't achieved anything of note. These types of fortifications are exactly what can keep a squad afloat and performing at a high level when its depth is challenged throughout a campaign.