2026 NFL Preseason Power Rankings: The Top 10 Teams Before the Games Begin
- Football Nation
- Aug 3
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Updated August 3, 2026. Power rankings are opinion, but the reasoning should still be grounded in facts. Football Nation’s preseason top 10 weighs the 2025 season, playoff performance, confirmed offseason moves, the 2026 draft and major injury questions. These are not predictions of the final standings. They are a snapshot of which teams appear strongest before preseason games begin.
1. Seattle Seahawks
The defending champions stay at No. 1 until somebody gives us a strong reason to move them. Seattle won Super Bowl LX 29-13 with the league’s top defense, six sacks and two interceptions against New England. The Seahawks did lose major contributors Kenneth Walker III, Boye Mafe and Coby Bryant during the offseason, but they retained much of the championship core and drafted Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price to join the backfield rotation. Repeating is difficult, but Seattle still owns the best combination of recent results, defensive identity and organizational continuity.
2. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams were Seattle’s closest NFC rival in 2025. They beat the Seahawks by two points in Los Angeles and lost two games in Seattle by one and four points. Matthew Stafford returns for his age-38 season, and Los Angeles attacked its secondary needs by adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. The concern is how long the veteran offense can remain healthy, but the roster and coaching staff are built to contend immediately.
3. Denver Broncos
Denver’s defense carried a heavy load last season, and the front office responded by adding a proven explosive receiver in Jaylen Waddle. The Broncos also drafted running back Jonah Coleman to join RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins. The ceiling depends on Bo Nix taking another step and the offense becoming more consistent, but Denver has the defensive foundation and improved speed to remain a serious AFC contender.
4. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen keeps Buffalo in the championship conversation, but 2026 also brings significant change. Joe Brady is the first-year head coach, and Jim Leonhard takes over the defense. The Bills added DJ Moore and Bradley Chubb, then used the draft to build depth at several need positions. Fourth-round receiver Skyler Bell is one young player to watch. Buffalo’s ranking is based on Allen and the roster’s ceiling, but the new staff must prove the pieces fit quickly.
5. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore added star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and drafted players who fit its physical identity, including guard Vega Ioane and edge defender Zion Young. The loss of Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum creates a major question inside, but a healthy Lamar Jackson still gives the Ravens one of the league’s highest offensive ceilings. Baltimore belongs in the top five because the roster can win in multiple ways, even if the offensive line requires reworking.
6. San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco added veteran receiver Mike Evans and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa before using its first four draft picks on receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, edge rusher Romello Height, running back Kaelon Black and defensive tackle Gracen Halton. The 49ers still have a veteran core led by Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Trent Williams. Health remains the biggest variable, but the top-end talent is too strong to rank lower.
7. Houston Texans
Houston’s defense was one of the strongest units in football, and the offseason focus remained on fixing the offense around C.J. Stroud. The Texans added veteran help, traded for running back David Montgomery and drafted guard Keylan Rutledge and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald with their first two selections. Houston’s path looks similar to Seattle’s championship formula: dominant defense, strong special teams, a physical running game and timely explosive passes. The question is whether the offensive line can give Stroud enough stability.
8. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City’s ranking depends heavily on Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from a torn ACL. Travis Kelce returned for another season, Kenneth Walker III joined the backfield and Justin Fields provides experienced insurance at quarterback. The Chiefs used premium draft resources on defense, adding cornerback Mansoor Delane, defensive tackle Peter Woods and edge rusher R Mason Thomas. If Mahomes is close to full strength, No. 8 could look too low very quickly.
9. New England Patriots
New England reached Super Bowl LX but was overwhelmed by Seattle’s pressure. Drake Maye still finished the season as an MVP runner-up, and the Patriots spent the offseason strengthening the roster around him. Alijah Vera-Tucker and Romeo Doubs were added on offense, while Dre’Mont Jones and Kevin Byard joined the defense. The Patriots must prove the Super Bowl run was sustainable and improve protection after Maye was sacked six times in the title game.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia lost important defensive contributors, but the front office continued to aggressively rebuild. The Eagles traded for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, added receiver Dontayvion Wicks, moved up for receiver Makai Lemon and drafted tight end Eli Stowers. Jalen Hurts and the offensive core give Philadelphia a high floor. The defense’s turnover and the long-term direction of the receiver room keep the Eagles at No. 10 rather than closer to the top five.
Just outside the top 10
Chicago, the Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Jacksonville are the next group. The Bears have a young roster trending upward, while the Chargers devoted half of their draft class to offensive linemen. Detroit is talented but must repair premium positions, Pittsburgh remains dangerous but unsettled at quarterback and Jacksonville must replace several important departures.
The preseason will not answer every question, especially because established starters may barely play. The meaningful movement will come from injuries, offensive-line performance, quarterback health and whether young players earn major roles before Week 1.
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