NFL Future Power Rankings: 2027-29 projections for 32 teams
How might all 32 NFL franchises stack up beyond 2026? Our forward-looking ranking factors in each team's future QB, roster, front office and coaching situations.
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The 2026 NFL season kicks off in less than a month, and we'll have plenty of coverage about the race to Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles. But we're also in the business of trying to predict the future.
In our annual Future Power Rankings, we're not focused on the outcome of this season. Instead, we're ranking all 32 teams by who is primed to be among the league's best from the 2027 through 2029 seasons.
To do so, we asked our panel of experts -- analysts Louis Riddick, Aaron Schatz, Ben Solak and Seth Walder -- to rate each team's quarterback situation, remaining (non-QB) roster makeup, front office and coaching staff using this scale:
100: A+ (elite) 90-99: A (great) 80-89: B (very good) 70-79: C (average) 51-69: D (very bad) 50 and below: F (disastrous) After averaging the results from the panelists, each of the four categories was weighted to create the overall score: quarterback (20%), roster (30%), front office (25%) and coaching (25%). The result is a comprehensive ranking based on how well each team is positioned for the future. Our experts then picked out reasons for optimism, reasons to worry, crucial stats/nuggets to know and bold predictions for all 32 franchises over that three-year span.
Jump to a team: ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Note: Overall scores are rounded to the nearest 10th of a point.
1. Seattle Seahawks (Overall score: 88.7)
Reason for hope: The league has been looking for a young defensive counterstrike to the ascent of offensive masterminds Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan, and the Seahawks have finally found it! Coach Mike Macdonald has a stellar track record of defensive player development, and the emergence of WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, OT Charles Cross and QB Sam Darnold sets a high floor in Seattle for years to come. -- Solak
Reason for concern: The relationship between Darnold and former OC Klint Kubiak was an obvious net positive for the organization. For the future, what does that real-time relationship look like between Darnold and new OC Brian Fleury? Fleury is not just calling plays for the first time on the NFL level but also doing it with a roster that is set up to contend into the future. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Including the postseason, the 2025 Seahawks finished with the highest DVOA of any team since the 2007 Patriots. The top-12 teams by DVOA since 2010 finished with an average of 10.9 wins the following season (prorated for a 17-game season). However, these numbers are dragged down by two injury-riddled 49ers teams (2020 and 2024). Remove those teams, and the average is 11.9 wins. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Darnold will not be on the Seahawks in 2028. He started last season red-hot and finished fairly strong in Seattle's Super Bowl run. But from Weeks 10 to 18, he ranked 27th out of 30 quarterbacks in QBR. The Super Bowl win certainly will buy Darnold time. But if he stumbles in 2027, I don't think there are guarantees that he will be re-signed. -- Walder
2. Philadelphia Eagles (Overall score: 88.1)
Reason for hope: Even in an offseason of tumult, with A.J. Brown traded and the transition to a new offensive system, the Eagles rank very highly in our future outlook. Why? Because general manager Howie Roseman has proved over the past decade that nobody builds contenders more quickly. The Eagles' studded young defense is proof alone. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Decision-makers in Philadelphia clearly believed the offense needed to evolve philosophically, and the change was made to bring in offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. His ability to teach, develop and use the skills of QB Jalen Hurts -- without fully neutralizing what has made him a Super Bowl-winning QB -- will shape this organization over the next several years. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: The Eagles project to have the league's youngest defense if we look at their top-12 projected defensive players (starters in both base and nickel). The average age is 25.6; Jonathan Greenard and Zack Baun are their only starters over 27. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Eagles will trade Jalyx Hunt or Nolan Smith Jr. ahead of the 2027 season. They will be entering the final year of their deals and are the second- or third-best pass rusher on the Eagles, in some order, with Greenard aboard. Trading either player could net Philadelphia draft capital going forward -- and save some money if it's Smith. -- Walder
3. Detroit Lions (Overall score: 86.2)
Reason for hope: As GM Brad Holmes begins paying the legendary 2023 draft class that galvanized this Lions turnaround, future contention becomes tougher and tougher in Detroit. But between Holmes and coach Dan Campbell, the Lions' leadership is unquestionable. And Detroit's group of young stars entering their primes (RB Jahmyr Gibbs, LB Jack Campbell, OT Penei Sewell and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown) is as deep as any. -- Solak
Reason for concern: I still have concerns about the Lions' ability to rush the passer at a championship level (26th in pass rush win rate last season), although rookie 2026 second-round pick Derrick Moore could lessen some of the burden on Aidan Hutchinson. What is of more concern is the secondary, where Brian Branch is trying to come back from an Achilles tear and Kerby Joseph is rehabbing a knee injury. Both are among the best in the league at their position, so it would be a major blow if they can't get back to their top form. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Detroit has reset its offensive line with youth, and only Miami now has a younger average age among its five projected starters for the 2026 season. The Lions' starting linemen range in age from right tackle Blake Miller (22) to center Juice Scruggs (26), who replaces the injured Cade Mays (27). -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Hutchinson will win Defensive Player of the Year. His five pre-injury games in 2024 always stick out in my mind, when he had 7.5 sacks and an obscene 35.0% pass rush win rate at edge (Danielle Hunter led qualifiers that year at 26.1%). Of course, that was a small sample. But Hutchinson has the capability to be an elite -- even the best -- edge rusher over a whole season. -- Walder
4. Denver Broncos (Overall score: 85.6)
Reason for hope: Across the 53-man roster, there is perhaps no team deeper than Denver. And the Broncos' coaching staff, with Sean Payton and Vance Joseph, features two of the league's preeminent schemers over the past decade. The continued growth of QB Bo Nix and the final addition of WR Jaylen Waddle could push this team into one of the three Super Bowl matchups in question. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Last year, I expressed my concern about whether Denver's RB room could make this offense complete. I'm not as worried about that now, as I think the addition of fourth-rounder Jonah Coleman (an absolute tank) next to RJ Harvey gives the Broncos the perfect 1-2 punch over the next few years. My concern now is whether new coordinator Davis Webb can create a balanced offense to go along with their lights-out defense. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: The Broncos are set up well for the future, but age on the offensive line is an issue. Starters range in age from Quinn Meinerz (28) to Garett Bolles (34). Guard Kage Casey, a 2026 fourth-round pick, is the only offensive lineman Denver has selected in the past two drafts. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Ja'Quan McMillian will become the highest-paid nickel back in 2027 -- with Denver or another team. McMillian is an excellent slot corner on a good defense, allowing 1.0 yards per coverage snap (average) and minus-19 expected points added on targets (fourth best). He also spent 17% of time in tight coverage (third best), per NFL Next Gen Stats. -- Walder
5. Los Angeles Rams (Overall score: 85.3)
Reason for hope: The Rams are tricky to rank because we don't know for certain whether coach Sean McVay, who has contemplated retirement, will stay in Los Angeles after quarterback Matthew Stafford hangs up the pads. The team is well positioned with so many good young players, and the duo of McVay and GM Les Snead duo has worked so well for so long. Even if the Stafford era ends soon, it'll likely end only on a Super Bowl run. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Different season, same concern. Stafford now has an MVP award after what was in many ways the best statistical season of his career. But he is still year-to-year as far as the future goes. And though I am a big believer in the Rams' succession plan with Ty Simpson, the transition will not be easy. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: The Rams already ranked eighth last season in pass rush win rate (40%) and first in run stop win rate (34%). Now, they'll have reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett (and possibly former DPOY Aaron Donald). -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Rams will lead the NFL in light offensive personnel in 2028. After shepherding the league into heavy usage of multiple tight ends, McVay will pivot again once the rest of the NFL -- and its defenses -- has caught up. By 2028, he'll presumably have a new quarterback and will need new advantages for him. One can only guess at what that will be, as McVay seems to find value in zigging when the rest of the league zags. -- Walder
6. New England Patriots (Overall score: 84.6)
Reason for hope: Teams with elite quarterbacks on rookie contracts will never fall far down this list, and that's exactly what the Patriots have with Drake Maye. Throw in more blue-chip players at elite positions, such as cornerback (Christian Gonzalez) and defensive tackle (Milton Williams), and the Patriots have a wonderful bedrock to remain high in these rankings for the next decade. -- Solak
Reason for concern: The 2025 season could not have gone much better, given the magnitude of the organizational reset that took place during the offseason. With the foundation now in place, the concern has to do with a specific area of the roster: the pass rush. If players such as second-rounder Gabe Jacas hit big, and Mike Vrabel's defensive staff can develop a diamond in the rough, such as seventh-rounder Quintayvious Hutchins, this team can continue to contend for Super Bowls. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: After adjusting for era and schedule, Maye finished eighth among second-year quarterbacks in my DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement) metric. The quarterbacks above him, in order, were Dan Marino, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Daunte Culpepper, Brock Purdy, Justin Herbert and Peyton Manning. Boomer Esiason was ninth. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Patriots will have a top-six pass-protecting offensive line, in terms of cumulative pass block win rate over those three seasons. It's a big leap for a unit that was a concern for New England. But the Patriots could have a strong O-line if Will Campbell and Caleb Lomu develop, Alijah Vera-Tucker stays healthy and Jared Wilson settles in at center (Mike Onwenu is already established as a solid guard). -- Walder
7. Green Bay Packers (Overall score: 84.4)
Reason for hope: Green Bay's yearly investment in young starters always leaves the Packers well-positioned for the future. Jordan Love is emerging into a Tier 2 quarterback alongside guys such as Dak Prescott and Justin Herbert, and Love's pass catchers (Tucker Kraft, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden) look as dangerous as ever. With a couple of hits on young offensive linemen (Anthony Belton, Jordan Morgan), Green Bay's passing attack should, once again, be one of the league's most potent. -- Solak
Reason for concern: I remain concerned about the dependability and availability of those Love depends on, namely the wide receiver group. But the real elephant in the room is the availability of edge rusher Micah Parsons. What level of play will he return to after his ACL tear? Green Bay has nobody on the roster who comes close to matching his physical profile. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: For the second straight season, the Packers were the youngest team in the NFL by snap-weighted age in 2025. They ranked 30th on offense, 31st on defense and 29th on special teams. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Parsons will break Myles Garrett's single-season sack record. He has never exceeded 14.0 sacks in a season. But since he entered the league in 2021, he has a 29% career pass rush win rate -- much higher than the second-best player, Garrett, at 24.9%. If Garrett can record 23.0 sacks on the Browns, Parsons can exceed that on a better team in the Packers. -- Walder
8. Houston Texans (Overall score: 84.3)
Reason for hope: The Texans were one of three elite defenses last season (along with Seattle and Denver), and almost the entire starting 11 were homegrown players under coach DeMeco Ryans. If you can set your watch to Ryans and GM Nick Caserio building a great defense, then the Texans can be a perennial team in the top 10 of these rankings. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Though I am still concerned (as I was a year ago) about the future effectiveness of this revamped offensive line, it's quarterback C.J. Stroud who has to answer some questions. His playoff performance in 2025 was unacceptable from a decision-making, ball security and accuracy standpoint. Until he makes people forget what he put on tape to end the 2025 season, the concern will exist. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Despite being regarded as having one of the finest pass rushes in the NFL, the Texans finished a shocking 21st in pass rush win rate last season (35%) after ranking No. 1 in 2024 (49%). -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Cornerback Kamari Lassiter will earn more first-team All-Pro honors than cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. between 2027-2029. Both cornerbacks are amazing, but Lassiter is more underrated. He spent a higher percentage of time in tight coverage last season (22.3% of the time, sixth best among corners with at least 300 coverage snaps) and is an excellent run defender. -- Walder
9. Baltimore Ravens (Overall score: 83.7)
Reason for hope: The Ravens haven't signed Lamar Jackson to an extension just yet, but it's fair to assume that the two-time MVP will remain a Raven and keep the team in a yearly contention conversation. And the infusion of new coach Jesse Minter could be just what Baltimore needs to get over the Lombardi hump. -- Solak
Reason for concern: John Harbaugh was fired because the organization seemed to lose belief in his ability to guide the Ravens to postseason success. Now, the focus shifts to Minter. Can he return the defense to the levels of greatness of years past? In 2025, the Ravens couldn't rush the passer with consistency (28th in pass rush win rate) or prevent explosive plays of 20-plus yards (31st in NFL). -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Wide receiver Zay Flowers accounted for 36.9% of all the Ravens' receiving yards last season, second in the NFL behind Seattle's Jaxon Smith-Njigba. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Ravens will trade Rashod Bateman in 2027. Other than a solid 2024 season (756 receiving yards), Bateman hasn't really lived up to his hype. Right now, the Ravens need him. But they have a slew of young players -- Ja'Kobi Lane, Devontez Walker and Elijah Sarratt -- who could ascend and take his targets. -- Walder
10. Los Angeles Chargers (Overall score: 83.5)
Reason for hope: With an elite young passer in Justin Herbert and an elite coach in Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers are set up well for the future. How well Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz operate in lockstep is underappreciated. The lack of playoff success keeps Los Angeles lower on this list than it could be, but that should be rectified this season. -- Solak
Reason for concern: For the past two seasons, I have been concerned about how the quality and upside of the receivers room has affected Herbert's career. Though I still have questions, my focus has shifted to the health and durability of the offensive line. If the starters can stay available, their league-worst pass block win rate and second-worst run block win rate should improve dramatically in future years. That's a must to keep Herbert from taking the hits he absorbed in 2025 (54 sacks, second most). -- Riddick
Nugget to know: The Chargers have a young offense (average age of projected top-12 players is 25.5, second youngest) but an old defense (average age of projected top-12 players is 28.8, tied for oldest). -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Cornerback Tarheeb Still will earn first- or second-team All-Pro recognition at some point. The 2024 fifth-round pick has been impressive in the first two years of his career. Last season, he allowed just a 12% target rate and 0.7 yards per coverage snap. -- Walder
11. Kansas City Chiefs (Overall score: 83.2)
Reason for hope: How far can a team with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback really fall? Questions abound regarding GM Brett Veach's recent drafting and head coach Andy Reid's antiquated scheme, but the Chiefs will always be Super Bowl contenders so long as No. 15 is healthy and under center. Such is the benefit of employing a generational talent. -- Solak
Reason for concern: As great as Mahomes is, he needs a lot more help than what he has received over the past two seasons. I think Veach fixed the RB situation with Kenneth Walker III, but I am concerned about the WR position. My hope is 2026 fifth-rounder WR Cyrus Allen elevates into a primary target. Second-year receiver Jalen Royals could also develop into a bigger role. It's critical that this position becomes a more dependable and productive group. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: The Chiefs led the NFL last season in playing man coverage, according to ESPN Research (58% of passes). That makes young cornerbacks, such as Mansoor Delane (22) and Nohl Williams (24 in September), very important to Kansas City's future. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Mahomes will throw for 5,000 yards in a season again. No one -- let alone Mahomes -- has done it since he threw for 5,250 in 2022. This is just a little blind faith in the Chiefs finding their groove again in the passing game. -- Walder
12. Chicago Bears (Overall score: 82.8)
Reason for hope: The Cardiac Bears proved last season what an elite coach (Ben Johnson) and ascendant young quarterback (Caleb Williams) could achieve at their peak. General manager Ryan Poles still needs to prove he can solve the defensive talent issues, but Johnson and Williams alone will keep the Bears in a strong position for all future projections -- especially if the third-year quarterback takes another step forward. -- Solak
Reason for concern: The defense. Coordinator Dennis Allen is charged with improving a unit that was 29th in yards per play allowed and 31st in pass rush win rate last season. The Bears desperately need some 2026 rookies -- such as first-round safety Dillon Thieneman, fourth-round cornerback Malik Muhammad and sixth-round defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg -- to immediately make an impact. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: The Bears ended 18.6% of defensive drives with a takeaway last season, the highest rate since the 2019 Steelers got a turnover on 20.3% of drives. (This is a stat that tends to regress toward the mean from year to year.) -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Chicago will reach the Super Bowl at some point. I'm worried that the Bears are a little overhyped in 2026 because of the defense and Williams' accuracy issues last season. But I want to buy as much Johnson stock as I can. At some point in this window, the Bears will combine a good enough defense with a strong offense to win the NFC. -- Walder
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (Overall score: 82.6)
Reason for hope: After years of close-but-not-quite, quarterback Trevor Lawrence finally looked like the prince who was promised in the back half of the 2025 season, his first under coach Liam Coen. Jacksonville is also suddenly deep at positions such as wide receiver and cornerback (thanks, Travis Hunter). If GM James Gladstone's solutions at offensive line hold, the Jaguars will have all the features of a yearly contender. -- Solak
Reason for concern: There is something to be said for having conviction in your process as a general manager, and sometimes that includes going against the grain as far as the usual strategies when team building. The projected value that Gladstone received with his selections in Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 draft (TE Nate Boerkircher and DL Albert Regis) remains to be seen, as I have my doubts about the long-term prospects of the draft overall. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: To further Riddick's point, the Jaguars' 2026 draft ranked third worst of any team in the past 10 years based on publicly available draft grades. The two drafts that graded lower? The 2020 Packers, led by Jordan Love in the first round, and the 2017 Bears, led by Mitchell Trubisky in the first round. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Lawrence will finish in the top six of QBR over these three seasons combined. Despite how he finished in 2025, he still has plenty of doubters. But I think it's possible that Lawrence has been held back by some combination of offensive line, coaching and drops. With the current iteration of the Jaguars, he is supported. -- Walder
14. San Francisco 49ers (Overall score: 82.4)
Reason for hope: Do you trust coach Kyle Shanahan? I do. The 49ers are also refreshingly young and ascending on defense. So long as Shanahan can continue printing quality offenses -- despite shaky offensive line play and a carousel of injured playmakers -- the 49ers will remain a tough out year over year. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Age and longevity. That's what concerns me with this team, particularly on offense. Left tackle Trent Williams is 38, fullback Kyle Juszczyk is 35 and wide receiver Mike Evans is 32. Tight end George Kittle is 32 and coming off an Achilles tear. On top of that, San Francisco deals with significant injuries seemingly every season, relying on the coaching staff to develop and utilize unheralded players and keep this team in the hunt. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: To expand even more on what Riddick mentioned above, the 49ers' average age is a league-high 30.8, with Denver second at 29.1. But the defensive starters, with an average age of 26.2, are among the youngest in the league. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa will record at least 9.0 sacks -- doubling his career high -- and earn at least second-team All-Pro honors in one of these seasons. Odighizuwa was a sharp acquisition by the 49ers this offseason and showed more pass-rushing chops in Dallas than his sacks would indicate. He was in the 76th percentile of pass rush win rate among defensive tackles last season. -- Walder
15. Buffalo Bills (Overall score: 81.7)
Reason for hope: That the Bills are at No. 15 speaks to the fallen reputation of general manager Brandon Beane and uncertainty around new coach Joe Brady. Josh Allen remains a yearly MVP contender, and the Bills have not had a below-average offense since he emerged during his rookie contract. Regardless, if continued playoff failures lead to more turnover, Allen provides one brilliant ray of sunshine to believe in. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Brady is now in charge, and he made a significant change with the hiring of new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. The Bills will transition to a 3-4 configuration after having run a 4-3 during Sean McDermott's tenure. Remember the names of defensive linemen Deone Walker, DeWayne Carter and Ed Oliver. They will have to adjust to playing in a new scheme and improving a run defense that surrendered 5.1 yards per rush in 2025, which was 30th in the NFL. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: After signing guard O'Cyrus Torrence to a contract extension, the Bills essentially have no major free agents for 2027. Nobody who played at least 45% of snaps for last season's Bills will be a free agent next offseason. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Bills will win the Super Bowl. I don't know when, and I don't know how. But the best way to have a good shot at a Lombardi Trophy over a multiyear stretch is to be a contender for all of those years -- as opposed to, say, just being the favorite in one of those years. The Bills have the best quarterback in the NFL, and that always puts them in the mix no matter what happens around him. -- Walder
16. Dallas Cowboys (Overall score: 79.5)
Reason for hope: Dallas' roster has a long-term question regarding wide receiver George Pickens, who is playing on the franchise tag. But Dak Prescott remains one of the league's better quarterbacks, and the offensive line has become a reliable unit after the bull's-eye selections of guards Tyler Booker and Tyler Smith. Offensively, Dallas is in a comfortable spot. -- Solak
Reason for concern: It's about defensive execution now with Dallas. The Cowboys have the offense to contend for NFL supremacy, but new defensive coordinator Christian Parker needs to figure out the correct combinations to stop the run and rush the passer. Lastly, and most importantly, will rookie safety Caleb Downs continue to be the alpha leader he was throughout his college career and ensure there's no miscommunication in the secondary? -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Last season's Cowboys defense got progressively worse when it added additional defensive backs on the field. Dallas allowed 4.5 yards per play in base coverage (four), 6.7 per play in nickel (five) and 8.5 per play in dime (six). -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Booker will become a first-team All-Pro. Sure, he's generally thought of as the second-best guard named Tyler on the Cowboys. But as a rookie, Booker put up an 89th percentile run block win rate and 59th percentile pass block win rate. Those aren't All-Pro numbers yet, though it sets him up for that sort of trajectory. -- Walder
17. Cincinnati Bengals (Overall score: 79.4)
Reason for hope: The current Bengals braintrust of coach Zac Taylor and general manager Duke Tobin has had a long time to produce consistent team success. And the Bengals' middling ranking here reflects those inconsistent results. But the defense and offensive line are healthier now than they've been in years, and quarterback Joe Burrow seems to be a reinvigorated leader of the organization accordingly. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Everything is riding on the improvement of a defense that was at or near the bottom of the league in every meaningful category. The front office did just about everything it could in a single offseason to improve the defense up front, starting with trading away a top-10 pick for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II. He must give the Bengals a quality return on investment, both in terms of his direct and indirect impact on the defense. If not, there could be major changes in Cincinnati on and off the field. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Based on snap counts from last season, the Bengals have the NFL's largest free agent class in 2027. Free-agents-to-be include cornerbacks DJ Turner and Dax Hill; safety Jordan Battle; running backs Chase Brown and Samaje Perine; and offensive linemen Ted Karras and Dalton Risner. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Tight end Erick All Jr. will finish in the top five in receiving yards at the position in at least one of these seasons. If All, who suffered a knee injury that cost him the back half of 2024 and all of 2025, can get healthy, he could turn into a real receiving option for Cincy behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. He'll have to clear Mike Gesicki on the depth chart first, but that shouldn't be too tall of a task. -- Walder
18. Minnesota Vikings (Overall score: 78.9)
Reason for hope: They have elite coaches. Kevin O'Connell remains one of the league's preeminent schemers, and his history of elevating quarterback talent bodes well. On the defensive side, Brian Flores is the most unique playcaller in the NFL; his blitz-happy approach consistently puts the best offensive schemers on their backfoot. It's hard to imagine a bad long-term future with both of those coaches secured. -- Solak
Reason for concern: In this exercise last season, I said that all eyes were on QB J.J. McCarthy. Well, 2025 didn't go as anticipated for McCarthy, who registered a QBR near the bottom of the league in each of his 10 starts. The Vikings have pivoted to the ultra-talented Kyler Murray on a one-year deal, but now the long-term future at QB could not be any more uncertain. Not where you want to be as a franchise. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: The Vikings' most common offensive line combination played only 25% of snaps last season. The one lineman Minnesota can rely on is right tackle Brian O'Neill, who has been a full-time starter since his rookie season in 2018 and signed an extension through 2030 this offseason. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Murray will be the Vikings' quarterback through at least 2029. If 2026 goes well, as I think it will, I imagine Murray and the Vikings will decide it's best to stay together. And the team might be hesitant to let another established signal-caller walk out the door after what happened with Sam Darnold. -- Walder
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Overall score: 78.4)
Reason for hope: Young, tentpole players such as LT Tristan Wirfs, RT Luke Goedeke, WR Emeka Egbuka and S Antoine Winfield Jr. carry a lot of the water here for the Buccaneers. General manager Jason Licht has an earned reputation as a strong drafter, and he might have hit again with edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and linebacker Josiah Trotter in the first two rounds this year. -- Solak
Reason for concern: New season, yet another new OC for QB Baker Mayfield. And there's looming uncertainty as to his future in Tampa. Despite having never missed a game or start in his three seasons with the team, Mayfield has not been offered a long-term contract that satisfies him. This season marks the final year of the deal he signed in March 2024. Add in the hold-in from defensive tackle Vita Vea, and there could be some cracks forming in the Bucs' foundation. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: In 2025, Tampa Bay threw a league-low 16% of its passes to tight ends. The only tight end with at least five targets, 27-year-old Cade Otton, got a three-year extension in March. The other tight ends are all mostly blockers, as the 2025 Bucs had the highest rushing rate (68%) from 12 personnel in the NFL. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Egbuka will not have a top-20 WR fantasy season in any of the three seasons in question. That's pretty contrarian, considering he is a 23-year-old receiver who ranks WR18 in ESPN fantasy drafts. But I'm a little wary of Egbuka because he didn't excel in ESPN's receiver scores as a rookie. Most concerning was his 36 open score (and it wasn't high early in the season, either). -- Walder
20. Washington Commanders (Overall score: 76.5)
Reason for hope: A healthy Jayden Daniels season would go a long way to elevating the Commanders' standing here -- doubly so if it comes with a strong showing from first-time playcaller David Blough. Perhaps more than any other team in the bottom half, the Commanders have a chance to vault into the top five with a reminder of Daniels' near-MVP-level ability from 2024. Tons of new defensive infusions -- via free agency and in the coaching ranks -- should give that unit a shot in the arm, too. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Everything that surrounds Daniels concerns me -- the offensive line, makeup of the receivers room, big-play ability of the running backs room and early competency of Blough. Daniels is a superstar. Make no mistake about that. I'm just afraid we won't get to see the best of him if general manager Adam Peters doesn't support him better. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Washington was the oldest team last season by snap-weighted age, ranking No. 1 on defense and special teams, and No. 4 on offense. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Commanders will trade OL Brandon Coleman for a nice return ahead of the 2027 season. Coleman will step in at left tackle while Laremy Tunsil recovers from triceps surgery. Coleman has had a strong 90.7% pass block win rate at tackle over his career, including a 92.3% last season (albeit with a lot more double-team help than Tunsil had). A big season from Coleman could garner the interest of another team. -- Walder
21. New Orleans Saints (Overall score: 75.7)
Reason for hope: Quarterback Tyler Shough and coach Kellen Moore showed positive signs in limited moments last season. Also impressive was the performance of young defenders, such as Jonas Sanker, Quincy Riley and Kool-Aid McKinstry, under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who remains a shrewd playcaller. -- Solak
Reason for concern: The pass rush. The Saints have playmakers on the second and third level of the defense, and Staley is among the best in the league. But do the Saints have enough pass rushers in the pipeline for 2027 through 2029? I think they need more horsepower up front. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: It's important for the Saints to get improvement from their young tackles. Last season, left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. (age 22) ranked 45th out of 67 ranked tackles in pass block win rate (87.7%). Right tackle Taliese Fuaga (age 24) was 57th (85.5%). -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: WR Jordyn Tyson will deliver a 1,500-yard season. It's a vibe, it's a feeling, it's those highlight-reel plays from training camp that I shouldn't put much stock in but am doing so anyway. Tyson will be a star. -- Walder
22. New York Giants (Overall score: 75.3)
Reason for hope: The Giants look like they might have a franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart, and they certainly have a tenured and historically successful coach in John Harbaugh. It's tough to rank a front office in questionable power under GM Joe Schoen, but emergent young stars such as Malik Nabers and Abdul Carter could give the Giants a strong bedrock for future growth. -- Solak
Reason for concern: As exciting as the upside is for Dart, Nabers and RB Cam Skattebo, their availability worries me. Nabers is coming off a significant knee injury, Skattebo is returning from a significant lower leg injury, and Dart has to modify his play style by reducing the number of hits he absorbs. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: The Giants are lauded for their pass rush and ranked fifth in pass rush win rate last season. But because of coverage issues, they've ranked only 15th in pressure rate each of the past two seasons. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas will win Protector of the Year at some point in the 2027-29 window. After an injury-shortened 2024 campaign, Thomas put up a top-10 pass block win rate and top-20 run block win rate over 13 games in 2025. If the Giants' new staff can get a strong running game going with Skattebo, Thomas could get enough shine to land the award. -- Walder
23. Carolina Panthers (Overall score: 74.7)
Reason for hope: Carolina's aggressive spending on defense could return an above-average unit in 2026 and signal a rosy future. I'd also bet on a strong sophomore year from reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan moving the Panthers up a couple of spots in next year's ranking. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Quarterback Bryce Young had some singularly great games in 2025 (see: Week 13 win over the Rams) when he showed he was cool under pressure. He needs help to continue his development trajectory, but 2026 could be rough given the health of the offensive line and lack of a dependable WR2 behind McMillan. That could cause the organization to assign the blame to Young, and I think that would be inappropriate. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Safety Nick Scott, who is 31, is the only projected Panthers starter over the age of 30. The wide receivers are particularly young, including the reserves; other than veteran David Moore (also 31), John Metchie III is the oldest at 26. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Panthers will draft a quarterback in the first round in 2027. This might not even qualify as that bold, really. Carolina has -- rightfully, in my opinion -- not extended Young's contract beyond his fifth-year option. Faced with a strong rookie quarterback class next year, there's a chance the Panthers think they'll have a better future with a fresh start at QB. -- Walder
24. Tennessee Titans (Overall score: 74.2)
Reason for hope: A team should always be optimistic when it has a No. 1 pick. Cam Ward's 2025 season was far from statistically perfect, but the film shows a passer more than capable of running a quality NFL offense. With hits on Ward and 2026 first-rounder Carnell Tate, the Titans should have the cornerstones necessary to build a strong roster foundation. -- Solak
Reason for concern: There is a lot of work ahead for new OC Brian Daboll to get this offense pointed in the right direction. The development of Ward is of the utmost importance. He can't endure another 55-sack season, combined with an abysmal 17.7% off-target percentage. That means Daboll will need to make sure Ward gets the ball out faster and with better accuracy. The offensive line must improve, too. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Ward's 33.2 QBR was the third lowest for any rookie quarterback drafted in the top five picks since 2011, ahead of Jared Goff in 2016 (18.3) and Blake Bortles in 2014 (28.0). Ward finished last among qualifiers in QBR last season. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Linebacker Cedric Gray will lead the NFL in tackles one season. In 2026, he finished fifth in the category, fourth in tackles per snap played and first out of all linebackers in run stop win rate. Plus, if the Titans don't become a real contender, it only helps his cause to get more tackles as opponents will rush more to maintain leads. -- Walder
25. Las Vegas Raiders (Overall score: 74.1)
Reason for hope: Fernando Mendoza, baby! The No. 1 pick is in good hands with new coach Klint Kubiak and an elite pass catcher in tight end Brock Bowers. General manager Jon Spytek had a bit of a false start out of the gate given the 2025 Raiders' personnel issues under Pete Carroll, but the Raiders now have an opportunity to take that thrilling leap that comes only with talented rookie passers -- which they very well might have in Mendoza. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Playing in a division with this caliber of QB play requires you to have a formidable pass rush. There is no question that Maxx Crosby is as good as it gets off one edge, but how many more dominant seasons can he play on his surgically repaired knee? Someone else has to perform for the Raiders to take the next step. Keep an eye on 2026 third-round pick Keyron Crawford. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Once Mendoza starts (and assuming Las Vegas' remaining starters stay healthy), the Raiders will have the youngest starting offense in the NFL this season. Their only player over the age of 27 will be left tackle Kolton Miller. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Sometime between 2027 and 2029, Bowers will become the first tight end to crack $30 million per year. Considering George Kittle currently paces tight ends at $19.1 million per year, this would be a massive increase at the position. But that's how good I think Bowers will be -- and how important he'll be to the Mendoza-led offense. -- Walder
26. Indianapolis Colts (Overall score: 73.9)
Reason for hope: The Colts have bet aggressively on the flicker of elite play we saw to start the 2025 season, extending the contracts of Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, while riddling the defense with rookie starters to make the money work. But the reason for optimism is obvious: A Jones-led Shane Steichen offense is clearly capable of high-level play, and a couple of the key players (Pierce and RB Jonathan Taylor) are under long-term deals. Jones, guard Quenton Nelson and receiver Josh Downs are next in line for extensions if things go well. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Although Jones was having the best season of his career by far before his Achilles tear, the question remains as to whether he can replicate the tape from his first eight weeks of the 2025 season (No. 2 in QBR, 7-1 record). -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Are the Colts a run-first team with Taylor? Last season, Indianapolis dropped from third to 23rd in run rate over expectation, which adjusts for the run rate with different downs, distances to go and game situations. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Cornerback Sauce Gardner will win Defensive Player of the Year. The early returns on Indy's blockbuster trade for him have not been great, but he remains one of the best cornerbacks in the league. Two cornerbacks have won DPOY in the past decade: Stephon Gilmore (2019) and Pat Surtain II (2024). -- Walder
27. Atlanta Falcons (Overall score: 73.8)
Reason for hope: The Falcons enter 2026 with a new front office and a new head coach, and the schematic turnover might take some time. But other teams ranked higher than Atlanta would do anything for its trio of extended playmakers in RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts Sr. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Last year, I wrote about the development of QB Michael Penix Jr. becoming a more accurate passer. Well now, I'm just wondering whether he will be available and dependable enough to be a long-term solution after yet another major injury in 2025 (partially torn ACL). His competition for the starting QB job, Tua Tagovailoa, has his own durability issues, so it appears this situation has gone from bad to worse. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Robinson led the NFL with 115 broken or forced missed tackles last season. As a team, the Falcons were second behind the Seahawks. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Falcons will not make the playoffs from 2027 to 2029. Atlanta needs a quarterback, but the current team isn't bad enough to land a top-two pick. The Falcons could draft one next year, but they might have to give up some serious capital to trade up. And though there are building blocks on this team, I fear the Falcons could be caught in the middle -- even in the NFC South. -- Walder
28. Cleveland Browns (Overall score: 71.6)
Reason for hope: Aside from QB (and to be fair, the offensive line), the Browns are set up well for long-term success. LB Carson Schwesinger, CB Denzel Ward, TE Harold Fannin Jr., Edge Jared Verse and RB Quinshon Judkins are all tentpole players for an ascending team, as general manager Andrew Berry continues to make smart personnel bets in the draft and free agency. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Though this franchise has what looks like a solid foundation when combining the past two draft classes, questions obviously remain about quarterback. Will Deshaun Watson resurrect his career? Will Shedeur Sanders make the second-year jump in a new system? If either answer is "yes," then Berry can use next year's two first-rounders on positions other than QB. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: The 2025 Browns were last in the league with 22.6 yards per drive on offense. Shockingly, on the other side of the ball, they led the league by allowing just 24.7 yards per drive. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Cleveland's 2027 quarterback competition will be between a first-round pick and... Taylen Green. This essentially is a bet that Green will be starting for the Browns by the end of 2026. He might be the fourth-string quarterback at the moment, but I hardly think this is far-fetched, considering the poor track records of Watson (as a Brown), Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. -- Walder
29. New York Jets (Overall score: 71.3)
Reason for hope: Darren Mougey catapulted up league GM rankings with his aggressive 2025 trade deadline, and his investment in future picks has set up the Jets for long-term success. They made three first-round picks in 2026 and can do so again in 2027... if they don't trade those picks for a quarterback. There are a few exciting young players (Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Armand Membou, etc.), so the Jets aren't starting from nothing, either. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Similar to Solak, I thought Mougey did a really great job this offseason in the veteran free agent market and the draft. But does coach Aaron Glenn and his staff have what it takes to get this franchise turned around on the field? If they can't, someone else will have to lead the development of this young core. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: The Jets' offense is remarkably young once we get past starting quarterback Geno Smith. The other 11 projected starters, including both 11 and 12 personnel, average just 24.2 years of age. Center Josh Myers is the oldest at 28, and rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq is the youngest at 21. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Jets will make the playoffs in 2027... with a new coach and new quarterback. After another depressing season in 2026, the Jets will be rewarded with a high pick in this loaded quarterback class. The result of that QB alongside a strong offensive line and bevy of intriguing pass catchers will be immediate success. -- Walder
30. Pittsburgh Steelers (Overall score: 70.4)
Reason for hope: The Steelers are treading water at quarterback with 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers swan-songing under new (but former) coach Mike McCarthy. The defense is also built around aging stars (Jalen Ramsey, Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt). The good news is that GM Omar Khan has drafted well, and there are exciting young players on both sides of the trenches. That should soften the inevitable transition awaiting the Steelers after consistent mediocrity in recent years. -- Solak
Reason for concern: Kenny Pickett. Justin Fields. Russell Wilson. Rodgers. Will Howard. Drew Allar. Four of these players have proven that they were not the long-term answer at QB. The other two (Howard and Allar) have not attempted a pass in a regular-season game. There seems to be no end in sight when it comes to an answer for Pittsburgh's QB situation. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: You know already that the Steelers were the league's oldest team at quarterback last season (40.7). But according to snap-weighted age, they were also the oldest team at defensive back (29.1) and third oldest at wide receiver (28.0). -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Tight end Darnell Washington will make the top 10 in Jeremy Fowler's annual survey of coaches and executives on the best players at every position. He might be the Steelers' No. 2 tight end at the moment, but Washington averaged 1.9 yards per route run last season and was in the 83rd percentile among tight ends in run block win rate. Tight end is a position where players can develop slowly, so he has plenty of time to increase his role. -- Walder
31. Miami Dolphins (Overall score: 70.3)
Reason for hope: By this time next year, we'll have a few exciting young Dolphins to talk about. Who exactly they are is anyone's guess! But the Dolphins figure to deploy a young and inexperienced roster alongside RB De'Von Achane, C Aaron Brewer and LB Jordyn Brooks -- their three veteran tentpoles. We'll give an appropriate dose of optimism once we know just where their talent lies. -- Solak
Reason for concern: The Dolphins are in a total reset at the three most critical areas of a football operation: general manager, head coach and quarterback. The alignment and ultimate competency of these three positions combine to form a significant unknown for this franchise, as GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, HC Jeff Hafley and QB Malik Willis are all occupying leading roles in the NFL for the first time. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: Miami went from the oldest team in the league by snap-weighted age in 2024 to 21st in 2025. The Dolphins' offense was particularly young, ranking 28th with a snap-weighted age of 25.8. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Willis will be Miami's quarterback through the 2029 season. This would make his high-risk, high-upside free agent signing an unqualified success. Considering what we saw from Willis in Green Bay, if this works, it could really work. -- Walder
32. Arizona Cardinals (Overall score: 69.9)
Reason for hope: It's hard to be optimistic in the NFC West, where three of the league's best teams play at a different level than these Cardinals currently do. Still, Arizona is quite close to a strong offensive core of playmakers (TE Trey McBride, RB Jeremiyah Love, WRs Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr.), and that is good bedrock for an incoming 2027 quarterback. -- Solak
Reason for concern: How will new coach Mike LeFleur solve the QB position long term? Carson Beck (2026 third-round pick) showed some exciting flashes in the preseason opener, and it's too early to disregard him as a long-term solution. The Cardinals have some fantastic skill position players for a QB to work with, and they cannot afford to waste them. -- Riddick
Nugget to know: The Cardinals led the NFL last season by throwing 35% of passes to tight ends, and they ran a league-low 27% of the time when they were in 12 personnel. -- Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: No team will add more wins from its 2026 record to its 2027 record than the Cardinals. New quarterback? Maybe. But he won't be the only new face, as OverTheCap.com projects them to have more cap space in 2027 than any other team. -- Walder
