2026 NFL season: Ranking the best, worst positional groups
Which team has the best running backs? The shakiest edge rusher room? We ranked all 32 teams in 10 different position groups.
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When analyzing NFL rosters, it's important to remember that it's all relative. It's easy to say a team is in "good shape" or "loaded" at a particular position, but each unit is only as good as it is relative to the league's 31 other teams.
That might seem like common sense, but you would be surprised by what you can learn sitting down and objectively grading and/or ranking each positional unit of all 32 teams. This is a project I've done each offseason, which has led to many interesting revelations, including the likely breakouts of teams such as the 2020 Buccaneers, 2022 Eagles and 2023 Dolphins.
Here are position-by-position unit rankings for all 32 teams this season covering the 10 key offensive and defensive groups. At the bottom, I've included an overall ranking weighted based on positional importance (for example, it's more crucial to be elite at quarterback than at running back). I also gave brief outlooks on the best and shakiest units at each position, as well as intriguing groups worth keeping an eye on. Note that these are 2026 rankings rather than long-term outlooks.
Let's take a look, starting at quarterback.
Jump to: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL DT | Edge | LB | CB | S Overall outlook
Quarterback
Best: Buffalo Bills
After having Baltimore's Lamar Jackson in this spot last year, I'm giving the edge to 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen this time around. Allen has finished no lower than seventh in QBR in each of the past six seasons (third or better in four of them). He remains a major factor with his legs, leading all QBs in carries, rushing yards and rushing TDs last season. Incredibly, only running back Derrick Henry (44) has more rushing TDs than Allen (41) over the past three seasons.
Shakiest: Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray is gone, leaving Jacoby Brissett as the probable Week 1 starter. Brissett racked up the counting stats in 12 starts last season (3,366 passing yards, 23 TDs), but Arizona throwing at a league-high rate (partially due to always being behind) was a primary factor. Brissett finished 24th among 28 qualified quarterbacks in QBR (41.2). Gardner Minshew II and third-round rookie Carson Beck could also get some run if Brissett struggles.
Unit to watch: Atlanta Falcons
Outside of Cleveland, the only QB battle around is between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. The No. 8 overall pick in 2024, Penix has yet to emerge as a capable starter. He has totaled 14 touchdown passes in 14 games, and he had a league-low 23.1% off-target rate before his ACL tear in Week 11 of last season. Meanwhile, Tagovailoa has flashed at times during his career, but Miami took on a record $99.2 million in dead money to move on from him after a disappointing 2025 season.
Running back
Best: Indianapolis Colts
Close one here, but Jonathan Taylor gets the nod. He's one of the league's best backs and handles a massive bulk of the team's touches. Taylor had a terrific 2025 campaign in which he led the NFL in carries (323) and touchdowns (18), while also finishing third in rushing yardage (1,585). Once a minimal part of the Colts' passing game, Taylor also ranked the top-10 among backs in routes, targets, catches and receiving yards, setting career highs in each. This all happened despite a big dip in production after quarterback Daniel Jones was injured in Week 14.
Shakiest: Jacksonville Jaguars
There's upside here, but this group is unproven. With Travis Etienne Jr. gone, 2025 Day 2 picks Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. will team up with journeyman Chris Rodriguez Jr. to form a three-headed committee. Tuten made some highlight plays as a rookie, but he was limited to 83 carries and 14 targets. Rodriguez has been effective as a rusher (career 4.6 yards per carry), but the sample is small (198 carries) and he's not a receiving option (six career catches). Expect Allen (23 carries, 11 targets as a rookie) to see occasional work in passing situations.
Unit to watch: Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III signed with the Chiefs and Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in January, leaving Seattle's backfield with a much different look in 2026. Rookie Jadarian Price -- the final pick of the first round -- could emerge as a breakout, but he's obviously an unknown and has minimal experience as a pass catcher. Holdover George Holani and journeyman Emanuel Wilson will battle for reps until Charbonnet makes his return.
Wide receiver
Best: Cincinnati Bengals
There were a few strong candidates here, but none can match Cincinnati's duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. In 2024, Chase became the first player in league history to reach 1,700 receiving yards and 17 TD catches in a single season. Last season, he became the third receiver to produce 120-plus catches and 1,400-plus yards in multiple campaigns. Higgins is arguably the league's best WR2, and he had the fourth-most TD catches in the league over the past two seasons (21). Andrei Iosivas is a capable No. 3 option; fourth-round rookie Colbie Young is already making a play for a Year 1 role.
Shakiest: Miami Dolphins
The Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle era is over in Miami, leaving the rebuilding Dolphins with a major short-term hole at the position. I say "short term" because they invested 2026 draft resources into the position: Chris Bell (Round 3), Caleb Douglas (Round 3) and Kevin Coleman Jr. (Round 5). But it's hard to project the Year 1 impact for these rookies, especially since Bell is returning from a torn ACL. The likes of Malik Washington and newcomers Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert are best suited for situational/depth roles, but they could be the Dolphins' starting trio most of this season.
Unit to watch: Tennessee Titans
The Titans invested heavily at the position during the offseason, signing Wan'Dale Robinson (one of four receivers with 90-plus catches each of the past two seasons) to a four-year, $70 million deal and selecting Carnell Tate with the No. 4 pick in April. That duo will team up with veteran Calvin Ridley in the starting lineup, second-year players Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor should add solid depth.
Tight end
Best: Las Vegas Raiders
An injury-riddled 2025 campaign is not enough for us to overlook superstar Brock Bowers. The 2024 first-round pick began his career with an elite statline of 112 receptions, 1,194 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He was just as dominant despite missing five games in 2025, posting 64 receptions, 680 receiving yards and seven touchdowns -- all three of which ranked top 10 at the position. The 23-year-old is a strong bet for a big bounce-back with Kirk Cousins and/or Fernando Mendoza under center in 2026. Michael Mayer and former Carolina starter Ian Thomas add terrific depth.
Shakiest: Miami Dolphins
Greg Dulcich was solid for this team down the stretch last season, but the reality is that he's a 26-year-old journeyman with 67 career receptions who would be a depth piece on most rosters. Instead, he'll work as the Dolphins' top receiving option at the position. Rookies Will Kacmarek (Round 3) and Seydou Traore (Round 5), as well as fourth-year veteran Ben Sims, will be in the mix for snaps.
Unit to watch: Los Angeles Rams
Coach Sean McVay has pivoted his scheme to rely heavily on the tight end position, so it's no surprise that the team used its past two second-round picks at the position (Terrance Ferguson in 2025 and Ohio State's Max Klare in 2026). Tyler Higbee is back for his age-33 campaign, while veterans Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen will also get run. Don't be surprised if Ferguson finishes third on the team in catches this season.
Offensive line
Best: Denver Broncos
This was an easy call after the Broncos led the NFL in both pass block and run block win rate in 2024 prior to finishing top-eight in both categories last season. Incredibly, Denver will have the same starting five for the third straight season: LT Garett Bolles, LG Ben Powers, C Luke Wattenberg, RG Quinn Meinerz and RT Mike McGlinchey. All five players posted pass block win rates well above league average in the past two seasons; four of the five posted good-to-great run block win rates.
Shakiest: Houston Texans
This group remains a major concern after finishing last in run block win rate (68.4%) and 30th in pass block win rate (55.5%) in 2025. Three of their starters -- LT Aireontae Ersery (2025 second-rounder), C Jake Andrews and G Ed Ingram -- remain, though the latter two will face substantial competition from Wyatt Teller, Evan Brown and first-round pick Keylan Rutledge. Braden Smith was signed as a potential upgrade over Trent Brown at right tackle.
Unit to watch: Los Angeles Chargers
Last season, LT Rashawn Slater (patellar tendon) missed every game and RT Joe Alt (ankle) was limited to 294 snaps. Both are expected to be healthy for 2026, which is massive news for a Chargers team that finished last in pass block win rate (53.9%) and 31st in run block win rate (68.9%) in 2025. Their return is also important considering Los Angeles' underwhelming guard situation. The team is replacing Zion Johnson and Mekhi Becton with free agent Cole Strange and second-round rookie Jake Slaughter. Tyler Biadasz was signed to solidify the center position, but he is out indefinitely after an ACL injury in practice Tuesday.
Interior defensive line
Best: Seattle Seahawks
The defending champs get this nod for the second year in a row. Seattle allowed a league-low 17.2 points game last season and finished third in the league in run stop win rate (32.5%). The team remains stacked upfront, with Leonard Williams (18.0 sacks over the past two seasons) still playing at a high level at 32. Byron Murphy II made a big Year 2 leap (fourth among interior linemen with 7.0 sacks in 2025) and Jarran Reed remains a quality rotational player.
Shakiest: Las Vegas Raiders
The good news is that the Raiders have some continuity up front, returning all three interior linemen who played at least 50% of their defensive snaps last season. The bad news is that none of the three -- Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu and Thomas Booker IV -- were especially good last season, combining for 12 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. Free agent addition Benito Jones, 2025 fourth-rounder Tonka Hemingway and 2025 sixth-rounder JJ Pegues also struggled last season and will compete for snaps up front.
Unit to watch: New York Jets
New York's defense quietly improved during the offseason, and the interior defensive line is a big part of the progression. Underrated T'Vondre Sweat was acquired from Tennessee and veteran David Onyemata was signed from the Falcons. The duo joins incumbents Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs, as well as fourth-round rookie Darrell Jackson Jr.
Edge rusher
Best: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers top the edge list for the second consecutive year. Last season, they ranked fourth in the NFL with a 41.3% pass rush win rate and were sixth with 48 sacks. T.J. Watt is not coming off his best campaign, but he was an All-Pro in each of his past five healthy seasons. Alex Highsmith is a terrific running mate with 37.0 sacks over the past four seasons. Nick Herbig registered a career-high 7.5 sacks last season, and his 24.7% pass rush win rate since entering the league in 2021 is second to only Micah Parsons.
Shakiest: Miami Dolphins
Injuries have derailed this position for Miami in recent seasons, but this time the personnel doesn't quite stack up. Third-year Chop Robinson is the headliner, and he saw a slip in playing time, sacks and pass-rush efficiency from Year 1 to 2. Robinson has the potential to improve in 2026, but his running mates have generally worked as depth/rotational players, including Josh Uche, Clelin Ferrell, Cameron Goode and David Ojabo. Those four players combined for 5.5 sacks last season -- 4.0 of which were from Ferrell.
Unit to watch: New York Giants
The Giants' 41.3% pass rush win rate ranked fifth in the NFL last season, and their edge trio is all back for 2026. Brian Burns is the headliner after finishing second to only Myles Garrett with 16.5 sacks last season. Abdul Carter was as advertised as a rookie, finishing seventh in the NFL with 53 pass-rush wins. Kayvon Thibodeaux's production was down with the addition of Carter, but he is as good as you'll find for a third edge. No. 5 overall pick Arvell Reese will focus on off-ball linebacker, but he should get some pass-rush work and would be the top edge rusher on a lot of teams.
Off-ball linebacker
Best: New York Jets
The 37-year-old Demario Davis is back after ranking 10th in the NFL with 143 tackles last season. He has now cleared 100 in nine consecutive seasons, totaling 36.5 sacks during that span. The future Hall of Famer will team up with Jamien Sherwood, whose 308 tackles over the past two seasons ranked second most in the NFL.
Shakiest: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts weren't as aggressive as expected in upgrading their linebacker room after ranking 30th in pass rush win rate (29.1%) and 25th in run stop win rate (29.2%) last season. Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt departed, and the team is hoping to replace them with journeyman Akeem Davis-Gaither, second-round pick CJ Allen and fourth-round pick Bryce Boettcher. Davis-Gaither has played situationally during most of his six NFL seasons, but he and the rookies will battle for every-down work in 2026.
Unit to watch: Buffalo Bills
Terrel Bernard remains the team's top LB, but he has battled injuries (nine total games missed) and ineffectiveness (poor Pro Football Focus grades) in each of the past two seasons. Running mate Dorian Williams has generally been a situational player, but he might need to play an expanded role this season. Fourth-round rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr and special-teamer Joe Andreessen are his primary competitors for snaps. Due to its LB situation, Buffalo could lean a bit more on three-safety looks in the post-Sean McDermott era.
Cornerback
Best: Houston Texans
Derek Stingley Jr. is one of the league's top cornerbacks, ranking first at the position in both passes defensed (46) and interceptions (14) over the past three seasons. He's joined on the perimeter by 23-year-old Kamari Lassiter, whose 17 passes defensed last season ranked sixth in the NFL. Jalen Pitre is among the league's most versatile and productive defenders, operating as Houston's primary slot corner and handling safety duties in base coverage. Jaylin Smith -- a 2025 third-round pick -- also adds upside from the bench.
Shakiest: Miami Dolphins
It's Miami for the second year in a row. On paper, this is arguably worse group than the one that allowed a 58.3 QBR last season (fifth worst). First-round rookie Chris Johnson does offer some hope, as he figures to immediately step in as an every-down starter. Storm Duck, slot Jason Marshall Jr., Darrell Baker Jr. JuJu Brents and Marco Wilson should battle for substantial roles.
Unit to watch: Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys' roster is looking pretty solid, so an unproven cornerback room very well could make or break their season. It's an area that must be better after Dallas finished dead last in defensive EPA, allowed a 58.4 QBR (29th) and generated only six INTs in 2025. DaRon Bland battled injuries last season but remains the clear star of this group. Ex-Rams Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick were signed this offseason, battling second-year man Shavon Revel Jr. (last among CBs in PFF grade in 2025), fourth-round rookie Devin Moore and others for starting roles.
Safety
Best: Baltimore Ravens
Kyle Hamilton is one of the league's best defenders and only entering his age-25 season. He led all NFL safeties in pass-rush attempts last season; he finished top 10 at the position in tackles, passes defensed and tackles for loss. Hamilton is joined in the back end by 2025 first-round pick Malaki Starks, who was solid as a rookie. And the Ravens signed Jaylinn Hawkins, who was solid as an every-down player for the Patriots last season. All three players played at least 950 snaps in 2025.
Shakiest: Miami Dolphins
With Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ashtyn Davis gone, 2025 fifth-rounder Dante Trader Jr. and journeyman Lonnie Johnson Jr. are strong candidates to start. Trader racked up 48 tackles as a rookie in 2025, but he was limited to a situational role for 15 games. Johnson is best as a depth piece and hasn't appeared in more than nine games in a season since 2021. Rookie Michael Taaffe (Round 5) and veteran Zayne Anderson (141 defensive snaps in four seasons) are also in the mix.
Unit to watch: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were a strong candidate for "shakiest." Reed Blankenship signed with Houston, which positions second-year man Andrew Mukuba (who missed half of his rookie season with a fractured ankle) and Marcus Epps (a backup for most of 2025) as the team's top full-time options. Cooper DeJean should also get some run at safety, but he is the team's primary slot corner.
Overall
Best: Los Angeles Rams
Simply put, the Rams have one of the best teams on paper of the past decade. It starts with reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, but it goes much deeper than that.
Offensively, the team has a terrific line, a formidable running back duo, an elite wide receiver duo, and a five-deep tight end room that includes a pair of second-round picks. It's hard to find a weak spot defensively, as Garrett joins a terrific front seven and Trent McDuffie -- one of the league's top corners -- helps upgrade the secondary. Add in an elite coach Sean McVay and the Rams are a good bet to be playing at home in Super Bowl LXI.
Shakiest: Miami Dolphins
This should not be a surprise considering Miami had the shakiest unit at half of the positions on this list. A last-place case could've also been made for quarterback, where 27-year-old starter Malik Willis has just 155 pass attempts to his name.
Running back De'Von Achane is a baller, but he has little help and has to run behind a shaky offensive line. The defense has a few solid players, including linebacker Jordyn Brooks and defensive tackle Zach Sieler, but there are weak spots all over the unit. Needless to say, the Dolphins are in full-on rebuild mode with new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and new coach Jeff Hafley. The only way for them to be competitive is if Willis emerges into a star.
Team to watch: Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys haven't been to the Super Bowl since the 1994 season, but perhaps they make their best push since with this competitive roster. Quarterback Dak Prescott has a solid offensive line in front of him, as well as an elite wide receiver duo in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The defense was a massive problem in 2025, allowing a league-high 30.1 points per game, but there's plenty of hope for it to be better this season.
Rashan Gary, Dee Winters, Cobie Durant and Jalen Thompson were savvy additions, while first-round rookies Malachi Lawrence and Caleb Downs should also be big factors. Along with Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Donovan Ezeiruaku, DeMarvion Overshown, Bland and Malik Hooker, you suddenly have what looks like a solid unit. With a productive offense and serviceable defense, Dallas should be squarely in the NFC playoff mix.
