2026 Preseason Power Rankings
As another season of football is upon us, the gentlemen wait in anticipation. What's waiting for us in 2026?
As we learn year in and year out - football is unpredictable. It's part of it's wonder. One moment, you can be on top of the world with nothing but bright skies ahead and confidence that your team is in for an amazing decade full of deep playoff runs. Take the Commanders, who one year removed from a top 3 pick ended up in the NFC Championship game in 2025. At the beginning of last season, there was little cause for concern. Then comes the storm. Injuries, coaching changes and tough losses. Who could have guessed this team would go from one game away from the Super Bowl to 5-12 the following season?
Or take the Lions - a team that's had an upward trajectory since Dan Campbell took over missed the playoffs in a very tough division. What will happen in 2026? Could this team realistically miss the playoffs or win the Super Bowl? I think so.
The Broncos became king of clutch time, and were one injury away from likely being in the Superbowl last year. Awaiting there was the most dominant team in the NFL last year, led by an incredible defense, Kenneth Walker, JSN & ... Sam Darnold. This team was ranked 17th going into last season in ESPNs power rankings. They became a dominant Super Bowl champion. It can't be understated how chaotic and ever-changing this sport really is.
What will happen in the NFC South, where my beloved Falcons and Collin's disgusting Buccaneers face off in a division that nobody deserves to win. (The Falcons will win)
How will Cam Ward or CJ Stroud look this year? Will Cam take the next step? Will CJ get back into a flow that he had entering the league?
There's so many unanswered questions entering this football season, and everything that happens on the football field can affect who will win the championship in this league full of Gentlemen.
Let's dive into the annual power rankings, and let the results fall where they may.
Tier 1: 2000-2002 Lakers
1. In Pitts We Trust
The back to back previous champ. It's time to win the third.
I really hope I'm not jinxing this.. because my team has been incredibly fortunate injury wise for two years in a row.
CMC, Bijan and King Henry stayed healthy for every single game of the year. As did Caleb, Dak and Kyle Pitts - yes that Kyle Pitts.. the TE2 of the year. The Kyle Pitts that took the Buccaneers from the playoffs to watching the Panthers play from the couch.
My team has limited WR depth, but looks poised for another dominant run. As Kyle continues to ascend to the best Tight End on the planet, it's going to be harder and harder for others to catch up.
Tier 2: Legit Contenders
Footballers
This team hasn't made any moves in a while, but the QB room of Jayden & Josh puts this team at a baseline floor if these two players stay healthy. With Gibbs, and the dominant TE pairing of Brock Bowers and Trey Mcbride ... this team is one that if they stay healthy it's hard to see them without a top 4 seed going into the playoffs.
The only other concern - will the trio of Olave/Wilson/Egbuka perform reliably over the season? If so - this is definately a team you don't want to see come playoff time.
3. All Bench no Bite
There's been some real NFL player movement that could give this team a ceiling it didn't have last year. Kenneth Walkers to the Chiefs. AJ Brown to the Patriots. Can the Eagles offense progress and allow Saquon to be the fantasy football cheat code he has been in years past? This team is very solid from top to bottom, and has potential upside we have yet to see. It's hard to imagine this team missing the big dance, and anything can happen once that starts.
Tier 2: The Likely Playoff-Bound Squad
4. Ass Etienne SZN
The only thing stopping this team from being a powerhouse is the owner & GM, Michael Mann. He has gotten incredibly lucky recently, snagging a rising Jaxon Dart and holding onto JSN as he ascneded into the WR1 last year. This team ha a lot of talent... but does it have the right owner?
5. RBS WHTM
Another team with upside baked into their QBs, with Lamar and Jalen leading the superflex position. If Lamar comes back into form, this gives RBWHTM a player that can win weeks by himself. How will DJ Moore and Brian Thomas perform this year? Couple that with the occasionally injured and often publicly scrutinized Puka Nacua, and this team feels the most unpredictable of them all to me. If everything goes right, they could easily be holding the trophy at the end of the year. If the injury bug strikes again, they could be on the outside looking in.
6. Shoughin and Jivin
The amont of injuries that has hit this QB room in the last few years has been brutal. Thankfully for Aaron, a wild Tyler Shough appeared and seems to have the starting QB spot locked up in New Orleans. He also happens to run a bit, giving this team added Superflex stability with upside. There is a lot of young talent on this roster that could finish top 10-15 in their position, or top 30. Breece Hall, Ladd, Jaylen Waddle and Tucker Kraft all feel like good starters that good be great this year. Luther Burden and Marvin Harrison have a wide range of possible outcomes, from barely startable to being absolute studs.
If a few of these players hit their upside this year, it seems likely this team makes the playoffs. If several of them do, this team could be a dark horse to win it all.
Tier 3 - Not good but not bad
7. Bakers Dozen IR
There is upside here, I'll admit that. Nico Collins, Devonta Smith and Bucky Irving are the guys that could perform much better than expected. Devonta Smith is now the WR1 in Philadelphia, and his upside for the year is completely unknown. How will Bucky be used now that he's healthy? And if CJ Stroud finds his groove, Nico will be the main recipient of it.
This team could still make the playoffs and give a team a scare, but beyond that it's hard to imagine much more. Also #fucthebucs
Beans on Toast
Malik Nabers and George Pickens.. two players with immense upside but very real risk. Tet McMillan could be an absolute stud this year. This team has questionable flex play, but could make the playoffs is a few things swing right. Likely not, but feasible.
Darnolds Disciples
Some upper tier talent but very limited players in the flex. I think Justin Jefferson has a major bounce back year, but it likely won't be enough for this team to make the playoffs.
Tier 4 - This ain't your year x 3
10. Cosby’s Sleepers
Someone has to be last, and unfortunately, it’s you.. again. The QB situation is solid, and you have two great young RBS. But folks, this is what it looks like if you let your veteran players age out on your roster without making any moves. They get old, you get no young talent and suddenly you are starting Cooper Kupp and Mike Gesicki week 1. It's gonna be a long year.
Comments