{"id":661197,"date":"2026-05-10T05:01:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T05:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/661197\/"},"modified":"2026-05-10T05:01:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T05:01:10","slug":"dustin-bakers-post-draft-nfl-power-rankings-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/661197\/","title":{"rendered":"Dustin Baker\u2019s Post-Draft NFL Power Rankings | 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NFL Draft is in the rearview by two weeks, a couple of free agents<\/a> have signed here and there, and rookie minicamps are blooming around the country. That means it\u2019s time for power rankings, courtesy of VikingsTerritory.<\/p>\n

The draft and free agency reshuffled the league, but Minnesota<\/a> still lands in the middle tier.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll publish one more batch before Week 1, but here\u2019s our pecking order in May.<\/p>\n

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Minnesota Checks in behind the NFL\u2019s Clear Contenders<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s your No. 1?<\/p>\n

\"MarvinArizona Cardinals<\/a> wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) walks off the field after a game against the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> on Sep. 15, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona<\/a>. Harrison quickly became one of the NFL\u2019s most closely watched young receivers because of his polished route-running and immediate offensive impact. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images.32. Arizona Cardinals<\/p>\n

Heading into a regular season with Jacoby Brissett<\/a> and Carson Beck<\/a> as proposed quarterback solutions is wild \u2014 and screams \u201cWe want Arch Manning<\/a>, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

31. Cleveland Browns<\/a><\/p>\n

Heading into a regular season with hasn\u2019t-been-good-since-2020 Deshaun Watson<\/a>, Shedeur Sanders<\/a>, Dillon Gabriel<\/a>, and Taylen Green<\/a> as proposed quarterback solutions is wild \u2014 and screams \u201cWe want Arch Manning, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

30. New York Jets<\/a><\/p>\n

The roster talent is there, but Aaron Glenn just overhauled his entire coaching staff. In the end, we don\u2019t trust the Jets to be any different than last year. Geno Smith<\/a> as the fix-all is lunacy.<\/p>\n

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29. Miami Dolphins<\/a><\/p>\n

The Dolphins\u2019 roster just doesn\u2019t have the firepower to hang with its peers. Not yet, anyway. Go look at the wide receivers here<\/a>. The group could be the Minnesota Vikings<\/a>\u2019 practice squad, and that\u2019s not an exaggeration.<\/p>\n

28. Las Vegas Raiders<\/a><\/p>\n

The Raiders will stabilize, mainly because Klint Kubiak<\/a> has the mind to be an effective head coach. It just won\u2019t happen as soon as 2026, especially when Las Vegas<\/a> will play Los Angeles<\/a>, Kansas City<\/a>, and Denver<\/a> six times.<\/p>\n

27. Tennessee Titans<\/a><\/p>\n

The Titans have the perk of living in a division that isn\u2019t gangbusters. But Cam Ward<\/a> quietly had worse efficiency metrics than J.J. McCarthy<\/a> in 2025, and nobody cared. This feels like a year where the Titans go 6-11, and that\u2019s considered a step forward.<\/p>\n

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26. Atlanta Falcons<\/a><\/p>\n

Michael Penix Jr<\/a>. and Tua Tagovailoa<\/a> will split starts, which has all the makings of a 7-10 finish.<\/p>\n

25. New Orleans Saints<\/a><\/p>\n

This may be too low; we\u2019ll admit it. But we have to see Tyler Shough<\/a> turn the corner into a stable QB1 to believe it. Thankfully, the Saints finally removed themselves from salary cap hell.<\/p>\n

24. Indianapolis Colts<\/a><\/p>\n

The Colts started the season hot, but when they faced serious opponents in 2025, they began losing. We believe the true Colts identity came to light last December \u2014 not September.<\/p>\n

23. Carolina Panthers<\/a>\"JayceeCarolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn<\/a> (8) stands on the field during first-quarter action on Jan. 7, 2024, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Horn later emerged as one of the NFL\u2019s most respected young defensive backs when healthy, showcasing physical coverage skills and versatility in Carolina\u2019s secondary. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n

Carolina reached the postseason in 2025. Its defense ranked 22nd in the NFL per DVOA. Our perception is that the Panthers were lucky to wiggle into the postseason.<\/p>\n

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22. Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a><\/p>\n

Mike McCarthy will make sure these boys will finish 9-8. Is that good? That\u2019s up to Steelers fans to decide.<\/p>\n

21. New York Giants<\/a><\/p>\n

If Dart develops in Year No. 2, the Giants can finish 10-7 and reach the playoffs. Versus the Vikings, though, he played an imbecile, and we just can\u2019t shake that lasting memory.<\/p>\n

20. Washington Commanders<\/a><\/p>\n

If Jayden Daniels<\/a> stays healthy, this will be a 9-8 club at worst. Somehow, Dan Quinn coached the NFL\u2019s fifth-worst defense in 2025. That\u2019s scary, and it keeps them out of the Top 15 of power rankings.<\/p>\n

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a><\/p>\n

Another one that\u2019s probably too low \u2014 the Buccaneers have the perk of an \u201ceasy\u201d division, where each team is about the same caliber. They\u2019ll be 8-9, 9-8, or 10-7, and keep their current status: not a serious Super Bowl contender<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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18. Chicago Bears<\/a><\/p>\n

In 2022, we watched as the Vikings won nearly every close game, convincing the fan base that they were a \u201cteam of destiny.\u201d The 2025 Bears did the same thing. Like Minnesota in 2023, Chicago\u2019s close-game luck will return to this solar system, and the Bears will finish in last place in the NFC North at 8-9 or so.<\/p>\n

17. Cincinnati Bengals<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s all about the defense, baby. Every year, folks wonder if the defense will catch up to the offense and if Joe Burrow<\/a> will stay healthy. Here we are again.<\/p>\n

16. Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n

The Vikings finished 2025 with a winning record, despite the NFL\u2019s fifth-worst quarterback performance per EPA\/Play. Now, they have Kyler Murray<\/a>. With Brian Flores\u2019s No. 3-ranked defense, Murray and the Vikings will finish the season with an 11-6 or 12-5 record.<\/p>\n

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15. Green Bay Packers<\/a><\/p>\n

If the Packers didn\u2019t have Micah Parsons<\/a>, Minnesota would leapfrog them in these power rankings. It remains mind-boggling that of all 31 NFL teams Jerry Jones could\u2019ve shipped Parsons, it just had to be the Packers.<\/p>\n

14. New England Patriots<\/a><\/p>\n

The Patriots had a strength-of-schedule oddity that analysts will study for years. A book may be written about it. New England<\/a> will face the real world in 2026 without a cakewalk schedule.<\/p>\n

13. Dallas Cowboys<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking of Jerry Jones, he rebuilt the defense in a single offseason. Dallas will reach the postseason.<\/p>\n

12. Denver Broncos<\/a><\/p>\n

We\u2019re still not on board with Bo Nix<\/a> as a franchise quarterback. At some point, not being able to drive the ball downfield will mean something. The rest of the team is in great shape, though.<\/p>\n

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11. Los Angeles Chargers<\/a><\/p>\n

Trusting Jim Harbaugh is wise, but one must ask if it will ever net a Super Bowl. Is Justin Herbert<\/a> cut out for that? He seems to have eternal Matthew Stafford-like sympathy around the league.<\/p>\n

10. Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a><\/p>\n

Jacksonville\u2019s defense ranked sixth-best in the NFL last year per DVOA, and Trevor Lawrence<\/a> is figuring it out in real-time. Look out.<\/p>\n

9. Detroit Lions<\/a>\"AidanDetroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson<\/a> (97) waves to fans after a 34-27 victory over the New York Giants on Nov. 23, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit<\/a>, Michigan. Hutchinson continued building his reputation as one of the NFL\u2019s premier young edge rushers during Detroit\u2019s successful 2025 campaign. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

The Lions\u2019 roster is too complete for another crummy season. Their Super Bowl window closed the day they coughed up the NFC Championship to the San Francisco 49ers<\/a>, but Detroit will win the NFC North with a 12-5 record and lose in Round 1 or 2.<\/p>\n

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8. Houston Texans<\/a><\/p>\n

This team\u2019s defense is deadly. Utterly deadly. If C.J. Stroud<\/a> does not rebound, DeMeco Ryans<\/a> can toss Davis Mills<\/a> in the lineup, and the Texans will still finish 11-6.<\/p>\n

7. Kansas City Chiefs<\/a><\/p>\n

You\u2019re going to find out that Kansas City\u2019s woes in 2025 were a one-year pause. The dynasty can resume. There is no rule against it.<\/p>\n

6. Baltimore Ravens<\/a><\/p>\n

Like the Lions, the Ravens\u2019 roster is wonderful. Just in case Lamar Jackson<\/a> suffers a Cam Newton-like slowdown \u2014 the abrupt kind \u2014 Baltimore must try to win it all this year.<\/p>\n

5. San Francisco 49ers<\/p>\n

The 49ers added Mike Evans<\/a>, Osa Odighizuwa<\/a>, and Christian Kirk<\/a> this offseason. That will matter. 12-5 at worst.<\/p>\n

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4. Philadelphia Eagles<\/a><\/p>\n

This is usually about the time on the Nick Sirianni lunar cycle when the Eagles start winning, and the weird strife behind the scenes vanishes. Howie Roseman\u2019s roster construction keeps Philadelphia in the Top 4.<\/p>\n

3. Seattle Seahawks<\/a>\"SamSeattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold<\/a> (14) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi\u2019s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Darnold completed one of the NFL\u2019s most surprising turnaround stories by guiding Seattle to a championship victory. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

Tip of the cap to Sam Darnold<\/a> for winning the Super Bowl and making the Vikings look like damn buffoons. Now, he has to stay consistent year by year to prove his staying power as a Top 12 quarterback.<\/p>\n

2. Buffalo Bills<\/a><\/p>\n

Is this the year?<\/p>\n

1. Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n

There isn\u2019t a single aspect of the Rams\u2019 roster, coaching staff \u2014 or anything \u2014 to dislike. They have everything. They could even get away with reaching for a rookie quarterback (Ty Simpson<\/a>) just for kicks and giggles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The NFL Draft is in the rearview by two weeks, a couple of free agents have signed here…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":661198,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[28783,708,5888,1258,1276,64,63,631,17469,1261,5377,5372,1257,104240,1248,86694,1252,1238,1234,30696,5382,3897,1256,21977,12266,3055,1266,1279,1243,1255,1246,1282,1237,55564,138558,2363,629,24606,13521,1240,5380,628,2623,1250,481,3052,1263,24247,23174,1233,1245,5346,21176,5387,1239,5384,1231,1249,1242,1235,593,96260,1260,1241,15666,1269,1262,1254,1244,85,1247,232766,1253,6578,5379,76895,1271,1272],"class_list":["post-661197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-aidan-hutchinson","tag-arch-manning","tag-arizona","tag-arizona-cardinals","tag-atlanta-falcons","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-baltimore-ravens","tag-bo-nix","tag-buffalo-bills","tag-c-j-stroud","tag-cam-ward","tag-carolina-panthers","tag-carson-beck","tag-chicago-bears","tag-christian-kirk","tag-cincinnati-bengals","tag-cleveland-browns","tag-dallas-cowboys","tag-davis-mills","tag-demeco-ryans","tag-denver","tag-denver-broncos","tag-deshaun-watson","tag-detroit","tag-detroit-lions","tag-dillon-gabriel","tag-geno-smith","tag-green-bay-packers","tag-houston-texans","tag-indianapolis-colts","tag-j-j-mccarthy","tag-jacksonville-jaguars","tag-jacoby-brissett","tag-jaycee-horn","tag-jayden-daniels","tag-joe-burrow","tag-justin-herbert","tag-kansas-city","tag-kansas-city-chiefs","tag-kyler-murray","tag-lamar-jackson","tag-las-vegas","tag-las-vegas-raiders","tag-los-angeles","tag-los-angeles-chargers","tag-los-angeles-rams","tag-mandatory-credit","tag-marvin-harrison","tag-miami-dolphins","tag-micah-parsons","tag-michael-penix-jr","tag-mike-evans","tag-minnesota","tag-minnesota-vikings","tag-new-england","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-new-orleans-saints","tag-new-york-giants","tag-new-york-jets","tag-nfl","tag-osa-odighizuwa","tag-philadelphia-eagles","tag-pittsburgh-steelers","tag-power-rankings","tag-sam-darnold","tag-san-francisco-49ers","tag-seattle-seahawks","tag-shedeur-sanders","tag-sports","tag-tampa-bay-buccaneers","tag-taylen-green","tag-tennessee-titans","tag-trevor-lawrence","tag-tua-tagovailoa","tag-ty-simpson","tag-tyler-shough","tag-washington-commanders"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=661197"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661197\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/661198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=661197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=661197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=661197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}