After visiting a handful of training camps and speaking to dozens of coaches and executives around the NFL, I compiled intel and insights on all 32 NFL teams. The information ranges from a broad overview of how a team could fare this season to other more specific tidbits regarding particular players and roster construction.<\/p>\n
We have a lot of ground to cover, so let\u2019s get to it.<\/p>\n
AFC EastBuffalo Bills<\/p>\n
Quarterback Josh Allen is so widely respected that there are coaches and executives around the league who have highlight packages built of his most improbable plays. Of course, there\u2019s a practical use for that scouting material when they have to prepare for Buffalo, but Allen has such a habit of making the impossible look routine that there\u2019s almost an embedded element within the competition of, \u201cWhat more could we do?\u201d<\/p>\n
Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n
The Dolphins are at the start of a mountainous rebuild, but they\u2019re off to a nice start with their pair of first-round picks. They pegged offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor as their priority before the draft and were elated when he fell to No. 11. Proctor is expected to stay at left guard as a rookie, but he could move around in the future. Cornerback Chris Johnson, the 27th pick, was widely adored around the league, too. The Dolphins have a long way to go in their rebuild, but they appear to be off to a strong start.\u00a0<\/p>\n
New England Patriots<\/p>\n
Quarterback Drake Maye has operated with more confidence and comfort behind the scenes in his second year with coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. While Maye had a blistering debut for the duo, finishing second in the MVP voting, there\u2019s belief within the building that another jump is coming.<\/p>\n
New York Jets<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a recipe for the Jets to experience a dose of success, which is a relative term for an organization that hasn\u2019t won more than seven games in a season since 2015. QB Geno Smith should be competitive behind a solid offensive line. If the Jets can build a lead, they can create headaches with their explosive pair of pass rushers, of course sparked by No. 2 pick David Bailey. One other note: There\u2019s some belief around the league that rookie fourth-round quarterback Cade Klubnik might also be a legit backup.<\/p>\n
Will the Bills surpass the Patriots in the AFC East?<\/p>\n
Joe Buscaglia<\/p>\n
AFC NorthBaltimore Ravens<\/p>\n
Rookie head coach Jesse Minter<\/a> has quickly established his voice in the building, as players have bought into his message and defensive scheme. He has really emphasized the importance of everyone seeing and reading the play together, which is a process that takes time. As that vision comes into clearer focus, the Ravens should find a spark under a promising young defensive mind.<\/p>\n Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n While the defense had badly deteriorated over the past two seasons, the Bengals feel better about where they\u2019re trending. Offseason additions Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook have been their best players in training camp, while rookie defensive end Cashius Howell looks primed for a strong start. Quarterback Joe Burrow didn\u2019t have nearly as many easy days during training camp as he has in the past.<\/p>\n Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n The Browns entered the offseason with the belief that Deshaun Watson would be their starter in 2026, so the outcome of the competition with Shedeur Sanders really shouldn\u2019t have been a surprise. Watson, who has won nine of 19 starts since joining the Browns in 2022, will apparently get one more chance. Still, Sanders\u2019 next promotion feels inevitable.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Steelers<\/p>\n Quarterback Aaron Rodgers could conceivably have his best group of receivers in his post-Packers era if Roman Wilson and rookie Germie Bernard can get off to a fast start, though that\u2019s easier said than done with Rodgers demanding so much trust. Veteran Michael Pittman Jr. gives DK Metcalf a much more reliable running mate to take a slight amount of pressure off the younger, more unproven duo.<\/p>\n AFC SouthHouston Texans<\/p>\n Quarterback C.J. Stroud has made a jump as a leader this offseason, according to those around him, and he has taken more ownership of the offense. This could be a career-defining season for Stroud, who needs to prove to the Texans that he\u2019s worth a contract extension now that he\u2019s eligible. So far, there\u2019s belief the offense is coming together for head coach DeMeco Ryans, though it feels unrealistic to assume they can replace the expected production from wideout Jayden Higgins, who tore his ACL last month.<\/p>\n Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n Coach Shane Steichen\u2019s work with quarterback Daniel Jones has not gone unnoticed by his peers. While we were getting a feel for the league\u2019s best play callers in our annual survey<\/a>, four voters had Steichen on their ballots. It\u2019s admittedly a small sample size, but Steichen still received the same number of votes as Sean Payton and Matt LaFleur. That\u2019s worthy recognition.<\/p>\n Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n Trevor Lawrence is well-positioned to make a jump in his second season in coach Liam Coen\u2019s system<\/a>. It was also going to require time for Lawrence to take ownership of Coen\u2019s offense, and there\u2019s been a lot to like about his growth this summer, according to those around the Jaguars. With Brian Thomas primed to have a much better season as a big-play threat, Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington as trusted possession targets and Travis Hunter ready to step out of the phone booth, the picture is coming into focus for Lawrence.<\/p>\n Tennessee Titans<\/p>\n There is serious concern around the league over the Titans\u2019 ability to protect quarterback Cam Ward, who tied Geno Smith last year in sacks taken (55). Like any young QB, Ward saw his consistency and confidence dip under duress as a rookie. The Titans invested at receiver with No. 4 pick Carnell Tate and free-agent addition Wan\u2019Dale Robinson, but the line looks thin.<\/p>\n AFC WestDenver Broncos<\/p>\n Patrick Surtain II isn\u2019t just viewed as the best cornerback in the league. He\u2019s also the most prominent difference maker at the position, which is a nice distinction relative to the young quality at corner around the NFL. Surtain was the only cornerback who received votes in two league survey questions<\/a> about prime trade targets and defensive closers.<\/p>\n Kansas City Chiefs<\/p>\n Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo\u2019s reputation is well-established, and he\u2019s still maddeningly frustrating to compete against. Coaches around the league rave about Spagnuolo\u2019s ability to enter a game with a plan and then build counterattacks from there. He knows how offenses will adjust to his looks, so he\u2019ll evolve throughout the game, and that\u2019s even more of a challenge in the fourth quarter when the Chiefs are playing with a lead.<\/p>\n Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n Running back Ashton Jeanty had blown away Raiders brass before his ankle sprain, so there\u2019s real optimism that he\u2019ll have a terrific season \u2014 an element that\u2019ll be aided by a better-coached offensive line. New head coach Klint Kubiak knows he\u2019ll need to rely on his best skill players, Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers, because they have a thin receiver group. Rookie running back Mike Washington has also impressed enough to earn a real role, to the point where the Raiders could comfortably lean on him if needed.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n Coach Jim Harbaugh loves to establish the ground game, while offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has proven proficient at designing a rushing attack. They should be an excellent pair in that regard if they can hit the right chord, though McDaniel was criticized for diverting from the run a bit too frequently as head coach of the Dolphins.<\/p>\n NFC EASTDallas Cowboys<\/p>\n Rival teams believe quarterback Dak Prescott is primed for a massive year in his second season with coach Brian Schottenheimer. It won\u2019t matter if the defense doesn\u2019t make huge strides, but there\u2019s no denying they\u2019ve added plenty of intriguing pieces since the controversial Micah Parsons trade. Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark are strong in the middle, and they\u2019ll be more dangerous on the edge if first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence shines early and Rashan Gary and Von Miller have enough left in the tank. There\u2019s every reason to believe safety and fellow first-round rookie Caleb Downs will become a generational leader in Dallas.<\/p>\n Which NFL team that missed the playoffs last year can make it this year?<\/p>\n Jeff Howe and Rachael Tinde<\/p>\n New York Giants<\/p>\n Coach John Harbaugh is expected to ride the ground game to help quarterback Jaxson Dart as much as possible. And like their counterparts in New Jersey, the Giants can be scary if they can build early leads. Outside linebackers Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux, as well as inside linebacker Arvell Reese, are as athletic as any collection of rushers in the league.<\/p>\n Philadelphia Eagles<\/p>\n There was quite a bit of drama last season with the Eagles, but rival teams weren\u2019t sure trading wideout A.J. Brown<\/a> was the solution. The Eagles have lost key leadership pieces in recent years, and there\u2019s going to be a heavy focus in Philly on quarterback Jalen Hurts\u2019 performance without Brown. No one is writing off the Eagles, but some concerns shouldn\u2019t be ignored.<\/p>\n Washington Commanders<\/p>\n The Commanders had an underwhelming preseason as they continue to adjust to new offensive coordinator David Blough and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. There\u2019s internal belief that Blough and quarterback Jayden Daniels are well-suited for one another, but there\u2019s been some growing pains. The injuries on defense have disrupted their rhythm on that side, as well.<\/p>\n NFC NorthChicago Bears<\/p>\n Quarterback Caleb Williams was at his best during a league-high six fourth-quarter comebacks last season, and one playoff team said they were \u201cscared s\u2014less\u201d to possibly draw the Bears due to his late-game heroics. But there\u2019s also a consistent opinion around the NFL that Williams must be more consistent on schedule to really elevate his game. Williams faced a steep learning curve from Lincoln Riley\u2019s college offense, so time was always going to be a requirement for Williams. If he can close that gap, he\u2019ll quickly become one of the league\u2019s best.<\/p>\n What we’re watching from Caleb Williams in 2026<\/p>\n Kevin Fishbain and Dan Wiederer<\/p>\n Detroit Lions<\/p>\n Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown doesn\u2019t just play with his hair on fire in games. Lions newcomers quickly learn St. Brown is also a maniac on the practice field and expects everyone to bring the same intense focus. There\u2019s an intimidation factor to match his energy. St. Brown is on the short list of guys who epitomize coach Dan Campbell\u2019s culture.<\/p>\n Green Bay Packers<\/p>\n With Jeff Hafley off to Miami, the Packers have done a sound job of keeping the defense vanilla under new coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Opponents are obviously expecting to see concepts from Gannon\u2019s time with the Eagles and Cardinals, but the Packers have established an element of surprise that\u2019ll only be heightened when star pass rusher Micah Parsons returns sometime after the first month of the season.<\/p>\n Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n The starting quarterback decision came down to consistency. Kyler Murray was simply more consistent than J.J. McCarthy, and the outcome didn\u2019t seem overly surprising. Murray wowed the Vikings with his athleticism this summer, and he has a chance to reclaim some of his magic under highly regarded head coach Kevin O\u2019Connell. Murray\u2019s versatility is unlike anything O\u2019Connell has had at the position in Minnesota.<\/p>\n NFC SouthAtlanta Falcons<\/p>\n Michael Penix Jr.\u2019s recovery from a torn ACL was always going to butt up against the start of the regular season, so the Falcons had to prioritize Tua Tagovailoa\u2019s readiness for Week 1.<\/a> But with an overhauled leadership regime that inherited Penix, the Falcons needed a thorough assessment of each quarterback before the season. Unless the Falcons get off to a surprisingly hot start, don\u2019t write off Penix for 2026, especially with Tagovailoa\u2019s back already an issue during camp.<\/p>\n Carolina Panthers<\/p>\n Quarterback Bryce Young can earn an extension with his best season on the field, but could he be destined to play out his fifth-year option if he\u2019s up and down yet again? Another potential factor to consider: General manager Dan Morgan oversaw Young\u2019s scouting throughout the pre-draft process back when he was the assistant GM, so there\u2019s added incentive for this to work.<\/p>\n New Orleans Saints<\/p>\n The Saints have held firm internal belief in quarterback Tyler Shough<\/a> since last season, and they continue to believe he\u2019ll take another jump if he plays within himself. Shough\u2019s leadership is also through the roof, according to those around the Saints, as evidenced by his ability to work with Drew Brees to organize a five-day offseason passing camp in San Diego with his top targets.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/p>\n