Rams Top 2026 NFL Power Rankings as Seahawks Slip to No. 2

5 articles · Updated · The Ringer · May 21

Los Angeles moved to No. 1 in the 2026 offseason rankings, edging defending champion Seattle after the draft, free agency and schedule release left most rosters largely set.
The Rams’ case rests on reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay’s offense and secondary upgrades with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, though Puka Nacua’s legal issues and a debated No. 13 pick of Ty Simpson cloud the outlook.
Seattle fell to No. 2 despite its Super Bowl LX title, with the main question centered on whether Sam Darnold can sustain his play under first-time play caller Brian Fleury.
Denver landed at No. 3 as the top AFC team, followed by Buffalo at No. 4 and Houston at No. 5, while Philadelphia, Detroit, New England, Baltimore and Green Bay rounded out the top 10.
The rankings frame the post-draft league around Super Bowl trust rather than raw talent, with only limited post-June 1 trades or late signings still likely to shift the picture.

With off-field drama and a controversial draft pick, are the top-ranked Rams built on a shaky foundation?

In the NFL's messiest QB battle, can Deshaun Watson salvage his career against a fifth-round rookie?

Can Patrick Mahomes's surgically repaired knee carry the weight of Kansas City's Super Bowl aspirations?