NFL Power Rankings Before the Super Bowl: Top 2026 NFL Draft Target for Each Team

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NFL Power Rankings Before the Super Bowl: Top 2026 NFL Draft Target for Each Team

NFL Power Rankings Before the Super Bowl: Top 2026 NFL Draft Target for Each Team — Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Matt Johnson · Sportsnaut

Mon, Jan 26, 2026 ·

16 min read

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The road to the Super Bowl is finished, with the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots winning their respective conferences and now vying for the Lombardi Trophy at Levi's Stadium in two weeks.

Let's dive into our latest NFL power rankings before the Super Bowl. With Conference Championship Weekend wrapped up, we've taking a look at what the eliminate teams need in the 2026 NFL Draft and offering a mini Super Bowl outlook for the AFC and NFC champions.

1. Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are the team to beat in the Super Bowl. It starts with the league's best defense, a unit that'll be able to generate pressure on Drake Maye , neutralize the Patriots' run game and do a great job covering New England 's wideouts. Seattle also boasts a top-10 rushing attack since the second half of the season and now Sam Darnold is coming off a career-best performance in the biggest game of his career. Many believe the NFC Championship Game decided who would hoist the Lombardi Trophy, we agree.

2. New England Patriots

The New England Patriots will be a huge underdog in the Super Bowl. Narrowly defeating a team that started a quarterback who had not played since 2023 and played one of the easiest schedules in the last decade-plus will do that. With that said, Drake Maye has time and time again made plays in the biggest moments for New England this year. It also cannot be denied that the Patriots defense, now healthy, is performing at an elite level. Mike Vrabel will have more than enough bulletin board material to motivate this team; it will just be bizarre to see the Patriots treated as huge underdogs in a Super Bowl.

3. Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams have two first-round picks in 2026, picking 13th and 29th overall. Cornerback and offensive tackle are certainly positions to address and even quarterback is an option. With Atlanta 's selection, we think the choice should be Makai Lemon. Davante Adams is in a contract year and this Rams offense functions best when it has two great wide receivers. Lemon plays football in a way that Sean McVay will love, he is absurdly good at making contested catches for someone who is 5-foot-11 and he knows how to get open.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

A new Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator will help, but arguably the biggest issue with this unit in 2025 was the interior offensive line. Tyler Steen has not developed like the Eagles coaching staff wanted, and Landon Dickerson has not demonstrated that he can stay healthy. Vega Ioane is arguably a top-15 prospect in this class and he could quickly become an above-average starter for Philadelphia on the interior. Of course, he will also potentially slip to the Eagles in Round 1 because not a ton of value is placed on interior linemen.

5. Chicago Bears

It didn't exactly work out this season for the Chicago Bears with veteran Grady Jarrett. So, it stands to reason the front office will look to help out Dennis Allen's defense with some investment in the front seven this offseason. Kayden McDonald is arguably a top-20 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft but he falls due to positional values and team needs. He can be a massive presence the interior, helping both stuff the run and force opposing quartebacks to roll out of the pocket.

Read More: NFL Defense Rankings 2026

6. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have an outstanding defense but Dre Greenlaw only played eight regular-season games this season and linebacker Alex Singleton is a free agent. Picking toward the end of Round 1, linebacker CJ Allen could be perfect for Vance Joseph's group. The instincts and fundamentals Allen brings to the table him him pro-ready, so he could step in immediately and provide sound play.

7. San Francisco 49ers

Trent Williams might play for another two years, but the drop-off in the effectiveness of this San Francisco 49ers offense makes a succession plan necessary. Georgia Bulldogs tackle Monroe Freeling made significant strides this past year, pushing himself into Round 1 consideration. Let him learn behind Williams for a year or two and San Francisco will have its blindside protector for years to come.

8. Los Angeles Chargers

Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh are both free agents, creating an even more dire need at edge rusher following the departure of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. While Texas A&M edge defender Cashius Howell might only be a pass-rushing specialist right now, just ask the Atlanta Falcons how much of a difference it made to have James Pearce Jr. in that role this past season.

9. Green Bay Packers

As impactful as the Micah Parsons trade was for the Green Bay Packers, Kenny Clark departure left them with a massive void at nose tackle. The weakness on the defensive interior became even more evident when Devonte Wyatt was injured. Addressing that is a top priority in 2026. Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange is a space eater who can align at nose tackle, using his quickness and hands to be a disruptive force in the middle. Pairing him with Wyatt and Parsons would be a huge lift to the Green Bay defensive line.

10. Buffalo Bills

Perhaps a promotion following another devastating playoff loss is what convinces Brandon Beane that he needs to invest more at wide receiver. The Buffalo Bills are likely out of range to get Makai Lemon, but they should have a great shot at snagging Denzel Boston. Washington 6-foot-4 receiver is a solid route runner with strong hands. He will probably never be more than a No. 2 receiver in a great offense, but he offers a skill set that the Buffalo receiving corps needs.

11. Detroit Lions

Dan Skipper retired and Taylor Decker is not far behind him. In short, expect the Detroit Lions to use one of their premium picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on an offensive tackle. Caleb Lomu is not ready to start immediately, with his play strength and technique needing some work. With that said, he offers one of the highest ceilings among offensive line prospects in this class.

12. Jacksonville Jaguars

Ideally, the Jacksonville Jaguars would solve their glaring need at cornerback by moving Travis Hunter there full-time. However, the organization already stated it is going to try and make this two-way thing work again in 2026. So, with the team second-round pick, cornerback Colton Hood should be the target. He thrived this past season in Tennessee with explosiveness and instincts that could make him a nice boundary corner.

13. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans offensive line still needs a lot of work. Kadyn Proctor could develop into an offensive tackle long-term, but his more immediate role is on the interior. He is an absurd athlete for someone who stands at 6-foot-7 and 330 pounds, pairing that size with tremendous strength. Adding Proctor would be one of the first real steps the Texans front office has taken in a few years to make real improvements to the interior offensive line.

14. Kansas City Chiefs

Travis Kelce has demonstrated, even well past his prime, how impactful an athletic tight end can be in Andy Reid offense. Kenyon Sadiq might not ever reach a perennial All-Pro ceiling, but his athleticism at 6-foot-3 shows up in everything he does with the football in his hands. A dangerous YAC threat, Sadiq could slide into Kelce role and provide a level of playmaking that Kansas City has not gotten at tight end in a few years.

15. Baltimore Ravens

There is a very real chance that Nnamdi Madubuike never plays again, leaving an even bigger hole in a Baltimore Ravens defense that is dangerously thin up front. Enter Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods, who at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds shows a remarkable ability to create interior penetration and disrupt the center of the pocket. That is something Baltimore absolutely needs in Jesse Minter defense.

16. Atlanta Falcons

Following the hiring of head coach Kevin Stefanski, it is time for the Atlanta Falcons to pour even more resources into the offense. Standing at 6-foot-5, Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell offers an outstanding catch radius and excellent hands to go with that. Plus, he is an elite athlete for his size, and that would add a nice field-stretching element to the Falcons offense instead of the 5-foot-11 Darnell Mooney .

17. Dallas Cowboys

Pick a position defensively and the Dallas Cowboys should address it early in the NFL Draft. If linebacker Sonny Styles and the top two cornerbacks are off the board, then Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk should be a target. For Dallas, the 6-foot-6 edge defender would provide a starting-ready player who could stay on the field for all three downs.

18. Minnesota Vikings

It is truly remarkable that Brian Flores has designed a defense so effective for the Minnesota Vikings despite subpar play in the secondary. The front office will have an opportunity to change that in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mansoor Delane was arguably the best cornerback in college football this season, and his playing style would really seem to fit what Flores wants his corners to do.

19. New York Giants

We are all about the New York Giants going all-in this offseason on building a great core around quarterback Jaxson Dart . That plan should include using a first-round pick on a wide receiver. Jordyn Tyson would be the unquestioned No. 1 pass-catcher in the 2026 NFL Draft if not for some durability concerns. Still, he would be a great 1B partner for Malik Nabers , and the duo would truly elevate this passing game.

20. Carolina Panthers

Rueben Bain Jr. got most of the attention on the Miami defense, but edge rusher Akheem Mesidor also demonstrated this season that he is a first-round talent. While he offers the versatility to kick inside on pass-rushing downs, Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero would likely deploy him the most on the edge. For a defense that ended the season ranked 24th in ESPN pass-rush win rate (34 percent), Mesidor would be an excellent piece to pair with Derrick Brown.

21. New Orleans Saints

The right infrastructure needs to be in place for a team to maximize All-American running back Jeremiyah Love. We believe the New Orleans Saints offer that. Love would be an outstanding complementary piece to support quarterback Tyler Shough , as he is both an explosive ball-carrier and a very good pass-catching weapon who can be moved all over the field. Plus, New Orleans has built the caliber of offensive line that can amplify Love playmaking ability.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opted not to use their first-round pick in 2025 on a linebacker. That same decision should not be made if Sonny Styles is on the board. Ohio State standout off-ball linebacker shows the athleticism and range of a former safety, just in a 6-foot-4 frame. The instincts and consistency are areas for improvement, but we would love to see Styles spend the 2026 season mentored by Lavonte David .

23. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals simply need more talent defensively. Edge rusher is absolutely a consideration with Trey Hendrickson unlikely to return, but there is a chance the top two pass rushers are off the board when Cincinnati is on the clock. If that happens, the Bengals should snag All-American safety Caleb Downs . He is the kind of do-it-all defensive back that has not roamed the Cincinnati defense for years. A well-rounded skill set is precisely what the Bengals need.

24. Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts will not be making a pick until the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but they could still land a Week 1 starter with their top selection. Second-team All-American linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. development has not progressed quite as nicely as everyone hoped, but he remains an excellent athlete at 6-foot-3 with good instincts against the run. Plus, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo would have the option of deploying Hill as a blitzer.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers

It is time for the Pittsburgh Steelers to take a swing on their quarterback of the future. To be clear, Ty Simpson is not Kenny Pickett . The Alabama quarterback offers far better physical tools, but he is inexperienced and much less polished. Ideally, or at least making the best out of the scenario created by the organization, Aaron Rodgers would return as the Steelers starting quarterback in 2026, and he would mentor Simpson along with head coach Mike McCarthy. At a minimum, Pittsburgh would be giving the fan base some hope for the future.

26. Washington Commanders

In 2025, the Washington Commanders recorded the seventh-lowest pressure rate (19.6 percent) in the NFL. It is time for head coach Dan Quinn to find true potential difference-makers instead of just relying on castoffs, role players, and guys he has coached up in the past. David Bailey was one of the best pass rushers in college football over the last two seasons, and he made some nice strides against the run in his final year. If he is available at No. 7 overall, Washington should not waste any time before picking him.

27. Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley worked with defensive backs for the majority of his coaching career before becoming a defensive coordinator. Cornerback is also arguably the most glaring need on the Miami defense. While Jermod McCoy missed all of last season with an ACL tear, he will be fully recovered for the pre-draft process. When healthy, the 6-foot cornerback offers outstanding instincts and ball skills with the ability to develop into a high-end No. 1 CB for the Dolphins.

28. Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are picking way too high in the 2026 NFL Draft to select a quarterback, and they do not have the infrastructure in place to reach for running back Jeremiyah Love. Instead, the selection should be Hurricanes right tackle Francis Mauigoa. He brings a physicality in the trenches that is desperately needed in Arizona, and he would be an almost immediate upgrade over Jonah Williams. This pick will improve the Cardinals ground game in 2026 and create a better foundation for the next quarterback of the future.

29. Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans should be devoting significant resources this offseason to overhauling the defense for Robert Saleh. It is great that he will have Jeffery Simmons on the interior, but Saleh defenses are at their best when there is an edge rusher who can consistently generate pressure. Rueben Bain Jr. was electric in the College Football Playoff, showcasing how dominant of a pass-rushing force he can be. Plus, pairing him with Simmons in Saleh scheme will maximize the rookie.

30. Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders know who they will be taking with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. There is no debate regarding the quarterback prospects, and there is not a chance co-owner Tom Brady is trading away this selection. Fernando Mendoza is an instant Week 1 starter with the intangibles, maturity, and experience the Raiders have long sought in a face of the franchise quarterback.

31. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns offensive line allowed the highest pressure rate ( 45.5 percent ) in the NFL last season. So, even if we do not believe Shedeur Sanders is the guy for this franchise, the pass protection still needs to improve. Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano is a plug-and-play starter at left tackle who can be instrumental in this club beginning the overhaul of its trenches on the offensive side of the ball.

32. New York Jets

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese is the best defensive player in the 2026 NFL Draft. He would immediately provide head coach Aaron Glenn with a blue-chip talent for the New York Jets front seven. He is capable of dropping back and making plays in coverage, being deployed as a blitzer, or moved to the edge to generate pressure. With his versatility, Glenn would have a real chess piece for his defense.

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