NFC power rankings for all 16 teams for the 2026 preseason

We’re waist-deep into the NFL preseason, and the first batch of games don’t tell us a lot. But we’re compiling information, and there have been some small changes to my power rankings for the National Football Conference.

Seattle handed Devon Witherspoon the largest cornerback contract in league history. Washington lost left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a torn triceps. Aaron Donald has worked out for the Rams twice in two weeks, and Sean McVay still has no timeline for whether he will or won’t join the team. Chicago’s secondary keeps taking hits.

Here is how all 16 NFC teams stack up right now, counting up from worst to first.

MORE: AFC power rankings for all 16 teams as the 2026 preseason rolls on

16. Arizona CardinalsArizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) practices during training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on July 26, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Arizona already lost its best rookie for the preseason. Running back Jeremiyah Love, the third overall pick, has a high ankle sprain and is unlikely to play again before Week 1, though the team hopes he makes the opener.

Quarterback Carson Beck is working through a rib injury that head coach Mike LaFleur says needs more time but isn’t a long-term concern. Beck did look sharp in the Hall of Fame Game loss to Carolina. Jacoby Brissett is the bridge starter. Rookie lineman Bisontis needs surgery for a torn MCL.

15. Atlanta Falcons

Tua Tagovailoa started the preseason opener and went 3-of-5 for 22 yards. Atlanta managed one first down over his two series in a 27-7 loss to Denver. Head coach Kevin Stefanski still has not named a Week 1 starter.

Michael Penix Jr. isn’t expected to be cleared for full team drills until the end of August, which likely settles the job by default. The defense lost linebacker Jalon Walker for the season with a torn ACL. Atlanta worked out edge rusher Za’Darius Smith on Monday and extended guard Matthew Bergeron.

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14. Washington Commanders

Left tackle Laremy Tunsil tore his triceps and is expected to miss a significant portion of the season, which is the worst injury any NFC team has taken this month. Quarterback Jayden Daniels missed 10 games last season, so protection was already the concern.

Backup Marcus Mariota sprained his MCL in the preseason opener and will likely miss the rest of the preseason. Head coach Dan Quinn said he doesn’t plan to add another quarterback. Washington did sign receiver Stefon Diggs during camp and beat Miami on Sunday.

13. New York GiantsNew York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) makes a catch during NFL training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Receiver Malik Nabers practiced for the first time since tearing his ACL and reportedly feels better than expected, though he isn’t a full participant yet. New York opens against Dallas and the Rams, so his availability matters immediately.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart threw a touchdown in the preseason opener before being puzzled by a concussion test. Odell Beckham Jr. made his first catch of his second stint with the team. Free agent running back Najee Harris visited Monday. Tight end Isaiah Likely is the notable addition under coordinator Matt Nagy.

12. New Orleans Saints

First-round receiver Jordyn Tyson will miss about two months with a hamstring injury suffered in a joint practice with Jacksonville. That removes the top rookie weapon from quarterback Tyler Shough’s first full season as the defined starter.

Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee tore his ACL in camp, and Cam Jordan is managing a hamstring at 37, which thins an already questionable front. Receiver Chris Olave got his extension and running back Alvin Kamara is back. Head coach Kellen Moore has the division’s most stable quarterback situation.

11. Carolina Panthers

Carolina signed tight end Darren Waller to a one-year deal, announced Monday, which gives quarterback Bryce Young a target he didn’t have. The Panthers also beat Arizona 33-30 in the Hall of Fame Game.

The injuries keep coming. Edge rusher Nic Scourton and rookie receiver Chris Brazzell II are both out for the season. Right tackle Taylor Moton is dealing with a blood clot in his lung, and left tackle Ikem Ekwonu is still recovering. First-round pick Monroe Freeling and free agent Rasheed Walker are the tackle answers.

10. Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) participates in NFL training camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Defensive tackle Vita Vea requested a trade after extension talks failed. Quarterback Baker Mayfield called himself disrespected over his own contract. Both are in the final year of their deals, and head coach Todd Bowles has to hold this together.

Mayfield will play Saturday against Kansas City. Receiver Emeka Egbuka has a toe sprain and Jalen McMillan a knee problem, with Bowles calling both day-to-day to week-to-week. Tackle Tristan Wirfs returned to practice Monday. Tampa Bay already lost Mike Evans and Lavonte David this offseason.

9. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota named Kyler Murray the Week 1 starter over J.J. McCarthy, which settles the biggest question in the division. Murray led the Vikings past the Giants in the preseason opener.

Safety Jamal Adams tore his right quadriceps in that game and is on season-ending injured reserve, a real loss for a defense that pressured quarterbacks at the highest rate in the league last season. Defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander returned Monday after completing a three-week suspension for drunk driving. Justin Jefferson finally has a settled passer.

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8. Detroit Lions

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs has his extension, which clears the offense to focus on the season. The line doesn’t have the same clarity. Center Cade Mays will miss eight to 10 weeks with a wrist injury and Detroit added veteran Larry Borom as insurance behind rookie right tackle Blake Miller.

The secondary news is better than it was in July. Safety Brian Branch could return to practice in late August or early September, and Kerby Joseph could be back early in the regular season. Jameson Williams has a minor shoulder injury.

7. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas keeps adding to the defense. Von Miller signed a one-year deal worth $5.5 million with a maximum value of $7.5 million, joining edge rusher Rashan Gary, safety Caleb Downs, safety Jalen Thompson, cornerback Cobie Durant and linebacker Dee Winters under new coordinator Christian Parker.

Third-round linebacker Jaishawn Barham has drawn attention as a possible steal. Rookie receiver Camden Brown had two touchdown catches, including a diving one-handed grab, in a 17-7 preseason win at Seattle. The offense already scored 27.7 points per game last season.

MORE: NFL offensive line rankings ahead of the 2026 season

6. Green Bay Packers

Tight end Tucker Kraft returned to team drills Sunday and hopes to play in Week 1 after tearing his ACL last season. Kraft is doing it without an extension and said he wants his children to see the lengths he would go to for something he loves.

Edge rusher Micah Parsons could be out until mid-October, so the pass rush opens the year short one star. Lineman Darian Kinnard and edge rusher Lukas Van Ness both sat out Sunday. Running back Josh Jacobs’ legal status remains undetermined.

5. San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) during NFL training camp at SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Receiver Ricky Pearsall is out for the season after PCL surgery, and San Francisco responded by signing Deebo Samuel Sr. Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and De’Zhaun Stribling have all missed time, so the receiver room is already thin.

Running back Christian McCaffrey’s tightness is a real injury and not a contract hold-in, per NFL Network. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke was hospitalized after a rib injury in the preseason game but is not expected to be out long-term. Head coach Kyle Shanahan is still working through his car-crash injuries.

4. Chicago Bears

The Chicago secondary has fallen apart. Cornerback Coby Bryant had knee surgery and will be out four to six months. Kyler Gordon’s return from a calf injury has no timeline, per head coach Ben Johnson.

Receiver Luther Burden III will miss the entire preseason with a groin injury, and running back Kyle Monangai is expected to miss multiple weeks with a knee problem. Chicago signed edge rusher Marcus Davenport and got tackle Ozzy Trapilo back from the physically unable to perform list. The Bears beat Cleveland on Saturday.

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3. Philadelphia Eagles

Receiver DeVonta Smith returned to practice Monday after a hamstring injury, which matters more than usual now that he is the top target following the A.J. Brown trade. Rookie Makai Lemon has also missed time with a hamstring.

Edge rusher Jonathan Greenard has missed all of camp with a pectoral strain. Philadelphia signed him to fix a pass rush that needed help, so the timeline is worth watching. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion brings an under-center, play-action system to an offense that scored 22.3 points per game last season.

2. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle signed cornerback Devon Witherspoon to a four-year, $132 million extension with more than $101 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid cornerback in league history. The three-time Pro Bowler is now locked in alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the core of the roster.

The backfield is still unsettled. Zach Charbonnet remains on the physically unable to perform list ahead of the second preseason game. Safety Nick Emmanwori is also on that list, with hope for Week 1. The starters sat in a 17-7 loss to Dallas.

1. Los Angeles RamsRetired NFL defensive tackle Aaron Donald at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Image Credit: Imagn Images

Aaron Donald worked out for the Rams a second time in two weeks, and head coach Sean McVay has no timeline on the retired defensive tackle’s decision. Los Angeles is already the deepest roster in the conference without him.

Edge rusher Myles Garrett is expected back at practice next week with a knee issue, and receiver Puka Nacua should return around the same time from psoas soreness. Receiver Mario Williams and lineman Keagen Trost will miss a few weeks with hamstring injuries. The Rams rallied past Kansas City in the opener.

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