1. Buffalo Bills

With another frustrating playoff exit they made a change at head coach. This is a make or break season for them to finally get to a Super Bowl in the prime of QB Josh Allen’s career.

2. New England Patriots

Even with the schedule being a lot tougher than last season, they will remain contenders with the added improvements on the offensive line and receiver position.

3. Miami Dolphins

A complete and total revamp was necessary from top to bottom in this organization. It might be a painful season, but the future looks so much better now.

4. New York Jets

It’s been 15 seasons since they clinched a playoff spot and 10 years since they finished the season with a record at .500 or better. Add another year to those marks.

Head Coach: Joe Brady (Offensive Coordinator – Bills)

Key Position: Defensive Line

They were gashed all season long last year by opposing rushers. They have better depth this season to account for any possible injuries since that had a large part to do with their troubles stopping the run last year. DT Ed Oliver is a large part in stopping the run and rushing the passer up the middle. When he’s healthy this unit functions properly. Bradley Chubb was signed primarily as a pass rusher, but he can help set the edge as well against the run. Deone Walker and T.J. Sanders must take a positive step in their development and rookie TJ Parker should be apart of the rotation immediately.

Key Acquisitions: CB Dee Alford (Atlanta Falcons), DE/LB Bradley Chubb (Miami Dolphins), OL Austin Corbett (Carolina Panthers), OL Lloyd Cushenberry (Tennessee Titans), LB Mike Danna (Kansas City Chiefs), DL Greg Gaines (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Chicago Bears), WR DJ Moore (Chicago Bears)

Key Rookies: DE/LB TJ Parker, CB Davison Igbinosun

Head Coach: Mike Vrabel

Key Position: Offensive Line

The glaring weakness last season was protecting QB Drake Maye. It reared its ugly head in the Super Bowl as Maye was sacked six times and was under duress for the majority of the game. The Patriots cannot allow Maye to get sacked another 48 times as he was last season. Will Campbell remains the current blindside protector, but New England used their first round pick to draft Caleb Lomu who will eventually see action. Signing Greg Van Roten provides veteran depth and Alijah Vera-Tucker is a reliable interior blocker although health has always been an issue for him in his career.

Key Acquisitions: WR A.J. Brown (Philadelphia Eagles), DB Kevin Byard III (Chicago Bears), WR Romeo Doubs (Green Bay Packers), FB Reggie Gilliam (Buffalo Bills), DE/LB Dre’Mont Jones (Baltimore Ravens), OL Greg Van Roten (NY Giants), OL Alijah Vera-Tucker (NY Jets)

Key Rookies: T Caleb Lomu, DE/LB Gabe Jacas, TE Eli Raridon

Head Coach: Jeff Hafley (Defensive Coordinator – Packers)

Key Position: Offense

One would expect the defense to be improved since they hired a defensive minded head coach. However, the offense is gonna be going through a massive transformation. Bobby Slowik was elevated to offensive coordinator under new head coach Jeff Hafley. Slowik’s last tenure in Houston was marred by predictable play-calling and a very conservative approach. He doesn’t have the talent level like he did with the Texans, but having the mobility of newly signed QB Malik Willis adds a different wrinkle to the play-calling. RB De’Von Achane is going to be a very busy man during the 2026 season.

Key Acquisitions: DB Zayne Anderson (Green Bay Packers), WR Jalen Tolbert (Dallas Cowboys), DE/LB Josh Uche (Philadelphia Eagles), QB Malik Willis (Green Bay Packers), CB Darrell Baker Jr. (Tennessee Titans)

Key Rookies: OL Kadyn Proctor, CB Chris Johnson, LB Jacob Rodriguez, WR Caleb Douglas, TE Will Kacmarek, WR Chris Bell

Head Coach: Aaron Glenn

Key Position: Defense

I would say everything and everywhere is a key position for this team after last season, but I’m gonna focus on the defense. Mainly for one reason in particular. They didn’t intercept a single pass last season. For a head coach who used to play as a cornerback during his playing days and was a defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions before being hired as the head coach, that’s a gigantic problem. Not to mention they only sacked the quarterback 26 times (2nd worst in the league) and were among the worst rush defenses last season. Bringing in Demario Davis, Minkah Fitzpatrick and drafting David Bailey should improve all three of those issues on defense.

Key Acquisitions: LB Demario Davis (New Orleans Saints), DE/LB Kingsley Enagbare (Green Bay Packers), DB Minkah Fitzpatrick (Miami Dolphins), DL David Onyemata (Atlanta Falcons), DE/LB Joseph Ossai (Cincinnati Bengals), OL Dylan Parham (Las Vegas Raiders), QB Geno Smith (Las Vegas Raiders), CB Nashon Wright (Chicago Bears), DL T’Vondre Sweat (Tennessee Titans)

Key Rookies: DE/LB David Bailey, TE Kenyon Sadiq, WR Omar Cooper Jr., CB D’Angelo Ponds