ESPN Ranks best rosters for 2026

[Vindicate]

Interesting that there's consensus that Buffalo won't miss a beat under their HC change.

Edit: Wait duh this is just rosters. But still, in respect to the idea that Buffalo, as a whole, is gonna go swimmingly and remain the top contender - is Brady gonna easily pick up where McDermott left off?

 

[stinkypete]

I think, with all these rankings of late, the consensus is fair. Teams (like young QBs) need a few years of success before they are ranked among the elite by the media. My take is that we're being properly respected.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Pats lead 4-2 on the Bills with players in the top 10 with AJ Brown #9 at WR.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49252915/ranking-nfl-top-10-wide-receivers-2026-execs-coaches-scouts

I expect Byard to make it tomorrow making it 5-2.

 

[Rob0729]

Two years ago, the Patriots were probably the 30th at best. Now ESPN has them at 7. I would have them higher especially since I think the Bills at 4 is laughable. Take away Josh Allen and James Cook and I think their roster is middling at best.

 

[mgteich]

Two years ago, the Patriots were probably the 30th at best. Now ESPN has them at 7. I would have them higher especially since I think the Bills at 4 is laughable. Take away Josh Allen and James Cook and I think their roster is middling at best.

take away maye and gonzo and the patriot roster is middling at best

 

[rkarp1]

Buffalo is better than NE at QB, RB and OL.

It's a wash at Edge. NE beats them everywhere else and it's not even close.

I think NE has the better OL
I think NE has the better RB group
Maye was equal if not better than Allen last season

I would give Buff the edge at TE and LB
I would give NE the edge at CB, DL and WR

I would give NE the edge at HC

 

[Rob0729]

take away maye and gonzo and the patriot roster is middling at best

Not at all. Both AJ Brown (9 for WRs) and Milton Williams (9 for DTs) are in ESPN top position rankings. Buffalo has no player in the top 10 other than Allen and Cook. Dalton Kincaid got an honorable mention for TEs, but I would put him fairly on par with Hunter Henry (I would rank Henry higher). They didn't rank safeties, but if they did I assume Kevin Byard would be in the top 10.

 

[mgteich]

Not at all. Both AJ Brown (9 for WRs) and Milton Williams (9 for DTs) are in ESPN top position rankings. Buffalo has no player in the top 10 other than Allen and Cook. Dalton Kincaid got an honorable mention for TEs, but I would put him fairly on par with Hunter Henry (I would rank Henry higher). They didn't rank safeties, but if they did I assume Kevin Byard would be in the top 10.

OK, let's be clear. We are rated as about the 7th best in the NFL. How do you think that we would be rated with Divito as our QB and Woods as a starting CB.

I said "middling" which I think mean about in the middle, around say 13-19, still on the bubble for the playoffs since 14 make the playoffs.

 

[Rob0729]

OK, let's be clear. We are rated as about the 7th best in the NFL. How do you think that we would be rated with Divito as our QB and Woods as a starting CB.

I said "middling" which I think mean about in the middle, around say 13-19, still on the bubble for the playoffs since 14 make the playoffs.

You are replacing the two best players with back up quality players. That isn’t a fair comparison. You have players who probably wouldn’t start on 31 other teams at the two most important positions, of course you are going to drop like a rock.

I ask you where this team would be with Aaron Rodgers at QB and Quinyon Mitchell at CB. It would drop, but it probably would be an above average team.

Now replace Allen with Rodgers and Cook with Breece Hall. Do you think the Bills are an above average team? I doubt it.

 

[PatsFan2]

Not at all. Both AJ Brown (9 for WRs) and Milton Williams (9 for DTs) are in ESPN top position rankings. Buffalo has no player in the top 10 other than Allen and Cook. Dalton Kincaid got an honorable mention for TEs, but I would put him fairly on par with Hunter Henry (I would rank Henry higher). They didn't rank safeties, but if they did I assume Kevin Byard would be in the top 10.

In a doppelganger universe??

 

[PatsFan2]

Buffalo is better than NE at QB, RB and OL.

It's a wash at Edge. NE beats them everywhere else and it's not even close.

Drake Maye could really bridge that Gap in year three with a Great Playoffs. He has proved that he can be a Regular Season Beast: no we want to see that Playoffs Beast.

 

[Joey007]

Byard not even an honorable mention. Way down into the received votes group. Seems a little harsh for a guy who was a first team all pro last season.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Byard not even an honorable mention. Way down into the received votes group. Seems a little harsh for a guy who was a first team all pro last season.

It just goes to show the execs, coaches and scouts see things differently than the media.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Interesting that there's consensus that Buffalo won't miss a beat under their HC change.

There will be a honeymoon phase where Joe Brady will be the media darling only for it to come crashing down again come playoff time. Josh Allen can't keep dragging this team without any help and Brady is a massive downgrade from McDermott. He was not a popular play caller among fans and I don't see him lasting very long. And McDermott's scheme was making the defense look better than they really were. I expect a drop off ala when Mayo took over for BB.

 

[PatsFan2]

Byard not even an honorable mention. Way down into the received votes group. Seems a little harsh for a guy who was a first team all pro last season.

Don't worry if Byard have 7 Ints again we are winning a SB. Byard is Big Time and Vrabel knows him.

 

[Rob0729]

Byard not even an honorable mention. Way down into the received votes group. Seems a little harsh for a guy who was a first team all pro last season.

My only guess is it is his age. They are expecting a decline from him.

 

[PatsFan2]

There will be a honeymoon phase where Joe Brady will be the media darling only for it to come crashing down again come playoff time. Josh Allen can't keep dragging this team without any help and Brady is a massive downgrade from McDermott. He was not a popular play caller among fans and I don't see him lasting very long. And McDermott's scheme was making the defense look better than they really were. I expect a drop off ala when Mayo took over for BB.

People forget about that: and we are very familiar with it especially with Josh McDaniels. Some guys are just Coordinators only and not good when asked to run the entire ship. Their was something about Ben Johnson last year that felt right and Chicago and Caleb Williams had success. It remains to seen if Joe Brady got it... I think the Bills gave up on Sean McDermott a year too soon.

 

[mgteich]

My only guess is it is his age. They are expecting a decline from him.

From pro-bowl to no honorable mention for the top 10 is more than getting a year older.

 

[Rob0729]

From pro-bowl to no honorable mention for the top 10 is more than getting a year older.

No. It is because he is going to be 33 at the the start of the season. The reason people weren't higher on this signing in the first place was because of his age. If he was 30, people would have been gushing over the Pats signing Byard. It would have been considered one of the biggest signings.

He led the league in INTs last year. Of course it is his age, He is at the age where a lot of players hit the age wall hard and fast.

BTW, he was an All Pro this past season, not just a Pro Bowler. He was voted one of the top two best safeties in the league in 2025.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Best and worst moves for AFC Teams:

Best for NE: addressing the OL.

Worst: Letting Chaisson walk in favor of Jones.

I agree with the best move which should be unanimous to everyone. I advocated for letting Chaisson walk, but signing Jones was a terrible move. I think even he is shocked at the contract he received. Lots of NFL players are getting rewarded for mediocrity these days.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48817340/2026-nfl-offseason-afc-teams-best-worst-moves-trades-signings-draft-picks-contracts#ne