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.