NFL Power Rankings: 49ers crack top five after 2026 free agency frenzy; Ravens, Chiefs back on the rise

Watching Kenneth Walker III, Boye Mafe and Coby Bryant leave had to sting, but as far as defending champs go, the Seahawks remain in very respectable shape. They were able to retain Rashid Shaheed and the ascending Josh Jobe, and Seattle had the funds to keep the aforementioned veteran trio if it wanted, so we’ll respect those decisions for now. The Seahawks brought in some cheaper free agents to patch positional holes, and the draft can help buttress spots, as well. Seattle has just four picks in the 2026 draft, but only one of those is outside the top 100. GM John Schneider has worked draft magic in the past — turning four picks into 11 via trades back in 2019 — so it’s impossible to know what the ‘Hawks end up with. But for now, I have no reason to demote the champs in their effort to repeat.

The Rams have approached this offseason like they’re Super Bowl contenders, and rightfully so. They wasted no time targeting the biggest area of need in the secondary, adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, and they don’t appear done. Even after trading one first-rounder, they still have another at No. 13 overall. The offensive line is an area I expect them to target, and a wide receiver also could be on the menu with Davante Adams close to the finish line and Tutu Atwell gone. The Rams have their typically-strange allotment of draft picks, with three in the first 93 overall, none for the ensuing 113 picks and four selections from No. 207 on. Expect Los Angeles not to end up with those same picks, as GM Les Snead always keeps his finger on the trigger. The Rams are gunning for another title in Matthew Stafford‘s age-38 season.

I figured the Broncos might spend a little on fresh talent — even if only for celebration — now that Russell Wilson‘s contract is off the books. Plus, they’d signed a Day 1 free agent in each of GM George Paton’s first five offseasons. This year, nada. Instead, they stuck to keeping some — but not all — of their own free agents from last year’s team before striking on a trade for Jaylen Waddle, which could bear some real fruit. The biggest loss so far is probably John Franklin-Myers, who played a significant role on defense, but Denver could reinvigorate the D-line in the draft. There is some young talent to build around, but I would like the Broncos to bolster the front seven with their seven remaining draft picks.

The Bills maneuvered to create the cap space necessary to land DJ Moore and Bradley Chubb, and that might be it for the big moves this offseason. Chubb felt like a consolation prize after Buffalo reportedly tried to get involved with bigger-named edge rushers, including Trey Hendrickson. When Hendrickson signed with Baltimore, the Bills pivoted to Chubb, who has been very good when healthy, but he’s missed significant chunks of time in three of his eight years in the NFL. The risk level is high with Chubb, and Moore is coming off his least-productive season since his rookie year. The Bills remain a force because of Josh Allen, but last season exposed some holes, and there’s really only so much they can achieve this offseason.

The ever-reliable Mike Evans joining the 49ers is an upgrade for a receiver corps that had to endure injuries and the bizarre absence of Brandon Aiyuk last season. Evans can serve as a mentor to young receivers like Ricky Pearsall and help give Brock Purdy a consistent threat on the outside, assuming Evans’ health woes from last year don’t crop up again. Adding Osa Odighizuwa appeared to be a smart and fairly cheap way to address the pressure needs up front, but the 49ers still need outside rush threats. The abrupt retirement of Bryce Huff, San Francisco’s 2025 co-sack leader (with four!), further exacerbates the issue up front. The Niners are trying to keep pace with the Seahawks and Rams, who remain two of the very best teams in the NFL.

Well, it’s been nothing short of a fascinating start to the offseason for the Ravens, with the failed Maxx Crosby trade (and subsequent Trey Hendrickson signing) dominating the early news cycle in free agency. Prior to that, the Ravens lost a slew of players in free agency, including Pro Bowl C Tyler Linderbaum, who has clearly been their best offensive lineman in the past few years, especially in the run game. I’m still chewing on everything they’ve done and had done to them so far. Right now, it’s OK, even if I think it’s pretty clear that Baltimore’s roster isn’t in as good of shape, top to bottom, as it was a few years ago. That said, it’s still a roster that should produce a serious contender in 2026. And like I said in the intro, this is a grand reshuffling with an eye toward next fall, thus explaining the Ravens’ rise in this rundown.

There are health risks around the two biggest offseason additions, with Alijah Vera-Tucker suffering season-ending injuries in three of the past four years and Romeo Doubs seemingly always nicked up. But both could end up being solid foundational moves and net upgrades over what New England had offensively a year ago. On defense, adding Dre’Mont Jones and Kevin Byard only moves the needle so much, even if both veterans are sensible additions at needed spots. The Patriots clearly overachieved last season and did so against an easier schedule, lest anyone think this thing is close to completion. The Pats haven’t been as aggressive in free agency as they were a year ago — when they had more needs and more money to spend — but they’re targeting some of the right areas so far.

It’s been a little bit of a mixed bag in free agency so far for the Bears, who have made more noise in recent offseasons. Devin Bush replacing Tremaine Edmunds and Coby Bryant replacing Kevin Byard could end up a wash, or maybe a tiny upgrade. Losing DJ Moore stings, but they got a pretty good trade return for him and have some more ammo, with four picks in the top 89 of the draft. If you factor in a young roster continuing to bloom, it’s possible to see improvement from within, too. I still think they’ll find a way to grab some headlines, either in the draft or before it, but the Bears are being prudent and holding serve well enough for now.