WIth OTAs and some minicamps wrapping up around the NFL, we're all one step closer to football being officially back.
Although teams have yet to even put the pads on, there have been plenty of major developments all around the league -- good and bad -- as teams hit the field for OTAs and got their first chance to see how different rosters look on the field versus how they look on paper.
And the month of June has already been full of intrigue for teams across the AFC. We got the month started with a blockbuster trade featuring the reigning AFC Champion New England Patriots, who ended up being one of the biggest "winners" of OTAs.
Our latest NFL Power Rankings are going to take a look at the biggest winners and losers in the entire conference. Which teams are seeing their arrow pointing up after OTAs, and which ones are heading in the wrong direction?
NFL Power Rankings: Patriots among biggest AFC winners after 2026 OTAs
16. Miami Dolphins: Loser
The unfortunate reality of rankings like this is that there have to be some losers. The Dolphins are such a young team, and they are already making it clear that they're very self aware of their situation going into this season. Nobody is mistaking the Dolphins for a Super Bowl contender right now, but developments like our friends at Phin Phanatic pointed out are not great for even this point in the offseason.
According to some out at Dolphins OTAs, the team's pass rushers are failing to stand out early on. That is both unsurprising and disappointing. It's not surprising because the closer you are to the ball, the harder it is to evaluate without pads on. It's disappointing because, even without pads on, a core player like Chop Robinson is failing to make an impression entering a crucial year.
The Dolphins need the benefit of the doubt as they build this thing out, but it's clear based on anyone who was able to be at their practices this offseason: This is a rebuilding team.
15. Cleveland Browns: Loser
As great as the Myles Garrett trade was for the Los Angeles Rams, the Cleveland Browns waved the proverbial white flag by making that deal. Even though we loved the return the Browns got in the trade, moving on from a player like Myles Garrett is a clear sign of where the organization believes it's at right now.
There's some value to self-awareness, but there is also the harsh reality that the Browns are once again entering an evaluation year of the roster without a clear QB of the future anywhere in sight.
With or without Garrett, that was true. But trading away the best defensive player in football is an admission that this year isn't the year, even before it gets started.
On top of it all, Harold Fannin Jr. missed all of OTAs for an undisclosed reason. That's at least slightly concerning at this point.
14. Las Vegas Raiders: Winner
The Las Vegas Raiders might not be a true breakout team candidate just yet, but they are on their way.
The vibes coming out of Raiders OTAs were as good as anyone could have possibly expected them to be. After taking Fernando Mendoza with the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Raiders might finally have some hope at a future.
The team was aggressive this offseason in adding to the roster. Unlike last year's free agency, it really felt like the Raiders went out and made smart moves that could end up propelling the franchise forward. We will see how things go with Kirk Cousins, who doesn't exactly have the best group of receivers to throw to, but the Raiders have reason to be optimistic about the long-term future for the first time in a while.
13. New York Jets: Winner
The hype surrounding the New York Jets is understandably growing louder by the day. This is a Jets team that just had three picks in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, and every one of those picks will be expected to play a crucial role this season.
David Bailey was the 2nd overall pick in the draft, and one of the best pass rushers in all of college football last season. If he can raise the floor of that Jets defensive front, this team could improve overnight defensively.
On offense, Geno Smith doesn't really inspire a ton of confidence, but the weapons in New York have really been building some serious buzz. The team already has established guys like Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, but young players like AD Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr., Kenyon Sadiq, and Mason Taylor are really giving this team a jolt of optimism.
12. Tennessee Titans: Winner
If for no other reason, the Tennessee Titans have to be considered a winner coming out of OTAs because of the instant impact of rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate. Here's what Justin Melo of Titan Sized had to say about Tate's performance at OTAs:
"No. 4 overall pick Carnell Tate made a huge impression during the first practice open to the media. The former Ohio State standout caught three scrimmage touchdowns and routinely made an impact at every open session. Tate picked up a minor injury late in OTAs, but the expectation is he'll return to practice for minicamp. He's already looking like Cam Ward's go-to target."
- Justin Melo, Titan Sized
Even just that last line has to be music to the ears of every Titans fan out there. For Cam Ward to take the next step as a player, a player like Tate emerging as his go-to target will be essential. Those two could grow up in the NFL together and form a lethal duo in Brian Daboll's offense.
11. Indianapolis Colts: Loser
You could really look at the last few weeks of OTAs for the Indianapolis Colts in a number of different ways. You could view it as a highlight of their lack of depth, or a fantastic chance for young players on both sides of the ball to earn more opportunities with training camp on the horizon.
Even with Daniel Jones returning to the field much quicker than expected after his injury last season, I'm looking at the Colts as a team whose arrow is pointing down. They looked like one of the better teams in the NFL last season, but they've lost too many key veterans on the defensive side of the ball (Zaire Franklin, Kenny Moore, Nick Cross) and I'm not sure they properly addressed some of their major losses on offense (Michael Pittman Jr., Braden Smith).
This is already a huge year for Shane Steichen, whose future with the organization may be hanging in the balance. It feels as though he's giong to have to do more this year with less than he had last year.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers: Loser
As we know, OTAs and on-field performance at OTAs aren't the end-all when it comes to a team's projection. But the general feeling surrounding the Steelers as of OTAs is that the team's arrow is pointing down.
The team gave a contract extension to Nick Herbig instead of starter Alex Highsmith, creating a little bit of friction in the locker room with that situation.
Aaron Rodgers is obviously back in the mix for this season, but the primary reason for concern with this team right now is how unsettled the offensive line is. Not having clarity on the offensive line -- even if the Steelers have invested a lot in that unit -- could be a huge issue throughout the course of this season since Rodgers is no longer the true dual threat at the position he once was.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Winner
There has been a mixed bag of news for the Chiefs this offseason, and I thought about putting them in the "loser" category for a couple of reasons. The Rashee Rice situation is something that could really be a hindrance to this team now and into the future. Josh Simmons looks like he is approaching single-digit body fat, which is a huge win personally but not the best for his projection as the blindside protector of Patrick Mahomes.
Still, the good vibes were hard to ignore at Chiefs OTAs. Patrick Mahomes was out there on the field with a helmet on, along with a brace on his knee. Xavier Worthy was drawing really positive reviews, which would be a massive development. The Chiefs welcomed back L'Jarius Sneed to give their secondary a desperately-needed veteran presence.
Even if just for the return of Mahomes, on however limited a basis, the Chiefs have to be considered a winner.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Loser
The Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the biggest developments as a surprise contender in the AFC last season, but it feels like they aren't stewarding that very well.
The Jags let starting running back Travis Etienne walk in free agency, and he's already drawing rave reviews in New Orleans. Linebacker Devin Lloyd was also allowed to walk in free agency to the Panthers, and the Jaguars are going with in-house options to replace him (starting with Ventrell Miller).
Travis Hunter, who is expected to be a franchise cornerstone piece for GM James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen, still isn't practicing fully and the Jaguars don't know when he will be. There are just too many dark clouds looming over this team to know whether or not they can truly build on what we saw from them last season.
7. Baltimore Ravens: Winner
There are really two key factors this offseason for the Baltimore Ravens, and it seems like both things are going extremely well early on:
- Will Jesse Minter be able to impact the defense as expected?
- Will Lamar Jackson and new OC Declan Doyle be a good match?
It seems like both of those things are making great progress early on in the offseason. Especially in the case of Doyle and Jackson's relationship. Doyle is coming over as a first-year play-caller after working under Ben Johnson with the Bears last year, and Sean Payton in Denver before that.
The great news for the Ravens is that three out of the four teams in their division changed head coaches this offseason, and everyone in that division was a winner with Myles Garrett getting traded.
6. Los Angeles Chargers: Winner
The biggest reason why the Los Angeles Chargers are one of the biggest winners in the AFC this offseason is the presence of Mike McDaniel.
We know that McDaniel is one of the best coordinators in the NFL when it comes to drawing up a run game scheme, and we expect him to keep that going with the Chargers. But one thing he's really working on with star quarterback Justin Herbert this offseason is getting rid of the ball in 2.4 seconds or less.
Having a quick trigger will help Herbert stay healthy and also give the receivers a chance to make plays after the catch. It seems like that's going to be a pretty big emphasis this year for McDaniel, whose quirkiness should not overshadow his genius on the offensive side of the ball. That hire might end up being the most important in the AFC this year.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Winner
The Cincinnati Bengals may have lost Trey Hendrickson to a division rival this offseason, but their defensive front has been remade and is already making a strong impression in 2026.
The addition of Dexter Lawrence to the middle of the defensive line is huge for the Bengals in terms of what he can do individually, but his mentorship of the rest of that unit is going to pay dividends nobody really anticipated when that trade was made. Shemar Stewart has apparently made strides this offseason, and the Bengals might have one of the most dramatic turnarounds defensively of any team in the league.
Joe Burrow is healthy this offseason as well, and is primed for another massive season. Burrow's health alone is reason enough to buy the Bengals' resurgence in 2026.
4. Buffalo Bills: Winner
The Buffalo Bills are one of the only contending teams in the AFC with a new head coach this coming season. Heck, the more you think about it, they're one of the only contending teams in the NFL that has a new head coach for this season.
And that makes sense, considering contending teams are not usually firing their head coach. But the fact of the matter is, the Bills knew they needed to make a major change, and that change has already been showing signs of good fruit for the upcoming season.
DJ Moore is settling into his new spot as the WR1 of this Buffalo offense, but Keon Coleman has also got a renewed confidence and potentially revitalized role for 2026. The Bills appear to have started the offseason strong in the first year post-Sean McDermott.
3. New England Patriots: Winner
The New England Patriots got the month of June started with a bang, finally getting the trade to acquire wide receiver AJ Brown done.
And that trade of Brown changes the projection of the Patriots' offense drastically. Stefon Diggs was a really important player for this team in 2025. Regardless of the perception of Diggs off the field, he was Drake Maye's go-to target last year.
Now, that distinction will go to Brown, who will form one of the better receiver duos in the AFC along with fellow newcomer Romeo Doubs. The Patriots will once again be a balanced offensive attack, but having AJ Brown in good spirits could be bad news for anyone that has to face off against this team in 2026.
2. Houston Texans: Winner
The Texans are a winner coming out of OTAs because, now that this team has officially taken the field together for the first time, it's become clear that this is arguably the most well-rounded roster in the entire NFL.
The Texans might have some question mark areas, as every team does, but they may have the fewest pressing issues of any team in the league. Part of what makes the Texans' roster so fascinating is that they have at least potential answers for their biggest question marks, and most of them in the form of high draft selections.
The Texans seem to have some of the best continuity, lack of drama, and signs of progression out of any team in the league.
1. Denver Broncos: Winner
The Denver Broncos might be the best team in the AFC, but they could easily be considered for either category here coming out of OTAs.
Bo Nix did not participate in the team's two weeks of OTAs, which was expected after his second ankle procedure this offseason. That was not the expectation when Nix's initial injury diagnosis was made, so he was out there on the field in a hat with a hood over his head observing. Even if that was not a surprise, Nix's situation casts a bit of a dark cloud over the excitement about the Broncos until he's back out on the field and moving around like he always does. For the record, that could come as early as mandatory minicamp.
Still, with Nix expected to take on more work at minicamp this coming week, the arrow is still pointing up for this team.
The Broncos are also currently dealing with starting outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper being arrested multiple times during OTAs, and the potential fallout of that.
Sean Payton received a 5-year contract extension from the team, coming on the heels of GM George Paton also getting an extension. The early returns on Jaylen Waddle have been overwhelmingly positive, and it sounds like Evan Engram is having a bounce-back offseason.