16. Indianapolis Colts
Last week's ranking: 22
If Daniel Jones is fully healthy, we've seen what this Colts team is capable of. There was a time last season where this team legitimately might have had the best offense in the entire NFL, and Jones seemed to have set a new floor for himself as a player under head coach Shane Steichen.
And after the way this team finished last season, the pressure is on. But the Colts still have plenty of talent, and Jones has been having a good offseason. He put on a strong performance in joint practices against the Patriots, proving even further that he's good to go after the injury last season.
15. Dallas Cowboys
Last week's ranking: 19
The Dallas Cowboys have just signed legendary pass rusher Von Miller, who reunites with Christian Parker in his return to the state of Texas.
That's the type of move that could really help spark something for the other young pass rushers on this Dallas roster, especially guys like 1st-round pick Malachi Lawrence and 2025 2nd-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku. Miller can do for those guys what Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware once did for him in Denver.
And that Dallas defense is the key, obviously. If they can take a step forward as a unit under Parker, this team should contend for the NFC East title.
14. Los Angeles Chargers
Last week's ranking: 11
One of the biggest questions with the Chargers heading into this offseason was defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary, taking over for the departed Jesse Minter. In the first preseason game of the year, it looked like O'Leary had that Chargers defense picking up right where Minter left off.
The Texans have one of the better backup QBs in the NFL in Davis Mills, and the Chargers' pass defense made life really tough on him.
Concerns over Rashawn Slater and his health continue to loom large over this team, but the Chargers will be tough once again in 2026.
13. Detroit Lions
Last week's ranking: 10
After winning 15 games in the 2024 season, the Detroit Lions took a massive step back last season and got bit hard by the injury bug.
Losing Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn was absolutely detrimental to the overall operation. Losing other key players along the way throughout the course of the season sunk this team's ship.
It feels like pretty much everyone is expecting the Lions to bounce back in a big way this year. The question mark for this team will be in the secondary, where the cornerback position might have to be addressed in some way before the start of the year.
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