As the NFL offseason continues to roll along, we're taking a look at the top defenses in the NFL. The NFC has the reigning #1 defense, but the AFC might have a little more depth at the top end.
This offseason has been all about continuity for some of the top defenses in the AFC, and teams in need of a splash made some big splashes. We've got a number of new coordinators and coaches who could pay off in a big way for a handful of defenses around the AFC.
How do each of these teams stack up after all of their free agency moves, trades, NFL Draft picks, and coaching changes? Our newest NFL Power Rankings are going to take a look at the entire AFC landscape and rank every defense worst to best on paper.
2026 NFL Power Rankings: Texans claim top spot in AFC defense rankings
16. Miami Dolphins
Just like every other aspect of their roster, the Miami Dolphins are rebuilding and reloading defensively. Jeff Hafley's background is obviously on the defensive side of the ball, so perhaps this will be the first area of the team to really turn things around.
Miami used the top pick they got from the Broncos in the Jaylen Waddle trade to select San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson as a centerpiece of their new-look secondary, but this defense is really going to be relying on the investments they've made in recent years on players up front (Kenneth Grant, Chop Robinson) taking the proverbial next step.
The Dolphins have one of my favorite players in this entire class -- Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez -- as a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
15. New York Jets
Although they might have preferred a franchise quarterback, the New York Jets got the next best thing in the NFL Draft with a highly disruptive pass rusher in the 2nd overall pick slot. David Bailey had high expectations coming over to Texas Tech from Stanford, and he vastly exceeded those expectations.
Few players at the college level were as consistently disruptive as Bailey this past year, and few have been as disruptive even in recent years. Bailey is the total package off the edge, and the Jets desperately need him. If it weren't for the 49ers losing Nick Bosa to a season-ending injury, the Jets probably would have been dead last in the NFL in sacks last season.
The arrival of David Bailey gives the Jets another weapon up front, along with a really smart trade for defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat. The Jets also got one of the best defensive backs in the class with 2nd-round pick D'Angelo Ponds.
14. Tennessee Titans
The Titans' defense last season is irrelevant at this point. Too much has changed. Although the Titans are not a finished product on that side of the ball, new head coach Robert Saleh is going to be calling the defense and his presence alone will give the Tennessee defense a significant boost.
The moves this team made will obviously give the Titans a huge jolt in the talent department, starting with the addition of John Franklin-Myers on the defensive line. Few defensive linemen have been as consistent as JFM in recent years, and he has been one of the top interior linemen in pressures and sacks over the past couple of seasons.
The Titans also brought in former Jets 1st-round pick Jermaine Johnson to reunite with Saleh, and I loved their move to trade up for Keldric Faulk. They absolutely stole Anthony Hill Jr. in the 2nd round. Given Saleh's track record for player development, I expect this unit to be on the rise in a hurry.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
It's possible that the Raiders backed into not being the worst defense in the NFL this year when the Ravens reneged on the Maxx Crosby trade. Without Crosby, even with all of the additions the Raiders have made, this was a rough-looking group.
The Raiders were 25th in the NFL last year in points allowed, 30th in 3rd-down defense, and they allowed 22 rushing touchdowns (3rd-most in the NFL). They struggled even with Maxx Crosby, so imagine what life would be like without him...
The Raiders threw in the towel quietly on another former 1st-round pick, sending Tyree Wilson to the Saints in a trade during the NFL Draft. The additions of Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean could end up being huge for this team at off-ball linebacker, but the draft selections in the secondary might make the most noticeable difference. Treydan Stukes, Jermod McCoy, Dalton Johnson, and Hezekiah Masses make for a really fascinating class.
12. Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have to be hoping that the addition of Sauce Gardner is going to pay the dividends in 2026 that we simply didn't see in 2025. Of course, you can't always expect NFL players to just hit the ground running, so the Colts will be banking on the idea that Gardner is going to return to his elite form they paid multiple 1st-round picks for.
The Colts got a couple of really solid Day 2 NFL Draft steals with CJ Allen at the linebacker position to replace Zaire Franklin, who was traded to the Green Bay Packers. Allen was routinely projected in the 1st round of NFL mock draft scenarios, so that felt like a huge win for the Colts in the 2nd round.
The pickup of AJ Haulcy in the 3rd round might be their best work, however. Haulcy is a throwback safety in terms of size and physicality, but fits the mold of today's ideal defensive back with his range and ability to play in two-high looks. He will likely be an immediate starter and impact player.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
Even if the Bengals couldn't fix the entire unit overnight, they put most of their resources toward fixing the most important part of the defense in the 2026 offseason: The trenches.
The most notable addition is obviously the trade to acquire Dexter Lawrence at defensive tackle, but that came at a significant cost. The Bengals sent the Giants the 10th pick in this year's draft, but it's hard to think of a player they could have gotten there who would be more impactful right away than Lawrence.
They used their top pick (in the 2nd round) on Cashius Howell, who will bring effort and tenacity off the edge right away. They also signed veteran Jonathan Allen after he was cut by the Vikings, and brought in former Seahawks 2nd-round pick Boye Mafe. On top of those additions, the Bengals will be banking on Shemar Stewart progressing in Year 2.
There are still areas of this defense that don't look great on paper, but those moves up front will improve this unit substantially.
10. Buffalo Bills
Sean McDermott is no longer with the Buffalo Bills, so they'll be changing defenses for the first time in a while. Jim Leonhard is taking over as the Bills' new defensive coordinator and will be a first-time play-caller at the NFL level after working in Denver the past couple of seasons under Vance Joseph.
The Bills need to stay healthy defensively, but the primary focus is going to be getting better against the run. The Bills ranked 30th in the NFL, allowing 5.1 yards per carry last season. They gave up 24 rushing touchdowns, 2nd-most in the NFL. Because of that, the Bills were below average on 3rd downs (24th) as teams were able to get into favorable down-and-distance situations. Even with one of the better pass defenses in the league, this team still struggled.
They're hopeful that the additions of free agent Bradley Chubb and 2nd-round pick TJ Parker can give them those missing pieces on the defensive front to get over the hump.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers
There is no Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh anymore, so even though the Steelers' defense didn't change much in terms of player personnel, there will be an adjustment for everyone on that side of the ball. Luckily for the Steelers, Mike McCarthy was able to bring in Patrick Graham to come in and run that unit, and Graham has done a really underrated job given the circumstances at his recent stops.
The Steelers forced a lot of turnovers last season, and were pretty reliant on that category for their overall defensive success, but they also have guys who can get after the quarterback quickly. They finished last season top 10 in both total pressures and sacks, and should give opposing teams fits in that category once again in 2026.
There are two significant newcomers to mention with the Pittsburgh secondary: Safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Jamel Dean. Those two guys will hopefully give a huge boost to a unit that ranked 29th against the pass last season.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
To say the Jaguars overachieved last year would be an understatement. And although you can't discredit what they were able to do, especially down the stretch looking like the most balanced team in the league at one point, there are holes you can easily poke going forward.
The loss of Devin Lloyd is significant, and the Jaguars didn't do much of anything to replace him. Lloyd was such an important catalyst for this defense's success with five interceptions, 10 QB hits, and 6 tackles for loss. He's off to the Panthers, and the Jaguars are relying on in-house options to replace him. It's a risk, but it could always make them look like geniuses while saving some money.
The Jaguars finished 2nd in the NFL in turnovers forced last season, and they did that without a pass rush to write home about. They ranked in the middle of the pack in total pressure percentage last season and near the bottom of the NFL in total sacks. This team desperately needs its in-house players to keep on an upward trajectory, and hopefully Travis Hunter's increased role on defense can keep those turnover numbers high.
7. Kansas City Chiefs
As great as Patrick Mahomes and the offense have been in the past, the defense has truly carried the Kansas City Chiefs in recent years. Obviously, they didn't have much team success this past season, and there has been a lot of player turnover, but the Chiefs' defense could be in line for a big bounce-back season in 2026.
As much as they lost, the Chiefs' additions of Khyiris Tonga and Peter Woods will help the interior line depth a ton. R Mason Thomas is a fun weapon off the edge to boost a pass rush that has needed a jolt.
The secondary is really where the Chiefs will be borderline unrecognizable. The key addition was 1st-round pick Mansoor Delane, who is taking over for Trent McDuffie. If he can hit the ground running, it will go a long way for this unit at least maintaining. They were 6th in the NFL in points allowed last year, but Steve Spagnuolo has his work cut out for him with so many new players.
6. Baltimore Ravens
Let's just be blunt about it -- the Ravens' defense was kind of bad last year. Baltimore ranked 18th in points allowed, 30th agianst the pass, and they were middle of the pack in takeaways. Where the Ravens really did well was on 3rd downs (11th) and in the red zone (6th).
But that was the only thing they could really cling to. The Ravens were tied for 30th in the league with 30 sacks last season. So why are they one of the top 6 overall defenses in the AFC heading into this season? Well, the primary reason is their new head coach: Jesse Minter.
Minter has put together some incredible defenses the past two years with the Los Angeles Chargers, and has shown the ability to really get the most out of his players at every level. The Ravens gave their pass rush a huge boost by adding Maxx Cros--er--Trey Hendrickson this offseason, and they spent a 2nd-round pick on Zion Young to get even deeper up front.
5. Cleveland Browns
If the Cleveland Browns have nothing else, they have their defense. They have Myles Garrett, but the defense is good overall.
Cleveland will have a new defensive coordinator this offseason in Mike Rutenberg, who was the pass game coordinator for the resurgent Falcons defense under Jeff Ulbrich last season. He's got some serious talent to work with on that side of the ball, even outside of Garrett.
Carson Schwesinger was one of the best rookies in the NFL last season, regardless of position, and the Browns also have Mason Graham on the interior. The addition of Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at safety was a Day 2 steal, and the Browns feel like they're going to be tough to move the ball on yet again this season. They allowed the 2nd-fewest first downs of any NFL team last season, just behind the Texans.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
Even without Jesse Minter calling the plays, the Los Angeles Chargers should have one of the best defenses in the AFC this coming season.
They're taking a bit of a risk with Chris O'Leary, who has never called plays at the NFL level, but he was on the staff in 2024 before spending a season at Western Michigan. O'Leary is obviously familiar with how Jim Harbaugh likes to run things, he's familiar with Jesse Minter's scheme, and he's simply got to make sure he's prepared to play the game of chess with NFL offensive coordinators.
One thing that will help him out a ton? This Chargers' defense is loaded with veterans and holdovers from last year's group. They are veteran-led, and after adding Dalvin Tomlinson and Akheem Mesidor to the defensive front, they should be even stingier.
3. New England Patriots
Blame the schedule all you want, but the New England Patriots had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season. They ranked 4th in points allowed, 9th against the pass, and 6th against the run. The Patriots' biggest issues last year revolved around their pass rush.
The answer to that this offseason was to bring in veteran Dre'Mont Jones, who can play of the edge as well as on the interior defensive line. They also spent a 2nd-round pick on Illinois pass rusher Gabe Jacas, who could end up being one of the best value picks in the entire Day 2 crop.
The Mike Vrabel situation looms large over the Patriots and their defense, especially. We'll see what transpires there, but you have to think -- especially getting a veteran playmaker like Kevin Byard for the secondary -- that this unit is going to take another step forward in 2026.
2. Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have set back-to-back franchise records for sacks in a season. They led the NFL last year with 68, and frankly, it feels like they still left some meat on the bone.
Although Denver's defense wasn't as downright dominant as the Houston Texans, they were phenomenal situationally. The Broncos finished last season ranked 2nd in the NFL in 3rd down defense and 1st in the NFL in red zone efficiency. Teams could move the ball on Denver's defense at times, but once you got to the red zone, it was no-man's land.
The most staggering fact about Denver's 2025 defense? They were one of the worst units in the league at creating takeaways. A team that had 68 sacks had just two strip-sacks in the regular season, so there is the potential for this group to take even another step forward in 2026. Vance Joseph will be entering his fourth year with the Broncos as their DC, and he has many of the same personnel coming back.
1. Houston Texans
The Texans allowed the fewest yards of any NFL defense last season. They were 2nd in points allowed behind only Seattle. They finished with the 3rd-most takeaways of any defense in the NFL. They allowed the fewest first downs of any defense. They were top-10 in the NFL in sacks.
There's not much this unit lacks, if anything.
And this offseason, they got even sharper teeth on the interior defensive line with Kayden McDonald coming in via the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. They also made a pretty underrated pickup of Reed Blankenship coming in through free agency to get even more experience on the back end. It's hard to see there being any drop-off with this group.