The NFC is a loaded conference, and it would not be a shock if more teams that finished with a winning record in 2026 missed the playoffs. Last year, the NFC kind of got flipped on its head, as the former 15-win Detroit Lions won just nine games and missed the playoffs, and the formerly dysfunctional Chicago Bears managed to win 11 games and the NFC North.
And then, in the NFC South, the 8-9 Carolina Panthers did enough to win the division. Things might return more to normal in 2026, as it's hard to imagine a losing record wins the NFC South again and the Lions aren't in the playoffs, but you never know.
Teams win because of their rosters - having competent quarterback play, being strong in the trenches, and having great depth is how teams win and play late in the season. Let's power-rank the 16 NFC rosters as the offseason rolls on.
NFL Power Rankings, 2026: Ranking the rosters in the NFC as the offseason rolls on
16. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have some nice talent here and there, but this roster is still a way away, and being in the NFC West does not help. The quarterback position might be the most disappointing in the NFL. Arizona did use a draft pick this year on Carson Beck, but with Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew also in the room, this team could see any chance of success go out the window because of the unknowns at quarterback.
There aren't many positions on the roster that should threaten opponents, and it's bracing to be a very rough year for the Cards.
15. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have definitely spent big-time to shore up its roster in recent years, but the team just does not really jump off the page. Much of that is due to Bryce Young, a largely underwhelming quarterback. The playmakers are just fine, and the defense, while solid all-around, doesn't really do anything particularly well.
Winning eight games in 2025 was one of the better seasons we have seen this team have in quite some time, and that also, at the same time, is an indictment on the state of things. Carolina is No. 15 in our roster rankings.
14. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are absolutely on the right track and did win four of five games to end the 2025 season. The Saints also added Travis Etienne, David Edwards, and Jordyn Tyson to the offense to help out Tyler Shough.
Shough is still largely unproven, but he did play well in his rookie season and could make a modest jump forward. Offensively, the Saints could have everything they need for a breakout season. Defensively, the unit was sneaky-good, but we still have to 'cap' this team for the time being.
Winning six games wasn't necessarily a bad season, but they won six games for a reason. It all still needs to come together.
13. New York Giants
Another team with some uncertainties at quarterback and a roster that could end up meshing together in 2026, the New York Giants big move this offseason was hiring John Harbaugh. If nothing else, the coaching being better should elevate this roster.
The Giants do have solid talent along the defensive line, and the playmakers on offense are largely solid. However, as we saw last year, the team was a bit of a mess, so until this team comes into their own in 2026, they'll remain low in our roster rankings.
12. Atlanta Falcons
With some stellar talent on offense, the Atlanta Falcons have what it takes to be a dangerous unit in 2026. The Falcons, though, might have a bottom-5 quarterback situation, and that's the main thing hurting their standing in our rankings.
Tua Tagovailoa figuring out how to play football again would help, as the Falcons strong offensive line and playmakers can elevate him. Defensively, the Falcons sport some neat talent in all three phases and did seem to put the pass-rush concerns to bed in 2025.
11. Minnesota Vikings
Having to tweak the defense a bit in the offseason, that unit suddenly doesn't seem as strong on paper. Offensively, though, adding Kyler Murray to the mix should help things. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at wide receiver is a stellar duo, and Murray himself should be able to be good enough to get this team on the right track.
As a whole, though, the group is fine. They did back their way into a nine-win season in 2025, but a lot of players who were on the field for that shocking winning season in 2025 aren't there anymore.
10. Washington Commanders
Washington really invested into the defense this offseason and clearly had a plan of attack. In 2024, the breakout season, the Commanders didn't necessarily sport great roster talent, and that kind of came to a boil in 2025, along with mounting injuries.
At the moment, though, it's clear that the Commanders did improve along the defensive line and at linebacker. On paper, the roster is noticeably better than it was in 2025, but you see some weaknesses at wide receiver and even running back. There aren't many positions that jump off the page with the Commanders, but, rather, there is a lot of 'good' throughout.
9. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas' offense is among the best in the NFL, as not many teams can boast talent like Javonte Williams, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and quarterback in Dak Prescott to tie it all together. While the team has made some progress on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, that unit is still largely unproven.
Sure, adding Rashan Gary, Caleb Downs, and Jalen Thompson to the unit could improve it in 2026, but we simply can't say that for sure. The raw talent absolutely got better though, and along with some subpar coaching, the defense was also missing key impact players in 2025.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa's roster is fine. Both sides of the ball have competent, solid talent, but, like many teams in this tier of roster talent, there aren't many positions that jump off the page. We have seen this team draft quite well, but it's been a rather 'whelming' period for the team ever since Tom Brady retired. They've won the NFC South a bunch, but have not finished with more than 10 wins since 2021.
It's been 8-10 wins four years in a row now. When it's gone on that much, it's due to coaching and roster talent.
7. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers might truly have the most 'good not great' roster in the NFL. Like Tampa Bay, there are competent players all over the place. The Packers do have some superstars like Micah Parsons and Tucket Kraft, but weaker spots like in the secondary and even along the offensive line cancel things out.
Offensively, the 'good not great' mantra rings true even more. Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs, and the wide receiver room are all talented, but once again, what makes any of those players great? The Packers have kind of maxed-out in recent years as a solid Wild Card team, and without better players throughout the roster, they'll continue to tread in the same waters.
6. Chicago Bears
Chicago has a solid roster and comes in at No. 6 in our roster rankings. The defense got a bit of a makeover this offseason, and that unit could still use more talent, but the offensive line really took a step forward in 2025, and the playmakers are young and insanely talented.
Infusing the offense with Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, and Kyle Monangai has the Bears on the brink of contending, and while the defense does need to play better, there are still some notable players on that side of the ball like Montez Sweat, Devin Bush, and solid defensive backs in Coby Bryant, Jaylon Johnson, and rookie Dillon Thieneman.
5. San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco has not necessarily drafted well, but it's tough for this front office to not field a very good roster. Adding to the defensive line and wide receiver room this offseason, the 49ers clearly took a calculated approach to fill the most urgent needs.
There's also a reason why this team wins more than most. We have seen San Fran boast some notable defensive talent, though, as players like Nick Bosa, new addition Osa Odighizuwa, Fred Warner, and Dre Greenlaw all are 'plus' players in their respective roles.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia always has a top-tier roster. Sure, there are questions with Jalen Hurts, but offensively, the Eagles have consistently had elite offensive line play and great playmakers. Even with AJ Brown likely getting traded, the receiver room should still thrive.
Defensively, Vic Fangio definitely helps raise this unit up, but the team does still have notable talent in the secondary with Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, and General Manager Howie Roseman always puts a major emphasis in the trenches.
3. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle sports one of the best defenses in the NFL, perhaps having the deepest defensive line. The hard-hitting secondary is also a major strength, and the linebacker play is nearly elite.
Offensively, while the passing game is a bit top-heavy, the Seahawks were consistently able to throw the ball all over the place. I do have questions about the overall offensive line talent and the rushing attack without Kenneth Walker III, but this team is just so strong everywhere else, and it was evidenced last year during the Super Bowl run.
2. Detroit Lions
Detroit's roster is special. On paper, the only thing that really sticks out is the defensive line outside of Aidan Hutchinson, but that unit still has considerable talent. There are Pro Bowl and All-Pro players littered all over the place, and for years now, the Lions have leaned into what they do the best.
With a high-flying offense, strong offensive line, and elite weapons, the Lions overwhelm opponents on offense, and simply getting some better injury luck and fielding an average defense will help the Lions return to contender status.
1. Los Angeles Rams
It's hard to find a flaw with the Los Angeles Rams roster. In the offseason, General Manager Les Snead quickly filled the major weakness by trading for Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson, two cornerbacks formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Suddenly, this roster doesn't have a notable flaw. With competent linebacker play, an explosive defensive line, a borderline-elite offensive line, and above-average weapons, along with the reigning MVP, the Rams don't have a clear roster hole that would prevent them from winning it all in the 2026 season. The Rams are No. 1.