There was a ton of parity in the NFL during the 2025 season, and it ended with some wild results. Some shocking divisional finishes set up a massively entertaining playoffs. Well, as we rumble toward the 2026 NFL Draft and the regular season, that parity could reach new heights in 2026.
There aren't many teams who are truly in a rebuilding mode, so the overwhelming majority of the NFL should be in a competitive spot. And when you look at the standings from 2025, it isn't hard to see a few teams that could seriously go from worst to first.
And here, we power-ranked the eight last-place teams from 2025 based on how likely they are to finish in first place in the 2026 campaign.
Power ranking most likely 'worst to first' teams for the 2026 season
8. Arizona Cardinals
Not only are the Arizona Cardinals a bottom-3 team in the NFL, but they also happen to be in the best division in the NFL. Both Los Angeles and Seattle were two of the best teams in the NFL all of 2025, and the San Francisco 49ers, despite a ton of injuries, won 12 games and made the playoffs.
Unless the three juggernauts forget to show up to every single game, the Cardinals simply have no shot at winning the division, and I really do not believe this team is trying to win games this year. The quarterback situation is a mess, and a first-year head coach in Mike LaFleur also hurts their chances at success.
7. New York Jets
The New York Jets probably have a lame duck head coach in Aaron Glenn, who immediately looked to be in over his head. If you couple that with the Jets having a bottom-tier roster and quarterback situation, the path to success in 2026 is small. Both New England and Buffalo won double-digit games in 2025 and have superstar quarterbacks.
But with five first-round picks in the next two NFL Drafts, the Jets do have a shot to emerge as something as early as 2028 if all goes well.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders share a division with the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs. Denver and Los Angeles combined to win a whopping 25 regular season games last year, and many have expected the Chiefs to rebound. Even if Fernando Mendoza is a 'hit' in year one, the Raiders are a strong year or two away from contending in the AFC West, simply due to just how far ahead Denver and Los Angeles are right now.
5. Cleveland Browns
The AFC North is a huge mess right now, and the Cleveland Browns are in the middle of that mess. If nothing else, all of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Cincinnati have notable questions. The Browns at least sport a good defense and did make strides to shore up the offensive line this offseason.
The best-case scenario here is Deshaun Watson suddenly remembering how to play quarterback again. If that does happen, the Browns could scrape together more wins than we think. However, that feels relatively unlikely, as Watson hasn't played at a starting level for years now.
However, I do believe this roster is better than people think, but the Browns uphill battle is still obvious.
4. Tennessee Titans
Much of the Tennessee Titans success in 2026 hinges on Cam Ward making a year two leap, but he's got a perfect offensive coordinator to help him achieve that in Brian Daboll, and the Titans did rebuild the defensive line. Perhaps adding Jeremiyah Love into the backfield in the NFL Draft, the Titans may have a foundation set to shock the NFL world.
While they might still be a solid year away from winning the division, a path to a winning record is at least present.
3. New York Giants
Between hiring John Harbaugh and Jaxson Dart clearly having the goods, the New York Giants could win the NFC East in 2026. The offensive line has a strong tackle duo, and the defensive line continues to be one of the best in the NFL.
A lot would have to go right for the Giants to win the division, but their NFC East rivals are also all battling major issues at the moment. Like the Titans, the Giants are probably still one year away, but if a few bounces go their way, the Giants could make a push to the top.
2. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints won four of their final five games in the 2025 season and shored up the offense in free agency by signing guard David Edwards and running back Travis Etienne. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough played a lot better than people expected, and Brandon Staley quietly made quick work of that defense.
Given how uncertain the NFC South is as a whole, there really isn't much of anything in the Saints way to winning the division. Shough could soon emerge as the best quarterback in the division in 2026, and Kellen Moore's first year at 6-11 was a very encouraging beginning.
1. Detroit Lions
One year removed from winning the division with a stellar 15-2 season, the Detroit Lions collapsed down the stretch in 2025, still won nine games, but did finish last. This team has made a huge turnaround under Dan Campbell and obviously know what it takes to win the NFC North.
Getting some better injury luck would help, but the Lions do have the best roster and quarterback in the division right now. Those two factors are the main players here and could help Detroit return atop the division in 2026.