Trey Amos

"The offseason can really look like one big game of musical chairs. After teams pick up the pieces of last season, they begin building towards tomorrow. As they chart through the offseason, clubs use free agency, the NFL Draft and an array of trades to infuse their rosters with more talent, which can make the league look wildly different year over year. With that in mind and the 2026 season on the horizon, we use this juncture to take the temperature of where every roster in the NFL clocks in -- on paper. Below, CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani and Tyler Sullivan examined every team's roster and attempted to rank the starting lineups around the league. They also identified one good aspect of the roster, one bad aspect, and one lingering question. Here are their first rankings, from No. 32 to No. 17. 32. Miami DolphinsDepth ChartThe good: Running backs -- De'Von Achane has established himself as one of the premier running backs in the NFL, and led the league with 5.7 yards per rush last season. He actually has the second-most career yards per rush (5.62) by a running back in NFL history. Achane will be called upon to lead this offense, but he's got some intriguing running mates as well. Jaylen Wright possesses legitimate speed and ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine, while Ollie Gordon III is a bigger back that weights at least 20 pounds more than Achane and Wright, but is athletic in his own way. The bad: Secondary -- This Dolphins secondary, on paper, looks like the worst in the league. On their first depth chart, JuJu Brents, Jason Marshall Jr. and rookie Chris Johnson are listed as the starting cornerbacks, while Zayne Anderson and Dante Trader Jr. are the starting safeties. Storm Duck and Darrell Baker Jr. are expected to play roles this year as well, but they are sidelined with injuries. The question: Quarterback -- Malik Willis is going to get his opportunity to prove he's a franchise quarterback. The former third-round pick out of Liberty was impressive during his stint with the Green Bay Packers, although he made just three starts. His one start last year against the Baltimore Ravens was fantastic. He completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown, while also leading the team in rushing with 60 yards and two more touchdowns. So, is he a rising star in this league? 31. Arizona CardinalsDepth ChartThe good: Tight end -- Trey McBride has a claim to be considered the top tight end in the entire NFL after the season he just put together in 2025. The 26-year-old notched 126 receptions, 1,239 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns last season. Those receptions were the most by a tight end in a single season all-time. He's an anchor to what Arizona plans to do in the passing game. The bad: Quarterback -- Jacoby Brissett will likely start after the franchise officially moved off of Kyler Murray. While Brissett put up solid numbers in his 12 starts in 2025, Arizona went 1-11 in those games. Meanwhile, the organization took Carson Beck at the top of the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. At some point, they'll probably turn the keys over to him to see what they have in the rookie, but he isn't truly viewed as a future franchise centerpiece at the moment. The question: Running back -- Initially, the backfield was looked at as a strong area of the Cardinals' offense, especially after using the No. 3 overall pick on Jeremiyah Love. However, Love has since suffered a high ankle sprain, which puts his prospects to begin the season in doubt. While they have veteran Tyler Allgieir, who they signed this offseason, the depth is dwindling as James Conner is working his way back from an ankle injury and fellow back Trey Benson has a knee ailment. If Love can get healthy at the start of the year, this unit should be fine, but it's a bit clouded at the moment. 30. Cleveland BrownsDepth ChartThe good: Front seven -- We could just put "defense" here, and we are still going to cheat by listing the front seven. Even without Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns have a solid group. First-round pick Mason Graham and Maliek Collins are holding down the interior, with Jared Verse on the edge. Alex Wright, unfortunately, went down with a torn Achilles, but the Browns did add former first-round pick Derek Barnett to come in and help. Verse, who is a two-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Rookie of the Year, has taken it upon himself to be a leader for this unit despite being a newcomer. At linebacker, the Browns have veteran Quincy Williams, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold -- who is admittedly an unknown-- and reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger. So, Cleveland has the last two Defensive Rookies of the Year on its front seven. The bad: Quarterback -- The Browns may have the worst quarterback room in the NFL. Deshaun Watson has been the worst starting quarterback in the league since he was traded over from Houston, ranking worst in completion percentage, yards per attempt, and TD-INT ratio, while Shedeur Sanders led the NFL in interceptions after his NFL debut in Week 11. His completion percentage (57%) and passer rating (68.1) ranked second-worst in the league as well. Watson is the starter, for now.The question: Offensive line -- The Browns are the only team since 1970 to lose their top five offensive line starters all in the same offseason. This unit wasn't very good in 2025 and was hit hard by injuries, so the question is: can this new group keep the quarterback upright? First-round pick Spencer Fano is expected to start at left tackle, Zion Johnson at left guard, Elgton Jenkins at center, Teven Jenkins at right guard and Tytus Howard at right tackle. 29. Atlanta FalconsDepth ChartThe good: Running back -- Of course, Bijan Robinson is the headliner here. The Falcons superstar enters 2026 as arguably the league's best back and just inked a three-year, $66.8 million extension this summer. Robinson led the NFL with 2,298 scrimmage yards last season, while finding the end zone 11 times. His 5,648 career scrimmage yards are the fourth-most in a player's first three seasons in NFL history. While Robinson will command the lion's share of the touches, there is solid backfield depth. With Tyler Allgeier signing with Arizona this offseason, the Falcons inked Brian Robinson Jr. to a one-year deal. Robinson has been a starter in the past but will now take on the role of Allgeier's primary backup. The bad: Edge rushers -- Atlanta's pass-rushing unit was initially looked at as a strength, especially after double-dipping at the 2025 NFL Draft by taking Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round. However, those two pillars have since crumbled as it relates to 2026. Walker suffered a season-ending ACL tear during training camp, and Pearce was just slapped with an eight-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. That's forced the Falcons to dip their hand in the free agent pool and lure 33-year-old Za'Darius Smith out of retirement.The question: Quarterback -- Atlanta is in the midst of a quarterback battle between incumbent Michael Penix Jr. and new arrival Tua Tagovailoa, who signed a one-year deal following his release from the Dolphins. Doctors just cleared Penix for 11-on-11s as he continues to work his way back from a torn ACL. Meanwhile, Tagovailoa has yet to truly grasp the job. If it is Tagovailoa who wins out, is he the latest veteran quarterback to enjoy a career resurgence with a change of scenery? Or will he continue to post subpar results? If it's Penix, can he stay healthy and put together more efficient numbers? Atlanta invested heavily in their skill-position players this offseason, but it'll only pay dividends with some stability under center. 28. Tennessee Titans Depth ChartThe good: Wide receiver -- We'll see if it's the most talented, but this appears to be potentially the deepest wide receiving corps in Tennessee Titans history. Mike Borgonzi selected Ohio State standout Carnell Tate with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed Wan'Dale Robinson to a four-year deal in free agency. He racked up 1,014 yards receiving last season for the New York Giants, the most by a player 5-foot-8 or shorter since 1989. The Titans also have Calvin Ridley, who has reached 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons in which he played at least eight games. Plus, some talented second-year pass-catchers in Elic Ayomanor, who has been making waves in training camp after catching 41 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, and Chimere Dike, who was named a First Team All-Pro last year as a returner after breaking the NFL rookie record for most all-purpose yards. That's a solid five right there. The bad: Offensive line -- The Titans' offensive line has been subpar for years now. Left guard Peter Skoronski, who just signed the largest contract for an offensive guard in NFL history, is the lone bright spot. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. hasn't exactly lived up to the $82 million deal he signed last offseason, while right tackle JC Latham hasn't lived up to his No. 7 overall draft billing. The Titans signed Austin Schlottmann to take over at center, while fifth-round pick Fernando Carmona is the frontrunner to start at right guard.The question: Quarterback -- Cam Ward's rookie season was tough to evaluate. He started slow with five total touchdowns and 11 turnovers in his first nine starts, but eventually found his footing, accounting for 12 total touchdowns and just three turnovers in his final eight starts. Tennessee didn't have much structure in 2025, but that's expected to be different in 2026. Not only did the Titans hire one of the best defensive minds in football, Robert Saleh, as head coach, but they also brought in an experienced offensive mind in Brian Daboll. So, the question is, can Ward run an offense? Can he operate out of structure and be accurate enough to keep the offense on the field? If he takes a second-year jump, this No. 28 overall ranking is too low. 27. Las Vegas RaidersDepth ChartThe good: Tight end -- Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza have some fun passing-game security blankets to utilize at tight end. Brock Bowers, of course, is a lot more than just a check-down option, as the versatile weapon will likely lead the Las Vegas Raiders in receiving this year if he can stay healthy. Former second-round pick Michael Mayer is a solid option in the receiving game as well, and caught the first touchdown of the preseason for Vegas. Ian Thomas and Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. are nice depth options, too. The bad: Wide receiver -- The Raiders had one of the worst wide receiving corps in the NFL last year, and all they added to it this offseason was Jalen Nailor and rookie Malik Benson. Vegas does have Tre Tucker, who led the team with 696 yards receiving and five touchdowns last year, and is hoping for big second-year jumps from Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. Bowers is going to be a pillar of this passing attack, but this wide receiver room is questionable at best. The question: Offensive line -- This unit was the worst in the NFL last year, but has a couple of new faces in center Tyler Linderbaum and left guard Spencer Burford. The Raiders made Linderbaum the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in free agency in NFL history with $27 million per year, while Burford comes over after four seasons spent with the San Francisco 49ers. How improved will this unit be? It needs to be much better if Cousins and Mendoza are going to find success. 26. New York JetsDepth ChartThe good: Wide receivers -- New York sneakily assembled a fascinating wide receiver room. Garrett Wilson remains the top option and one of the more skilled players at the position in the league, despite lackluster play at quarterback. He's looking to bounce back after being limited to just seven games in 2025. Behind him, Adonai Mitchell, who New York acquired as part of the Sauce Gardner trade with Indy, showed flashes last season. Then, there's 2026 first-round pick Omar Cooper Jr., who recorded the second-most receiving touchdowns (13) in the Big Ten last season. That's not a bad trio, provided someone can get them the football. The bad: Quarterback -- Geno Smith returning to MetLife Stadium doesn't exactly get the juices flowing. While the veteran stabilized his career in Seattle, his latest stop in Las Vegas left little to be desired, including a league-leading 17 interceptions. The Jets ranked last in passing yards per game (140.3) last season, and Smith's arrival should improve those metrics, but doesn't give them a high ceiling. The question: Pass rush -- Lost in the embarrassment of not recording a single interception last season was New York's inability to get after the quarterback. They ranked last in pressure rate (28%) and 31st in total sacks (26). To fix that, they used the No. 2 overall pick on edge rusher David Bailey and signed defensive end Joseph Ossai to a $36 million free-agent deal. Are Bailey and this new group of free agents that New York brought in to improve the defense able to apply pressure to the quarterback? If so, they might be able to finally create turnovers. 25. New Orleans SaintsDepth ChartThe good: Offensive line -- The New Orleans Saints have a solid offensive line in front of Tyler Shough. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was the best rookie offensive lineman last year, PFF claims. Free-agent addition David Edwards fits in at left guard, and center Erik McCoy is a two-time Pro Bowler. Right guard Cesar Ruiz is definitely more of a question mark, but former first-round pick Taliese Fuaga is set to make a jump at right tackle if he can remain healthy. It's worth mentioning that this unit doesn't appear to be very deep, but the starting five is solid. The bad: Special teams -- The Saints showcased one of the worst special teams units in 2025, and it remains to be seen if the issue has been resolved. New Orleans gave former Minnesota Vikings punter Ryan Wright $14 million to come in and boot the ball. However, he shanked a punt that went just 15 yards in his first preseason game. He did bounce back Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams.Saints kickers converted on 71.4% of their field goals last year. If we combined Charlie Smyth and Blake Grupe into one kicker, their average ranked 38th in the NFL. New Orleans was hosting a kicker battle between Smyth and Tanner Brown this preseason, but signed Daniel Carlson on Monday. Brown missed a 39-yard field goal on Saturday after going 2/2 last week, and Smyth missed a 52-yarder in Week 1 of the preseason. The question: Weaponry -- We could list the Saints' weaponry as the best part of this roster, but we can't exactly say that with running back Alvin Kamara (MCL sprain) and rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) both expected to miss at least a month! Is Chris Olave going to have to carry the wide receiver room again? Can Travis Etienne Jr. live up to his contract? I would feel pretty good about Shough's weaponry if it weren't for injuries. So will his group of playmakers remain healthy enough to help the Saints be the sleeper so many envision they are this year? 24. Carolina PanthersDepth ChartThe good: Cornerbacks- I like the Carolina Panthers' top two cornerbacks in Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson. Horn, who has made two straight Pro Bowls, recorded a career-high five interceptions last season, while Jackson is clearly underrated and tied for the league lead in passes defensed with 19, to go along with a career-high four interceptions last year.The bad: Tight end -- The Panthers have been trying to find a legitimate starting tight end for years now. They drafted Tommy Tremble in 2021, Ja'Tavion Sanders in 2024, and Mitchell Evans in 2025, but none have been legitimate threats in the passing game. If you want to know how Carolina feels about its tight end room, the Panthers just signed soon-to-be 34-year-old Darren Waller to come in and help. The question: Offensive line -- A team not having its starting left and right tackles to begin the season would spell disaster for most teams, but not the Panthers. Free-agent addition Rasheed Walker will fill in for Ickey Ekwonu at left tackle, while first-round pick Monroe Freeling replaces Taylor Moton on the right side. Carolina also has a new center in Luke Fortner, who takes over for Cade Mays. This unit was pretty good when healthy. How will it look with three new faces? 23. New York GiantsDepth ChartThe good: Pass rushers -- The New York Giants are going to find success pressuring the quarterback this season. Brian Burns ranked in the top four in the NFL in sacks (16.5), QB hits (31) and tackles for loss (22) last year, and Abdul Carter is a former No. 3 overall pick who got better as his rookie season went on, recording 3.5 sacks in his final five games. New York has another top-five pick in the fold with Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has gotten to the quarterback 23.5 times over four years. I'm also excited to see another top-five pick in linebacker Arvell Reese be deployed as a blitzer. The bad: Defensive interior -- With Dexter Lawrence II gone, Shelby Harris, DJ Reader and Darius Alexander are set to start on the interior. Remember, this Giants team allowed a league-high 5.3 yards per carry last season. The massive Reader was the most double-teamed player in the NFL last year, according to Next Gen Stats. He's 32-years-old now, and didn't record a sack in 2025. The Giants have been managing his workload, as they are with the 35-year-old Harris. Alexander, on the other hand, is the young buck at 25 years old, but has been far from a standout in the two preseason games. So, will this run defense be improved in 2026?The question: Quarterback -- Jaxson Dart is a fun quarterback, but can he be a good quarterback? He became just the third rookie to ever throw 10 touchdowns while rushing for eight more scores, but he is also about to start paying rent to the blue medical tent. Apart from needing to play smart, Dart's completion percentage also ranked outside the top 20 at 63.7%, and J.J. McCarthy and Spencer Rattler threw for more yards per game than Dart did. He'll need to be better as a passer, but he is certainly capable. 22. Washington CommandersDepth ChartThe good: Quarterback -- Jayden Daniels looked like he was about to take over the entire league as a rookie, as the No. 2 overall pick took the lowly Washington Commanders from 4-13 to 12-5 with an NFC Championship appearance. He became the second quarterback all-time to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season, including playoffs, and scored more touchdowns (37) than any rookie ever. Daniels needs to stay healthy, as he missed 10 games last season with multiple ailments while Washington crashed back to earth at 5-12. Daniels' absence wasn't the only reason Washington struggled, as the defense finished dead last for the second time in the last three years. Marcus Mariota, on the other hand, is regarded as one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL, and I've got a level of interest in rookie Athan Kaliakmanis as well. The bad: Cornerback -- Washington's cornerback room is a bit worrisome. The likely starters are Trey Amos, who played 10 games in his NFL career and broke his leg last year, Amik Robertson, who comes over from the disappointing Lions secondary, and Mike Sainristil, who, while feisty, is not exactly Darrell Green. I do like the veteran Rasul Douglas, who will likely play a role on this team in 2026. The question: Left side of the offensive line -- The Commanders lost star left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a torn triceps, and former left tackle Brandon Coleman gets the first crack to replace him. Coleman was battling Chris Paul for the starting left guard spot, so I'm curious if Coleman can be a legitimate starting left tackle, and if Paul can hold down left guard effectively. Washington also has Andrew Wylie as a backup option if Coleman struggles. 21. Indianapolis ColtsDepth ChartThe good: Offensive line -- If this unit remains healthy, the Indianapolis Colts' offensive line could be one of the best in the AFC. Bernhard Raimann is cemented at left tackle after he signed a $100 million deal last offseason, left guard Quenton Nelson is one of the best linemen in the league, center Tanor Bortolini was PFF's No. 3-graded center last year, right guard Matt Goncalves is a former tackle moved inside who is improving, and right tackle Jalen Travis is a second-year player also expected to make a jump. The bad: Linebacker -- With Zaire Franklin gone, the Colts are relying on second-round pick CJ Allen to replace him at linebacker. The Georgia product was viewed as a physical, versatile playmaker as a prospect, but can he be a consistent force at the second level as a rookie? His running mate figures to be Akeem Davis-Gaither, who made 117 tackles last year for the Cardinals. However, he was released by the club this offseason. Is this unit really an upgrade over Franklin and Germaine Pratt? The question: Wide receiver -- We could easily go quarterback here, but let's look a little deeper. The Colts gave Alec Pierce more money than any team has ever given a wide receiver in free agency, with $114 million over four years. He led the NFL in yards per reception in back-to-back seasons, but he will have to prove he can be a legitimate No. 1 wideout and is still not healthy. Indy made a notable addition last week in Keenan Allen, but he is now 34-years-old. Josh Downs has flashed in spots, but averaged 35.4 yards per game with four touchdowns in 16 games last season. Behind that top three are Ashton Dulin, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Anthony Gould, Laquon Treadwell and Deion Burks. Tight end Tyler Warren is going to play a big role in the passing game, but the Colts' wide receiving corps is a bit of a question mark to me. 20. Tampa Bay BuccaneersDepth ChartThe good: Defensive line -- With Vita Vea's trade request rescinded after agreeing to an extension with the Bucs, Tampa Bay now has one of the better defensive fronts in the league. Vea is coming off a 2025 campaign where he posted 51 total pressures and 4.5 sacks. He'll be working alongside Calijah Kancey, who is looking to rebound after an injury-plagued 2025 season where he was limited to just two games. Back in 2024, the former first-rounder did break out with 7.5 sacks and 39 pressures. On top of those two, the Bucs have Yaya Diaby (seven sacks in 2025) and Rueben Bain Jr. (No. 15 overall pick in 2026) headlining the defense off the edge. The bad: Cornerback -- The Bucs are slated to start Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morison at outside corner in 2026 after Jamel Dean left in free agency this offseason. Morrison was a second-round pick in 2025, but his rookie season saw him play just 61% of the defensive snaps (10 games played and three starts) due to injury. When he was on the field, he surrendered a passer rating of 112.2 when targeted. Meanwhile, McCollum, who is entering his fifth season in the NFL after being a fifth-rounder in 2022, has been a full-time starter for the Buccaneers over the past two seasons. Last year, he struggled a bit, allowing a career-high six touchdowns in coverage and a passer rating of 100.9 when targeted. The question: Quarterback -- As he enters a contract year, what version of Baker Mayfield will the Bucs get in 2026? At the start of last season, Mayfield was on an MVP trajectory, leading Tampa to a 5-1 record while notching 12 touchdowns and just one interception for a 108.5 passer rating. Things went haywire after that, in part due to injuries, and his passer rating fell to 80.6, and the Bucs went 3-8, missing the playoffs. If Mayfield can get back to his old self, Tampa Bay should be firmly in the mix to win the NFC South. 19. Pittsburgh SteelersDepth ChartThe good: Edge rusher -- The pass rush is still the bread and butter of the Steelers. T.J. Watt remains one of the more feared edge rushers in the league, even as his sack total dipped to seven in 2025. In 14 games, he still had 46 total pressures. Meanwhile, Alex Highsmith is coming off a 9.5-sack season in just 13 games played, and 2023 fourth-round pick Nick Herbig broke out with a career-high 7.5 sacks last year. The bad: Safety -- There are some durability concerns with this group. Pittsburgh inked Jaquan Brisker to a one-year deal in free agency, and while he played in all 17 games for Chicago last season and broke up eight passes, he has a history of concussions. Meanwhile, DeShon Elliott was limited to five games last year due to injury. To compound the concern surrounding their injury history is the lack of depth behind them. After Brisker and Elliott, the Steelers have seventh-round rookie Robert Spears-Jennings, Jack Henderson and veteran Rayshawn Jenkins. The question: Quarterback -- Aaron Rodgers already announced this season as his last, and it stands to wonder what Pittsburgh will get out of the 42-year-old. While his 24-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio was inside the top-10 in 2025, Rodgers' numbers beyond that were middling. He was 16th among 33 qualified QBs in completion percentage, 15th in passing yards and 27th in yards per attempt. Does that improve, decline, or stay the same in 2026? 18. Minnesota VikingsDepth ChartThe good: Wide receiver -- Kyler Murray has some nice weaponry to work with in Minnesota. Justin Jefferson is one of the best receivers in the NFL, having racked up more receiving yards (5,464) than any other player over the last four years. Jordan Addison is a great No. 2, recording 911 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2023, 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024, then 610 yards and three touchdowns with the struggling J.J. McCarthy in 2025. The Vikings also have one of the best "No. 3s" in the NFL with Jauan Jennings. He emerged as a trusted target of Brock Purdy in San Francisco. Believe it or not, Jennings tied George Kittle for the most receiving touchdowns on the team over the last two years, and had the most receptions (47) and receiving yards (546) by a 49er on third down over the past two seasons. In fact, he led the team in red-zone (34), fourth-quarter (50), and third-down targets (69) over the last two years. Underrated. The bad: Safety -- The Vikings are beginning a new era on the back end with Harrison Smith now gone. Joshua Metellus and Jay Ward are slated to be the starters at safety. Metellus is entering his seventh season with Minnesota, and he recorded back-to-back 100-tackle seasons in 2023 and 2024. Ward has started in just five of 50 career games played for Minnesota and has one career pass deflection and zero interceptions. He did have that electric sack of Jaxson Dart in the first preseason game of the year, though. Then there's third-round pick Jakobe Thomas out of Miami, who I think could be a legitimate sleeper. Maybe he can quell concerns at safety immediately. The question: Quarterback -- If Murray returns to Pro Bowl form and is rejuvenated by this change of scenery, then the Vikings are a legitimate NFL sleeper. However, he has to prove that. Murray has missed 30 out of a possible 68 games over the last five years, and Jacoby Brissett looked like an upgrade over him in Arizona last year. Murray is also running a different style of offense, but Kevin O'Connell is encouraged by what he can be in this scheme. 17. Chicago BearsDepth ChartThe good: Tight end -- Colston Loveland is knocking on the door of superstar status entering his sophomore season. Chicago selected the Michigan product with the 10th overall pick at the 2025 NFL Draft, and he started to truly emerge down the stretch of his rookie campaign. From Week 9 to Week 18 (10 games), Loveland caught 47 balls for 597 yards and six touchdowns. That put him on a 1,000-yard, double-digit touchdown pace over the course of a full regular season. He carried that into the playoffs as well, catching 12 of his 25 (!) targets over two games for 193 yards. Meanwhile, backup Cole Kmet is no slouch and has a 73-catch season on his résumé. The Bears also took Stanford tight end Sam Roush in the third round (69th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft this past spring. The bad: Center -- One of the true stunners of the offseason was the retirement of Drew Dalman. He was (literally) at the center of Chicago's revamped offensive line and was a key piece to Caleb Williams' leap in Year 2. While the interior of the offensive line still has guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson to help Williams stay upright, there are some questions as to how the center spot will shake out. The Bears traded for veteran Garrett Bradbury, who was solid for New England last season, but doesn't have nearly the ceiling as Dalman. They also selected Logan Jones in the second round, giving them options at center. The question: Wide receiver -- The Bears traded away DJ Moore to the Bills, leaving the wide receiver room to the youngsters Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. The projections suggest that this should be quite the duo for Caleb Williams, but we're still in a wait-and-see phase. Odunze was limited to 12 games in his second season in 2025, and Burden was more of a complementary piece as a rookie, starting just five of his 15 regular-season games. If both of these players hit as they adopt a larger target share within the offense, they could each break out in 2026."

"Young players headline the breakout list: Walter Nolen, Deone Walker and Dylan Fairchild are among the second-year players positioned to take another step in 2026. Expanded roles create opportunities: Josh Downs, Isaac TeSlaa and Gunnar Helm could benefit from clearer paths to increased playing time or opportunities. PFF Grades highlight emerging talent: Armand Membou earned 70.0-plus PFF grades in pass protection and run blocking as a rookie, while Kelvin Banks Jr. led first-year offensive tackles with a 73.5 PFF grade. Some of the most important players of the 2026 season aren’t yet household names. From second-year linemen poised to take a leap to rotational pass-rushers and receivers stepping into larger roles, every roster has a player capable of breaking out. Here is one breakout candidate for each of the 32 NFL teams. Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen Nolen showed some encouraging flashes during his rookie season in Arizona, but he played just 169 snaps, limiting his overall impact. He generated 15 pressures on 99 pass-rushing snaps, earned an 80.1 PFF pass-rush grade and recorded at least three pressures in three of the four games in which he had 15 or more pass-rushing snaps. The key for Nolen will be staying on the field, but if he can, there’s a chance he emerges as Arizona’s best defensive player by the end of the season. Atlanta Falcons: Matthew Bergeron Left guard Matthew Bergeron enters the final season of his rookie contract with an opportunity to earn a significant payday with a strong 2026 campaign. He has already played more than 3,000 snaps in his career and has earned PFF overall grades above 70.0 in back-to-back seasons. Bergeron has consistently graded better as a run blocker than in pass protection, but he has also earned PFF pass-blocking grades above 65.0 in each of the past two seasons. He allowed 28 pressures across 519 pass-blocking snaps in 2025. Baltimore Ravens: Teddye Buchanan Linebacker Teddye Buchanan had started to impress before a season-ending injury derailed his rookie campaign. After taking over a starting role in Week 2, the 2025 fourth-round draft pick earned a PFF overall grade above 60.0 in five of his final six games and ranked 31st among linebackers in PFF run-defense grade (70.8). Buffalo Bills: Deone Walker A fourth-round draft pick last season, Deone Walker showed some encouraging flashes during his rookie campaign. Despite what you might expect from a player his size, the former Kentucky Wildcat made his biggest impact as a pass-rusher, earning a 78.3 PFF pass-rush grade while generating 20 pressures on 283 pass-rushing snaps. A full NFL offseason should give him the opportunity to take another step forward and make an even bigger impact along the interior of the Bills’ defensive line. Carolina Panthers: Jalen Coker The Panthers have already demonstrated their belief in former undrafted free agent Jalen Coker, signing him to a three-year, $34 million extension this offseason. Through his first two NFL seasons, Coker has earned PFF receiving grades above 70.0 and averaged at least 1.60 yards per route run in both years. With Tetairoa McMillan established as the primary target, Carolina does not need Coker to lead the passing game. Instead, 2026 presents an opportunity for him to earn more recognition as a versatile secondary option who can make plays both from the slot and out wide. Chicago Bears: Kyle Monangai Luther Burden III could play a significant role in the Bears’ offense, but the same is true of fellow 2025 rookie Kyle Monangai at running back. The seventh-round pick averaged 4.5 yards per carry as a rookie while forcing 30 missed tackles. His 75.2 PFF rushing grade ranked 30th among the 65 running backs with at least 50 carries across the regular season and playoffs, and he formed an impressive backfield tandem with D'Andre Swift. Cincinnati Bengals: Dylan Fairchild The Bengals drafted guard Dylan Fairchild with the 81st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the former Georgia Bulldog started 15 games as a rookie. Over the final eight games of the season, his 74.3 PFF pass-blocking grade ranked first among rookie guards and fourth among all rookie offensive linemen. He is capable of developing into the Bengals’ best offensive lineman by the end of the 2026 season. Cleveland Browns: Harold Fannin Jr. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. followed up an impressive college career by finishing fourth among all rookies in receiving yards (731). He earned a 76.4 PFF receiving grade, trailing only Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III and Tetairoa McMillan among rookies to see at least 20 targets. Fannin fell in the draft because he was just an OK athlete, but his 3.77 yards per route run in his final college season was always a sign he could be a star in the NFL. Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Ezeiruaku Expectations are high for Donovan Ezeiruaku entering his second NFL season. He generated 36 pressures on 343 pass-rushing snaps as a rookie, showing flashes while earning a 66.8 PFF pass-rush grade. If he can develop into a consistent threat off the edge, it would go a long way toward easing concerns about the Cowboys’ ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Denver Broncos: RJ Harvey Rookie running back RJ Harvey had a solid debut season, earning a 69.6 PFF rushing grade across 165 carries while showcasing his big-play ability with runs of 38, 40 and 50 yards. He also contributed in the passing game, with his 1.40 yards per route run ranking ninth at the position. With J.K. Dobbins and rookie Jonah Coleman sharing the backfield, Harvey is unlikely to take on a true workhorse role. However, he has the talent to emerge as Denver’s best running back in his second NFL season. Detroit Lions: Isaac TeSlaa Isaac TeSlaa flashed impressive ball skills as a rookie, with five of his 16 receptions in 2025 coming on contested catches. He also did not drop a single catchable target, and with Kalif Raymond no longer on the roster, there is a clear path for him to emerge as the No. 3 wide receiver in the offense. Green Bay Packers: Edgerrin Cooper Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has impressed since entering the NFL as a second-round draft pick in 2024, earning PFF grades above 75.0 in both seasons. In his first year as a full-time starter, he ranked 17th in the NFL with 45 tackles resulting in defensive stops during the regular season. Another strong campaign could put him firmly in the conversation as one of the league’s top linebackers, behind only Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers. Houston Texans: Aireontae Ersery Aireontae Ersery made 17 starts as a rookie for the Texans, including 16 at left tackle. Heading into his second season, he is firmly established as the team’s starter, and there were plenty of encouraging signs during his rookie campaign. Excluding his lone start at right tackle, Ersery earned a 69.1 PFF pass-blocking grade, tied for 42nd among the 86 offensive tackles who played at least 300 snaps last season. If he builds on that foundation, he has the potential to finish 2026 as one of the NFL’s top 20 tackles. Indianapolis Colts: Josh Downs Michael Pittman’s departure should create more opportunities for Josh Downs in a contract year. The 2023 third-round pick has recorded at least 500 receiving yards in each of his first three NFL seasons while dropping just 4.3% of his catchable targets over that span. In 2024, Downs averaged 2.20 yards per route run and saw 102 targets. With a clear path to the No. 2 receiver role in Indianapolis’ offense, he has a strong chance to return to that level of production in 2026. Jacksonville Jaguars: Parker Washington Parker Washington thrived in an expanded role after Travis Hunter’s injury, though his breakout season was somewhat overshadowed by the arrival of Jakobi Meyers at the trade deadline. Washington averaged 2.19 yards per route run in 2025, 0.61 more than any other Jaguars pass-catcher. He also caught fire down the stretch, recording 507 receiving yards over Jacksonville’s final five games, including the playoffs — more than double any of his teammates during that span. Kansas City Chiefs: Kingsley Suamataia After a difficult rookie season at left tackle in 2024, Kingsley Suamataia made significant strides following a move to left guard in 2025. Across 1,090 snaps, he earned PFF grades above 60.0 as both a pass blocker and run blocker, while his 64.9 overall grade represented a significant improvement from the 37.9 mark he posted across 198 snaps as a rookie. Suamataia still allowed 35 pressures, so there is plenty of room for improvement. Given the progress he made in his second season, though, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take another significant step forward in 2026. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty It’s an easy choice, but the addition of Tyler Linderbaum at center gives Ashton Jeanty an excellent opportunity to take a step forward in Year 2. Jeanty was solid as a rookie, earning a 73.1 PFF rushing grade that ranked tied for 33rd at the position. However, the struggles of the offensive line contributed to him finishing just 18th with 975 rushing yards, despite his 815 yards after contact ranking eighth. With an improved offensive line in front of him and a better situation at quarterback, Jeanty should have an easier time producing at a higher level in his second season. Los Angeles Chargers: Charlie Kolar Tight end Charlie Kolar is coming off a career-high 77.5 PFF grade and has the skill set to be a complete player in the Chargers’ offense. He is unlikely to lead the team’s tight ends in targets, but his 1.70 yards per route run shows that he can still contribute as a receiver. Kolar’s biggest strength, though, is his blocking. His 71.5 PFF run-blocking grade ranked 10th among tight ends in 2025, giving the Chargers an effective in-line option who can provide a boost to the running game. Los Angeles Rams: Kobie Turner Kobie Turner is set to hit free agency after the season, and if the first three years of his career are any indication, he’s about to earn a massive payday. He has earned PFF pass-rush grades above 80.0 in two of his first three seasons while generating 181 pressures, including 50 sacks and quarterback hits, on 1,654 pass-rushing snaps. With opposing offenses now likely to devote extra attention to Myles Garrett off the edge, Turner could see even more favorable one-on-one opportunities as a pass-rusher. Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant endured a rough start to his NFL career, earning a 30.4 PFF grade over the first five weeks of the season. He steadily improved as the year went on, though, and his 62.0 PFF grade from Week 6 through the end of the season ranked third among the 14 rookie interior defensive linemen who played at least 200 snaps during that span. His 16 defensive stops over that stretch also ranked second in the group. With a full NFL offseason under his belt, expect Grant to continue that upward trajectory in 2026. Minnesota Vikings: Jalen Redmond An undrafted free agent in 2023, defensive tackle Jalen Redmond earned a 72.8 PFF grade across 793 snaps in 2025. It marked his second straight season with a PFF grade above 70.0, but it came over a significantly larger sample. He also developed into a more well-rounded player, generating 35 pressures on 369 pass-rushing snaps, with nine resulting in combined sacks and quarterback hits, while earning a 72.7 PFF run-defense grade. New England Patriots: Craig Woodson A fourth-round pick out of Cal in the 2025 NFL Draft, safety Craig Woodson played 1,202 snaps across the 2025 regular season and playoffs as a rookie. His 89.7 PFF run-defense grade far outpaced his 63.0 PFF coverage grade, making him better suited to playing in the box. The addition of Kevin Byard III in free agency should allow him to continue to thrive in that role. Even a modest improvement in coverage could see Woodson begin to earn more recognition. New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr. Rookie Kelvin Banks Jr. led all first-year offensive tackles in PFF grade in 2025 (73.5), performing well both as a run blocker and in pass protection with grades above 70.0 in each facet. He enters his second season with more than 1,000 NFL snaps under his belt and an improved situation alongside him following the addition of left guard David Edwards. Banks earned PFF grades above 70.0 in six of his final nine games, and if that late-season progress carries into 2026, he could begin to establish himself as one of the league’s better young offensive tackles. New York Giants: Tyler Nubin Tyler Nubin put together a promising rookie season in 2024, earning a 65.8 PFF grade across 789 snaps. His overall production dipped in Year 2, though he did improve in coverage, raising his PFF coverage grade from 58.1 to 60.0. Entering his third NFL season, don’t be surprised if Nubin generates more buzz, particularly if he can recapture the level of run defense he showed as a rookie. New York Jets: Armand Membou Right tackle Armand Membou hit the ground running as a rookie, with the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft becoming one of just 22 offensive tackles to earn 70.0-plus PFF grades both in pass protection and as a run blocker. He improved as the season went on, allowing just two pressures on 146 pass-blocking snaps over the final four weeks of the regular season. Don’t be surprised if he establishes himself as one of the best tackles in football by the end of his second season. Philadelphia Eagles: Moro Ojomo With former first-round picks Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter also on the defensive line, it’s easy for a former seventh-round pick like Moro Ojomo to fly under the radar. The former Texas standout has quietly developed into one of the Eagles’ most reliable interior pass-rushers, earning PFF pass-rush grades above 70.0 while generating 93 pressures over the past two seasons. As he enters a contract year, don’t be surprised if Ojomo starts to draw much more attention if he maintains that level of production. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darnell Washington The Steelers rewarded tight end Darnell Washington with a contract extension for his solid performance over the first three years of his career, but 2026 could be the year he gets more national attention as one of the better players at the position. He set a career high with 1.72 yards per route run last year and ranked seventh among tight ends in PFF run-blocking grade (73.1). San Francisco 49ers: Dominick Puni Dominick Puni impressed at right guard as a rookie in 2024, earning an 80.5 PFF grade that ranked sixth among qualified guards. He took a slight step back in 2025, with his 69.2 PFF grade ranking 27th at the position. Even with that regression, Puni has already put together two seasons as an above-average starter. Entering his third NFL season, he has a chance to establish himself as a top-15 guard before heading into a contract year in 2027. Seattle Seahawks: Derick Hall Derick Hall took a significant step forward in his third NFL season, setting career highs with a 73.9 PFF run-defense grade and a 72.6 PFF pass-rush grade. The Seahawks rewarded him with a contract extension before he could reach free agency, and with Boye Mafe departing this offseason, Hall is in line for an even larger role in 2026. His career high is 45 pressures in a season, but if he continues on his current trajectory, reaching 60 is well within reach. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tykee Smith After two solid seasons to begin his NFL career, 2026 could be the year Tykee Smith starts to receive more league-wide recognition. The 2024 third-round pick out of Georgia has earned PFF grades of 72.0 and 65.8 in his first two seasons. Smith is at his best playing close to the line of scrimmage, and his 23 tackles resulting in a defensive stop in 2025 ranked 21st among safeties. Another step forward in Year 3 could establish him as an important piece of Tampa Bay’s defense. Tennessee Titans: Gunnar Helm There were plenty of encouraging flashes from rookie fourth-round pick Gunnar Helm in 2025. The former Texas Longhorn earned a 69.3 PFF receiving grade in his first NFL season, and while his campaign was overshadowed by several standout rookie tight ends, his 1.45 yards per route run ranked 23rd among all players at the position. With Chigoziem Okonkwo no longer on the roster after seeing 76 targets in 2025, Helm has a clear opportunity to take on a much larger role. A jump to 100-plus targets is well within reach, and that workload would have ranked among the NFL’s top 10 tight ends last season. Washington Commanders: Trey Amos A broken leg cut Trey Amos’ rookie season short in Week 10, but there were encouraging signs before the injury. Although he finished with a 58.8 PFF coverage grade, he earned a grade above 70.0 in four of his 10 starts. Amos also entered the NFL off an outstanding final season at Ole Miss, allowing just 280 receiving yards on 515 coverage snaps in 2024."

"align:start position:0% Trey Amos? >> You know what? No update. So, with Trey,"

"align:start position:0% >> And then do you also have an update on Trey Amos?"

"align:start position:0% Trey Amos?"