The Rams Are the Team to Beat
A loaded contender field takes shape
With Myles Garrett now in LA, the Rams look like the clear team to beat. They already feature a high-powered offense under Sean McVay, and adding Garrett makes them a terrifying force on both sides of the ball. The Bills sit comfortably near the top of the AFC contenders right behind LA.
As for the Seattle Seahawks, the defending champions are coming off a dominant season capped by a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. The Patriots themselves remain worth watching this year, carrying a strong, steady roster. The Eagles and Chiefs round out the group as heavy contenders.
Miami's Full Teardown
A longshot rebuilding from the ground up
The Miami Dolphins are considered a massive longshot by many. They underwent a major shift at quarterback, releasing Tua Tagovailoa — now with the Falcons — and adding free agent Malik Willis. Their top receiving duo has departed as well, with both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle moving on.
It's not just the roster that changed. Head coach Mike McDaniel is out, replaced by first-year head coach Jeff Hafley, alongside Jon-Eric Sullivan leading the front office. The Dolphins are in full rebuilding mode, filling out the roster with an unprecedented number of rookies and second-year players. This year will likely be a steep learning curve, but they could make a splash in the future if the young core develops quickly.
The Elite Five & the Contract Market
The quarterbacks setting the pace, on and off the field
Across the league, keep an eye on the Elite Five quarterbacks:
Top earners by AAV
Health report
Rookie to Watch: Fernando Mendoza
The No. 1 overall pick lands in Las Vegas
The top rookie to watch is Fernando Mendoza, who went No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy after transferring from the Cal Golden Bears (2022–2024) to the Indiana Hoosiers, where he threw for 3,535 yards and 41 passing touchdowns.
He joins a quarterback room featuring veteran Kirk Cousins, who has yet to complete his first full season in Las Vegas after throwing 10 touchdowns in 10 games with the Atlanta Falcons last year.