Which NFL teams have the best -- and worst -- rost...
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- ESPN analysts Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder individually ranked every NFL roster, then combined their ballots to produce a preseason list weighing talent, age and production.
- Los Angeles Rams landed at No. 1, with Matthew Stafford — the reigning MVP who paced the NFL in passing yards (4,707) and touchdowns (46) in 2025 — identified as the biggest strength alongside edge rusher, cornerback, wide receiver and both lines.
- Philadelphia Eagles checked in at No. 2, anchored by the tackle duo of Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson (ranked top-six at the position in PFF grade each of the past three seasons for Mailata), with safety flagged as the weakness after Reed Blankenship signed with Houston.
- Seattle Seahawks ranked No. 3 as defending champions after allowing a league-low 17.2 points per game, but their backfield is reshuffled: Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III left for Kansas City and Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in January.
- Buffalo Bills came in at No. 4 behind 2024 MVP Josh Allen (top-10 in QBR six straight seasons, 41 rushing TDs over the past three), though off-ball linebacker Terrel Bernard's injuries and ineffectiveness leave the position thin heading into the post-Sean McDermott era.
- Baltimore Ravens rounded out the top five with safety Kyle Hamilton as the headline strength, but the interior offensive line is in flux after center Tyler Linderbaum signed with the Raiders and three new starters project up front.
- Each team received an X factor: the Rams' fortunes hinge on the health of Stafford and 33-year-old Davante Adams; the Eagles acquired Riq Woolen, whose yards-per-coverage-snap rate leads all corners over the past four seasons per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Why it matters: The Rams' ranking reflects a roster ESPN's panel views as the clear-cut best in football, but it leans on a 38-year-old MVP and a 33-year-old No. 2 receiver — making Stafford's health and Adams' durability the most consequential variables for the league's top Super Bowl favorite.
