NFL Defense Rankings 2026: Worst, Best Defenses After 2026 NFL Draft

Our weekly NFL defense rankings examine every unit across the league to determine the best defenses in the NFL. We provide weekly updates throughout the regular season and updated offseason rankings of the best and worst NFL defenses this year.

The NFL offseason has effectively come to a close, with OTAs and minicamp just around the corner to start things off before training camp. As we put together our first NFL defense rankings of 2026, one thing that became evident is the commitment many teams made to improving defensively this spring. So, while some teams might be at the bottom right now, the gap between them and teams in the late teens and early 20s is closer than ever.

Coming out of the 2026 NFL Draft, with the biggest offseason moves likely done, let’s dive into our latest NFL defense rankings. NFL stats are via RBSDM.com, ESPN.com and Pro Football Reference.

1. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have the best defense in the NFL heading into the 2026 season. In 2025, Houston ranked third in yards per drive (25.4), second in both EPA per play (-0.108) and success rate (39.5%) and first in scoring rate allowed (27.6%). The offseason additions—Reed Blankenship, Logan Hall, Kayden McDonald and Dominique Robinson—make this Texans defense even stronger. Houston will be better defending the run this season, setting up longer second- and third-and-longs. That’ll allow for this outstanding pass rush to pin its ears back more while an outstanding secondary shines in coverage. The Texans defense is going to be a problem for every opponent.

2. Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks defense won the Super Bowl. It came off a regular season in which Mike Macdonald’s group allowed the fewest points per drive (1.48) in the NFL with the best third-down defense (32.1% conversion rate) and the second-lowest yards-per-play average allowed (4.6). Riq Woolen is gone, but there’s clearly hope for Josh Jobe to excel with another year in this system. Macdonald is a defensive mastermind and we’re equally excited to see what Byron Murphy and Nick Emmanwori can do with another season under their belts. The one thing that puts Seattle second behind Houston in our 2026 NFL defense rankings, which is splitting hairs, is depth.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles certainly wanted to retain edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, but he was pushed outside their price range. In replacing him, Howie Roseman provided defensive coordinator Vic Fangio with an equally talented pass rusher in Jonathan Greenard. One thing that has to be kept in mind with this Eagles defense is that it finished seventh in yards per play (4.9) and points per drive (1.81) even with Jalen Carter missing seven games, Zack Baun taking a step back and a glaring hole at CB2. Riq Woolen fills that void on the boundary, Jihaad Campbell is entering his second season and Fangio will have a full year of Greenard, Carter and Jordan Davis. This should again be one of the five best NFL defenses.

4. Los Angeles Rams

Les Snead finally addressed the secondary and he did it in a big way. While All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie has his limitations, primarily against big-bodied wide receivers, he’s a monumental upgrade over what defensive coordinator Chris Shula had before as his CB1. Likewise, Jaylen Watson is an improvement at the No. 2 corner spot and his acquisition means Emmanuel Forbes Jr. plays the rotational role he’s better suited for. The Los Angeles Rams defense finally has an above-average secondary to pair with its outstanding front. Coming off a season in which this unit ranked sixth in points per drive (1.78), eighth in third-down conversion rate (36.3%) and had the third-highest takeaway rate (14.9%) in the NFL, we think the ceiling is even higher now.

5. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have boasted one of the best NFL defenses for two seasons now. In 2025, the team surrendered the lowest success rate (37.8%) thanks to a passing defense that ranked second in yards per attempt (6.1), passing touchdown rate (3%) and completion rate allowed (57.8%). The light, of course, should also be shown on a defensive front that finished third in ESPN pass-rush win rate (45%) and pressure rate (30.5%). All of that happened with Patrick Surtain II sidelined for three games. What prevents Denver from being ranked higher are the offseason departures of John Franklin-Myers, P.J. Locke and even assistant coach Jim Leonhard. This remains a great defense, but we do think there’s a slight bit of regression coming.

6. Minnesota Vikings

What’s remarkable about the success of the Minnesota Vikings defense under play-caller Brian Flores is that it has so much success while often being weaker at cornerback and on the interior defensive line. Minnesota changed that in one regard via the 2026 NFL Draft, using its top picks on Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange. Adding Orange matters particularly for a unit that ranked 20th in ESPN run-stop win rate (30%) and ranked 21st against the run (124.1 rush ypg allowed). He’s also got a little juice creating pressure. Flores can create even more havoc with his defensive line this year and, given his history in Minnesota, we’ve learned to not overthink a weaker secondary.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

If the Jacksonville Jaguars commit to Travis Hunter playing cornerback more frequently, this can be one of the best NFL defenses in 2026. From Weeks 11-18 last season, Jacksonville ranked first in EPA per play (-0.212) and it placed third in success rate (37.5%). What also became evident, however, was that Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile didn’t have another perimeter corner he could count on. Hunter still boasts the talent to be an All-Pro defensive back, so even with the loss of Devin Lloyd, the ceiling is still very high for this group.

8. Baltimore Ravens

Putting the Baltimore Ravens this high in our 2026 NFL defense rankings might seem a bit lofty. The falloff really happened this past season because, after the season-ending injury suffered by Nnamdi Madubuike, the Ravens really had no pass rush to speak of. Baltimore’s front office responded to that this offseason by adding Trey Hendrickson, Calais Campbell and Zion Young. That can be the difference between a defense that posts the fifth-lowest ESPN pass-rush win rate (30%) and fifth-worst pressure rate (19%). Just as important as the talent acquisitions, first-year head coach Jesse Minter might be the next Mike Macdonald. We’re all in on Baltimore’s defense this fall.

9. New England Patriots

As Christian Gonzalez demonstrated in the Super Bowl, he’s made the leap into being one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. The New England Patriots also have a high-end No. 2 opposite him with Carlton Davis. Veteran safety Kevin Byard was also brought in this offseason, along with additions to the front seven with Dre’Mont Jones and KJ Britt. We’re excited to see the tandem of Christian Barmore and Milton Williams together, both being healthy for a full season, but New England still doesn’t have a high-end edge rusher and K’Lavon Chaisson is gone. That is what’s holding this defense back.

10. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns had one of the best NFL defenses for the last two seasons under play-caller Jim Schwartz. He’s now gone, and that does give us a bit of pause with this team. After all, prior to Schwartz’s arrival, the Browns defense ranked 25th in EPA per Play (0.029) and it surrendered the ninth-highest scoring rate (38.5%) in 2022. Regression is a realistic outcome under new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg. With that acknowledged, it’s hard to see how a lineup that features Myles Garrett, Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell, Justin Jefferson and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren can’t manage to be a well-above-average defense.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers made meaningful additions to their secondary this offseason, bringing in corner Jamel Dean and safety Jaquan Brisker. Dean’s signing gives Pittsburgh one of the better cornerback rooms in the AFC, and while there’s some lingering health risk with Brisker, we have way more confidence in this remade secondary than we did last offseason. T.J. Watt is showing some signs of aging and Cameron Heyward is entering his age-37 season, but a defensive line that also features Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton and Jack Sawyer, with Alex Highsmith and Payton Wilson at linebacker, should help Pittsburgh deliver one of the most consistent NFL defenses in 2026.

12. Detroit Lions

Unfortunately for the Detroit Lions, injuries will linger into the 2026 NFL season. Brian Branch is recovering from a ruptured Achilles suffered in December and Kerby Joseph seems to be dealing with a potentially degenerative knee issue. Not exactly blows this secondary can afford with cornerback Terrion Arnold coming off a season where he took a significant step back. The talent is still there in the Lions secondary and there are plenty of reasons to remain high on a front seven with Aidan Hutchinson, Tyleik Williams, Alim McNeil, Payton Turner and Jack Campbell. If Joseph and Branch can return to form, there’s a path to this being a top-10 defense.

13. Atlanta Falcons

As of now, it seems like the Atlanta Falcons will have edge rusher James Pearce Jr. on the field of the 2026 NFL season. Focusing purely on football, one of the most-improved units in the entire league this past year arguably got even stronger this offseason thanks to the addition of corner Avieon Terrell and linebacker Christian Harris. We anticipate seeing further growth fro Xavier Watts and Jalon Walker, which could push a unit that ranked 18th in EPA per Play (0.011) from Weeks 10-18 last season into a top-15 defense.

14. Chicago Bears

The NFC North boasts four very good defenses, especially when healthy, with the Chicago Bears right in that mix on the same tier as the Lions and Packers. In 2025, the first year under renowned defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, Chicago led the NFL in takeaway rate (18.3 percent). This unit wasn’t flawless, as captured by the fact that they allowed the ninth-most yards per drive (33.8) and the 11th-highest third-down conversion rate (40.8%). From an optimist’s view, the Bears secondary is finally healthy and they probably upgraded at off-ball linebacker and safety this season. There will be some regression with the number of takeaways and we’re a bit suspect of Chicago’s pass rush, but this is still a solid defense.

15. Indianapolis Colts

Check for spelling, grammar and punctuation: We really didn’t get to see a healthy and complete version of this Indianapolis Colts defense in 2025. Not only is everyone coming back, with the potential exception of Charvarius Ward (concussion), but the front office provided Lou Anarumo with an overhauled linebacker room led by rookie CJ Allen and there’s now more depth at both defensive tackle and cornerback. Indianapolis still lacks a standout pass rush and it’s a bit unclear why that wasn’t made a greater priority this offseason. Still, there’s enough talent and good coaching for this to be an above-average defense this fall.

16. Los Angeles Chargers

In the final season under defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, the Los Angeles Chargers defense ranked 10th in yards per play allowed (5.0) and scoring rate (36.2%), ninth in points per game allowed (20.0), sixth in yards per drive (27.3), fifth in third-down defense (35.2%) and fourth in red-zone touchdown rate allowed (46.9%). This unit outperformed its talent level for two years. Now that Minter is gone, the concern is that the weaknesses at both cornerback and the No. 2 edge rusher spot are more easily exposed. Just keep in mind that Los Angeles ranked 24th in Defensive EPA per Play prior to Minter’s arrival.

17. Kansas City Chiefs

We firmly believe that the long-term outlook for the Kansas City Chiefs defense is promising. Mansoor Delane boasts the tools to become a shutdown No. 1 cornerback, especially given the Chiefs’ track record of developing cornerbacks. There’s also reason for excitement regarding fellow first-round pick Peter Woods, who will be very inconsistent as a rookie but offers a Pro Bowl ceiling long-term and provides the complementary interior presence Kansas City needed alongside Chris Jones. There are going to be growing pains for this unit, which will only be amplified by the fact that there isn’t a true No. 1 edge rusher who can win with speed.

18. Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers defense won’t have Micah Parsons for the first few weeks of the 2026 NFL season. There’s a long history of splits, both in Dallas and Green Bay, of defenses without Parsons performing at a below-average level. What’s different about Green Bay’s defense from late last year is that defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt is back and there’s more depth on the defensive line now with the additions of Javon Hargrave and Chris McClellan. We love the safety tandem of Evan Williams and Xavier McKinney, but until Parsons returns, a subpar Green Bay cornerback room will be exposed more often. When the All-Pro is back, this is a top-10 defense.

19. Buffalo Bills

There should be real enthusiasm for the Buffalo Bills with the arrival of defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. He is, however, inheriting a unit that has some questions. Buffalo still hasn’t found a high-end complementary pass rusher opposite of Greg Rousseau and while Bradley Chubb could be that, he comes with his own issues. It will help to hopefully have a full season of Ed Oliver on the interior. We are also anticipating an adjustment period for the players and Leonhard in his first season as an defensive play-caller in the NFL. Realistically, Buffalo is near its floor in our NFL defense rankings right now.

20. San Francisco 49ers

Injuries are always the issue with this San Francisco 49ers defense. Well, that and the fact that Robert Saleh is gone again. Joey Bosa, Mykel Williams (ACL) and Fred Warner are among the returning starters from injuries. San Francisco also reunited with veteran linebacker Dre Greenlaw and it added to the defensive line with Osa Odighizuwa now poised to play alongside Alfred Collins. There’s certainly some intriguing talent here for Raheem Morris to work with and this could be a top-12 defense if everyone returns to form. We’re just not banking on that, nor are we confident they’ll stay healthy.

21. New York Giants

The New York Giants defense will be a fascinating watch in 2026. On the one hand, we absolutely love what’s going on at edge rusher with Arvell Reese, Abdul Carter and Brian Burns. That trio can wreak all kinds of havoc, and Reese offers the added ability of playing further off the ball. What we’re not as keen on is what currently projects to be one of the worst defensive tackle groupings in the NFL, and it’s not like either Paulson Adebo or Greg Newsome are coming off promising seasons at cornerback. If Adebo and Newsome can turn things around, this could be a very good pass defense. Stopping the run, however, will remain an issue for New York.

22. Dallas Cowboys

It might not necessarily happen this season, but we do believe the Dallas Cowboys will have a top-10 defense by 2027. Safety Caleb Downs boasts both the talent and football IQ to become an All-Pro, especially under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Speaking of Parker, we anticipate that he’ll prove himself to be one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL before long. For now, Dallas has remade its front seven with Rashan Gary, Jonathan Bullard, LT Overton, Malachi Lawrence and Dee Winters joining Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams and DeMarvion Overshown. If Parker can just get two quality starters at corner, then this could be a top-15 defense.

23. Carolina Panthers

We’ve always viewed Ejiro Evero as one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. Unfortunately for him, he’s been stuck with one of the worst rosters with the Carolina Panthers. The good news is that general manager Dan Morgan invested heavily in this unit in the offseason, adding Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd and standout edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. Having Phillips and Derrick Brown at the line of scrimmage will allow Evero to be far more creative than he’s been in the past. That, paired with Jaycee Horn as the CB1, offers a path to Carolina having an above-average defense in 2026. The Panthers start here for now, but they could ascend quickly this season.

24. New Orleans Saints

There are plenty of NFL stats from last season to suggest the New Orleans Saints should be ranked higher than this. New Orleans had the third-best defense on third downs (34.3%) in the NFL, and they ranked 10th in red zone touchdown rate (53.2%) and ninth in total yards per drive allowed (28.3). Brandon Staley proved he is a very good defensive coordinator, especially when you consider what he had to work with on the field. We just need to see the success replicated, because there might not be a single Pro Bowl-caliber player on the field.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The 2026 NFL Draft was very kind to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who snagged edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and linebacker Josiah Trotter when they fell to them. Those additions, paired with the signings of Alex Anzalone, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, bode very well for this front seven to take a massive step forward in 2026 as long as Calijah Kancey stays healthy. We are, however, in wait-and-see mode with Tampa Bay’s secondary, and our regard for Todd Bowles as a defensive play-caller has dipped in recent years. On the bright side, we’re confident the lows this year won’t be nearly as bad as they were in 2025.

26. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals defense should be noticeably better than we’ve seen in the last two years. While we’re not completely convicted on the belief that Dexter Lawrence will return to being the dominant All-Pro force we saw before injuries, he is joined on a much-improved defensive line by Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen and Cashius Howell. There are even reasons for hope at cornerback that DJ Turner and Dax Hill can take further steps forward. Cincinnati’s defense has a chance to be league-average this season, which can be the difference-maker for them to get into the playoffs.

27. New York Jets

The New York Jets‘ offseason moves are responsible for this group rising five spots in our NFL defense rankings from the end of last season. That’s what happens when you draft edge rusher David Bailey to a defensive line that now boasts the ascending T’Vondre Sweat on the interior with veterans David Onyemata, Kingsley Enagbare, and Harrison Phillips surrounding him. New York’s secondary should also be much improved from last season with Minkah Fitzpatrick, Nahshon Wright, and D’Angelo Ponds now in town. At a minimum, we think Aaron Glenn can field a serviceable defense in 2026.

28. Tennessee Titans

The trajectory arrow for the Tennessee Titans defense is pointed all the way up. Robert Saleh is both one of the best defensive play-callers in the NFL and one of the league’s best teachers. He’s exactly who you’d want working with first-round pick Keldric Faulk and second-round pick Anthony Hill Jr. Tennessee also reunited him with edge rusher Jermaine Johnson and added a lot more depth to this defensive line with Jordan Elliott, Solomon Thomas and John Franklin-Myers. The Titans defensive line will be better than we’ve seen in years past. There are far more questions in the secondary, but it wouldn’t surprise us if Saleh’s coaching can make this a top-20 defense later this year.

29. Washington Commanders

This might be lower than fans expect the Washington Commanders defense to be ranked entering the summer. We do see reasons to be hopeful regarding this unit. First-round pick Sonny Styles has the talent to become a Pro Bowl linebacker by 2027. Washington’s front office didn’t stop there. It helped Dan Quinn by bolstering the defensive line (Tim Settle and DJ Davidson) and the quality (Odafe Oweh) and quantity (Charles Omenihu) of this pass rush is much better than it was a year ago. We’re just going to need to see the turnaround before Washington starts climbing up the rankings, especially because there is still a glaring weakness at cornerback.

30. Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders would’ve been at the bottom of our NFL defense rankings if the Maxx Crosby trade had gone through. Instead, we view them as a bottom-five unit with the off chance of making it as high as the 18-20 range during the season. Crosby hasn’t quite looked like a perennial All-Pro as of late, and we’re still looking at what projects to be one of the weaker defensive lines and secondary groups in the AFC. With that said, adding Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean at linebacker should provide much better play in the middle of the field.

31. Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley is taking over a defense that allowed the seventh-most total yards (34.0) and points per drive (2.32) in 2025. We could paint some reason for optimism because of a young defensive line headlined by Chop Robinson, Kenneth Grant, Trey Moore and the stalwart Zach Sieler on the interior. Moving one level back, there’s genuine excitement about the linebacker corps with Jordyn Brooks and Jacob Rodriguez. We are, however, very concerned by the fact that rookie Chris Johnson will be pressed into being the No. 1 guy in Miami and the options behind him (JuJu Brents, Storm Duck and Darrell Baker Jr.) don’t exactly inspire much hope. This projects to be one of the worst NFL pass defenses in 2026. It also doesn’t help that Hafley’s coaching last year in Green Bay left a lot to be desired.

32. Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have the worst NFL defense in 2026. Part of the problem for defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, a holdover from the last staff, is the injuries impacting this group. Walter Nolen is coming off knee surgery in January and cornerback Garrett Williams suffered a torn Achilles in Week 16. There’s also the fact that Will Johnson carries the durability risk that led to his stumble in the 2025 NFL Draft. We don’t expect Arizona’s defense to be historically bad next season, but it figures to be a bottom-five unit all year.

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