NFL
While some AFC teams drafted pretty well, some NFC teams were no slouches in the 2026 NFL Draft either. The NFC in all 3 days of the NFL Draft had some movers and shakers in all 7 rounds. Teams always move up or down when competing for championships or rebuilding. Some NFC teams were able to find their footing both before and after the 2026 NFL Draft. But these 5 NFC teams emerged from the 2026 NFL draft as offseason favorites.
NFC Team #1: Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are coming into the 2026 NFL season as defending Super Bowl champions with some young talent. Led by the “Dark Side Defense” and a very well-balanced offense with quarterback Sam Darnold, this team isn’t going anywhere. This team in the draft found its Kenneth Walker replacement in Jadrian Price at pick #32. And, with the rest of their picks, they add depth to the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Seattle is already looking forward to defending its Super Bowl title against all comers in the NFL.
NFC Team #2: Los Angeles Rams
After coming up one game short of the Super Bowl, the Los Angeles Rams have a very talented roster. With MVP Matthew Stafford still under center, along with star wide receiver Puka Nauca, the Rams offense will be tough. But, there was a big head scratcher with the selection of quarterback Ty Simpson at #13 for this team. We will see within the next few years, to see if Ty Simpson can be the franchise quarterback after Matthew Stafford. The Los Angeles Rams, on paper, look like the 2nd the best team in the entire NFC conference.
NFC Team #3: Chicago Bears
In 2025, the Chicago Bears made a giant leap from a disappointing 2024 season to the NFC Divisional Round. In the 2026 draft, the Bears added safety Dillon Thieneman from Oregon, along with center Logan Jones from Iowa. Caleb Williams, going into his 3rd year, along with 2nd year head coach Ben Johnson, will get better in 2026. One thing that will be difficult for the Bears in 2026 is that they have the hardest schedule in the NFL. If they can navigate through this brutal schedule, the Chicago Bears will be a contender in the 2026 season.
NFC Team #4: Detroit Lions
The one NFL team that was the most disappointing in the entire league in the 2025 season was the Detroit Lions. Even with a disappointing 2025 season, the Lions still have one of the most talented teams in the NFC. They have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire NFL with playmakers all around the offense. And, a head coach that is tough as nails when it comes to being a head coach in Dan Campbell. If this team can show the same presence in both 2023 and 2024, this Lions team will be dangerous.
NFC Team #5. Philadelphia Eagles
In 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles became the 1st repeat NFC East champion since they did it in 2003-2004. This team has already reloaded for the 2026 NFL season with their 1st round pick of Wide Receiver Makai Lemon. The Eagles, for the last few years, have been one of, if not the best, within the NFC conference. Plus, if Jalen Hurts can silence all the criticism, then this will continue to be his team at quarterback. With talent and physicalness on both sides of the ball, the Philadelphia Eagles will be strong in a competitive NFC.
Thoughts:
When looking at the NFC, it seems more wide open than the AFC, with many good football teams. These 5 NFC teams coming out of the draft look like the early offseason favorites in the NFC. And once we get closer to the regular season, more teams could sneak into the top 5 in the NFC.
