2026 NFL offseason outlook: Ranking all 32 teams by projected cap space and draft capital

• Cap space ranking: No. 3 | Draft capital ranking: No. 1 | Average: 2
• Team needs: QB, CB, WR, DL, IOL

The Jets enter 2026 in an interesting position after choosing to sell two franchise cornerstones, Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, at the 2025 trade deadline. Those moves netted an extra pick in the first round (from the Colts, in exchange for Gardner) and one in the second round (from the Cowboys, in exchange for Williams) in April, to go along with their own picks in those rounds, including what is projected to be the fifth overall choice. No other team has as many picks in the first two rounds. Moving Gardner and Williams also freed up $31.25 million in cap space, giving the Jets a roomy projected total figure of $111.6 million, the third-most space in the league. Add it all together, and Gang Green is set up for an offseason of additions in Florham Park.

Priority No. 1 for the Jets will be finding a new starting quarterback. Journeyman Tyrod Taylor -- who took over after Justin Fields was benched -- will be a free agent. Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract last offseason, with $10 million of his 2026 salary guaranteed, which helps explain why releasing him this offseason would net just $1 million in cap savings. However, the team could get out of paying him an extra $10 million in cash, so it might not make sense to keep him around as a backup. The Jets have drafted a quarterback in the first round twice in the last eight years, but given the rebuild they signaled with their trade-deadline fire sale, targeting a third Round 1 signal-caller seems the likely move, rather than trying again with another mid-tier free agent quarterback. Whichever route they choose, they have the resources to add plenty in 2026.

• Cap space ranking: No. 2 | Draft capital ranking: No. 5 | Average: 3.5
• Team needs: QB, CB, EDGE, WR, OT

One of 2025's biggest disappointments, the Raiders will have a chance to right the ship quickly. They have talented players in place already, led by youngsters Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty on offense and game-wrecking veteran Maxx Crosby on defense. However, it all starts and ends with the quarterback, and the Raiders learned the hard way in 2025 that they do not possess that key puzzle piece yet. Geno Smith's reunion with Pete Carroll in Vegas resulted in his worst passer rating (84.5) in a multi-start season since 2014 with the Jets, plus the second-most interceptions (14) in the NFL through Week 15. The Raiders can gain $8 million in cap space for 2026 if they choose to release the 35-year old Smith after the season.

Vegas is currently set to pick second overall in 2026, which would be the Raiders' highest pick since they drafted JaMarcus Russell first overall in 2007. They could go for their choice of quarterback there, or this could be an opportune spot for a veteran seeking a career turnaround. Either way, with $116.5 million in projected cap space (second-most in the NFL), the organization will be able to make some moves -- which should also include further investments at both offensive tackle spots, as current starters Stone Forsythe and DJ Glaze rank as the worst and third-worst in the NFL in total sacks allowed, per Next Gen Stats. That's not going to cut it for whomever ends up under center in 2026.

• Cap space ranking: No. 1 | Draft capital ranking: No. 6 | Average: 3.5
• Team needs: EDGE, CB, WR, IOL, OT

Despite signing costly free agent deals in recent years, bringing in vets like Calvin Ridley (four years, $92 million in 2024) and Dan Moore Jr. (four years, $82 million last offseason), the Titans boast the most projected cap space for 2026 of any team in the NFL ($120.1 million), thanks to the affordable rookie contract of their QB and the absence of anyone on the roster making more than $25 million per year. That sets them up with the chance to go big-game hunting on the market again. And they've got plenty of holes to fill, namely when it comes to further supporting 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward on an offense that currently ranks as the second worst in the NFL.

Of course, as in 2025, the Titans will again sit near the top of each round in the 2026 NFL Draft, currently in line to choose third overall -- which is a very valuable advantage, even beyond the power to bring in rookie talent. Last offseason, difference-making wide receivers like DK Metcalf, George Pickens and Deebo Samuel moved via trade, and the Titans would be wise to check in on that market, as well, given the potential of their slate of picks to function as ammunition for a veteran swap.

• Cap space ranking: No. 7 | Draft capital ranking: No. 4 | Average: 5.5
• Team needs: CB, QB, OT, S, LB

The Rams' appearance this list should bring nightmares to the rest of the NFL. Not only are they 11-3 and in possession of the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but they also rank in the top seven in both projected cap space and draft capital for 2026. Crucial to their good fortune is the extra first-round pick they snagged from the Falcons as part of Atlanta's trade up to take James Pearce Jr. last April. It's an unfamiliar situation for the Rams to be in, given they've only made one first-round selection in the last nine drafts. That pick is currently sitting 10th overall, with the Falcons carrying a 5-9 record -- and regardless of what happens the rest of the way, Sean McVay's crew will be well-positioned to ensure Atlanta finishes no better than 7-10, given that the two teams play each other in Week 17.

Making this opportunity even sweeter for the Rams is that almost all of their key offensive and defensive pieces are already locked up for 2026 and beyond. Many of them are on affordable rookie contracts, which is a reflection of how well the organization has drafted over the past few years -- and also explains how a team that's so good right now has such flexibility in the near future. Right tackle Rob Havenstein and starting DBs Cobie Durant, Kamren Curl and Quentin Lake will be free agents, but otherwise, L.A. can use its cap space (projected to be over $92 million) to upgrade an already loaded roster.

The wild card is the possibility that 37-year-old Matthew Stafford might decide to call it quits following this season. Even so, the Rams' two first-round picks would give them enough ammo to target a quarterback via trade, and their cap space (which would increase if he retired) would allow them to entice a veteran quarterback with a new top-of-the-market contract. Most teams fall off after a star quarterback moves on, but the Rams are set up well to be the exception. Watch out for them in March

• Cap space ranking: No. 4 | Draft capital ranking: No. 11 | Average: 7.5
• Team needs: CB, S, EDGE, IOL, TE

The Bengals will enter the 2026 offseason with some assets to work with: $110 million in projected cap space and a first-round pick sitting just inside the top 10 as of now. They spent big last offseason on the offensive side, locking up Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins -- and this offseason, it might be time to do some free-agent shopping on defense. Cincinnati doesn't have anyone on the roster set to cost more than $9 million on the cap next season beyond the Big Three (QB Joe Burrow, Chase and Higgins) and left tackle Orlando Brown, allowing them the flexibility to go after whomever they might set their sights on.

Cincinnati has featured the NFL's worst scoring and total defense this season, giving the team little chance to stay competitive while Burrow was out. Trey Hendrickson -- one of the NFL's best sack artists, having accrued 61.0 since joining the Bengals in 2021 -- will be an unrestricted free agent, and based on the headline-making discord between him and the team in recent years, it seems unlikely that he will return. Even with Hendrickson in the fold, the Bengals have managed just 25 sacks this season, fifth fewest in the NFL, though Hendrickson's absence for much of this season didn't help matters. So defense should be the priority. And if they don't go in on the veteran market, the Bengals should continue using their draft capital on that side of the ball, where seven of their past eight top-two-round picks have been made.

• Cap space ranking: No. 18 | Draft capital ranking: No. 3 | Average: 10.5
• Team needs: WR, IOL, CB, OT, LB

The Giants are one of the most intriguing teams to keep an eye on in the offseason. We know this organization will be bringing in a new head coach -- and will look to build around an exciting young offensive core. Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo and, of course, Jaxson Dart give the Giants a good starting point. Year 2 is a perfect time to invest around a QB, with plenty of runway remaining on that affordable rookie contract. Consider the strategy followed by the Patriots (signing Stefon Diggs to be Drake Maye's new WR1), Commanders (trading for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil to boost Jayden Daniels) and Bears (investing their top two draft picks in pass-catchers Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III to help Caleb Williams) just last offseason.

Due to the contracts they've given out over the past few years, the Giants are currently projected to have just $26.6 million in cap space, with the scheduled hits of Brian Burns ($34.8 million) and Dexter Lawrence ($27 million) looming especially large at the moment -- meaning their best opportunity to add is going to be through the draft. And they're currently in position to receive the first overall pick, although they could drop due to an upcoming Week 17 matchup with the Raiders. The Giants haven't selected first overall since taking Tucker Frederickson in 1965, so it would be a rare opportunity for the franchise, though they are familiar with the earlier portions of the draft in general. Big Blue is going to make a top-six pick for the fourth time in the past five drafts -- with the hope that this time, the selection will help propel the team to competitive status.

• Cap space ranking: No. 17 | Draft capital ranking: No. 8 | Average: 12.5
• Team needs: OT, WR, RB, IOL, LB

The Cards are in line to finish well behind their counterparts in the NFC West and extend their drought without a playoff win to 10 seasons -- so they'll enter the offseason with major questions. First, after the 2025 additions of Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell failed to translate to wins, how much will the Cardinals want to spend on a team that's not ready to compete now? Second, how will they use their first-rounder -- currently slated to be sixth overall, which would mark their third time in the past four drafts making a top-six pick -- to set this roster up for the future?

And then there is the most consequential question surrounding the Cardinals: What will they do at quarterback? Specifically, should they continue with Kyler Murray, who is ending the season on injured reserve after a five-game stint in which he averaged less than 200 passing yards, or seek to trade or release him? A trade seems unlikely, given his new team would owe Murray $42.5 million in cash in 2026 and then another fully guaranteed $19.5 million in 2027 -- that's far from the kind of cheap prove-it deal you want when taking a flier on a change-of-scenery veteran. Releasing Murray would give the Cardinals $54.7 million in dead money to deal with, while gaining them just $1.5 million in cap space. Then again, this could be the offseason for Arizona to do a hard reset, and moving on from Murray might be part of that, regardless of the cap consequences.

• Cap space ranking: No. 26 | Draft capital ranking: No. 2 | Average: 14
• Team needs: OT, IOL, WR, CB, LB

Once again, a disappointing campaign will lead to what should be an eventful offseason in Cleveland. The Browns rank second in draft capital, thanks to their two first-round picks -- their own, plus the Jaguars pick they received for moving down in the Travis Hunter trade in the 2025 NFL Draft. Cleveland's selection is currently projected to be fourth overall, while the pick that was acquired from Jacksonville is slated to be near the end of Round 1. Though that's likely not what the Browns were envisioning when they made the trade, it'll give them an opportunity to add two talented pieces in the first round for the first time since they took the duo of Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward in 2018.

On the other end, the Browns aren't likely to be major players in free agency, projected to have just $8 million in cap space in 2026. That can be attributed to Deshaun Watson's $80.7 million cap hit next year, which will be the largest cap hit for a single player in a season in NFL history. Cleveland can't save any money by releasing him, so Watson will likely be on the roster, regardless of how many passes he actually is asked to throw. And, of course, the Browns did just use draft picks on Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. But that should not stop Cleveland from at least doing its due diligence on the QBs in this year's draft class. The main area that the team needs to address in the offseason is the offensive line, where the five players with the most starts this season are set to be free agents: Cam Robinson, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin. Each player is already over 30 years old, so be prepared for some draft investments in this crucial position group.

• Cap space ranking: No. 5 | Draft capital ranking: No. 23 | Average: 14
• Team needs: EDGE, DL, CB, IOL, OT

The second Los Angeles team to appear in the top 10 might not be as high as its stadium partners, but the Chargers are not far behind the Rams -- and they're here largely because of cap space, where they rank fifth, with a projected total over $110 million. That might seem surprising for a roster anchored by veterans who have already landed hefty extensions, but beyond Justin Herbert ($46.3 million cap hit in 2026), Derwin James ($24.6 million) and Rashawn Slater ($23.8 million), many of their key producers are on rookie contracts, including studs Joe Alt and Ladd McConkey -- who won't be eligible for extensions until after next season at the earliest. This makes 2026 a perfect time to add, with the Chargers being as well-positioned as any other team in the NFL to do so through free agency or trade.

The defensive line should be a major area of focus, as Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh are unrestricted free agents, and leading sacker Tuli Tuipulotu will no doubt looking for an extension, coming off an extremely productive Year 3. Might the Bolts try to explore a trade for a high-priced edge rusher such as Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby, or pursue someone like Trey Hendrickson in free agency? All options should be on the table for a surging squad poised to make a second straight playoff appearance.

• Cap space ranking: No. 9 | Draft capital ranking: No. 19 | Average: 14
• Team needs: QB, WR, CB, IOL, OT

Whether or not Mike Tomlin's 18-season streak of finishing at or above .500 stretches to 19, the Steelers will have questions to answer, even if they reach the playoffs for a third straight time. The biggest one will be at quarterback, where Aaron Rodgers is currently playing out a one-year contract. Should he follow through on his past flirtations with retirement, Pittsburgh would need an immediate replacement, but the organization will have a decision to make if he wants to return: use its resources to run it back for another season with the 42-year-old or look for other options under center.

Pittsburgh is projected to have $67 million in cap space, plus a pick that seems likely to land in the middle of Round 1, depending on how their season finishes, to address not only the quarterback question, but also a clear need at wide receiver behind DK Metcalf and a cornerback room that could use a youth infusion. Last offseason, Steelers general manager Omar Khan broke with the team's tendency not to invest much in veteran acquisitions by signing Rodgers and Darius Slay and trading for Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. Will the Steelers return to their more typical draft-and-develop strategy, or has a new team-building philosophy been truly established?