The 2026 NFL season will not lack star power. Established MVP winners remain near the top, while several younger players are entering the stage of their careers when talent, experience, and opportunity often meet.
Matthew Stafford won the 2025 AP NFL MVP award. Jaxon Smith-Njigba earned Offensive Player of the Year, while Myles Garrett won Defensive Player of the Year after recording 23 sacks. Those results provide a strong starting point, but roster changes and health concerns could still alter the picture before Week 1.
Quarterbacks: Stafford and Allen Control the MVP Race
Matthew Stafford: Experience without a drop in production
Matthew Stafford enters 2026 after one of the best seasons of his long career. He led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes while throwing only eight interceptions. His 109.2 passer rating helped him earn his first MVP award and first first-team All-Pro selection.
Stafford's 2025 MVP Season: Led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, securing his first MVP award and first-team All-Pro selection.
Those numbers were not built on safe, short throws alone. Stafford still attacked tight windows and pushed the ball downfield. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams give him two proven targets who can win in different ways. Nacua creates yards through strength and movement, while Adams remains one of the league’s best route runners.
The Rams also improved their defense by acquiring Myles Garrett. A stronger defense could give Stafford more possessions and reduce the need for desperate fourth-quarter comebacks. Los Angeles reached the NFC Championship Game last season, and the core of its offense has returned.
Stafford described one recent Rams session as “as high-quality practice football as I’ve been around.” That matters because the comment came from a quarterback entering his 18th NFL season, not a young player reacting to his first strong camp practice.
Age and health are the main risks. Stafford does not need to run or extend every play, though. His quick reads, arm strength, and control before the snap allow him to win from the pocket.
Josh Allen: Buffalo’s offense still runs through him
Josh Allen did not match Stafford’s passing totals in 2025, but his full impact remained clear. He threw for 3,668 yards and 25 touchdowns, then added 579 rushing yards and a quarterback-leading 14 rushing scores. He finished with 39 total touchdowns.
Buffalo now enters a new era under head coach Joe Brady. The offense should feel familiar because Brady has already worked closely with Allen. The Bills have also added DJ Moore, giving Allen a receiver who can create yards after the catch and handle a large target share.
Allen's Dual-Threat Prowess: In 2025, Josh Allen recorded 3,668 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, complemented by 579 rushing yards and a QB-leading 14 rushing touchdowns, totaling 39 scores.
The practical question is not whether Allen will produce. It is how Buffalo will protect him across a full season. Designed runs are valuable near the goal line and on third down, but repeated contact adds risk. A more balanced passing attack could preserve Allen without removing the physical style that makes him difficult to defend.
Expect Buffalo to use him as both a passer and a short-yardage weapon. That combination keeps Allen in the MVP discussion even when another quarterback finishes with more passing yards.
| Player | Passing Yards (2025) | Passing TDs (2025) | Rushing Yards (2025) | Rushing TDs (2025) | Total TDs (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Stafford | 4,707 | 46 | - | - | 46 |
| Josh Allen | 3,668 | 25 | 579 | 14 | 39 |
Rising Stars: Maye and Smith-Njigba Ready for the Next Step
Drake Maye: From breakout star to weekly expectation
Drake Maye made a huge jump in his second season. He threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns, completed an NFL-best 72% of his passes, and averaged 8.9 yards per attempt. His 113.5 passer rating also led the league. Maye added 450 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
More important, New England reached Super Bowl LX after winning only four games in each of the previous two seasons. Maye finished second in the MVP vote behind Stafford.
Maye's Sophomore Leap: In 2025, Drake Maye led the NFL with a 72% completion rate and a 113.5 passer rating, throwing for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns, and guiding the Patriots to Super Bowl LX.
The Patriots have now added A.J. Brown. That gives Maye a physical No. 1 receiver who can win against tight coverage, make contested catches, and punish smaller defensive backs. It should also help other New England receivers find easier matchups.
Maye understands that last season’s success does not guarantee another deep playoff run. Speaking during camp, he said, “If we just play the same way, we won’t make it there.”
The next step is handling defenses that have spent a full offseason studying him. Opponents will test his protection calls, disguise coverages, and try to force him into longer drives. His response will show whether 2025 was a great season or the start of sustained elite play.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: The NFL’s new receiving standard
Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards in 2025. He caught 119 passes, scored 10 touchdowns, and produced nine 100-yard games. His yardage total ranked eighth in NFL single-season history and helped Seattle win Super Bowl LX.
What makes his production more impressive is Seattle’s passing volume. The Seahawks had the fourth-fewest pass attempts in the league, yet Smith-Njigba reached 1,793 yards on 163 targets. Other receivers near the top of the historical yardage list usually needed far more opportunities.
Smith-Njigba's Historic Season: Led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards in 2025 on just 163 targets (8th all-time single-season yards), playing a key role in Seattle's Super Bowl LX victory.
Defenses will now build their coverage plans around him. He should see more double teams, safety help, and physical coverage near the line. Seattle can answer by moving him between the slot and the outside, using motion, and creating quick throws that allow him to run after the catch.
Smith-Njigba says his offseason focus remains simple: getting “bigger, faster, stronger.” Seattle does not need him to force another 1,700-yard season. A small drop in yardage could still come with better efficiency, more touchdowns, and another deep playoff run.
Elite Receivers: Nacua and Chase Make Every Coverage Look Risky
Puka Nacua: A complete receiver in an ideal system
Puka Nacua caught 129 passes for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025. Only Smith-Njigba finished with more receiving yards. Nacua also led this group with 666 yards after the catch, showing why bringing him down often takes more than one defender.
Nacua's YAC Prowess: In 2025, Puka Nacua accounted for 666 yards after the catch, leading this elite group of receivers and highlighting his tackle-breaking ability.
He is not limited to one role. The Rams can use him on short crossing routes, deep in-breaking patterns, screens, and contested throws near the sideline. His strength makes him effective in traffic, while Stafford’s timing allows the ball to arrive before defenders can close.
The presence of Davante Adams creates another problem. A defense that sends extra coverage toward Nacua may leave Adams isolated. A defense that keeps both safeties deep may give Los Angeles favorable rushing looks and easy passes underneath.
Nacua’s main concern is durability. NFL.com noted that he spent time in rehabilitation during the offseason. The Rams do not need to overload him during August. Their goal should be to have him healthy for the long regular season and playoffs.
A realistic path to another dominant year would be fewer forced targets, more efficient red-zone work, and a larger number of games in which Nacua and Adams both punish single coverage.
Ja’Marr Chase: Volume, skill, and proven chemistry
Ja’Marr Chase finished 2025 with 125 catches for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned another first-team All-Pro selection and remained one of the NFL’s most heavily targeted receivers, drawing 185 passes.
Chase can dominate in several ways. He can win deep, turn a short pass into a long gain, or beat press coverage with strength and fast footwork. His connection with Cincinnati’s quarterbacks also allows the Bengals to adjust routes based on the coverage shown after the snap.
Tee Higgins remains an important part of the same receiver room. That prevents defenses from treating Chase as Cincinnati’s only serious threat. When the offensive line gives the quarterback enough time, the Bengals can attack any level of the field.
Chase's Target Share: Ja'Marr Chase was targeted 185 times in 2025, showcasing his role as one of the NFL's most frequently targeted and productive receivers.
For Chase to move from another excellent season to a truly dominant one, Cincinnati must improve its consistency. Empty possessions and poor protection can remove even the best receiver from a game. The Bengals should also continue using Chase in motion, where defenders cannot hold him at the line.
His 2025 touchdown total was lower than his catch and yardage numbers might suggest. Even a modest rise in red-zone scores could place him near the top of every major receiving category.
| Player | Receptions (2025) | Receiving Yards (2025) | Receiving TDs (2025) | Targets (2025) | Yards After Catch (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 119 | 1,793 | 10 | 163 | N/A |
| Puka Nacua | 129 | 1,715 | 10 | N/A | 666 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | 125 | 1,412 | 8 | 185 | N/A |
Running Backs: McCaffrey and Barkley Still Carry Complete Offenses
Image: Staff Sgt. Charles Casner, U.S. Air National Guard. Public domain in the United States.
Christian McCaffrey: San Francisco’s most flexible weapon
Christian McCaffrey returned from an injury-hit 2024 season and handled an NFL-high 413 touches in 2025. He rushed for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also accounted for 25.6% of San Francisco’s completed passes, the highest reception share by a running back since McCaffrey’s own 2019 season in Carolina.
McCaffrey's Elite Workload: In 2025, Christian McCaffrey led the NFL with 413 touches, rushing for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns, and boasting a 25.6% reception share—his highest since 2019.
That workload proves he can still run between the tackles, catch passes, and stay on the field in key situations. It also creates the largest concern around him.
The 49ers have added more receiving help, including Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. A deeper passing attack could reduce the number of routine touches McCaffrey receives while preserving his work on third downs, in the red zone, and late in close games.
Early camp reports showed McCaffrey taking a healthy workload and finding running lanes during team periods. San Francisco does not need to test his limits in August. It needs to manage him well enough to keep his most valuable skills available in December and January.
Saquon Barkley: Less volume can still produce more value
Saquon Barkley followed his historic 2024 season with 1,140 rushing yards in 2025. He became the first Eagles running back since LeSean McCoy to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Since 2022, Barkley ranks second in the NFL with 87.4 rushing yards per game, behind only Derrick Henry.
Philadelphia’s offense has changed after trading A.J. Brown. Barkley could see more attention from linebackers and safeties, especially until the new passing group proves it can create explosive plays. The Eagles still have DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, rookie Makai Lemon, and several useful secondary targets.
Three things will shape Barkley’s season:
- Offensive-line stability: His best runs begin with clear reads and clean first contact.
- Receiving use: More screens and option routes can punish defenses that crowd the box.
- Touch management: Philadelphia should avoid chasing 2024-level volume when a smaller workload can keep him fresh.
Barkley's Consistent Production: Saquon Barkley rushed for 1,140 yards in 2025, marking consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and since 2022, he ranks second in the NFL with 87.4 rushing yards per game.
Barkley summed up his approach well: “I’m always going to have the mindset of putting the work in.”
Defensive Disruptors: Garrett and Anderson Wreck Games Without Touching the Ball
Myles Garrett: A record-setting rusher on a stronger roster
Myles Garrett recorded an NFL-record 23 sacks in 2025. He won Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous first-team All-Pro selection. The Rams then acquired him in one of the biggest moves of the 2026 offseason.
Garrett's Record-Breaking Year: Myles Garrett set an NFL record with 23 sacks in 2025, earning Defensive Player of the Year and unanimous first-team All-Pro honors before joining the Rams.
Garrett changes more than the sack total. Offenses must slide protection toward him, keep a tight end near the line, or ask a running back to help. Those choices create one-on-one chances for other Rams defenders and reduce the number of receivers available on a play.
Los Angeles also strengthened its secondary. Better coverage can force quarterbacks to hold the ball for an extra moment, which is often all an elite pass rusher needs. NFL analyst Eric Edholm described the Rams as having one of the league’s best rosters even before the Garrett trade.
There is one current health note. Garrett missed several early-August practices with lower-body soreness. Sean McVay said the Rams were being cautious and expected him to return during the next practice block. It is not being treated as a major injury, but it should be watched.
Garrett does not need another record to dominate. Even 15 to 18 sacks, combined with constant pressure and forced protection changes, could make him the league’s most valuable defensive player again.
Will Anderson Jr.: The pressure numbers point to a larger breakout
Will Anderson Jr. recorded 12 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, and 20 tackles for loss in 2025. Next Gen Stats credited him with 85 pressures, including an NFL-high 48 pressures on third down. He finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earned first-team All-Pro honors.
Third-down pressure is especially valuable. It ends drives, forces hurried throws, and gives an offense better field position. Anderson’s ability to produce in those moments makes his impact larger than his sack total alone suggests.
Anderson's Third-Down Dominance: Will Anderson Jr. registered an NFL-high 48 pressures on third down in 2025, totaling 85 pressures, alongside 12 sacks, 23 QB hits, and 20 TFLs.
Houston can also move him around the formation. He can rush from a wide alignment, attack inside against a guard, or run twists with another defensive lineman. Danielle Hunter’s presence prevents offenses from sending every extra blocker toward Anderson.
The practical test for 2026 is finishing more pressures with sacks or forced turnovers. Pressure rates can show that a defender is winning even when the quarterback escapes. Turning a few more of those wins into lost-yardage plays could push Anderson from elite young defender to Defensive Player of the Year winner.
| Player | Sacks (2025) | QB Hits (2025) | Tackles for Loss (2025) | Total Pressures (2025) | 3rd Down Pressures (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myles Garrett | 23 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Will Anderson Jr. | 12 | 23 | 20 | 85 | 48 |
Conclusion
The strongest candidates to dominate the 2026 NFL season share one trait: their teams depend on them in moments that decide games.
Stafford, Allen, and Maye control entire offenses. Smith-Njigba, Nacua, and Chase can punish one coverage mistake. McCaffrey and Barkley give their coaches answers as runners and receivers. Garrett and Anderson can end a drive before a pass route has time to develop.
The safest predictions are Stafford’s continued efficiency, Smith-Njigba’s high target share, and Garrett’s effect on protection plans. McCaffrey’s workload and Garrett’s early camp soreness need monitoring, while Maye must now handle the pressure that follows a Super Bowl appearance.
Other stars will enter this debate as the season unfolds. Injuries, new systems, and young-player breakouts always reshape an NFL year. Based on verified 2025 production and the latest 2026 team context, these ten players have the clearest paths to controlling games from Week 1 onward.