ESPN holds the Buffalo Bills’ 2026 NFL season roster in high regard currently.
But not the best.
ESPN released their annual full NFL roster rankings, putting all 32 teams in the league against each other head-to-head.
In the end the Bills landed at No. 4 overall, a strong standing… but again, not top dog. Ahead of Buffalo are three teams with similar Super Bowl aspirations.
Leading the pack is the Los Angeles Rams, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles and defending Super Bowl champs, the Seattle Seahawks, respectively.
On a positive note, that means the Bills are the top-ranked AFC team. Naturally, quarterback Josh Allen is a big reason why.
ESPN’s full breakdown on the Bills roster can be found below:
Biggest strength: Quarterback. What else could be the answer, as the team has 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen? Allen has finished no lower than seventh in QBR in each of the past six seasons (third or better in four of them). He hasn’t been asked to throw the ball as much in recent years, but he has still finished in the top 10 in passing TDs six seasons in a row. Allen remains a major factor with his legs, leading all QBs in carries, rushing yards and rushing TDs last season. Only Derrick Henry (44) has more rushing TDs than Allen (41) over the past three seasons. — Clay
Biggest weakness: Off-ball linebacker. Terrel Bernard remains the team’s top LB, but he has battled injuries (nine total games missed) and ineffectiveness in each of the past two seasons. Running mate Dorian Williams has generally been a situational player but might need to play an expanded role this season. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and fourth-round rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr are his primary competitors. Buffalo might lean a bit more on three-safety looks in the post-Sean McDermott era due to its LB situation. — Clay
X factor for 2026: Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. One of the upsides of promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach is keeping the consistency and continuity of the potent Bills offense. But on the defensive side, Buffalo is replacing a good coach in Sean McDermott. Will Leonhard be able to get enough out of an imperfect defensive roster to make Buffalo title contenders? — Walder
Nonstarter to know: RB Ray Davis. James Cook III deservedly gets the accolades, but Davis was excellent in backing up Cook last season. Davis averaged 4.7 yards per carry (14.8% DVOA) and 8.6 yards per reception with two receiving touchdowns (23.9% DVOA). He was also one of the top kick returners in the NFL. — Schatz
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: ESPN ranks Bills’ full 2026 roster among NFL’s best
Reporting by Nick Wojton, USA TODAY / Bills Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nick Wojton, USA TODAY | USA TODAY Network
