New England Patriots SNUBBED in 2026 NFL Rankings? | Patriots Roundtable Podcast
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It’s ranking season for NFL media across the country as we patiently await the beginning of training camps later this month. For the New England Patriots, that’s meant recognition for their improvements this offseason and the performances of their star players.
On this week’s episode of the Patriots Roundtable Podcast, we review how New England has stacked up against the rest of the league’s best. From A.J. Brown cracking the NFL’s Top 100 to appearances from several stars — including Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez, and Brown — on ESPN’s top 10 positional rankings, the Patriots have been well represented. But are they still being underrated? We react.
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During the countdown of the NFL’s Top 100 players of 2026 — an annual list voted by players — Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown checked in at No. 80 overall. It was the fifth time in his career that he cracked the top 100, with other nominations in 2021 (62), 2023 (22), 2024 (21), and 2025 (29). Was Brown ranked too low heading into 2026 after he checked in at No. 29 last year?
ESPN has also publicized several rankings, highlighted by Jeremy Fowler’s annual top-10 positional rankings reflecting the opinions of coaches, players, and executives league-wide. New England has made several appearances on the list: Christian Gonzalez (No. 3 cornerback), Drake Maye (No. 8 quarterback), A.J. Brown (No. 9 wide receiver), Milton Williams (No. 9 defensive tackle), and TreVeyon Henderson (others receiving votes). Surprisingly, there were no mentions of Rhamondre Stevenson, Hunter Henry, Morgan Moses, or Robert Spillane. Should more Patriots have been included?
We review those rankings and more on this week’s Patriots Roundtable Podcast.
Plus, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald’s recent interview with the Dan Patrick Show sparks debate of a New England leak prior to Super Bowl LX. Did Patriots legend Tom Brady share insider secrets with Seattle in the days that preceded the game? We react.
In other news, New England wide receivers Kayshon Boutte and Efton Chism III hosted youth camps together in Worcester, MA, and Falmouth, ME on July 11-12. Does this say anything about their futures in Foxboro as both enter 2026 with questionable outlooks?
New England is already receiving high marks for their year-over-year improvement. Their offseason built on successes and shored up weaknesses on paper, but that will soon be tested under pressure. With training camp right around the corner, the Patriots will return to the field with aspirations of repeat postseason success in 2026. The work to get there begins now.
What do you think about New England’s preseason rankings? Who’s too high? Who’s too low? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.
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