10 NFL Players Positioning Themselves For A Breakthrough 2026 Season

Evaluating player intrigue across the league, television analyst Danny Parkins unveiled his list of the ten most exciting NFL players heading into the upcoming season on First Things First. Parkins emphasized that the exercise focuses on viewing entertainment and narrative stakes rather than pure positional rankings or overall roster value. Counting down from number ten to the top spot, the ranking features established stars, potential trade targets, and young quarterbacks. Aaron Donald opens the list as a conditional entry at number ten despite currently being retired from football. Speculation of his return to the league has started with Donald working out for the Rams already and being spotted working out at the team facility. “If Donald returns… He’s arguably the best defensive player of my lifetime,” Parkins said. “The guy was number one in pass rush win rate. He was a first-time All Pro when he retired, so he retired early. He walked away. It wasn’t because anything had really dipped off. So if he joins the overwhelming Super Bowl favorites after two years away, it’ll just be an absolutely fascinating story.” Though Donald is not on an active roster, rumors regarding a potential comeback keep him in the discussion on the list. Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud occupies the ninth spot following an inconsistent second half of last season. He enters the upcoming year with expectations to recapture his efficiency from his rookie year and drive the Texans deep into the postseason. “I don’t think anyone individually has more riding on this season than C.J. Stroud,” Parkins said. “They picked up his fifth-year option, but he was bad in every loss last year.” Parkins went on to question whether Houston looks into the quarterback market pending Stroud’s performance. “Was absolutely terrible in the playoffs,” Parkins said. Is this a J.J. McCarthy spot? Do they just turn to Davis Mills as their backup? Do they call Jimmy Garoppolo, or does he play like he did as a rookie?” Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker lands at eighth on the list as a major addition to the Kansas City offense. Parkins labeled Walker as the most accomplished running back Patrick Mahomes has played alongside during his career. “Kenneth Walker is the best running back Patrick Mahomes has ever had,” Parkins said. “The Chiefs have never ranked higher than 16th in rushing yards per game since Mahomes has been there.” “They gave him a ton of money,” Parkins said. “They’re going to use him, and there’s two things that really contribute to a great play-action game. When you have to honor and respect the run. You give Mahomes a real running game. I think that part of the game opens up for him.” Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Max Crosby comes in at seventh as a potential in-season trade candidate. Because the Raiders timeline may not align with young talent development, Parkins projects that a strong start to the season could prompt contending franchises to pursue Crosby before the trading deadline, potentially altering division races and championship odds across the league. “I don’t think he’s finishing the season with the Raiders. So if he has a good September and is healthy, he gets traded for one first-round pick instead of two to a team that starts hot,” Parkins said regarding Crosby’s situation in Las Vegas. “Is he a Bear by October? Is he a Bill by October? Is he a Cowboy by October? An in-season trade for a pass rusher that could tilt the Super Bowl odds mid-season,” Parkins continued. “That’s interesting. I think it’s going to be a huge story.” Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love takes the sixth spot as one of the league’s most talented passers. Parkins described Love as a high-upside quarterback capable of producing elite offensive production during hot stretches, balanced by occasional turnover issues during off weeks. “He is just streaky. When he is on a hot streak, he looks like he could be the MVP of the league. He doesn’t throw a lot of interceptions, but when he throws interceptions, they are among the worst interceptions you’ve ever seen,” Parkins said. “The first five, six, seven weeks of the season, Micah Parsons is going to be out. So Jordan Love, I mean, they gave him Matthew Golden and Christian Watson, and Tucker Kraft is back,” Parkins said. “He has to lead a top 10 offense this year.” Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs arrives at fifth as an explosive offensive focal point for Detroit. “I think he should be the number one pick in fantasy football over Bijan Robinson, a great one v two debate. But also, we’ve never seen this guy without David Montgomery. Like his touches have gone up year-to-year to year,” Parkins said. Parkins highlighted Gibbs’ dynamic playmaking ability out of the backfield and as a receiver, Gibbs projects as one of the most versatile weapons in football. “I don’t see why Jahmyr Gibbs shouldn’t lead the league in touches this year. So if Jahmyr Gibbs gets 350 plus touches, I just think the sky’s the limit for him. Is one of the most dynamic offensive players in football.” Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen lands at fourth due to the structural expectations and legacy implications tied to his upcoming season after a divisional round exit last season. “Speaking of dynamic offensive players, Josh Allen at number four. No one has more on the line legacy-wise for him,” Parkins said about the Buffalo quarterback on First Things First. Parkins went on to highlight the recent addition of wide receiver DJ Moore. “You add DJ Moore. I don’t think the defense is going to be very good this year. Think they’ve got a real shot at the number one ranked offense.” Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett enters the rankings at third following his offseason trade from Cleveland. “We talked about this when the trade happened when we were all on. It is a stat that is just now seared into my brain. He had 23 sacks last year. It’s five straight years of 14 or more sacks,” Parkins explained. Parkins went onto explain how Garrett can break his own record that he set last year. “Why can’t he have more sacks this year than he did last year and break his own record when he’s going to be playing with a lead. He is going to just have more pure pass rush opportunities this year than he’s had in the last couple of years combined in Cleveland could be an absolutely monstrous season.” Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert takes the second spot on the list of most exciting players across the NFL. Parkins went on to explain how injuries to both starting tackles led to Herbert being the third-most sacked player in the league and how the hiring of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel can unlock a new version of Herbert. “Geno Smith and Cam Ward were the only two players sacked more than Justin Herbert [last] year,” Parkins said. “When you have an entirely new offensive line this year, you bring back two of the best tackles football and you add a new offensive coordinator.” Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams claims the top spot on the list as the single most compelling figure entering the upcoming NFL season. “Number one, it’s Caleb Williams,” Parkins declared to close out his rankings, with Nick Wright summarizing Williams as a young ascending superstar quarterback. Entering his third year as the starter in Chicago and second year under Ben Johnson, Williams combines elite arm velocity, pocket mobility, and off-script playmaking abilities that make the Bears offense central to league-wide attention.