Mike Renner · Apr 29, 2026
Renner sorts all 32 NFL teams into 10 tiers heading into 2026, from a "need more talent" bottom group (Dolphins, Titans, Raiders, Cardinals) up to a "reigning favorites" top tier of Seahawks, Rams and Broncos. He also projects several starting jobs in Chicago, Houston and New England.
“It is the reigning favorites tier. These were probably the best teams in the NFL. A year ago, nothing has dissuaded me from thinking that heading into 2026, it's the Seahawks, it's the Rams, and it's the Broncos.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Pushing the Pile (podcast) · read the original →
9 checkable claims from this
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
Dre'Mont Jones to be 1st on the depth chart
“Harold Landry, Draymond Jones. Those are your starters heading into”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Power RankingsApr 29, 2026
“We got 10 tiers... It's called the need more talent tier... It's the Miami Dolphins. It's the Tennessee Titans. It's the Las Vegas Raiders, and it's the Arizona Cardinals... they might be better than we thought tier. And it is the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns... quarterback questions tier... It's the Colts. It's the Vikings, the Falcons, it's the Steelers... head coach slash quarterback buoying mid rosters tier... it's the Chiefs, it's the Chargers, it's the Bengals, and it's the forty niners... the ascending tier... It's the Saints. It's the Cowboys. It's the Giants, and it's the Panthers... shouldn't have been that bad last year... It's the Ravens, the Lions, it's the Commanders, and it's the Bucks... close and status quo... It's the bears, it's the jaguars, and it's the Buffalo Bills... the Texans and the Patriots are in the close and got better category... the back again tier... It's the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles... the reigning favorites tier... it's the Seahawks, it's the Rams, and it's the Broncos.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsCoby BryantChicago BearsApr 29, 2026
Coby Bryant to be 1st on the depth chart
“they turned over their safety group... Kobe Bryant, Dylan Theeneman, that's your new safety group.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsDillon ThienemanChicago BearsApr 29, 2026
Dillon Thieneman to be 1st on the depth chart
“Kobe Bryant, Dylan Theeneman, that's your new safety group.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsDevin BushChicago BearsApr 29, 2026
Devin Bush to be 1st on the depth chart
“You got Devin Bush in there now instead of Tremaine Edmonds.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsWyatt TellerHouston TexansApr 29, 2026
Wyatt Teller to be 1st on the depth chart
“Wyatt Heller at guard... You at least have a better starting five, in my opinion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsKeylan RutledgeHouston TexansApr 29, 2026
Keylan Rutledge to be 1st on the depth chart
“Keelan Rutledge your first rounder. Looks like he's gonna be your center or one of your guard positions.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsBraden SmithHouston TexansApr 29, 2026
Braden Smith to be 1st on the depth chart
“Braden Smith at tackle. You at least have a better starting five, in my opinion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Harold Landry III to be 1st on the depth chart
“I still don't think they have a guy, Harold Landry, Draymond Jones. Those are your starters heading into”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.