Are the Seattle Seahawks favored as the pre-eminent team in the NFL for the upcoming 2026 season with Week 1 right around the corner?
ESPN ranked the Seahawks No. 2 in the league out of all 32 teams
in their power rankings following the NFL deadline for franchises to finalize their 53-man rosters for next season, and put the spotlight on a potential feat in the receptions department for Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a milestone to watch for throughout the year.“Smith-Njigba had 100 receptions in 2024 before setting a franchise record with 119 last season on his way to winning AP Offensive Player of the Year,” ESPN’s Brady Henderson said. “So his catch count will be worth watching come December. Brandon Marshall, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Michael Thomas are
the only three players who've accomplished the feat -- though Rams star receiver Puka Nacua can also join the list in 2026.”
The Seahawks enter next season positioned to contend behind a roster filled with high-end talent on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Seattle’s stars give the team the ability to exploit defenses vertically and create yards after the catch, while the run game appears to be in good hands with rookie Jadarian Price and quality veterans behind him.
Defensively, the Seahawks have the firepower to pressure quarterbacks, control the line of scrimmage and challenge receivers in coverage. Terrion Arnold will also be a potential game-changer for them upon his return. Seattle has the depth and star power to go back-to-back as Super Bowl champions in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks soar in ESPN's preseason power rankings
