Stephen A. Smith ranks Denver Broncos third in preseason NFL power rankings

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith listed the Denver Broncos as the third-best team in the NFL in his rankings released ahead of the 2026 season kickoff. Smith placed the Broncos behind only the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams, identifying them as the top AFC team. He cited the return of quarterback Bo Nix and a defense that recorded 68 sacks last season as primary reasons for his assessment. The roster also includes the addition of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Despite being the AFC's top seed last season, the team faces concerns from some observers regarding a difficult schedule and a high number of one-score victories in 2025. Denver begins its season with a series of matchups to validate this top-five ranking.

• 12:01 PMYahoo Sports — Stephen A. Smith reveals his top 5 NFL teams (including the Broncos)