NFL All-22 Roster: Building A Dream Team For 2026

In the star-studded NFL, which players will shine the brightest this season?

With All-22 coaches’ tape and the stat sheet serving as my primary evaluation tools, here is my preseason All-Pro team based on track record and projections for the 2026 campaign. 

The reigning MVP could write a storybook ending to a Hall of Fame career by guiding a super team to another title in its home stadium. Although Stafford already accomplished this feat when the Rams won Super Bowl LVI, the future gold jacket recipient has a chance to run the table through the regular season and playoffs with a squad that is loaded with All-Pro playmakers around him. With Sean McVay carefully scripting "winners" that should produce easy scores for the veteran, Stafford could top off an unbeaten season with a collection of individual honors that reflect his work as a pinpoint passer and scoring machine. 

The playmaking dynamo is nearly impossible to defend out of the backfield. Robinson’s hybrid RB1/WR2 skill set will enable new coach Kevin Stefanski to get him 120-plus yards a game in multiple ways. Coming off a campaign in which he led the league with 2,298 scrimmage yards, the 5-foot-11, 215-pounder should cement his spot as the NFL’s undisputed RB1 with a spectacular season that could result in a 1,000 rushing and receiving yards apiece.

As a former receiving triple crown winner, Chase is a problem for opponents who are unable to deal with his physicality, toughness and big-play potential as a "catch-and-run" specialist. The 6-foot, 205-pounder is a quasi-running back on the perimeter, breaking tackles in the open field after snagging passes on in-breaking routes. The veteran is just as dangerous downfield, wrestling "50-50 balls" away from defenders down the boundary. With Joe Burrow operating with a "Super Bowl or bust" mentality, the feisty pass-catcher should bounce back as an All-Pro in 2026. 

Despite a dip in production due to shoddy quarterback play, the seventh-year pro notched his sixth-straight 1,000-yard season and continued to remind defensive backs that he is nearly impossible to defend when he is on the same page as his QB1. With Kyler Murray now on board and with the arm talent to force opponents to defend the entire field, the perennial All-Pro wideout should reclaim his spot on the list of the league’s A-plus playmakers. 

The numbers do not lie when it comes to sheer dominance on the perimeter. Nacua has been an unstoppable force as the No. 1 option in the Rams’ passing game, showing strong hands and superb ball skills while consistently coming down with contested grabs. As Matthew Stafford’s go-to guy, the All-Pro is likely to post the third 100-catch season of his career before breaking the bank as the premier wide receiver on the open market. 

After watching Klint Kubiak transform Jaxon Smith-Njigba into a playmaking machine as the feature pass-catcher in his scheme, Bowers could revolutionize the tight end position with a creative play designer building an offensive plan around his mercurial talents. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound target terrorized opponents as an unstoppable force on the perimeter during his record-breaking rookie season, showing a skill set that makes him tough for safeties and linebackers to cover in space. Given Kubiak’s experience and success showcasing No. 1 options, Bowers could resume his assault on the NFL record book as the Raiders’ leading pass-catcher in an offense built to elevate playmakers. 

The versatile frontline blocker has earned All-Pro honors at right tackle and left tackle by unmercifully pummeling defenders into the ground with his heavy hands and violent punches. The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder is a rare find as an athletic edge blocker with an alpha dog personality that allows him to dominate using finesse or force at the point of attack. 

The three-time All-Pro has regained his status as a five-star player after a couple of subpar seasons by his lofty standards. Nelson is back to mashing defenders onto the turf with his nasty disposition, setting the tone for the rest of the line. With the Colts’ running game popping behind No. 56’s efforts, the veteran guard should re-emerge as a first-team All-Pro member this season. 

The talented technician makes life easy for Patrick Mahomes by getting the frontline into the proper checks and adjustments against challenging looks. Humphrey’s outstanding football IQ and superb communication skills, combined with flawless footwork and fundamentals, enable him to stymie explosive defenders at the line. Given the importance of keeping the Chiefs’ QB1 upright in the pocket, Humphrey’s impressive work as a "traffic cop" makes him an easy choice on this All-22 team. 

The small school standout has developed into one of the best in the business as a mauler at the point of attack. Meinerz bullies defenders with his strength and power, but has also developed into a high-level technician who can shadowbox with agile defenders. The combination of physical dominance and technical savvy has helped him stand out as one of the elite blockers in the game. 

After watching the third-year pro put on a clinic against a collection of elite defenders on both edges, the football world should prepare to see a new name atop this season’s list of star offensive linemen. Alt plays with textbook technique and an All-Pro’s temperament, controlling defenders at the point of attack on perimeter runs and drop-back passes. The 6-foot-8, 322-pounder masterfully utilizes his length.

The single-season sack record holder is the centerpiece of a superteam in Los Angeles that could put the league in a choke hold in 2026. Garrett’s destructive potential as a freakishly athletic pass-rusher will make it hard for opponents to send extra blockers toward Aaron Donald to keep the three-time Defensive Player of the Year from taking over games fresh out of retirement. With Garrett seemingly on a mission to shatter the NFL’s career sack record while winning an elusive Super Bowl ring, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year could add even more hardware to the trophy case by season’s end. 

The fourth-year pro has quickly joined the conversation as arguably the best defensive tackle in football after dismantling interior blockers with his violent hands and superhero strength. Carter’s disruptive presence sets the table for the rest of the defense, while creating countless headaches for offensive coordinators trying to come up with plans to limit his impact at the point of attack. 

The twitchy defensive tackle overwhelms opponents with his quickness and explosion at the line. Murphy’s activity and aggression force interior defenders to pay close attention to his whereabouts, particularly on pivotal downs where the Seahawks are known to crank up the pressure. As an emerging standout coming off a season with seven sacks and 13 quarterback hits, the 6-foot-0, 306-pounder is ready to take his game up a notch as an All-Pro-caliber defender at the line. 

The relentless edge rusher is a one-man wrecking crew with a diverse collection of maneuvers that keeps offensive tackles guessing for four quarters. Anderson’s speed, quickness and burst, combined with his physicality and violence, overwhelm blockers left in isolation without a running back to help in protection. With the Texans’ defense expected to extend its dominance into 2026, the All-Pro pass-rusher should add more accolades to his résumé by season's end. 

After missing most of the 2025 campaign with an injury, the ninth-year pro is ready to attack the league with a vengeance as a sideline-to-sideline playmaker again. Warner’s instincts and ball skills have generated eye-popping turnover production (10 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries) as the featured playmaker in the Niners' scheme. Although new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will put his own spin on the system that has helped Warner play at a gold jacket level, the four-time All-Pro’s knack for producing big plays will keep him in the conversation as the top linebacker in the game. 

As one of three players with at least two sacks, two interceptions and 10 tackles for loss last season, the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year is a disruptive force who specializes in producing splash plays all over the field. Schwesinger’s impeccable instincts, awareness and anticipation, combined with his violent approach, could make him the new gold standard at the position by the end of 2026. 

The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year should bounce back from an injury-plagued season to reclaim his spot as the NFL’s CB1. Surtain’s airtight coverage and flawless technique make him a coach’s dream, and the top choice to man the island as the league’s premier cover corner. 

The sticky-fingered ball magnet has terrorized quarterbacks on the perimeter with 15 interceptions and 51 passes defensed over 54 career games. Stingley’s turnover obsession and takeaway prowess force opponents to think twice before targeting receivers in his area. Playing behind a ferocious front that regularly causes errant throws, the All-Pro corner has emerged as the Texans’ designated playmaker in their "see ball, get ball" scheme. 

The NFL’s highest-paid corner is worth every penny of his new four-year, $132 million contract as a dynamic defender with Swiss Army knife versatility on the perimeter. Witherspoon’s ability to blitz, run and cover from out wide or in the slot makes life miserable for quarterbacks and offensive playcallers. With the 6-foot-0, 185-pound DB capable of making plays in the backfield off corner blitzes and slot pressures just as well as he shuts down WR1s, Witherspoon is the ultimate weapon for Mike Macdonald to deploy from the second level. 

Offensive coordinators are facing sleepless nights with Jesse Minter poised to unleash the three-time All-Pro as a multidimensional playmaker near the box. Hamilton is perfectly suited for the role: a safety with linebacker size, speed and diagnostic skills, plus cornerback-like playmaking ability between the hashes. Inserting the ultra-versatile DB into a scheme that showcases his talents as a "hit, run, and cover" specialist near the line of scrimmage should help the Ravens’ defense get back to its dominating ways. 

The perennial Pro Bowler has emerged as the new prototype at his position: a super-sized defender who can play anywhere within the defensive triangle (strong safety, free safety, and nickel defender) based on matchups. James’ versatility and playmaking potential flourished under former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, but the big plays should continue with the Chargers under new DC Chris O'Leary.