Several elite units enter 2026 with comparable upside, keeping the D/ST points race tight. The Rams strengthened their front with Myles Garrett and potential Aaron Donald involvement, while the Seahawks built on their dominant 2025 performance despite some free-agency losses. The Texans maintain a stacked roster and favorable early schedule, and the Broncos feature consistent depth. Additional contenders like the Eagles and Vikings benefit from continuity and recent defensive investments. Preseason rankings and projections show these groups clustered at the top, with no clear separator in projected sacks, turnovers, or scoring defense over a full season. Trader consensus reflects this parity, as small roster or injury shifts could reorder the leaderboard.