FOX Sports Digital
It takes solid role players and contributors to chase a Super Bowl, but championship teams are usually led by core foundational players who make big plays in the critical moments of the game to bring home the Lombardi Trophy. Just look at last season’s Super Bowl run for the Seattle Seahawks. They had big-time playmakers like wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Kenneth Walker III make critical plays that led to a dominant victory over the New England Patriots. With that in mind and the start of training camp looming, here’s a look at the top 10 core foundations for NFL teams with less than two months before the beginning of the regular season. Top five: QB Drake Maye, WR A.J. Brown, CB Christian Gonzalez, DT Milton Williams, DB Kevin Byard New England struggled to compete with Seattle in Super Bowl LX this past season. While the offensive line must play better to protect MVP candidate Maye, the addition of Brown should lead to more explosive plays on offense. Byard, who led the NFL in interceptions last season, brings experience and playmaking ability to the back end defensively, but the Patriots could still use pass rush help on the perimeter to partner with productive defensive tackles Christian Barmore and Williams. Maye is just 23 years old, and Byard (32) is the only core player that’s over 30, so that bodes well for the Patriots keeping their Super Bowl window open. Overall, New England’s harder schedule will likely mean fewer wins in 2026, and we’ll find out early how Mike Vrabel’s roster sits when the Patriots face the Seahawks in a Super Bowl rematch in Seattle to start the year. New England must also get Gonzalez signed to a new deal that will make him one of the highest-paid corners in the league. Top five: QB Lamar Jackson, S Kyle Hamilton, RB Derrick Henry, DE Trey Hendrickson, LB Roquan Smith Seeking a new contract that will make him the highest-paid player in the league, Jackson is under pressure to finally deliver another Super Bowl for the Ravens with the franchise moving on from head coach John Harbaugh. And Jackson has one of the most talented rosters to work with in Baltimore. The dynamic signal-caller finally has a No. 1 receiver in Zay Flowers, who emerged as a consistent playmaker on the perimeter. And even at 32 years old, Henry is still one of the top running backs in the game. New defensive-minded head coach Jesse Minter can build his defense around one of the best safeties in the game in Hamilton, like what he achieved by using Derwin James Jr. during his time leading the defense for the Los Angeles Chargers. And Hendrickson gives the Ravens a double-digit sack guy on the perimeter to pair with DT Nnamdi Madubuike. Baltimore should be the favorite to win the AFC North. Top five: QB Dak Prescott, WR George Pickens, WR CeeDee Lamb, DL Quinnen Williams, OL...
