10 NFL Players Positioning Themselves For A Breakthrough 2026 Season

Get your popcorn ready. 

Using player intrigue across the league as his guide, Danny Parkins unveiled his list of the ten most exciting NFL players heading into the upcoming season on First Things First. 

Parkins emphasized that the exercise focuses on viewing entertainment and narrative stakes rather than pure positional rankings or overall roster value. Counting down from number ten to the top spot, the ranking features established stars, potential trade targets, and young quarterbacks.

10.

Aaron Donald opens the list as a conditional entry at number ten despite currently being retired from football. Speculation of his return to the league has started with Donald working out for the Rams already and being spotted working out at the team facility.

"If Donald returns... He's arguably the best defensive player of my lifetime," Parkins said. "The guy was number one in pass rush win rate. He was a first-time All Pro when he retired, so he retired early. He walked away. It wasn't because anything had really dipped off. So if he joins the overwhelming Super Bowl favorites after two years away, it'll just be an absolutely fascinating story."

Though Donald is not on an active roster, rumors regarding a potential comeback keep him in the discussion on the list.

9.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud occupies the ninth spot following an inconsistent second half of last season. He enters the upcoming year with expectations to recapture his efficiency from his rookie year and drive the Texans deep into the postseason.

"I don't think anyone individually has more riding on this season than C.J. Stroud," Parkins said. "They picked up his fifth-year option, but he was bad in every loss last year."

Parkins went on to question whether