New Survey: NFL’s Most Desired & Feared Players Plus Teams for 2026

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) arrives at NFL football training camp Friday, July 31, 2026, in St. Joseph, Mo.
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

The 2026 NFL season is approaching, and all 32 teams are preparing to kick off the season with a clean slate. Football fans can’t wait and are already thinking about which teams they expect to contend for a Super Bowl, which players they fear most, and which they would least like their teams to face on the field.

To find out which players command the most respect heading into the new season, BetMGM surveyed NFL fans nationwide about the players they would most like to have on their team and those they would least like to face.

The survey also explored which teams fans expect to be the toughest and easiest to beat, as well as their Super Bowl favorites.

Most Desired NFL Players

  1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
  2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
  3. Myles Garrett, Los Angeles Rams
  4. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
  5. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
  6. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
  7. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
  8. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons 
  9. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
  10. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Most Feared NFL Players

  1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
  2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
  3. Myles Garrett, Los Angeles Rams
  4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
  5. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles 
  6. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
  7. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
  8. Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers
  9. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
  10. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Teams Fans Think Will Be Easiest To Beat This Season

  1. New York Jets 
  2. Cleveland Browns 
  3. Arizona Cardinals 
  4. Miami Dolphins 
  5. Las Vegas Raiders 
  6. Tennessee Titans 
  7. Dallas Cowboys 
  8. Carolina Panthers 
  9. Washington Commanders 
  10. Chicago Bears 

Teams Fans Think Will Be Toughest To Beat This Season

  1. Los Angeles Rams 
  2. Kansas City Chiefs 
  3. Buffalo Bills 
  4. Philadelphia Eagles 
  5. Seattle Seahawks 
  6. New England Patriots 
  7. Baltimore Ravens 
  8. Chicago Bears 
  9. Denver Broncos 
  10. San Francisco 49ers 

Fans’ Super Bowl Favorites

  1. Los Angeles Rams 
  2. Buffalo Bills 
  3. Philadelphia Eagles
  4. Kansas City Chiefs 
  5. New England Patriots 
  6. Seattle Seahawks 
  7. Chicago Bears 
  8. Dallas Cowboys
  9. San Francisco 49ers 
  10. Denver Broncos 

Methodology
This study was conducted via Pollfish on August 6, 2026, among a nationally representative sample of 1,800 NFL fans across the United States. Respondents were asked which players they would most like to have on their team and least like to face, the teams they expect to be easiest and toughest to beat, and which team they predict will win the Super Bowl. Data was weighted to help ensure the results were nationally representative.

This report is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional betting advice nor opinions of BetMGM LLC. BetMGM encourages you to always bet responsibly and adheres to all regulatory compliance requirements.

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Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.