BOOM or BUST: The 2026 NFL Defenses With Unpredictable Upside and Downside

Which NFL defenses could surprise—or disappoint—in 2026? Joe Marino and Kyle Crabbs spotlight high-variance units, questioning if the Buffalo Bills’ young defensive line, featuring Ed Oliver and rookie Deion Walker, or the Detroit Lions’ Aiden Hutchinson-led front can buck low preseason grades. Key players like Max Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders) and Nick Bosa (San Francisco 49ers) are tasked with elevating inexperienced groups, while the Miami Dolphins’ rookie-heavy secondary faces major uncertainty under Jeff Hafley. The hosts break down whether coaching—from Jim Leonard’s debut in Buffalo to Brandon Staley’s leadership in New Orleans—can compensate for roster gaps. They debate star-centric volatility with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and analyze potential regression candidates such as San Francisco due to age and injuries. Can the Minnesota Vikings’ strong coaching pull them into contention, or will teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons see their young linebackers develop just in time for a playoff push? Photo Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season. KALSHI For a limited time,Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get $10 when you trade $10. Square Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/lockedonnfl! #squarepod Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.