The 2026 NFL season is approaching, and a handful of rookies appear poised to make the type of early impact that shifts a franchise’s trajectory. From Minnesota’s interior overhaul to Kansas City’s pass-rushing reinforcement, the defensive side of the football is where the most transformative first-year players reside heading into this year. On a recent episode of Best Pod Available, my co-host Joe DeLeone and I discussed the rookies with the best chance to elevate their respective teams from day one.

Almost every year, a rookie or two helps to take a team from irrelevant to relevant, from relevant to playoff contention, or from contention to a Super Bowl winner. Nick Emmanwori did exactly that for the Seattle Seahawks last season, helping transform a very good defense into the best in the NFL en route to a championship. There are some strong candidates to follow in those footsteps.

Minnesota Vikings: DTs Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange

For me, it starts with the Minnesota Vikings and their two rookie defensive tackles, Caleb Banks and Dominique Orange. The Vikings made a deliberate decision to overhaul their interior defensive line after the pairing of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave failed to produce results last season. Brian Flores is one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, but that interior group held the defense back.

While Banks has some injury questions rooted in a recurring foot issue over the last few months, there is no questioning how talented the 6-6, 330-pound behemoth is. If he stays on the field, he will end up being worth the 18th overall selection. You do not see athletes who move the way he does at that size. Banks carries superstar potential.

Depending on that foot situation, there’s a chance that Dominique Orange could have the biggest impact of the two. The box score will not necessarily showcase how important “Big Citruys” can be, but the big physical nose tackle can unlock the players around him. Dallas Turner, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman on the second level all stand to benefit. If those defenders are making a bunch of plays, it will likely be because Orange is doing the dirty work in the middle and commanding attention.

Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE R Mason Thomas

The Kansas City Chiefs had some issues on the defensive side of the football last season, which has been rare under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. One of their biggest problems was a consistent inability to create negatives and generate pressure on the quarterback. In the second round, they took Oklahoma pass rusher R Mason Thomas.

I don’t think Thomas will be a great player against the run from day one, but I do believe he can have an immediate impact as a designated pass rusher. Chris Jones is still a good player, but he has been a bit up and down with age. George Karlaftis is a physical power rusher, but he profiles more as a high-end No. 2 option. If Thomas can come in and create those negatives on a consistent basis, it could go a long way toward the Chiefs’ defense taking a massive step forward in 2026 and regaining the look of a Super Bowl contender.

Dallas Cowboys: S Caleb Downs

Perhaps the easiest pick for this conversation is Dallas Cowboys rookie safety Caleb Downs. It sounds strange to say about a first-year player, but Downs brings an almost veteran feel to the table. Honestly, Dallas just needs more adults in the room on the defensive side of the football.

Playing safety means Downs will have a hand in everything: coverage responsibilities on the back end and helping set the defense structurally from the top down. He’s a player who will know what everyone around him is doing, and he can provide a calming presence for a defense that vitally needs one.

Houston Texans: DT Kayden McDonald

The last player worth mentioning is Kayden McDonald, the rookie defensive tackle from Ohio State, now with the Houston Texans. At 6-3 and 327 pounds, McDonald is a physical nose tackle who won’t receive a ton of credit for the dirty work he does, but he can make everyone around him better. He’s already joining a Texans defense that is a tremendous group. If McDonald can upgrade the interior, then players like Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter, and a very good linebacker corps will be even better in 2026. That’s a scary proposition for opposing offenses.