The defending 2025 PBR Team Series Champion Carolina Cowboys enter the 2026 season with a target squarely on their backs as the other nine teams in the league spent the offseason searching for ways to close the gap.
Through the draft, trades, free-agent acquisitions, injured reserve decisions, roster protection, and rider development, all 10 organizations reshaped their lineups in hopes of making a championship run beginning at the season opener on Saturday, July 11 at Canvas Stadium at Colorado State University (CW, 10 p.m. ET)
As with every traditional power ranking in professional sports, these rankings are not simply a reflection of what happened last year. They are a projection of where each team stands entering the 2026 season based on roster construction, returning production, offseason additions, draft selections, depth, injuries, team chemistry, coaching, and overall championship potential.
Every roster has talent. Every team has a path. But in a league where one qualified ride can change the outcome of an entire game, the difference between a championship contender and a team still searching for answers can be razor thin.
Now, with the 2026 rosters finalized and every organization preparing for another run at history, one question remains:
Which team will be the last one standing when the dust settles in Las Vegas this November?
POWER RANKING NO. 10
NEW YORK MAVERICKS
2025 Regular-Season Record: 9-26
2025 Regular-Season Finish: 10th
2025 PBR Teams Championship Seed: No. 10
2025 PBR Teams Championship Finish:
2025 PBR Teams Championship Record:
Total Outs: 175
Qualified Rides: 61
Buckoffs: 114
Overall Team Riding Percentage: 34.9%
90-Point Rides: 1
FRONT OFFICE
General Manager — Chris Pantani
Head Coach — Kody Lostroh
2025 RIDER STATISTICS
Bob Mitchell
Games Competed: 25
Outs: 25
Qualified Rides: 14
Buckoffs: 11
Ride Percentage: 56.00%
MVP Points: 1,206.50
90-Point Rides: 0
Hudson Bolton
Games Competed: 6
Outs: 6
Qualified Rides: 3
Buckoffs: 3
Ride Percentage: 50.00%
MVP Points: 260.75
90-Point Rides: 0
Julio Cesar Marques
Games Competed: 25
Outs: 25
Qualified Rides: 9
Buckoffs: 16
Ride Percentage: 36.00%
MVP Points: 763.75
90-Point Rides: 0
Leonardo Castro
Games Competed: 33
Outs: 33
Qualified Rides: 13
Buckoffs: 20
Ride Percentage: 39.39%
MVP Points: 1,120.50
90-Point Rides: 0
Marco Rizzo
Games Competed: 26
Outs: 26
Qualified Rides: 9
Buckoffs: 17
Ride Percentage: 34.62%
MVP Points: 764.25
90-Point Rides: 0
Mauricio Moreira
Games Competed: 30
Outs: 30
Qualified Rides: 13
Buckoffs: 17
Ride Percentage: 43.33%
MVP Points: 1,137.75
90-Point Rides: 1
90.00 points — Doze You Down (Premier Livestock / Rafter G Rodeo) — Kansas City
2026 ROSTER
Protected Roster
Bob Mitchell (Returning)
Hudson Bolton (Returning)
Leandro Zampollo (Returns after missing the 2025 season due to injury.)
Leonardo Castro (Returning)
Marco Rizzo (Returning)
Mauricio Moreira (Returning)
Reserve Roster
Joao Henrique Lucas (Returning)
Dalton Allred (Rookie season in PBR Teams.)
Jacob Carige (Rookie season in PBR Teams.)
WHY THEY'RE HERE
The New York Mavericks come in at No. 10 in these preseason power rankings, but don't let that ranking fool you into believing this roster lacks talent. New York quietly strengthened its lineup during the offseason, including with the third overall pick of the draft choosing home-run hitter Dalton Allred, 18, the 2024 Utah High School Rodeo Association bull riding champion. Allred caught the Mavericks' attention with big rides including 90.2 points at a PBR Touring Pro event in Las Vegas in December and 91.3 points at the Denver Chute-Out at the National Western Stock Show in January.
The Mavericks also retain much of the core that showed flashes throughout 2025. They have enough veteran leadership and young talent to surprise people if everything comes together, but until they prove they can consistently compete with the league's elite teams over the course of an entire season, this is where they belong entering 2026.
BIGGEST QUESTION
The biggest question surrounding the New York Mavericks is whether they can finally put together a complete season. Bob Mitchell, Hudson Bolton, Leonardo Castro, Leandro Zampollo, Mauricio Moreira, Marco Rizzo and several other returning riders have all shown they can win games, but consistency has been the biggest obstacle. Dalton Allredand Jacob Carige begin their rookie seasons in PBR Teams, adding youth and depth to a roster that has the potential to improve significantly. The biggest challenge will be turning individual talent into consistent team success throughout the long season.
X-FACTOR
The X-factor for the New York Mavericks is youth combined with experience. Bob Mitchell continues to provide veteran leadership, while Hudson Bolton, who went 7-for-9 at World Finals, winning the event and finishing No. 3 in the World, has developed into one of the brightest young riders in the league. 2026 PBR Rookie of the Year Marco Rizzo enters another Teams season with valuable experience, Leandro Zampollo comes in with the confidence in finishing the 2026 UTB No. 9, and Mauricio Moreira remains capable of changing the momentum of any game. Add in an exciting rookie class, and New York has more upside than many people realize.
POWER RANKING NO. 9
OKLAHOMA WILDCATTERS
Front Office
CEO: Brandon Bates
General Manager: Chris Dashney
Head Coach: Greg Rhodes
2025 Team Snapshot
Regular Season Record: 11-24 (9th)
Combined Team Outs: 175
Combined Team Qualified Rides: 62
Combined Team Riding Percentage: 35.4%
90-Point Rides: 2
Main 2025 Roster
Josh Frost Outs: 26 | Qualified Rides: 12 | Riding Percentage: 46.15%
Cort McFadden Outs: 24 | Qualified Rides: 12 | Riding Percentage: 50.00%
Wingson Henrique da Silva Outs: 28 | Qualified Rides: 10 | Riding Percentage: 35.71%
Guilherme Valleiras Outs: 22 | Qualified Rides: 9 | Riding Percentage: 40.91%
Eduardo Matos Outs: 20 | Qualified Rides: 7 | Riding Percentage: 35.00%
Kase Hitt Outs: 17 | Qualified Rides: 5 | Riding Percentage: 29.41%
JaCauy Hale Outs: 11 | Qualified Rides: 3 | Riding Percentage: 27.27%
Tate Pollmeier Outs: 8 | Qualified Rides: 2 | Riding Percentage: 25.00%
2025 90-Point Rides
Josh Frost Score: 92.50 Bull: Man Hater Stock Contractor: Jane Clark / Gene Owen Event: Kansas City
Cort McFadden Score: 90.00 Bull: Doze You Down Stock Contractor: Premier Livestock / Rafter G Rodeo Event: Nashville
2026 Main Roster
Protected Roster
Eduardo Matos — Returning
Jack Mitchell — Selected No. 12 overall in the 2026 PBR Teams New Rider Draft. This is his rookie season in PBR Teams.
Kase Hitt — Returning
Marcelo Procopio Pereira — Spent 2025 with the Texas Rattlers and joins the Oklahoma Wildcatters for the 2026 season.
Trace Redd — Spent 2025 with the Texas Rattlers and joins the Oklahoma Wildcatters for the 2026 season.
Wingson Henrique da Silva — Returning
Winy dos Santos — Spent 2025 with the Texas Rattlers and joins the Oklahoma Wildcatters for the 2026 season.
Reserve Roster
Cort McFadden — Returning
Draft Designees
Renan Almeida — Selected No. 10 overall in the 2026 PBR Teams New Rider Draft. This is his rookie season in PBR Teams.
Leonardo Matos Pereira — Selected No. 22 overall in the 2026 PBR Teams New Rider Draft. This is his rookie season in PBR Teams.
2026 Offseason Notes
Coaching Change: Greg Rhodes takes over as head coach of the Oklahoma Wildcatters for the 2026 season, replacing the legendary J.B. Mauney.
Why They're Here
The No. 9 Oklahoma Wildcatters have never lacked talent. What they needed throughout the 2025 season was consistency. Oklahoma finished the regular season with an 11-24 record and one of the lowest team riding percentages, converting just 62 of 175 outs (35.4%). Too often, the Wildcatters were playing from behind and struggling to gain momentum.
Those same issues followed them into the playoff, and their postseason run ended almost as quickly as it began. Until Oklahoma proves it can consistently convert outs into qualified rides and compete as a complete five-man unit, the Wildcatters remain my Power Ranking No. 9 entering the 2026 season.
Biggest Question
Can this new-look roster respond to one of the most disappointing seasons in the organization's history?
That challenge now belongs to new head coach Greg Rhodes, whose success at the collegiate level earned him the opportunity to guide the Wildcatters into a new era. His biggest task will not simply be improving individual riding percentages. It will be building a team that rides with confidence, accountability and trust in one another. With a new coach, several new faces and a fresh start in 2026, Oklahoma has an opportunity to rewrite its story. But can this roster translate its talent into consistent winning performances?
X-Factor
The Wildcatters' biggest X-factor is the combination of experienced returning talent and new leadership. If Cort "The Hammer" McFadden returns healthy, Oklahoma immediately regains one of its most accomplished competitors. Returning riders such as Eduardo Matos and Wingson Henrique da Silva provide continuity, while Kaiden Loud, who spent the 2025 season with the Nashville Stampede, brings valuable PBR Teams experience to an evolving roster. Combined with the arrival of their new head coach, Oklahoma has the pieces to develop into a far more cohesive and competitive team than it was a year ago.
Just as significant is the commitment the Wildcatters' ownership has made to rewarding excellence. Oklahoma became the first team in PBR Teams history to announce that if one of its riders captures the 2026 PBR Teams MVP Award, the rider will receive not only the $100,000 league MVP bonus, but also a $1 million bonus from the organization. That unprecedented incentive could become one of the defining storylines of the 2026 season. If it inspires other organizations to follow suit, it could reshape the future of PBR Teams by creating even greater opportunities to attract and retain many of the sport's biggest stars.
POWER RANKING NO. 8
NASHVILLE STAMPEDE
Front Office
General Manager: Tina Battock
Director of Rider Development & Scouting: Keith Ryan Cartwright
Head Coach: Justin McBride
Assistant Coach: Silvano Alves
2025 Team Snapshot
Regular Season Record: 15-20 (6th)
Combined Team Outs: 175
Combined Team Qualified Rides: 66
Combined Team Riding Percentage: 37.7%
90-Point Rides: 2
Main 2025 Roster
Alan de Souza Outs: 31 | Qualified Rides: 19 | Riding Percentage: 61.29%
Cody Jesus Outs: 28 | Qualified Rides: 14 | Riding Percentage: 50.00%
Austin Richardson Outs: 24 | Qualified Rides: 6 | Riding Percentage: 25.00%
Gustavo Luiz da Silva Outs: 16 | Qualified Rides: 7 | Riding Percentage: 43.75%
Kaiden Loud Outs: 15 | Qualified Rides: 4 | Riding Percentage: 26.67%
Daniel Feitosa Outs: 12 | Qualified Rides: 6 | Riding Percentage: 50.00%
Rogerio Venancio Outs: 12 | Qualified Rides: 3 | Riding Percentage: 25.00%
Damiao Soares Outs: 12 | Qualified Rides: 2 | Riding Percentage: 16.67%
Pablo Soares Outs: 6 | Qualified Rides: 1 | Riding Percentage: 16.67%
2025 90-Point Rides
Austin Richardson Score: 90.75 Bull: Constant Payne Stock Contractor: Jane Clark / Hart Cattle / Flying S Event: Springfield
Daniel Feitosa Score: 90.50 Bull: American Made Stock Contractor: Crescent City Bucking Bulls / Gene Owen Event: Fort Worth
2026 Main Roster
Protected Roster
Alan de Souza — Returning
Daniel Feitosa — Returning
Gustavo Luiz da Silva — Returning
Riquelmi Silva — Spent 2025 with the Arizona Ridge Riders and joins the Nashville Stampede for 2026.
Rogerio Venancio — Returning
Reserve Roster
Cody Jesus — Returning
Daylon Swearingen — Spent 2025 with the Carolina Cowboys and joins the Nashville Stampede for the 2026 season. The 2022 PBR World Champion brings championship experience to Nashville's reserve roster.
Krash Hevalow — Rookie
Draft Designees
Jayden Roy — Rookie
Ky Hamilton — Rookie
Why They're Here
The No. 8 Nashville Stampede continue to search for the consistency that carried them to the inaugural PBR Teams Championship in 2022. While that championship run proved what this organization is capable of, Nashville has struggled to recapture that same level of success during both the regular season and postseason in the years since. A 15-20 regular-season record and sixth-place finish in 2025 simply weren't enough to convince me that this team is ready to contend with the league's best organizations.
There is no shortage of talent on this roster, but talent alone doesn't win championships. Until the Stampede prove they can consistently execute, eliminate costly mistakes and perform at a higher level throughout the season, they enter 2026 at No. 8.
Biggest Question
Can Justin McBride put all the pieces together and get this roster performing as one cohesive unit?
One area that simply has to improve is discipline. In a sport where every qualified ride matters, surrendering automatic zeros because of chute clock violations is something Nashville can no longer afford. Once a judge determines a rider has had adequate time to prepare, he is placed on the 30-second chute clock. From that point, the rider has 30 seconds to nod his head, or he is automatically awarded a zero. For a team with this much talent, giving away scoring opportunities before the gate ever opens is simply unacceptable.
The bucking chute is the most dangerous place in the arena, and every rider should be focused on getting in, getting settled and getting out as efficiently as possible. That's an area where every coaching staff can continue to improve. If Nashville can eliminate those self-inflicted mistakes while maximizing the talent on its roster, the Stampede have the potential to finish well above Power Ranking No. 8.
X-Factor
Nashville's roster may have undergone some of the most significant improvements of any organization entering the 2026 season. The addition of Daylon Swearingen, the 2022 PBR World Champion, immediately adds championship pedigree, although his early impact will depend on how quickly he returns from injured reserve. 2023 PRCA World Champion Ky Hamilton brings championship experience from the rodeo arena, and whenever he's available to compete, Nashville gains another proven winner capable of delivering qualified rides in pressure situations.
Returning standouts Alan de Souza and Gustavo Luiz da Silva provide Nashville with proven scoring potential, but the biggest X-factor may ultimately be Justin McBride's ability to put every rider in the best possible position to succeed. In PBR Teams, coaches determine the matchups, and few decisions influence the outcome of a game more than matching the right rider with the right bull. If McBride and his coaching staff can consistently make the right calls while this roster develops chemistry, the Stampede have the talent to become one of the biggest surprises of 2026 and climb well above No. 8.
POWER RANKING NO. 7
MISSOURI THUNDER
Front Office
General Manager: Luke Snyder
Head Coach: Ross Coleman
2026 Roster
Protected Roster
Felipe Furlan — Returning
Julio Cesar Marques — Rode for the New York Mavericks during the 2025 season.
Kade Madsen — Returning
Macaulie Leather — Returning
Maverick Smith — Returning
Miguel de Jesus — Returning
Paulo Eduardo Rossetto — Returning
Reserve Roster
Ramon Fiorini — Rode for the Carolina Cowboys during the 2025 season.
Draft Designees
Angelo Junior L. Rossetto — Joins PBR Teams for his rookie season. Drafted 5th Overall in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft.
Carson Watford — Joins PBR Teams for his rookie season. Drafted 15th Overall in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft.
Why They're Here
At first glance, seeing the Missouri Thunder ranked No. 7 may surprise fans who watched the 2025 Championship. After all, Missouri battled its way to the title game before falling to the Carolina Cowboys, finishing second when the dust settled in Las Vegas.
The reason for this ranking comes down to one word: consistency.
While the Thunder authored one of the year's most memorable postseason runs, their regular-season body of work simply didn't match the teams ranked ahead of them. Missouri spent much of the season searching for consistency before catching fire at exactly the right time. The Cinderella run proved this team can compete with anyone when it gets hot, but these preseason rankings weigh the entire body of work, not just one remarkable weekend.
There is plenty to like entering 2026. Returning riders such as Felipe Furlan, Maverick Smith, Miguel de Jesus, Paulo Eduardo Rossetto and Macaulie Leather provide an experienced core, while the additions of Julio Cesar Marques and rookie Angelo Junior L. Rossetto add even more talent. On paper, this roster is capable of competing with every team in the league. The question is whether Missouri can find that level of consistency from Opening Day rather than waiting until the postseason.
Biggest Question
Can Missouri develop into a more complete team by becoming equally dangerous regardless of which direction a bull spins?
Few riders in the world possess the ability to ride effectively with either hand, and Paulo Eduardo Rossetto has proven he is one of those rare athletes. His younger brother, Angelo Junior L. Rossetto, brings that same unique ability to the roster. While riding with either hand is an incredible advantage, it only reaches its full potential if those skills are developed equally.
Most bull riders naturally prefer bulls that spin into their riding hand, and there's nothing unusual about that. However, championships are often decided by one out, one draw, and one opportunity. If that deciding bull spins the opposite direction in Las Vegas, preparation becomes the difference between winning and falling just short.
That is why continuing to develop riders in both directions could become one of Missouri's biggest advantages. If the Thunder can build confidence and consistency regardless of which way a bull turns, they'll be a far more dangerous championship contender throughout the season and especially when the pressure is highest.
X-Factor
The Rossetto brothers.
Paulo Eduardo Rossetto has already established himself as one of the Missouri Thunder's foundation pieces, and now he'll be joined by his younger brother, Angelo Junior L. Rossetto, giving the organization one of the league's most intriguing family pairings.
Their rare ability to compete from either riding hand creates matchup flexibility that few teams possess. If both brothers continue developing that skill while pushing one another every day in practice, Missouri gains a strategic advantage that cannot easily be replicated.
Just as important is the supporting cast around them. Maverick Smith continues to develop into one of the league's rising young stars, while Felipe Furlan brings valuable experience to the lineup. Combined with the returning core and new additions, Missouri has the talent to challenge anyone.
The final piece is chemistry.
Championship teams aren't built solely on talent. They're built on trust, preparation, and the ability to come together when the season is on the line. If the Thunder quickly establish that chemistry both on and off the dirt, don't be surprised if they once again find themselves making a deep postseason run in 2026.
POWER RANKING NO. 6
ARIZONA RIDGE RIDERS
Front Office
General Manager: Casey Lane
Head Coach: Colby Yates
Head of Team Culture: Mo Brings Plenty
2025 Team Statistics
Regular Season Finish: 4th
Regular Season Record: 22-13
Bulls Attempted (Outs): 175
Qualified Rides: 82
Team Riding Percentage: 46.9% (82-for-175)
90-Point Rides: 1
2025 90-Point Ride
Keyshawn Whitehorse Score: 90.0 Bull: Eyes On Me Stock Contractor: Blake Sharp/Hanks Event: Duluth
2025 Primary Rider Statistics
Everton Natan da Silva Bulls Attempted (Outs): 33 | Qualified Rides: 19 | Riding Percentage: 57.58%
Luciano De Castro Bulls Attempted (Outs): 31 | Qualified Rides: 18 | Riding Percentage: 58.06%
Eduardo Aparecido Bulls Attempted (Outs): 30 | Qualified Rides: 16 | Riding Percentage: 53.33%
Keyshawn Whitehorse Bulls Attempted (Outs): 27 | Qualified Rides: 12 | Riding Percentage: 44.44%
Riquelmi dos Santos Bulls Attempted (Outs): 15 | Qualified Rides: 9 | Riding Percentage: 60.00%
2026 Arizona Ridge Riders Roster
Protected Roster
Eduardo Aparecido — Returning
Elizmar Jeremias — Joins the Arizona Ridge Riders after spending the 2025 season with the Carolina Cowboys.
Everton Natan da Silva — Returning
Luciano De Castro — Returning
Murilo Henrique de Oliveira — Joins the Arizona Ridge Riders after spending the 2025 season with the Carolina Cowboys.
Nick Tetz — Returning
Vitor Manoel Dias — Joins the league for his rookie season.
Reserve Roster
Conner Halverson — Joins the Arizona Ridge Riders after spending the 2025 season with the Missouri Thunder.
Eric Novoa — Joins the league for his rookie season.
Draft Designees
Brock Poulin — Joins the league for his rookie season.
Why They're Here
The Arizona Ridge Riders check in at No. 6 in these preseason power rankings after rebounding from a disappointing 2024 campaign with an impressive 2025 season. Arizona finished fourth in the regular season with a 22-13 record and proved it could compete with anyone in the league. Head Coach Colby Yates deserves tremendous credit for helping establish a team identity built around consistency, confidence, and maximizing each rider's strengths.
While much of the roster returns, replacing Keyshawn Whitehorse won't be easy. Whitehorse wasn't just another rider in the lineup — he was often the cowboy willing to nod his head on the rankest bulls that many others wanted no part of. That toughness helped define Arizona's identity. The Ridge Riders still possess one of the deepest and most talented rosters, but replacing that willingness to take on the toughest assignments may prove just as important as replacing his production.
Biggest Question
Who replaces the role that Keyshawn Whitehorse played within this lineup? Arizona returns plenty of talent, including Luciano De Castro, Everton Natan da Silva, Eduardo Aparecido and several other proven veterans, but every championship-caliber team needs riders willing to accept the toughest matchups. Whitehorse embraced that responsibility throughout his career with the Ridge Riders.
Another storyline to watch is Luciano De Castro. Few riders finished the season hotter, but his riding style has occasionally left the door open for opposing coaches to challenge qualified rides because of how low he carries his free arm. If Luciano can continue riding at an elite level while eliminating that habit, Arizona becomes even more dangerous. Veteran Eduardo Aparecido brings more than a decade of experience to one of the league's deepest rosters, while Colby Yates and his coaching staff will once again be responsible for matching riders with the bulls that give Arizona its best opportunity to win every game.
X-Factor
Luciano De Castro, Everton Natan da Silva and Eduardo Aparecido.
If Luciano De Castro continues the momentum he built late in the 2025 season, Everton Natan da Silva keeps developing into one of the league's premier young riders, and Eduardo Aparecido continues proving that more than a decade of experience still matters, the Ridge Riders have all the pieces necessary to compete with anyone. Arizona has the talent; now it's about putting every piece together at the right time.
One final thought — and this one's just for fun. Somebody needs to put heart-rate monitors on every head coach, especially when one of their riders is sitting in the chute waiting for the gate to crack. I have a feeling those numbers would be almost as entertaining as the rides themselves. Colby Yates would probably lead the league. Watching him coach every jump reminds me a lot of myself. I get just as excited over every out, and if I weren't already sitting in a wheelchair, I'd probably have bucked myself right out of it by now. Maybe they ought to strap a seatbelt on Colby, too. That's obviously said with a smile, but his passion is genuine, and that kind of energy has a way of spreading throughout an entire team.
POWER RANKING NO. 5
KANSAS CITY OUTLAWS
Front Office
Head Coach: J.W. Hart
Assistant Coach: Guilherme Marchi
2025 Team Statistics
Regular Season Finish: 8th
Regular Season Record: 11-24
Bulls Attempted (Outs): 175
Qualified Rides: 62
Team Riding Percentage: 35.4% (62-for-175)
90-Point Rides: 1
2025 90-Point Ride
Koltin Hevalow Score: 90.0 Bull: Sucker Pop Stock Contractor: Spencer/Sherman Cattle Co./Farris Event: Glendale
2025 Primary Rider Statistics
Koltin Hevalow Bulls Attempted (Outs): 34 | Qualified Rides: 19 | Riding Percentage: 55.88%
Heitor Ferreira Bulls Attempted (Outs): 31 | Qualified Rides: 14 | Riding Percentage: 45.16%
Eric Henrique Domingos Bulls Attempted (Outs): 24 | Qualified Rides: 6 | Riding Percentage: 25.00%
Julio Cesar Marques Bulls Attempted (Outs): 19 | Qualified Rides: 6 | Riding Percentage: 31.58%
Natanael Serra Aires Bulls Attempted (Outs): 16 | Qualified Rides: 2 | Riding Percentage: 12.50%
Pablo Soares Bulls Attempted (Outs): 12 | Qualified Rides: 3 | Riding Percentage: 25.00%
Dalton Krantz Bulls Attempted (Outs): 11 | Qualified Rides: 2 | Riding Percentage: 18.18%
Sandro Batista Bulls Attempted (Outs): 10 | Qualified Rides: 6 | Riding Percentage: 60.00%
2026 Kansas City Outlaws Roster
Protected Roster
Cassio Dias — Returning
Eric Henrique Domingos — Returning
Heitor Santos Ferreira — Returning
Koltin Hevalow — Returning
Maikon Calixton Rocha — Returning
Natanael Serra Aires — Returning
Sandro Batista — Returning
Draft Designees
Hayden Welsh — Rookie season. Drafted 1st Overall in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft.
Joao Paulo Alves Velasco — Rookie season. Drafted 4th Overall in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft.
Trent Ferreir — Rookie season. Drafted 9th Overall in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft.
Luiz Gabriel Rosa — Rookie season. Drafted 11th Overall in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft.
Why They're Here
The Kansas City Outlaws check in at No. 5 in these preseason power rankings despite finishing eighth during the 2025 regular season, and the explanation is simple: injuries. No team battled more adversity than Kansas City. At one point, the Outlaws were without nearly their entire original starting lineup, making it almost impossible to establish the consistency needed to compete at the top of the standings. Considering everything they endured, an 11-24 record doesn't accurately reflect the talent this roster possesses when healthy.
History says this organization knows how to win, and if the Outlaws can finally keep their core riders on the dirt instead of the injured list, they have all the pieces necessary to make a dramatic jump in the standings. That's why I have Kansas City ranked No. 5 entering 2026. This isn't a projection based solely on last year's record; it's a projection based on what this roster is capable of when it's healthy from top to bottom.
Biggest Question
How healthy is this roster?
Everything starts there. Cassio Dias showed flashes of returning to form during the individual season after battling injuries, and if he's finally back to 100 percent, Kansas City immediately becomes more dangerous.
Koltin Hevalow also returns after spending much of 2025 in the MVP conversation before injuries and inconsistency slowed his momentum. One area I'd like to see him improve is staying forward throughout the ride. As taller riders sometimes do, he can occasionally get behind the movement of the bull — a position I call the "Willingham Lean Back." Taller riders simply have more body to keep over the front end, and while that can be an advantage on bigger bulls, it can also work against them if they get behind the movement.
Hevalow has some of the best fundamentals in professional bull riding. If he becomes more consistent about staying in front, I believe he'll elevate his riding across both the Teams and individual seasons.
The same questions apply across the entire roster. Sandro Batista returns after battling injuries, while several other key contributors are looking to regain the form that made Kansas City one of the league's most dangerous teams. If this group is healthy, the Outlaws should have the talent to compete for a regular-season championship and earn one of the coveted byes heading into Las Vegas. Until we see everyone healthy at the same time, however, that remains the biggest question surrounding this team.
X-Factor
Hayden Welsh, Koltin Hevalow, and the overall health of the Kansas City Outlaws.
The No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft may also prove to be one of the most talented young riders entering the new season. After capturing the 2026 Intercollegiate National Championship and earning more than $140,000 on his PRCA permit, Hayden Welsh has already demonstrated that he belongs on the biggest stages in Western sports. He seems to be the definition of a plug-and-play talent who can contribute immediately. Add in a healthy Koltin Hevalow, who has already shown he can compete in the MVP race, along with veterans like Cassio Dias and Sandro Batista, and Kansas City suddenly has one of the deepest rosters in the sport.
If Kansas City's veteran core stays healthy while Welsh makes an immediate impact during the time he is available, don't be surprised if the Outlaws dramatically outperform their 2025 finish and prove this No. 5 ranking was actually too low.
POWER RANKING NO. 4
FLORIDA FREEDOM
Front Office
Associate General Manager: DeVon Edwards
Head Coach: Paulo Crimber
2025 Team Statistics
Regular Season Finish: 1st (Regular Season Champions)
Regular Season Record: 25-10
Bulls Attempted (Outs): 175
Qualified Rides: 97
Team Riding Percentage: 55.4% (97-for-175)
90-Point Rides: 5
2025 90-Point Rides
João Lucas Campos Score: 90.5 Bull: Let's Roll Stock Contractor: Stoltzfus/Bob & Jerry Adams/BS Cattle Co. Event: Oklahoma City
João Lucas Campos Score: 90.75 Bull: Ransom Stock Contractor: D&H Cattle Co./Flinn Event: Austin
Elizmar Jeremias Score: 90.25 Bull: Good Riddance Stock Contractor: Blake Sharp/Hanks Event: Austin
Thiago Salgado Score: 90.0 Bull: Tigger Stock Contractor: C-B Bucking Bulls Event: Fort Worth
João Lucas Campos Score: 91.0 Bull: Constant Payne Stock Contractor: Jane Clark/Hart Cattle/Flying S Event: Kansas City
2025 Primary Rider Statistics
Thiago Salgado Bulls Attempted (Outs): 35 | Qualified Rides: 24 | Riding Percentage: 68.57%
John Crimber Bulls Attempted (Outs): 34 | Qualified Rides: 25 | Riding Percentage: 73.53%
João Lucas Campos Bulls Attempted (Outs): 24 | Qualified Rides: 15 | Riding Percentage: 62.50%
Elizmar Jeremias Bulls Attempted (Outs): 20 | Qualified Rides: 7 | Riding Percentage: 35.00%
Yan Victor Cunha Bulls Attempted (Outs): 20 | Qualified Rides: 8 | Riding Percentage: 40.00%
João Ricardo Vieira Bulls Attempted (Outs): 19 | Qualified Rides: 9 | Riding Percentage: 47.37%
Alex Cerqueira Bulls Attempted (Outs): 16 | Qualified Rides: 8 | Riding Percentage: 50.00%
2026 Roster
Protected Roster
Alex Cerqueira — Returning
Austin Richardson — Joins the Florida Freedom after spending the 2025 season with the Nashville Stampede.
Bruno Carvalho — Joins the Florida Freedom after spending the 2025 season with the Arizona Ridge Riders.
Ethan Winckler — Joins the Florida Freedom after spending the 2025 season with the Carolina Cowboys.
João Lucas Campos — Returning
John Crimber — Returning
Yan Victor Cunha — Returning
Draft Designees
Canyon Jolly — Rookie season. Drafted 8th Overall in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft.
Why They're Here
Why rank the team that won the 2025 regular-season championship fourth in the preseason power rankings? The answer is simple: I have questions. There is no debating the talent on this roster. Florida returns a tremendous core while adding proven veterans like Austin Richardson and Bruno Carvalho, while young talent such as Ethan Winckler continues to strengthen an already impressive lineup. On paper, this team has enough depth to compete for another regular-season title and another deep postseason run.
The biggest variable is two-time and reigning PBR Teams MVP John Crimber, who also captured the 2026 PBR World Championship during the individual season that concluded in May inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. If Crimber decides to pursue both the PBR World Championship and the PRCA World Championship in the same season, injury could be a factor (he already hurt his groin on the rodeo trail this summer), and he could miss crucial games. If Crimber rides the full team schedule, Florida has every opportunity to repeat as regular-season champion. If he is out with injury, the Freedom still have enough talent to remain among the league's elite, but replacing the best rider in the world is never easy.
Biggest Question
How much of the 2026 season will John Crimber ride?
Everything else about this roster revolves around that question. Alex Cerqueira is coming off the best individual season of his career, Austin Richardson gives Florida another proven veteran capable of winning games, João Lucas Camposremains one of the most dangerous riders in the league, and young standout Ethan Winckler continues to develop into one of the sport's promising rising stars. Rookie Canyon Jolly also enters with high expectations after being selected eighth overall in the draft. Florida has assembled one of the league's deepest rosters.
The Freedom does not necessarily need one rider to carry the load every weekend, but if Crimber cools off or misses key games, everyone else will have to elevate their performance. Riders like Yan Victor Cunha will be asked to contribute more consistently than they did a year ago, and the supporting cast will have to make those extra qualified rides that often separate first place from fourth. Talent isn't the concern for Florida. Whether everyone can collectively fill any void created by Crimber is the biggest question surrounding this team.
X-Factor
The entire Florida Freedom roster.
This team is loaded from top to bottom. Florida has assembled one of the deepest rosters in the sport. Alex Cerqueira, João Lucas Campos, Austin Richardson, Bruno Carvalho, Ethan Winckler, and the rest of this lineup have the talent to win games regardless of who's standing beside John Crimber.
Just as important is the leadership of Head Coach Paulo Crimber, who has assembled a roster capable of weathering adversity better than almost anyone in the league. With so many Brazilian riders on the team, communication and chemistry become natural strengths rather than obstacles. If Florida stays healthy and this roster performs to its potential, the Freedom have every opportunity to prove that ranking them fourth was too low. The talent is unquestionably there. The only question is whether they'll have all of it available throughout the entire season.
POWER RANKING NO. 3
TEXAS RATTLERS
Front Office
General Manager: Chad Blankenship
Head Coach: Cody Lambert
Assistant Coach: Brady Oleson
2025 Team Statistics
Regular Season Finish: 3rd
Regular Season Record: 23-12
Bulls Attempted (Outs): 175
Qualified Rides: 74
Team Riding Percentage: 42.3% (74-for-175)
90-Point Rides: 3
2025 90-Point Rides
Brady Fielder Score: 90.75 Bull: Woody Stock Contractor: Flinn Cattle Co. Event: Oklahoma City
Brady Fielder Score: 90.25 Bull: Eyes On Me Stock Contractor: Blake Sharp/Hanks Event: Sunrise
Brady Fielder Score: 93.75 Bull: Man Hater Stock Contractor: Jane Clark/Gene Owen Event: Austin
2025 Primary Rider Statistics
Brady Fielder Bulls Attempted (Outs): 32 | Qualified Rides: 24 | Riding Percentage: 75.00%
Daniel Keeping Bulls Attempted (Outs): 28 | Qualified Rides: 17 | Riding Percentage: 60.71%
Claudio Montanha Jr. Bulls Attempted (Outs): 22 | Qualified Rides: 11 | Riding Percentage: 50.00%
Braidy Randolph Bulls Attempted (Outs): 22 | Qualified Rides: 5 | Riding Percentage: 22.73%
Ezekiel Mitchell Bulls Attempted (Outs): 19 | Qualified Rides: 6 | Riding Percentage: 31.58%
Dawson Branton Bulls Attempted (Outs): 14 | Qualified Rides: 3 | Riding Percentage: 21.43%
Winy Paulo dos Santos Bulls Attempted (Outs): 10 | Qualified Rides: 2 | Riding Percentage: 20.00%
2026 Roster
Protected Roster
Andrew Alvidrez — Joins the Texas Rattlers after spending 2025 with the Missouri Thunder.
Brady Fielder — Returning
Claudio Montanha Jr. — Returning
Daniel Keeping — Returning
Dawson Branton — Returning
João Ricardo Vieira — Joins the Texas Rattlers after spending 2025 with the Florida Freedom.
Josh Frost — Joins the Texas Rattlers after spending 2025 with the Oklahoma Wildcatters.
Reserve Roster
Braidy Randolph — Returning
Qynn Andersen — Returning
Draft Designees
Jesus Villa — Rookie season. Drafted 145th Overall in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft.
Why They're Here
The Texas Rattlers claim the No. 3 spot in these preseason power rankings because no team improved its roster more during the offseason. Already one of the league's elite teams, Texas added former PRCA World Champion Josh Frost to a lineup that already included Brady Fielder, Daniel Keeping and Claudio Montanha Jr. On paper, there may not be a more complete roster.
Brady Fielder remains one of the premier riders in the world, Daniel Keeping continues to establish himself as one of the league's most reliable competitors, and Claudio Montanha Jr., for his age, is riding better now than he ever has. Add Josh Frost to that mix, and it's easy to understand why Texas has positioned itself to make a serious run at both the regular-season championship and their second title.
Biggest Question
Can this roster stay healthy, and will everyone be available for the entire season?
Will also competing in rodeo put riders at risk for injury? Josh Frost has remained active in professional rodeo while also helping operate the Frost Legacy Bull Riding Schools with his brother, Joe, so availability naturally becomes something worth watching throughout the year.
If this roster remains intact from Opening Day through Las Vegas, I believe Texas has everything necessary to win both the regular-season and overall championship. The one interesting trend, however, is that through the first four seasons, no team earning a first-round bye has gone on to win the championship. Whether that's coincidence or simply a product of momentum remains to be seen, but it's a trend worth watching as the 2026 season unfolds.
X-Factor
Cody Lambert.
Few people in Western sports command more respect than Cody Lambert. Long before becoming one of the league's premier coaches, Lambert built a legendary career as both a competitor and one of the architects of modern professional bull riding. He qualified for the National Finals Rodeo, helped found the PBR, and later spent decades serving as the PBR's Livestock Director. Simply put, if anyone understands bulls and bull riders, it's Cody Lambert.
Now combine that knowledge with a roster featuring Brady Fielder, Daniel Keeping, Claudio Montanha Jr., Josh Frost and one of the deepest lineups in the league. Lambert's ability to prepare riders, evaluate matchups and make the right decisions throughout the season could be the difference between another good year and another championship. In my opinion, when you pair one of the greatest minds in the sport with one of its most talented rosters, that's the definition of an X-factor.
POWER RANKING NO. 2
CAROLINA COWBOYS
Front Office
General Manager: Austin Dillon
Assistant General Manager: Tiffany Davis
Head Coach: Jerome Davis
2025 Team Statistics
Regular Season Finish: 5th
Regular Season Record: 19-16
Bulls Attempted (Outs): 175
Qualified Rides: 72
Team Riding Percentage: 41.1% (72-for-175)
90-Point Rides: 0
2025 90-Point Rides
None
2025 Primary Rider Statistics
Clay Guiton Bulls Attempted (Outs): 31 | Qualified Rides: 22 | Riding Percentage: 70.97%
Cooper Davis Bulls Attempted (Outs): 30 | Qualified Rides: 12 | Riding Percentage: 40.00%
Jess Lockwood Bulls Attempted (Outs): 19 | Qualified Rides: 9 | Riding Percentage: 47.37%
Adriano Salgado Bulls Attempted (Outs): 20 | Qualified Rides: 10 | Riding Percentage: 50.00%
Ethan Winckler Bulls Attempted (Outs): 16 | Qualified Rides: 3 | Riding Percentage: 18.75%
Derek Kolbaba Bulls Attempted (Outs): 15 | Qualified Rides: 7 | Riding Percentage: 46.67%
Daylon Swearingen Bulls Attempted (Outs): 15 | Qualified Rides: 5 | Riding Percentage: 33.33%
2026 Roster
Protected Roster
Adriano Salgado — Returning
Clay Guiton — Returning
Guilherme Valleiras — Joins the Carolina Cowboys after spending 2025 with the Oklahoma Wildcatters.
Jadon Hayes — Rookie season.
Jess Lockwood — Returning
Keyshawn Whitehorse — Joins the Carolina Cowboys after spending 2025 with the Arizona Ridge Riders.
Thiago Salgado — Joins the Carolina Cowboys after spending 2025 with the Florida Freedom.
Reserve Roster
Derek Kolbaba — Returning
Draft Designees
Elijah Jennings — Rookie season. Drafted 7th Overall in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft.
Jake Lockwood — Rookie season. Drafted 20th Overall in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft.
Kaleb Lewis — Rookie season. Drafted 25th Overall in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft.
Why They're Here
You're probably wondering what I'm thinking. How do you rank the reigning and defending Champions No. 2 in the preseason power rankings? The answer is simple: health. There isn't a single question about the Carolina Cowboys' talent or championship pedigree. They proved last October that regular-season standings don't mean much once the lights come on in Las Vegas, climbing from a fifth-place regular-season finish to win the 2025 Championship. This team already knows what it takes to win when the pressure is at its highest.
The Cowboys also strengthened an already championship-caliber roster by replacing Daylon Swearingen with Keyshawn Whitehorse and adding Thiago Salgado, who now joins his brother Adriano in Carolina after spending last season with the Florida Freedom. Those additions only make this roster deeper. If everyone is healthy, Carolina has every opportunity to defend its championship. The reason they're No. 2 instead of No. 1 isn't talent — it's simply the unanswered questions surrounding the health of several key riders entering the season.
Biggest Question
How healthy is this roster?
Everything starts with Clay Guiton. We haven't seen him compete since suffering his injury early in the individual season in Salt Lake City, although we've seen him supporting his teammates from behind the scenes. If Clay returns healthy and stays healthy, he immediately becomes one of the favorites for the MVP award. He already proved what he's capable of by earning Championship Event MVP honors in Las Vegas while helping lead Carolina to the 2025 title.
The same can be said for Jess Lockwood. During the individual season, he looked more like the Jess Lockwood everyone remembers, even earning his first premier-series event victory in six years at Tampa. Unfortunately, injuries and back spasms once again interrupted his momentum and prevented him from competing through much of the remainder of the individual season and the PBR World Finals. If Carolina gets healthy versions of Clay Guiton and Jess Lockwood for an entire season, the Cowboys become one of the most dangerous teams in professional bull riding.
X-Factor
Keyshawn Whitehorse, Thiago Salgado, and the overall depth of the Carolina Cowboys.
Championship teams aren't just built around stars — they're built around depth, and Carolina may have more of it than anyone. Adding Keyshawn Whitehorse gives the Cowboys one of the toughest competitors in the sport, a rider who has never been afraid to nod his head for the rankest bulls in the pen. Bringing in Thiago Salgado to join his brother Adrianoonly strengthens an already loaded lineup and adds even more experience to a championship locker room.
The reality is that these final three teams in my preseason power rankings are separated by the slimmest of margins. On paper, I believe any one of them is capable of winning the 2026 Championship. World titles aren't won on paper, though. They're won by the team that's willing to perform every single weekend — not just on the road to Las Vegas, but once they get there. Carolina proved it could do exactly that a year ago, and if this roster stays healthy, there's every reason to believe the Cowboys can make another championship run.
POWER RANKING NO. 1
AUSTIN GAMBLERS
Front Office
CEO: JJ Gottsch
Head Coach: Michael Gaffney
Director of Brazil Operations: Adriano Moraes
2025 Team Statistics
Regular Season Finish: 2nd
Regular Season Record: 24-11
Bulls Attempted (Outs): 175
Qualified Rides: 90
Team Riding Percentage: 51.4% (90-for-175)
90-Point Rides: 4
2025 90-Point Rides
Dalton Kasel Score: 90.0 Bull: Doze You Down Stock Contractor: Premier Livestock/Rafter G Rodeo Event: Nashville
José Vitor Leme Score: 90.5 Bull: I'm a Hostage Stock Contractor: Hart Cattle Company Event: Springfield
Callum Miller Score: 91.0 Bull: Let's Roll Stock Contractor: Stoltzfus/Bob & Jerry Adams/BS Cattle Co. Event: Springfield
Sage Steele Kimzey Score: 90.5 Bull: Short Fire Stock Contractor: Folsom Point Bucking Bulls Event: Fort Worth
2025 Primary Rider Statistics
Sage Steele Kimzey Bulls Attempted (Outs): 30 | Qualified Rides: 18 | Riding Percentage: 60.00%
Dalton Kasel Bulls Attempted (Outs): 28 | Qualified Rides: 18 | Riding Percentage: 64.29%
Dener Barbosa Bulls Attempted (Outs): 26 | Qualified Rides: 13 | Riding Percentage: 50.00%
Callum Miller Bulls Attempted (Outs): 20 | Qualified Rides: 8 | Riding Percentage: 40.00%
Lucas Divino Bulls Attempted (Outs): 19 | Qualified Rides: 9 | Riding Percentage: 47.37%
José Vitor Leme Bulls Attempted (Outs): 17 | Qualified Rides: 13 | Riding Percentage: 76.47%
2026 Roster
Protected Roster
Callum Miller — Returning
Dalton Kasel — Returning
Dener Barbosa — Returning
Kaique Pacheco — Returning
Lucas Divino — Returning
Sage Kimzey — Returning
Vinicius Pinheiro Correa — Returning
Draft Designees
Jesse Petri — Returns to the league after previously competing in the league. Drafted 6th Overall in the 2026 PBR Teams Draft.
Why They're Here
The Austin Gamblers once again claim the No. 1 spot in my preseason power rankings because, in my opinion, they are the team of champions. Start with Head Coach Michael Gaffney, the 1997 PBR World Champion. Then add Assistant Coach Adriano Moraes, the inaugural PBR World Champion and the first three-time World Champion, who also remains the oldest rider ever to win a PBR World Championship. Add 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco, whose calm demeanor has earned him the nickname "The Iceman," and Sage Steele Kimzey, whose 10 combined world championships — including seven PRCA World Championships and three CBR World Championships — make him one of the most accomplished champions ever to climb on a bull. When you add it all together, this organization is built around winners who know exactly what it takes to compete for championships.
The talent on the roster speaks for itself. Dalton Kasel, "Mr. 90," is capable of changing the outcome of any event. Dener Barbosa continues proving why he's one of the toughest competitors in the sport, while Callum Miller and Lucas Divino provide even more depth to an already loaded lineup. The Gamblers also added Jesse Petri through the draft, giving them another experienced rider capable of contributing immediately. This roster has already won a league Championship, and from top to bottom, I believe it's still the most complete team entering the 2026 season.
Biggest Question
José Vitor Leme resigned to remain with the Gamblers — this week's biggest Western sports news — but what is his health status?
That's the biggest question facing this team entering 2026. The first overall selection in league history, a two-time Teams MVP, two-time PBR World Champion, and the richest bull rider in Western sports history has battled injuries for several years, and his health is the only thing that may prevent him from adding to a career many believe already makes him the G.O.A.T.
I sincerely hope Leme returns to full health because professional bull riding is better when he's competing. If he is healthy, he could once again contend for another PBR World Championship and potentially become the first rider in history to win four PBR World Championships.
X-Factor
The Austin Gamblers' championship pedigree.
No other organization can match the Gamblers championship experience. Between Michael Gaffney, Adriano Moraes, Leme, Kaique Pacheco, Sage Steele Kimzey, and a roster filled with proven winners, the Gamblers have built a culture where championships are the standard. That experience and confidence in achieving the end goal becomes invaluable when the pressure is highest and championships are decided.
Just as important is the depth surrounding those champions. Dalton Kasel has developed into one of the most dangerous riders in the world, Dener Barbosa remains a steady veteran presence, Callum Miller and Lucas Divino provide outstanding support, and Jesse Petri gives the organization another experienced competitor capable of stepping into important situations.
That's why the Austin Gamblers are my preseason No. 1 team. They have the talent, the leadership, the experience, and the championship mentality to win another title. The only thing left to do is prove it once the season begins.
Do you agree with these rankings? Let the debates begin…and then we will all step aside to give some room for the riders, coaches, and bulls to settle the argument.
We'll see you to start the wild ride at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins on Saturday night.
Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media