RADIO
With the head coaching carousel and NFL Free Agency in the rearview mirror, some teams look dramatically different heading into the NFL Draft. While the draft is still sure to sway the outlook of several teams, it is never too early to take the temperature of NFL Power Rankings.
Teams such as the New York Jets, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons have increased their rankings dramatically due to a flurry of free agency signings and trades. Similarly, several teams such as the Dallas Cowboys have fallen in the rankings due to a lack of significant offseason moves.
With a draft rich in excellent talent only days away, several contenders and middle-tier teams could either see themselves squarely in the hunt or on the outside looking in. Here is our ranking of all 32 NFL teams.
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New Orleans or Bust
1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)
The Chiefs pulled off their most important offseason move by re-signing Chris Jones. Although this team lost L'Jarius Sneed to the Titans, they are well-positioned to fill his spot with all the corners they have been drafting for the last couple of years. The current legal status of Rashee Rice muddies the waters for Kansas City's offense, but it is difficult to bet against the most talented quarterback to ever play.
2. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
This team is loaded but they seem to continue running into a Kyle Shanahan game management problem when it matters most. The 49ers did not lose much during free agency, but they will enter the draft with question marks around Brandon Aiyuk's status with the team. Still, expect this team to be right back in the mix this season. The clock is ticking on this particular championship window.
3. Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
The Ravens lost serious contributors to free agency and trades this spring. They will need to add to their linebacking core after losing Patrick Queen, and they have significant work to do on their offensive line. However, adding a weapon like Derrick Henry and locking up Justin Madubuike were two stellar moves. The Ravens are a well-run organization and likely have a good plan in place for replacing some of their aging offensive line veterans who walked this spring.
4. Detroit Lions (12-5)
The NFC Championship Game was all but decided when Josh Reynolds dropped the fourth down pass that could have been a field goal in the third quarter. For a team that has lived in misery for decades, they treated this offseason with a no-funny business mentality. The Lions returned the majority of a stellar offense and added to a porous pass defense. You can agree to disagree with Dan Campbell's tactics, but the guy gets it done and this team will be right there at the end again.
5. Houston Texans (10-7)
Remember when Stefon Diggs went to the Bills and Josh Allen became, well, good? Well C.J. Stroud is already good. Very good. Adding Diggs definitely will not make him worse. The Texans have shown this offseason that they are going for it all right now. This team is talking about playoffs.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
Recency bias would suggest this team is floundering. However Joe Cool (Joe Burrow) spent a month in 2023 attempting to return to form from a calf injury, and two additional months on IR. This team has enough weapons on offense and defense to make at least one more run with this core, but expect changes in 2025 and beyond as extensions kick in.
7. Green Bay Packers (9-8)
Was it just me or did Jordan Love look Aaron Rodgers-esque by the end of the season? I guess if you spend three years behind an all-time great, you start to pick up his tricks. After adding to an ascending offense, and bolstering an already solid defense, Lions fans should be looking over their shoulder.
8. Buffalo Bills (11-6)
The Bills have a Patrick Mahomes problem. They just can't get past that guy in the playoffs. They also had to soft-reset this offseason with many aging veterans who have been key parts of their recent run counting too much against their cap. Oh and who is Josh Allen going to throw the ball to? The Bills will compete this year because they have one of the three best quarterbacks in the league, but they have to nail this draft.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
I cannot wait to see what Saquon Barkley can do in this offense. Moving on to Kellen Moore as the OC and Vic Fangio as the DC may have saved Nick Sirianni's job security and propelled the Eagles back into contention. The rest of the NFC East has done nothing to inspire much confidence in their ability to compete with this team. If the Eagles are able to find something close to their 2022 form, then watch out.
It Might be Our Turn Now
10. Cleveland Browns (11-6)
This team is built to win now. If Deshaun Watson can come back healthy and remember how to play quarterback, then Cleveland will be one of the most dangerous teams in the league. If Watson does not perform this year, then Cleveland will have several questions to answer heading into 2025.
11. Miami Dolphins (11-6)
The Dolphins are another team that had to cut bait with a lot of effective players to get under the cap. With an extension looming for Tua Tagovailoa, and a reported limited number of remaining seasons for Tyreek Hill, this team needs to maximize this championship window.
12. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
Are we really going to drink this Kool-Aid again? This team has done nothing thus far this offseason that would indicate they have improved. The loss of Dan Quinn, Leighton Vander Esch, and Tyron Smith all hurt. The Cowboys have no starting running back and more holes than they did on their way to a loss to the Packers in the Wild Card. The Cowboys need to either go all-in or tear it all down. Sitting in this middle ground will not result in Jerry's fourth championship.
13. New York Jets (7-10)
One man's trash is another man's treasure. The addition of Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses cannot be overlooked. On paper, the Jets look like they can compete with just about anyone in the league. The question this year is what will they get out of Aaron Rodgers? If Aaron Rodgers plays more like his 2021 self than his 2022 self, then the Jets may very well win the AFC East and make some serious noise.
14. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
A team that was left for dead in 2023 shined behind the leadership of Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay. Losing Aaron Donald will hurt this team, but they will be competitive with an offensive core of Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, and hopefully a healthy Cooper Kupp.
15. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
Raheem Morris has a plan. His introduction to the players might be enough to inspire a Buddhist monk to run through a wall. This is a good roster that just added a good quarterback. The NFC South is weak. If Captain Kirk Cousins is anywhere close to his pre-injury form, then the Falcons should breeze through the South and could realistically play deep into January.
Today is Day 1 of The Plan 😤
Coach Raheem Morris holds the first team meeting of our 2024 season pic.twitter.com/To2OduMHbG
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 2, 2024
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
The team that refuses to finish below 0.500 sits at the midpoint of the power rankings. This was a playoff team behind Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett. Russell Wilson may not be the player he once was, but he is still effective and an objective upgrade at quarterback. With Justin Fields waiting in the wings, the Steelers could be slightly better than mediocre this year.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
The prodigal son Trevor Lawrence has not fully realized the expectations he had coming out of college. The Jaguars finished 9-8 but were 9-3 at one point during 2023. The loss of Calvin Ridley will certainly hurt but Lawrence still has a lot of room to grow and the Jaguars did improve defensively.
Just One Quarterback Away
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)
Now that Baker Mayfield has actual expectations, will he do anything? If you look back to his college days, Mayfield has only ever seemed to thrive in an underdog role. Well, you can't go out and lead your team to a playoff victory over a superior team and throw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns without garnering expectations.
19. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
Pete Carroll thought he was keeping his job but he thought wrong. After years of being stuck in mediocrity, Jody Allen decided change was needed. Mike MacDonald brings youth and a fresh perspective to the Seahawks. If Ryan Grubb can work some magic with the offense, and GM John Schneider nails the draft, this team may be sneaky good in 2024.
20. Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
Everything is contingent on Anthony Richardson. If he is good, this team will be very good. With the Texans establishing themselves as a force and the Jaguars primed for a bounce back, the AFC South looks like it could be a difficult division in 2024.
21. Chicago Bears (7-10)
So the Bears actually have a pretty good roster? Chicago should buy Ryan Poles all the deep dish in the world because the Bears truly look like they are in the category of "a quarterback away" on paper. We all know Caleb Williams to the Bears is all but a formality at this point. Rookie quarterbacks typically do not fare well but the Bears have done everything they can to set up Williams for both immediate and future success.
Change is in the Air
22. New Orleans Saints (9-8)
Considering the division they are in, this team should have been better in 2023. However, they still have a solid defense and *could* compete in the NFC South. If Derek Carr and Chris Olave can get on the same page, then the offense should take a step forward as well.
23. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)
The Raiders might have cracked the top 20 if they had a quarterback. This roster clearly enjoyed playing for Antonio Pierce. If they snag someone such as Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. in the second round, then this situation gets interesting.
24. Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
The Vikings have had a sneaky good offseason. Their free agent signings have been sound, and acquiring the Texans' first-round pick provides them with the ammo to move up in the draft for a quarterback. J.J. McCarthy would appear to be the target and they are certainly better positioned to move up than any of the other obvious candidates. This will be fun to watch on draft day. For fantasy's sake let's hope they find a quarterback so that Justin Jefferson is not relegated to Larry Fitzgerald status.
25. Tennessee Titans (6-11)
The Titans have made several dramatic improvements to the roster by opening up the checkbook. If Will Levis is even average, then do not be surprised if the Titans hang around 0.500 this season.
26. Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
This roster required a hard reset that has left it pretty depleted so I don't expect much from the Chargers in 2024. For now, all aboard the Gus Bus!
all aboard the gus bus pic.twitter.com/G03l5jY3kQ
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) March 20, 2024
Things Would Really Have to Break Our Way
27. Denver Broncos (8-9)
Will Denver really go into the season with Jarrett Stidham as the starter or will they reach on a first-round quarterback? This is another team that appears to be resetting. Sean Payton has not fared so well without someone named Drew Brees under center.
How Far in Advance Can You Book Cabo Resorts?
28. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
Hear me out. This team played inspired football for Jonathan Gannon in 2023. Kyler Murray looked rejuvenated upon his return. The Cardinals won't seriously compete this year but do they have the draft capital over the next couple of years to win the NFC West in, say, 2026?
29. New York Giants (6-11)
Imagine if the Giants ever gave Daniel Jones real receiving weapons. Now imagine they did not re-sign the only true weapon he ever had. Jones is objectively not terrible. We have actually seen him be really good at times. Unfortunately for him, he is not transcendent and the Giants' own mistakes have them exploring quarterbacks in the draft once again. I might add that this roster is not ready for another young signal caller.
30. Washington Commanders (4-13)
The Commanders look like they could be a functional NFL franchise now. Everyone knows that they will take a quarterback at No. 2 in the draft but nobody knows who. Tune in on April 25 to find out!
31. New England Patriots (4-13)
As a Seahawks fan who had to suffer through the infamous one-yard line gaffe in the Super Bowl, I cannot say I have a lot of love lost for this team. However, if you live in one of the six New England states, there is reason for optimism. Jacoby Brissett is enough to make this team respectful in 2024. Brissett is also a good mentor for whoever the Patriots seem likely to select at No. 3 in the draft.
32. Carolina Panthers (2-15)
I do not envy Panthers fans who have had to endure David Tepper's tenure as owner. However, this team did make very nice additions this offseason. If they can give Bryce Young a chance, and if Dave Canales is the real deal, then there could be reasons for optimism here. If only they hadn't traded away the No. 1 pick. Maybe they thought they would be good last year?
