The countdown to the NFL season is on, and with training camps just around the corner, it's the perfect time to look into the ever-evolving world of NFL Power Rankings. As we gear up for another rollercoaster of a season, each team’s potential is meticulously dissected, scrutinized, and ranked. From future champions to underdogs, our rankings set the stage for the drama, triumphs, and heartaches that define football.
As we dive into these rankings, it's important to remember that today's underdog could be tomorrow's hero in the NFL. Just look at the 2023 Texans, who transformed from bottom dwellers to playoff contenders with the emergence of rookie C.J. Stroud. Or consider the teams with Super Bowl aspirations, only to have their dreams shattered by a single injury to their starting quarterback (like the Jets and the Bengals). This unpredictability makes the NFL so thrilling and keeps us on the edge of our seats.
Whether you're plotting your fantasy draft strategy or just a die-hard fan, these power rankings are your ultimate guide to the upcoming season. Let the debates begin!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
No. 32-28: Bottom of the Barrel
The fans of these teams will be googling who the top prospects for the 2025 draft will be very early in the season. They are not ready to compete with the rest of the league.
32. Carolina Panthers
This time, they will actually be able to take the first overall pick in 2025. Should they take a non-QB, trade down, or give up on Bryce Young?
31. Denver Broncos
They are relying on a rookie QB (one who was projected to go in the second round) to lift their limited talent base. That is not going to happen.
30. Washington Commanders
They have a hot-shot rookie QB, veteran free agents, and experienced coaches. With the OL that they have, they are not ready.
29. New England Patriots
Their defense is solid, and Jacoby Brissett brings them legitimacy. Factor in a rookie head coach and an ultra-young receiving core, and it will be a long season of looking forward to Drake Maye taking over.
28. Arizona Cardinals
The excitement of Marvin Harrison Jr. and the return of a healthy Kyler Murray bring hope to the Cardinals' fan base. They will have some exciting moments on the season, but it will not be enough to cover up a roster with too many holes to fill.
First look: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR #Cardinals)
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) May 21, 2024
No. 27-21: Floating Above the Bottom
These teams will have their moments but will not make the playoffs.
27. Cleveland Browns
This ranking is much lower than I’m sure many expected. It does not look like Deshaun Watson will ever return to the level he was at with Houston, and losing the top RB in the NFL does not help. The defense is outstanding but the offense will be unable to move the ball.
26. New Orleans Saints
PFF ranked the OL for the Saints dead last in the NFL. You cannot win without being able to run the ball (a good OL is a must) or being able to protect your QB. Dennis Allen always has his defense well-prepared but the offensive inconsistency will frustrate anyone cheering for this team. Oh yeah, Derek Carr is not the answer.
25. Tennessee Titans
This will be a fun team to watch. Second-year quarterback Will Levis has ignited the Titans' fan base, but they are a year away from being ready for a playoff spot.
24. Las Vegas Raiders
It was commendable what Antonio Pierce and the Raiders were able to do during the second half of last season, but with an unproven RB and lack of high-end talents at QB, they are still going to have to wait for the playoffs.
23. Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams is walking into one of the best roster situations of probably any QB of all time. He is still a rookie, and the coaching staff has proven less than stellar.
Caleb Williams with a DIME to Rome Odunze 😳
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) May 30, 2024
22. Minnesota Vikings
There are some bad vibes surrounding the Vikings right now with the death of one of their draft picks and the arrest of Jordan Addison. Who knows how the QB situation will play out.
21. Indianapolis Colts
Another team that is essentially relying on a rookie QB (only three starts last season). This is a team loaded with talent, though, and may make a push for the playoffs late in the season.
Anthony Richardson is HIM, 23 unanswered for the Indianapolis Coltspic.twitter.com/e8a9nK1wtt
— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) October 1, 2023
No. 20-15: Middle Tier
These are teams that could go either way. The injury bug could push them down the list or they could be in a playoff position all season (things would have to go their way for that to happen).
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What a season Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers had last year. They accomplished what most believed they could not. However, they still have an average (and aging) roster.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
It is incredible what Mike Tomlin can do. It doesn’t matter what he has in front of him; he just keeps winning. I don’t think Russell Wilson has it in him anymore. Their best shot is to go with Justin Fields and get his legs going. The best player on this roster is TJ Watt—he can help turn the tide in a game on his own.
18. New York Giants
This team is ranked higher than most expected it to be. They will be better this season. The OL is improved, and they have a pass rush that is pushing elite. Malik Nabers is also the best receiver Daniel Jones has ever played with. Look for them to compete in almost every game.
Just silly that Malik Nabers turned this play into a touchdown.
Absolute game-breaking talent. #Giants pic.twitter.com/1BMwDk2PXH
— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo) April 27, 2024
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence was a can’t-miss prospect coming out of the draft. He now has his doubters. This team is solid at almost all of its position groups. They just need to pull it all together and start dominating at times.
16. Atlanta Falcons
There is a lot of talent on this roster and it has a coaching staff from a winning program (the head coach and both coordinators are coming over from the Los Angeles Rams). The defense is still suspect, especially at pass rush. Fans are still scratching their heads that they could have addressed that in the draft with the number one edge player but instead went with QB. Time will tell if that was a bad decision.
15. Dallas Cowboys
Yes, that’s right. The Dallas Cowboys will not make the playoffs. This team allowed 48 points during its playoff loss, lost its defensive coordinator, and did very little to improve over free agency. Now, they are relying on an aging RB that they cast away two seasons ago. CeeDee Lamb is elite, but their WR quality and depth drops after him.
No. 14-7: Playoff Bound
Playoffs, here we come.
14. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are constructing their team right away. With clever drafting, value contracts in free agency, and bringing in a new head coach who is an elite coordinator, they are moving in the right direction and will surprise some teams this season.
13. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins can score on any given play. It is key for their defense to step up from an average defense to one of the top defenses. Getting healthy players (and staying healthy) will help.
12. Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud was not just a great rookie but one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL last year. The signs point towards him not slowing down, and they have invested in more weapons for him, including Stefan Diggs and Joe Mixon. Their defense is in the top 10 as well. They could skyrocket way past this ranking, but either way, they will be in the playoffs.
TRAINING CAMP MOOD ‼️ pic.twitter.com/xapORTV0UP
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 15, 2024
11. Los Angeles Rams
Sean McVay and the Rams keep proving that they can just win.
10. Los Angeles Chargers
It may be the most intriguing storyline in the NFL this season. Jim Harbaugh is coming back to the NFL after winning a national championship, but he isn’t just a college coach - he has won in the NFL. With a franchise QB behind center and a talented defense, look for them to play smart and hard this season.
9. Green Bay Packers
Matt LaFleur is a really good coach. After starting his head coaching career with back-to-back 13-win seasons and losing a Hall of Fame quarterback, he is now helping get Jordan Love into top-level quarterback play. During the playoffs last season, his play peaked with a 48-32 dismantling of a strong Dallas Cowboys team. This young roster is ready to roll.
8. Cincinnati Bengals
Last season was a disaster. Now, with a healthy Joe Burrow, the team is ready to start thinking about the Super Bowl again.
7. Buffalo Bills
Can the Bills get over that hump? It seems two steps forward and one step back with this team. Hopefully (for them), they can keep moving forward with Josh Allen leading the way.
Josh Allen hit the Hesi Hey for a 52 yard touchdown pic.twitter.com/wtGPLVy5oG
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) January 15, 2024
No. 6-1: Actual Super Bowl Contenders
These teams will only be happy with the Lombardi.
6. New York Jets
The Jets are really good. During the Robert Saleh era, they have always played hard and competed each and every season, but their atrocious quarterback play has always held them back. Aaron Rodgers may be older, but he is the real deal. They will be hard to beat each week.
5. Detroit Lions
The Lions is the top trending team, and with good reason. They are solid (and sometimes elite) at each position group. Detroit is a team that can put up points and hurt you on defense. Jared Goff has proven that he can win (especially at home) with talent around him. Is it enough to win it all?
Could the Detroit Lions be the FIRST team in NFL history to have TWO 1,000 yard Rushers and ONE 1,000 yard Receiver?
They actually have a chance to have TWO 1,000 yd Receivers and TWO 1,000 yd RB’s
Last Season:
Amon-Ra - 1,515 yards
Sam LaPorta - 889 yards
David Montgomery -… pic.twitter.com/sXs5pScAjW— Booner (@boonersports) July 9, 2024
4. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have a scary, talented roster. They are loaded with top picks everywhere who are big, fast, and can play ball. Now they’ve added generational RB Saquon Barkley behind a top-tier OL? If they can figure out why they imploded at the end of the season last year, watch out.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
How can I drop the Chiefs this low? Chances are they will prove me wrong, but something has to give, doesn’t it? Last year was the best defense Patrick Mahomes ever had, and they should be just as strong. The offense does still have question marks, but we know Mahomes can answer them. Teams still need to get past them.
2. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are built for winning - especially in the playoffs. Derrick Henry provides an element that they have yet to have. That is a frightening backfield to face each week with Lamar Jackson and Henry running at you. Of course, their defense is awesome. Once again.
1. San Francisco 49ers
The best team doesn’t always win, and that’s what happened in the Super Bowl. This time, the 49ers will do it. They have no weaknesses on offense and a top-five defense to keep them coming back on the field. Kyle Shanahan might be the best offensive mind in the game, and they have consistency on defense, with Nick Sorensen taking over play-calling duties. They will hoist the Lombardi in February.
Christian McCaffrey with the 2-yard touchdown run!
Niners cut the lead in half pic.twitter.com/5jpwXIrn2q
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) January 29, 2024
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:
More Fantasy Football Analysis