The Definititve Post-Draft NFL Power Rankings
Now that the draft is over, it's time to revisit my power rankings with my pre-draft thoughts ahead of them. Here's how last year shook out.
32. Arizona Cardinals (Down 1)
Kind of a 1A 1B situation with the Jets but, in the Cards defense, they've made better additions in FA (Seumalo, Allgeier). Not having a QB is obviously debilitating but is there really a huge gap between Geno and Brissett? They face a possibly rebounding NFCE and the AFCW.
Picks: RB Jeremiyah Love, G Chase Bisontis, QB Carson Beck, DT Kaleb Proctor, WR Reggie Virgil, LB Karson Sharar, OT Jayden Williams
They got an electric RB and what will be a starting G. But now what? Brissett, Minshew or Beck bringing this group anywhere in the NFCW? Its not happening this year. I imagine Love will have a year similar to Jeanty, and we will all wonder if they can put it together at this same time next year.
31. Miami Dolphins (Down 1)
This is a reset year for the Fins. Like the Jets, They have a lot of new faces, they're stuck in a hard division with 2 rough divisions in the schedule. Unlike the Jets, they are crippled with dead money. I have no idea if midwest cop Jeff Hafley will be worth a damn as a head coach, but he has his QB and presumably a year long grace period to exceed low expectations.
Picks: OT Kadyn Proctor, CB Chris Johnson, LB Jacob Rodriguez, WR Caleb Douglas, TE Will Kacmarek, WR Chris Bell, EDGE Trey Moore, S Kyle Louis, S Michael Taaffe, WR Kevin Coleman, TE Seydou Traore, G DJ Campbell, EDGE Max Llewellyn
I don't think there is much to say for the Dolphins. This is a throwaway year where they wisely maxed out their picks instead of paying out a bunch of free agents.
30. New York Jets (Up 2)
To me, this is simple. They are a bad team with a bad coach that is not in a better roster position from this time last year. Their FA additions (Geno, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Demario Davis) are aging vets that cannot be load bearing foundations of a winning team. On top of that, two of the best teams in the AFC are in their division and they play two of the better divisions in football this year (AFCW and NFCN). They have the potential to make a big leap with the number of picks they have in this draft, though.
Picks: EDGE David Bailey, TE Kenyon Sadiq, WR Omar Cooper Jr. CB D'Angelo Ponds, DT Darrell Jackson Jr, QB Cade Klubnik, G Anex Cooper, S VJ Payne
This looks to be a solid class. They replaced the defense they lost via trade, got an incredible TE (no use crying over spilled Mason Taylors) and got at least one WR to compliment Garrett Wilson. At the end of the day, though, No QB = No hope. There is no QB on this roster capable of taking them to the next level and I do not have any faith in Aaron Glenn compensating for their problems.
29. Las Vegas Raiders (Down 1)
They obviously took a big swing with the Crosby trade which fucked them over, but they've also made a ton of moves. They gave Tyler Linderbaum a billion dollars (which is probably a great move for an incoming rookie QB), got solid vet help in Nakobe Dean and Kwity Paye and also got Jalen Nailor and Quay Walker. I hate to give the Raiders credit on anything, but at least they tried in FA. The problem is that the team is still mostly buttcheeks outside of a handful of players. They're in a division that SHOULD have 3 playoff contenders already and they play a similarly structured NFCW. The AFCE should be a little relief, though.
Picks: QB Fernando Mendoza, S Treydan Stukes, EDGE Keyron Crawford, C Trey Zuhn, CB Jerod McCoy, RB Mike Washington Jr, S Dalton Johnson, CB Hezekiah Masses, WR Malik Benson, DT Brandon Cleveland
They have their QB, but now what? He has a talented young RB, an Elite TE and C, and thats it. This WR room is a disaster and the linemen outside of Linderbaum and Miller are not dependable. It's never going to happen, but man would I want Mendoza to sit until they had another offseason to build out this team. Let Kirk Cousins get beaten into retirement, which is likely to happen in this years schedule. Like a lot of people have pointed out, stopping the McCoy slide might end up being a great steal for them, though.
28. Cleveland Browns (Up 1)
The upside for this team is that the defense is still good and they did some decent work patching up the OL in free agency. However, they have about 10 QBs on the team that aren't worth a damn, no true #1 WR, and no LT. That is a problem. They aren't in position to fix the QB position in the draft either but you gotta think the #1 pick will come on that side of the ball. The AFCN is usually a scary regular season division, but who knows this year. The two powerhouses got new coaches but I'd be shocked if either have some massive decline from .500. They fortunately play the NFCS and AFCS as well.
Picks: OT Spencer Fano, WR KC Concepcion, WR Denzel Boston, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, OT Austin Barber, C Parker Brailsford, LB Justin Jefferson, TE Joe Royer, QB Taylen Green, TE Carsen Ryan
They fixed the two biggest needs I pointed out within their first three picks so bravo. Their OL is rebuilt and whoever wins the QB competition (it's looking like Watson according to what I read this morning) will be in a much better spot than last year. My questions now are if Mike Rutenberg can run this defense as well as Schwartz and if they can simply stop being the Browns. Nice looking draft, though.
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27. Tennessee Titans (-)
Ward is the most promising QB to show up on the list so far, but this team is simply not very good. I like Dike and Wandale Robinson quite a bit, but their whole offense is basically 82/100 guys. You need a 90 overall somewhere! I do think Saleh gets their defense back to the top-level and they certainly have the picks to improve the offense, but we will see. They play the AFCN and NFCE this year.
Picks: WR Carnell Tate, EDGE Keldric Faulk, LB Anthony Hill Jr., G Fernando Carmona, RB Nicholas Singleton, DT Jackie Marshall, C Pat Coogan, TE Jaren Kanak
Like I said, this offense needed something better than a 82/100 guy. Tate can be that guy. An instant WR1 which actually makes this a pretty interesting group. Saleh also got some guys for himself in Faulk + Hill, but this defense still needs work. I don't see them making a return to Vrabel form this year.
26. Atlanta Falcons (Down 1)
It comes down to having zero faith in either Penix or Tua, the fact that they made no big moves in FA and their lack of draft capital. There are some really good individual players on both side of the ball, but I need to trust the QB more unless the machine he is operating is an absolute wagon (Seahawks, Eagles). Like the upcoming Saints, they have an easy division but a difficult NFC and AFC North on the horizon.
Picks: CB Avieon Terrell, WR Zachariah Branch, LB Kendal Daniels, DT Anterio Thompson, LB Harold Perkins Jr., OT Ethan Onainwa
They lost their FRP jumping up last year to take James Pearce Jr, whose legal status is up in the air right now. With the picks they do have, they got AJ Terrell's brother Avieon to shore up the secondary and Branch to provide a boost to a very weird WR room. I still don't see it for this team. They're basically just mediocre at everything and below that at QB. Nothing inspires confidence outside of Bijan and London. Maybe Stefanski changes that, but it feels like he is inheriting the same struggles he had in Cleveland.
25. New Orleans Saints (Down 1)
They obviously had a little spark at the end of the year once Shough but I don't know how much I trust that to be the norm next year. David Edwards was a great singing (Etienne I'm not as sure about) but they still need more players on defense and more WR depth. Luckily, their division is not very good. Unluckily, they play the NFCN, and the possibly very good AFCN.
Picks: WR Jordyn Tyson, DT Christen Miller, TE Oscar Delp, G Jeremiah Wright, WR Bryce Lance, S Lorenzo Styles Jr., WR Barion Brown, CB TJ Hall.
I'm still struggling with this team. They took Tyson to help out this WR room which is consistently missing WR1 Chris Olave with injury. Signing a guy who has torn his ACL, MCL and PCL, broken his collarbone, and missed extended time last season with a hammy injury feels foolish. Olave is your risk factor, so draft someone durable. But if you get a healthy year out of this group, they should be good as long as Shough stays on the same level as the end of last season. However, they didn't do much to improve their defense, which may be missing Cam Jordan.
24. Minnesota Vikings (Down 2)
They lost a lot of players and got…Kyler Murray. Here is the thing. Murray gets hurt and isn't an elite guy but man. A couple times a year he pulls off a play that only him and maybe Lamar can make. I think KOC is the be the best coach he will have and JJ the best receiver. But they don't have a ton of protection and the defense took a decent hit in FA. The NFCN is also a wagon which isn't fun for them. They face the easy NFCS and slightly harder AFCE this year.
Picks: DT Caleb Banks, LB Jake Golday, DT Domonique Orange, OT Caleb Tiernan, S Jakobe Thomas, TE Max Bredeson, CB Charles Demmings, RB Demond Clairborne, C Gavin Gerhardt
Most analysts are confused by the Banks pick as he is a BIG boy coming off a very broken foot. Not a great combo. But at least they spent their picks trying to replace what they lost on defense in free agency to give Flores a shot. Caleb Tiernan should also compete for a spot in what COULD be a great offense. Again, Kyler can do some incredible things. Combine that with KOC, who will be the best coach he has played for, and Jefferson, who will be arguably the best WR, and maybe some magic can happen.
23. Carolina Panthers (-)
Like with the Falcons, it comes down to if I trust the QB and I don't. I fully believe that, just like elite QB can drag an OK team to success, a great team can drag a mediocre QB. I don't think this roster is on that level, though. However, they made a solid move in getting Jaelan Phillips (maybe an overpay with his injury history but we'll see) and Devin Lloyd. The potential is there for a good defense, but I don't know if I trust the offense.
Picks: OT Monroe Freeling, DT Lee Hunter, WR Chris Brazzell, CB Will Lee, C Sam Hecht, S Zakee Wheatley, LB Jackson Kuwatch
It kind of looks like best player available mindset is what really drove these first two picks. Their biggest need was fixing the defense. In Day 1+2, all they got was a depth piece for arguably the best player on their defense in Derrick Brown. As much as I don't really trust this defense, I kinda like the offense. The problem is there are a lot of "ifs". IF Hubbard and Brooks stay healthy. IF Young can take a step up. IF they can find a true TE1. But man, Tet is great, Coker is super underrated and having Brazzell as a WR3/4 is a nice luxury to have.
22. New York Giants (Up 4)
I think I'm higher on the Giants than most despite this spot in the ranking. This might be because I watched Dart and Skattebo destroy my beloved Chargers defense in person last year, but I just have faith in some of these guys + the new man leading them. The problem for Harbaugh is that, instead of a pretty dependable GM in DeCosta, he has Joe Schoen. And with their power dynamic all out of whack, does that mean it's just Harbaugh making the calls? Who knows. I think the Likely signing was great (him and Theo Johnson could be a good combo) but they didn't make enough moves in FA which leaves them in a corner this draft. Especially on both ends of the line. The NFCE is a division that could definitely rebound this year, and they play the difficult NFCW and average AFCS.
Picks: LB Arvell Reese, OT Francis Mauigoa, CB Colton Hood, WR malachi Fields, DT Bobby Jamison-Travis, OT JC Davis, LB Jack Kelly
This is where best player available gets people mad. Was Reese the best available at #5? Maybe. But the Giants already have a massive investment at pass rusher between Burns, Thibodeaux and Carter. My assumption is that one of them, likely Thibodeaux, gets moved at some point this season. This could leave the Giants with a still-potent pass rushing crew. Combine that with a protector for Dart, a CB to help a meandering secondary and more WR depth and I think this was a solid draft IF they do execute a Thibodeaux trade.
21. Washington Commanders (-)
A lot of this comes down to having faith in Jayden Daniels. The trio of him, Bill and Terry are super solid. Add Okonkwo to that offense and I like what I see. I feel they overpaid for Odafe Oweh (he was a great in-season trade for my Chargers but I don't see the vision there) but, if he performs at the same level as the end of last year, that front 7 could be dangerous. The bigger issue is that they just don't have a lot of picks top to work with. They face the NFCW and AFCS.
Picks: LB Sonny Styles, WR Antonio Williams, EDGE Joshua Josephs, RB Kaytron Allen, C Matt Gulbin, QB Athan Kaliakmanis
Their defense took a major step back last year and Styles is an immediate upgrade. Every team needs a hyper-dynamic guy like that. Antonio Williams should also help their depleted WR room and give Jayden something to work with. I think this team has improved but they still have problems, the Eagles aren't going anywhere and the Cowboys/Giants are getting better.
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20. Cincinnati Bengals (-)
They lost Hendrickson and gained a decent piece of the Seahawks defense in Boye Mafe + Bryan Cook. The problem, though, is what is has been for most of Burrows career. Their OL is still cheeks, their run game is inefficient, and their defense (despite additions) needs work. Plus, they are are always one Burrow injury away from a total loss on the season. The AFCN is no cakewalk and they face the AFCW + NFCS.
Picks: EDGE Cashius Howell, CB Tacario Davis, C Connor Lew, WR Colbie Young, C Brian Parker II, TE Jack Endries, DT Landon Robinson
Since my last blog, they shipped out their FRP for Dexter Lawrence to help fix their booty defense. They stayed committed in the draft by using their early picks on an EDGE (short arms, whatever) and a TALL CB. They needed more pass rush (worst in the league) and the combo of their FA moves + Howell + hopefully a rebounding Stewart will make the secondaries job easier. The double center pick is interesting but makes sense considering Karras age. The keys to victory for them are a healthy year for Burrow and an even average defensive effort.
19. Dallas Cowboys (-)
Whatever misgivings we all may have with Dak, he can sling it. If no trade comes through, a full year of him with a healthy Pickens/Lamb combo could lead to more great offense. Their defense was turbodogshit last year and remains their biggest question mark. Their D line is shaping up decent for this coming year but who knows if thier awful secondary rebounds. Luckily, they have a decent bounty of picks to address it in the draft. They play the NFCW and AFCS.
Picks: S Caleb Downs, EDGE Malachi Lawrence, EDGE Jaishawn Barham, OT Drew Shelton, CB Devin Moore, EDGE LT Overton, WR Anthony Smith.
This is exactly what the doctor ordered. A TON of reinforcements for their defense and a little sprinke on the OL. Can new DC Christian Parker, who has come over from the Eagles, make it work? He has some great talent and all he has to do is be average enough to let Dak out-offense the other team. As of now, though, I am in "believe it when I see it" territory with them.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (Down 8)
The Jags were awesome to watch last year. Coen resurrected both Lawrence and their defense, and helped turn them into a legit force in the division. They might be higher on my list but they did fuck all in free agency and don't have a 1RP because of the Hunter trade last year. They have some capital to spend at the lower end of the draft but it will take some good scouting to help shore up their defense. They have the AFCN and NFCE on the schedule this year.
Picks: TE Nate Boerkircher, DT Albert Regis, G Emmanuel Pregnon, CB Jalen Huskey, EDGE Wesley WIlliams, TE Tanner Koziol. WR Josh Cameron, WR CJ Williams, EDGE Zach Durfee, LB Parker Hughes
Boerkircher is #2 only to Simpson in "What is going on here" from most draft experts. In the last two seasons, he has 25 catches COMBINED. And their current TE1, Brenton Strange, is no scrub either. They then got a DT which, again, was viewed as a reach. However, they did get a G myself and most fellow Chargers fans coveted in Emmanuel Pregnon. Just a big meatball who should help shore up their decent OL. A BAD draft + FA for an exciting team.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (Up 1)
They're a strong enough roster and I really liked some of their FA additions. Pittman was a great get at the price(6RP), Dowdle obviously exploded last year and they signed two solid DBS in Brisker and Jamel Dean. The problem is the QB position, which is obviously up in the air. Rodgers is doing his typical off season bullshit which is only compounded by the hiring of Mike McCarthy. And, if it's not him, it will be Mason Rudolph or Will Howard. Not exactly inspiring stuff. If they can coax Rodgers back for one more ride he will have a solid team to work with, a familiar coach, a GM with a lot of picks on the board to address their OL issues with. They'll have an easy ride with the NFCS but hard fought games in their division and with the AFCW
Picks: OT Max Iheanachor, WR Germie Bernard, QB Drew Allar, CB Daylen Everette, OT Gennings Dunker, WR Kaden Wetjen, TE Riley Nowakowski, DT Gabriel Rubio, S Robert Spears-Jennings, RB Eli Heidenreich
They addressed the OL needs with Iheanachor and filled out a talented WR room with a great slot fit in Bernard. The question is, as it has been, QB. This was obviously not a loaded class at the position but I don't see the value in taking Allar in the 3rd. As much shit as people give scouts, they are typically right when it comes to QB. Go look at the top-15 passers from last year. TWO of them were not first round picks (Prescott, Brissett). There are fewer day 2 & 3 picks in this group than there are #1 overall picks. The odds of finding a Prescott or Purdy in this spot are so low that I just don't see the thinking there. Pray for Rodgers or be prepared to roll the dice with Howard. Use that 3rd rounder on something more valuable.
16. Indianapolis Colts (Up 1)
They would be higher if they made some more moves in FA. They gave both Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce a ton of money, lost a few good players (Braden Smith will be tough) and didn't really get much in return. Their division is getting better, they're seemingly getting worse and they don't have a 1RP for the next two years because they really believed in Sauce Gardner. That's bad. However, this team was a WAGON before getting derailed by injuries last year. If they can plug a few holes with the picks they have, maybe they can improve. They have the AFCN and NFCE on the schedule this year.
Picks: LB CJ Allen, S AJ Haulcy, G Jalen Farmer, LB Bryce Boettcher, EDGE George Gumbs Jr., EDGE Caden Curry, RB Seth McGowan, WR Deion Burks
They got an instant starter MLB with a second round pic and great depth everywhere else. Hard to hate much about this draft. My questions will be if the OL can stay at the same level despite it's losses, if Daniel Jones can repeat his success Achilles, and if Pierce can prove himself as a true WR1. Especially with the AFCS getting better by the day.
15. Green Bay Packers (-)
After a muddy season, they had a pretty shit free agency. A lot of players left/were traded (The Gary trade was for the best), and their haul was a 4th round pick, Javon Hargrave and Zaire Franklin. It's not unique to this team but so much of their success will come down to healthy seasons from both their currently or chronically hurt players. Their depth chart has more Q's on it than truTV. My faith comes in that the offense, if healthy, should be very good. The defense lost their DC and a few players, but Gannon was no scrub when he was DCing for the Eagles and they could seriously produce. Especially when Parsons is back. A big issues for them are health, no FRP for the next two years and they're in a division that is already good and getting better. Luckily the play the NFCS and AFCE this year.
Picks: CB Brandon Cisse, DT Chris McClellan, EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, C Jager Burton, CB Domani Jackson, K Trey Smack
They needed defense and Gannon got 3 straight picks to help out his unit. In a division of high-powered offenses, that's a win. The question is how much of an impact any of them will have right away, which is where the Packers are at. Maybe McCoy would have been a better take here than Cisse, but time will tell.
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14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Up 2)
I like this Bucs team! But I liked them last year too and got burned. They didn't make any huge signings but Kenneth Gainwell works as a Rachaad White replacement and Anzalone could be a really solid piece for them. I see a lot of people pointing to Evans leaving as a huge blow but, when healthy, this receiving room bangs. Godwin, Egbuka, McMillan (Tez Johnson was also sneaky good) is a maybe one of the best WR corps in the NFL. If the OL stays healthy and the defense rebounds, this CAN be a good team that takes the NFCS with ease. They play NFC and AFC North this year.
Picks: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., LB Josiah Trotter, WR Ted Hurst, CB Keionte Scott, DT DeMonte Capehart, G Billy Schrauth, TE Bauer Sharp
Again, I like this Bucs team. I get people bitching about Bain's arm length and my counter would be that analysts said the same thing about Melvin Ingram when the Chargers took him at #18, but he ended up with a solid career. I would have liked to see them get more depth on the line but they shored up a defense that lost some guys and helped round out an already strong receiving room. I think they win the NFCS and I can't wait for them to prove me wrong.
13. Detroit Lions (Up 1)
I think we saw the wheels starting to come off a little last year after Ben Johnson left and I don't know that Drew Petzing inspires a lot of confidence in their offense this year. They replaced Montgomery with Isiah Pachecho (not bad IF he is healthy) but need to rebuild their OL bad. A good draft changes this a lot, but I need to see it first. They play the NFCS and AFCE this year.
Picks: OT Blake Miller, EDGE Derrick Moore, LB Jimmy Rolder, CB Keith Abney II, WR Kendrick Law, DT Skyler Gill-Howard, EDGE Tyre West
They needed to rebuild the OL and made the commitment with Miller. I'm not sure where that leaves Sewell, though. To use my own experience, Joe Alt seemed to do fine sliding from LT to RT as a rookie and didn't lose a step going back to LT when Slater went down. I guess it depends on how they think they can max out both players. Anyway, protect Goff, let the weapons do the work and give Kelvin Sheppard some new guys on defense to work with. I think that is a fine formula for this hard division.
12. Kansas City Chiefs (Up 1)
The big money signing was SB MVP Kenneth Walker which is a good get. Mahomes is still QB 1A and is the only one in the big 3 of him, Lamar and Allen that doesn't have a dependable run game. Mahomes with said actual run game is a devastating thought. Their defense is still great and they have good picks to plug up some holes with. Their big hurdle will be the tough division plus playing the very hard NFCW. The AFCE will be a little easier.
Picks: CB Mansoor Delane, DT Peter Woods, EDGE R Mason Thomas, S Jadon Canady, RB Emmett Johnson, WR Cyrus Allen, QB Garrett Nussmeier
Their secondary was raided over the last few seasons so I understand wanting to go DB here. Trading a 3rd and 5th to move up a few spots for Delane might not have been necessary, but the need for the player was. They've done great work under Spags developing the position so I unfortunately assume this is going to be a cornerstone player for them. They gave the defense the first 4 picks before helping out Mahomes with a RB3 but, if the team holds up health wise at OL, that shouldn't be a problem for Mahomes.
11. San Fransisco 49ers. (Down 5)
Mike Evans, Osa Odighizuwa and Dre Greenlaw were good gets! They have a great coach, great players and a solid track record in recent years. The problem is injuries. This is why that electric sub station theory has such legs, these motherfuckers can't stay healthy! And their big splash signing Mike Evans has a hamstring made of sourdough bread. They have four 4th round picks this year, so maybe they can plug up some holes in their OL and secondary. They play in arguably the hardest division in football, play the second hardest (AFCW) and the NFCE this year.
Picks: WR De'Zhaun Stribling, EDGE Romello Height, RB Kaelon Black, DT Gracen Halton, OT Carver Willis, CB Ephesians Prysock, LB Jaden Dugger, OT Enrique Cruz Jr.
You will not find an analyst who wasn't dumbfounded by this draft. Reaches across the board with their top picks and not enough work done to fix their glaring holes. John Lynch made a big point about how much AI he used in his draft process, so lets see if the Claude picks prove us wrong.
10. Los Angeles Chargers (Up 2)
My precious Bolts are in kind of a similar situation as the Chiefs. They have a slightly better defense (albeit with a new DC this year), a running game that should presumably be leveled up and a mostly average WR corps. The big issue I have is that they have not done enough to improve their glaring issues in the interior offensive line. They signed Charlie Kolar to the biggest blocking TE contract ever, signed a huge bust in Cole Strange to play guard and Tyler Biadasz, who was cut from the commies, to play center. To be clear, there were good players still on the board when these signings were made and the Chargers had a SHIT ton of cap space. Not good. HOWEVER, if Alt/Slater are healthy and this interior can play passable football, this offense should finally be unleased under McDaniel. They play the NFCW and AFCE.
Picks: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, C Jake Slaughter, WR Brenen Thompson, OT Travis Burke, S Genesis Smith, DT Nick Barrett, G Logan Taylor, G Alex Harkey
I did a bigger dive on it HERE but this is the cliff notes. The biggest need for this team in the offseason was protecting Justin Herbert. To put it flatly, they failed at addressing that this offseason. They signed a FRP bust in Cole Strange to play RG and got a league average C in Biadasz. Going into the draft, they had another FRP bust in Trevor Penning set to start at LG. Their answer in the draft, as a win-now team, was to take a center in Jake Slaughter. He might end up being the longest tenured Charger from this draft class, but he has never played Guard. So this interior offensive line, which has gotten the Chargers franchise QB murdered for 2 years straight under Harbaugh, has not been fixed for the third offseason in a row.
9. New England Patriots (Down 2)
Pats fans, you might be mad. But hold hands an talk a walk with me. This was a good team that overachieved thanks to the schedule last year. So the logical next step is to prove they aren't pretenders. They got AVT to help out their OL and Dre'Mont Jones to fill in a gap at EDGE with ok deals. Romeo Doubs at $68m might have been a bit much but their WR room needed SOMETHING. Kevin Byard was also solid get at his age and price point. The big question is if they can convert their ELEVEN draft picks into improvements on their OL and front 7. When I look at Eliot Wolf's drafts, I'm not super confident in that. They have one of the easier divisions to compete in but they will presumably have a tougher schedule test this year with the AFCW and NFCN.
Picks: OT Caleb Lomu, EDGE Gabe Jacas, TE Eli Raridon, CB Karon Prunty, OT Dametrious Crownover, LB Namdi Obiazor, QB Behren Morton, RB Jam Miller, EDGE Quintayvious Hutchins
After watching Will Campbell get his lunch eaten throughout the playoffs, it's not a surprise they went OL. But, for a win-now team, where do you put him for max impact? Move Campbell or Moses in to G? I'm not sure what the right answer is there. Any EDGE with a lick of pass rushing chops is sure to help a defense 25th in the league in sacks and getting a potential successor to Hunter Henry, especially at Raridon's size, isn't a bad move either. As long as Maye is protected, I will believe that this team can hum.
8. Chicago Bears (Up 1)
Just like with the Jags, Ben Johnson came in and immediately maxed out players that struggled last year. They made two great deals with Devin Bush and Coby Bryant but, like the Jags, I wonder how sustainable their success it is. I'm willing to overlook that hesitation because the roster looks good, they got a lot of young guys and I like. Plus they have some picks to play with and make some improvements to their mediocre defense. They play the NFCS and AFCE this year.
Picks: S Dillon Thieneman, C Logan Jones, TE Sam Roush, WR Zavion Thomas, CB Malik Muhammad, LB Keyshaun Ellion, DT Jordan van den Berg
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They needed defense (especially in the secondary) and they got it. They needed a long-term replacement at C for Dalman, they got it. What they really needed, however, was better pass rushers and they did not get one. They were 31st in Pass Rush Win Rate, 26th in Run Stop Win Rate. Leaving that unaddressed feels like a bad move, especially in a division as good as the NFCN.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (Up 1)
Two decent FA additions in Woolen and Ebiketie but there are some question marks. Their line is aging and who knows whats happens with A.J. Brown. As far as Hurts goes, I feel strongly that he is not a guy that can carry this team if they aren't playing at a high level. The machine around him needs to be the true beast. However, that is redundant as long as the machine is still working at a high level. Some good draft picks, which seems to be the norm for them, and they are right back in SB contention.
Picks: WR Makai Lemon, TE Eli Stowers, OT Markel Bell, QB Cole Payton, G Micah Morris, S Cole Wisniewski, DT Uar Bernard, EDGE Keyshawn James-Newby
Like I said, the machine around Hurts needs to be the beast for this team to work and I think they had some pretty great picks here. Getting that nasty freak Makai Lemon below asking price rounds out a pretty insane pass catching group for Hurts to work with (DeVonta Smith, Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, Dallas Goedert). They got a running mate/potential replacement for Goedert in Stowers and a literal mountain of a tackle in Bell (6'9 346lbs!). Cole Peyton is where they lose me a little. I'm not a believer in using a mid round pick on a QB when you have your guy ever. "But he's athletic and can do Taysom Hill stuff!!". Great, that is what UDFAs are for.
6. Houston Texans (Up 5)
A lot of people are SUPER high on the Texans. I am not. What I will say is that I appreciate that they made the effort through FA to improve their OL through free agency. Especially after watching the Chargers let Justin Herbert wither and die every year behind a wet paper bag. What I see right now, though, is the best defense in the league and an offense I still don't trust behind Stroud. The former lifts them up into this territory, and maybe a good draft will bring them higher. They play the AFCN and NFCE.
Picks: G Keylan Rutledge, DT Kayden McDonald, TE Marlin Klein, G Febechi Nwaiwu, LB Wade Woodaz, S Kamari Ramsey, WR Lewis Bond, LB Aiden Fisher
Like I mentioned before the draft, I appreciate the effort via FA they made to improve the OL by getting Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller. With the right side of that line handled, Rutledge should slot in at LG and Nwaiwu is more depth at the interior. With McDonald, I'll put a all-pro futures bet on any DT that DeMeco Ryans trusts enough to get with a 2nd rounder. The questions are still the same for this team. If Stroud is protected and offensive depth players like Dell, Schultz and Marks can stay healthy, they should be automatic SB contenders behind the best defense in football. I'm drinking the Kool Aid.
5. Denver Broncos (Down 1)
No real FA moves outside of trading for Waddle but they are still one of the best overall rosters in football built around absolutely dominant trench play. I am not a Bo Nix believer at all, but the machine here is that strong that it clearly doesn't matter much. And, like the last two years have proven, you don't need a dominant QB to win the Super Bowl. They don't have a lot of picks to work with this year and their recent draft history is not exactly phenomenal, but that doesn't seem to matter. Their hurdles will be the intra-division competition + difficult matchups in the NFCW (AFCE as well).
Picks: DT Tyler Onyedim, RB Jonah Coleman, OT Kage Casey, TE Justin Joly, S Miles Scott, TE Dallen Bentley, LB Red Murdock
Like I had mentioned, I don't have a lot of faith in this team's recent draft history (especially since Sean Payton came to town). This looks like more of the same. A DT most people view as a reach, an RB3/4 and a swing tackle isn't a great haul for a win-now team. But their roster is already pretty exceptional everywhere outside of QB so it shouldn't matter much.
4. Baltimore Ravens (Up 1)
As a Jesse Minter superfan, I think the Ravens will take a step up this year. They have good players, one of the best DCs in football (Minter is calling plays) and Ben Johnson's OC from Chicago last year. Trey Hendrickson was a solid consolation prize in the hunt for Crosby and I'm sure Lamar is willing to prove he is the man. They have a lot of mid-late picks to play with and I assume they will address their OL, which just lost Linderbaum, and hopefully find a true #1 WR for Jackson to work with. The Browns are in hell and I'd say that the Bengals and Steelers are big enough question marks right now that I'm confident the AFCN is the Ravens to lose. They play the NFCS and AFCW this year.
Picks: G Vega Ioane, EDGE Zion Young, WR Ja'Kobi Lane, WR Elijah Sarratt, TE Matthew Hibner, CB Chandler Rivers, TE Josh Cuevas, RB Adam Randall, P Ryan Eckley, DT Rayshaun Benny, G Evan Beernsten
They replaced the lost Linderbaum with probably the best Guard in the draft, a talented edge setter to learn opposite Hendrickson and a TALL receiver for Jackson to work with. I think this went well for the Ravens and, again, it's their division to lose.
3. Los Angeles Rams (Down 1)
Jaylen Watson was a great pickup at the price they got but they didn't make a ton of noise outside of that. Did they even need to, though? This is a Super Bowl contending roster that is phenomenal across the board, especially if Nacua gets his head right. And guess what? They have the 13th overall pick this year thanks to the James Pearce Jr trade (he was recently arrested and hit with a laundry list with charges, if you remember). They've picked in the first round ONCE since selecting Goff #1 overall in 2016, and that was 2024 when they got DROY and 2x Pro Bowler Jared Verse at #19. God help us all.
Picks: QB Ty Simpson, TE Max Klare, OT Keagen Trost, WR CJ Daniels, DT Tim Keenan III
The Rams had probably the weirdest draft pick this year in Ty Simpson. They have the reining MVP at QB who does not seem to be slowing down, not does he seem like a guy who will be giving them a mountain of shit like Rodgers did in Green Bay when they drafted Love. I don't get it, but I also don't know whats going on behind closed doors. Maybe Stafford said he's nearing the end of his run, maybe Les Snead's team saw something in Simpson that only they and Orlovsky seem to see. Who knows. But this was a super-bowl caliber team that could have used an instant-impact player anywhere else on the field. They did not get one in Simpson OR Max Klare, who would only contribute this season if there were injuries to Parkinson/Higbee.
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2. Buffalo Bills (Up 1)
Re-signing McGovern + getting DJ Moore and Bradley Chubb were great moves. Josh Allen has a true #1 and the defense gets a great pass rushing punch up. Both sides of the line are strong, they had the best RB in football last year, probably the second best QB in the league, and improved WR corps and solid defense. That should mean a good football team! The problem is that their recent draft history is fairly atrocious and the guy making those decisions is not only still there, but got promoted. Not good! Maybe the dynamic will be a little different with a new HC in town. They have one of the easiest divisions in football but a fairly hard test in the AFCW and NFCN.
Picks: EDGE T.J. Parker, CB Davison Igbinosun, OT Jude Bowry, WR Skyler Bell, LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, S Jalon Kilgore, DT Zane Durant, CB Toriano Pride Jr., P Tommy Doman, G Ar'Maj Reed-Adams
Brandon Beane has been under a lot of fire this offseason and it seems like he was pretty dialed in this draft. He traded back thrice, got a talented EDGE who can learn from two talented players in Rousseau/Chubb, a CB whose biggest flaw (penalties) can be fixed, and some good depth at other positions. If they can fix their run defense, this is a dangerous team in a weak division.
1. Seattle Seahawks (-)
They lost a few good players from their Super Bowl roster but they made a lot of great re-signings. They have one of the best defenses, receivers, and OLs in football. They have a QB who, while he may never be a top-5 guy, is perfect for their system. All signs point to this team continuing to rip. They only have 4 picks to work with this year (fewest in the league) and I imagine replacing Kenneth Walker is a priority. An EDGE wouldn't hurt either, though. They play in the hardest division in football and play the AFCW and NFCE this year.
Picks: RB Jadarian Price, S Bud Clark, CB Julian Neal, G Beau Stephens, WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr, CB Andre Fuller, DT Deven Eastern, CB Michael Dansby
Schneider wisely made some trades to help fill out this roster and they spent their FRP on their biggest need (replacing Kenneth Walker) after being unable to trade down. Seattle has breeding ground for "Oh, that guy!" RBs. Charbonnet, Chris Carson, DeeJay Dallas, Rashaad Penny, Mike Davis, Christine Michael, Thomas Rawls. Randoms that fit in, randomly have a few good games in relief of the RB1, and disappear. That might be what is in the cards for Price, but he will at least have a chance to compete for RB1 while Charbonnet recovers from his torn ACL to start the year. Anyway, all this team had to do was not get worse to stay at #1, and they did that.