NFL Post Draft Division and Conference Predictions

May 9, 2025
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Division and Conference Seeding Predictions

AFC North

Ravens – 15-2

The Ravens with Lamar Jackson at the helm have consistently been the most dominant regular season team in the NFL and one of the most dominant regular season teams in league history as well. Last year they were not as dominant in the regular season, going only 12-5 as they were caught sleeping at the wheel in losses to the Browns and Raiders. The defense with new defensive coordinator Zachary Orr took a while to get into the full flow of things as well. The Ravens have solved one of their biggest roster weaknesses by adding star wide out DeAndre Hopkins and Orr goes into his second full year as the defensive coordinator. There will also be an increased sense of urgency to win in the regular season given their road playoff loss this past year and how dominant of a home team they are.

Bengals – 11-6

The Bengals missed out on postseason play this past season after blowing so many leads in games they were on pace to win. Cincinnati in the Burrow era is notorious for getting off to slow starts to the season and that trend unfortunately continued last year. The Bengals were also caught asleep at the wheel in an early season loss to the Patriots. Just like the Ravens, because of the failures from a season ago there feels as if there will be an increased sense of urgency for them to consistently be on their A game in the regular season. In 2 of 3 seasons with a healthy Burrow the Bengals have come within striking distance of winning it all so we all know what they are capable of. They will be on the clock to consistently play like that in the regular season next year and I think they will answer the call.

Steelers – 10-7

With Aaron Rodgers at the helm, I have the Steelers finishing third in maybe the toughest division in the NFL while still winning 10 games. The Steelers have no big holes on their roster but you question if their roster is truly next level as they have question marks in their secondary, their offensive line, and in their backfield. One certainly questions if Rodgers at this point in his career is still elite and although Tomlin is a very good coach, questions are to be asked if he is truly elite as a head coach as well. The team will vie for the playoffs if Rodgers signs with the team but the Bengals and Ravens, with two of the very few elite quarterbacks in the game today are a cut above at this point.

Browns – 7-10

The Browns have many components to their team that I like such as coach Stefanski, some nice offensive pieces, and a very talented front seven. But they are all too flawed playing in maybe the toughest division in the NFL. Whoever starts at quarterback for them they will likely get erratic and inconsistent play from. Their offensive personnel is good but has many question marks as well. Their defense has potential but in terms of yards and points allowed it was bottom 10 in both categories a season ago.

AFC East

Bills 13-4

The Buffalo Bills time to win a Super Bowl is now and I could certainly see them lifting the Lombardi Trophy next year. The Bills have never been a truly dominant regular season team but I could certainly see them evolving into that next season.

Dolphins 10-7

The Dolphins with a healthy Tua have been a dangerous team but not a Super Bowl caliber team. I think Tua will stay healthier next season and that trend will continue. The Dolphins are 1-8 in matchups against Buffalo with Tua and Allen healthy so the Bills are a cut above Miami at this point. They have a high ceiling as a team but their physicality and ability to play in the cold weather has been brought into question.

Patriots 9-8

The Patriots have an incredibly bright future with quarterback Drake Maye and head coach Mike Vrabel. But it is going to take some time for them to blossom and the team to reach their potential with those two. They are coming off a 4-13 season and much of the roster is still rebuilding despite some key offseason acquisitions.

Jets 4-13

The Jets went 5-12 a season ago with Aaron Rodgers starting all the games and Fields at this point is not as good as even a 41-year-old Rodgers. A quarterback who struggles with consistency in regards to throwing the ball, with average to mediocre offensive personnel including at this point a below average receiving core, a first-year defensive minded head coach, and a first-year offensive coordinator does not bode well for the Jets.

AFC South

Colts 10-7

The Colts have the best roster in the division and a quarterback who is just as talented if not more talented than any in the division. With Richardson being dead last among qualified QBs in terms of passer rating in his first full season as starter while being benched for a portion of time as well, the Colts still nearly made the postseason. The Colts can expect to see Richardson take a big step forward going into his second full season as starter as there is only room to go up in terms of throwing the football. If Richardson can just be even slightly below average in terms of throwing the football as opposed having the leagues worst passer rating by a margin, the Colts can expect to see a 2–3-win improvement from their 8-9 mark a season ago.

Texans 9-8

The Texans made the postseason in the first two years of the Stroud era but never blew me away in all honesty. I am picking them to miss out on the playoffs this upcoming season after having won a very weak division over the past two years that is now improving. The loss of Laremy Tunsil and Stefon Diggs is concerning and head scratching as their offensive personnel is very average to mediocre and although Stroud is capable at quarterback he is still closer to average relatively speaking.

Jaguars 8-9

The Jaguars in the Trevor Lawrence era have been a disappointment but still at times very viable. In year 1 with Liam Coen as the head coach the team will show flashes of excellence but still have a roster that is too flawed/still rebuilding and Coen/Lawrence in year one together will take some time to click. The combination of Trevor Lawrence entering his prime while hopefully staying healthy now with perhaps the Jaguars finally finding the right coach for him, will be a tough out in this division. Brian Robinson and Travis Hunter on the perimeter offensively will be a nightmare for opposing secondaries as well. I could certainly flip the Texans and Jaguars but given Houston winning the division the past two seasons and the Jaguars going 4-13 last season, I give Houston the slight edge.

Titans 5-12

The Titans were the weakest team in the NFL a season ago, being tied for the league’s worst record while securing the first overall pick in the draft. They can expect to improve next season with Cam Ward now at quarterback but Ward was far from a generational prospect. Their roster is still rebuilding in large part and it remains to be seen if they have an NFL caliber head coach as well.

AFC West

Chargers 12-5

The Chargers with Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert are poised for a breakout season after looking impressive in year 1 together. The team led the league in points allowed and went 11-6 making the playoffs but lost immediately. The struggles the Chargers saw last season were in regards to offensive consistency which is directly correlated to Harbaugh and Herbert being in year 1 together. Much of those concerns will diminish as the pairing is going into their second season together. Some of the offensive concerns with the Chargers this past season also revolved around weak interior offensive line play and the lack of vertical threats at the receiver spot. Concerns they have addressed with the addition of guard Mekhi Becton and wide out Mike Williams.

Chiefs 11-6

The Chiefs went 15-2 a season ago and escaped with more than a few narrow one possession wins and struggled offensively. Heading into next season with the development of Xavier Worthy and the return of Rashee Rice from injury the team can expect to improve offensively. They remain an elite caliber defense and they are still to be trusted more than anyone in the NFL come playoff time. However, it has now been two seasons in a row marred with average caliber offensive output, the division is improving and amongst the toughest divisions in the NFL, and they cannot expect to win so many close games on a consistent basis.

Broncos 10-7

Denver had an elite defense and an elite offensive line a season ago and project to be elite in both departments heading into next season as well. Bo Nix and Sean Payton looked stout last season in year 1 together but it remains to be seen how strong of an NFL starting QB Nix indeed is. As of now Nix is still closer to average as a starter and Herbert and Mahomes are clearly more capable than him at this point with those two teams having coaches and offensive personnel in the same realm as Denver as well. The Broncos in some other divisions such as the AFC South or NFC West could very well finish first with a better record, but the AFC West will be all too tough next season. Nix with below average to well below average skill position players was exposed in the postseason this past year scoring only 7 points in a loss to Buffalo. I believe that Nix being closer to average at quarterback and the lack of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball will see the Broncos finish third in a division that will be in the discussion for the toughest in the league.

Raiders 6-11

Just like the Browns the Raiders have many components, especially on the offensive side of the ball and at head coach that I like, but are far too flawed playing in one of the toughest divisions. Geno Smith is absolutely capable at QB and is a definitive starter just like Nix, but relatively speaking is still closer to average as a starting NFL quarterback. The offensive line is young and improving with the sky being the limit but still many question marks. Jakobi Meyers, Brock Bowers, and Ashton Jeanty will form a scary trio of skill position players but Meyers has not proven to be a true #1 wide out and Jeanty will also still be a rookie. They were amongst the weakest defensive teams in the NFL this past season and they can expect to improve with the addition of Pete Carroll but will still be around average at best.

Predicted AFC Playoff Picture

Division Winners

Ravens – 15-2
Bills – 13-4
Chargers – 12-5
Colts – 10-7

Wild Cards

Chiefs – 11-6
Bengals – 11-6
Dolphins – 10-7

NFC North

Lions – 13-4

Detroit went 15-2 a season ago securing the #1 overall seed in the NFC but I think in the regular season there will be some growing pains with two new coordinators. They still absolutely can win the conference and I liken them more than anyone in the division as of now. I however think in terms of regular season dominance they will take a step back especially with the large improvement of Chicago and with Detroit losing both coordinators as well.

Bears 12-5

The Bears on paper project to be as good as anyone in the league but will have to prove it on the field. Caleb Williams is an electric talent who had a solid rookie season despite being coached at a very sub optimal level on the offensive side of the ball. Ben Johnson is obviously a very bright, innovative, offensive mind but is totally unproven as a head coach. I like the Bears a lot but they will have to prove it on the field and I still give Detroit the edge in the division.

Vikings 10-7

The Vikings went 14-3 a season ago but in all reality were closer to an 11-6 caliber team given their quick playoff exit. I think with J.J. McCarthy in his first full season as starter that there will be some growing pains playing in the toughest division in the NFC if not the NFL. They were a 12-5 or an 11-6 caliber team a season ago and I certainly could see them taking a step back to being a 10-7 caliber team with McCarthy in year 1.

Packers 9-8

Green Bay I think will be easily the best fourth place team in the sport as this division is perhaps the toughest in the NFL. Jordan Love seems like a lesser version of Mahomes or Caleb Williams as a talent and Matt Lafleur as a head coach and this roster are solid but still closer to average. Green Bay went 1-5 in division a season ago with the one win being against a Chicago team that will likely greatly improve heading into next season.

NFC East

Eagles 15-2

Philadelphia went 14-3 a season ago clinching the #2 seed in the conference. Detroit finished one spot ahead of them at 15-2 but the Lions can expect to pull back losing both coordinators. The NFC east is still a relatively weak division as the Giants and Cowboys could each be amongst the weakest teams in the NFL, each with head coaches who have not proven to be NFL caliber head coaches as of yet. The Commanders will be good but Philadelphia beat them by over 30 points in the conference title, going 2-1 against them in totality a season ago with the one loss being a last second loss when Jalen Hurts was unavailable at QB. The Eagles also have the unit advantage over Washington everywhere except QB and even that is debatable as well.

Commanders 13-4

The Commanders went 12-5 a season ago with a last place schedule and got destroyed by the Eagles in the conference title. They can expect to improve upon that and be more competitive in postseason play but still are clearly inferior to Philadelphia in division. Jayden Daniels in my estimation is the best quarterback in the NFC and will be an MVP threat next season

Cowboys 8-9

Many of the components from when Dallas went 12-5 three years in a row are still present such as Dak Prescott being the starting quarterback with Ceedee Lamb on one side of the ball and Micah Parsons on the other. However new head Brian Schottenheimer is totally unproven and many question whether he was qualified for the job to begin with. The offensive line which has been the identity of the team with Prescott has to deal with the loss of Zack Martin now after losing Tyron Smith the previous season and regressing as a result.

Giants 4-13

The Giants were tied for the league’s worst record a season ago and I question if they have truly improved particularly at QB with the addition of Russell Wilson. Their roster is still rebuilding and I question if the combination of Russell Wilson/Jameis Winston/Jaxson Dart as their QB room is that much better than the Giants QB room last year. I picked them to win one more game than last year because Wilson is still solid and will add stability to their QB room while Abdul Carter will add to an already stout Giants defensive line.

NFC South

Falcons – 12-5

The Atlanta Falcons are the sleeper team of the NFL and can absolutely be the biggest threat to the Lions and Eagles in the NFC next season. From an offensive personnel standpoint they are the only team in the NFL in the Eagles and Lions class at least on paper. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr is totally unproven but in terms of talent is right in the same class as Jared Goff and Jalen Hurts. Atlanta’s defense was respectable a season ago and with defensive minded head coach Raheem Morris going into year 2 as the head coach of Atlanta along with the Falcons utilizing two first round picks on defenders, their defense is in to greatly improve as well.

Buccaneers 10-7

The Bucs went 10-7 last season and won the division but have not improved this offseason. They failed to address the pressing need of tight end and have lost an offensive coordinator to a head coaching position for a second consecutive season. The division is getting tougher, especially with how stout the Falcons look on paper and as of now I like the Falcons more.

Panthers 8-9

The Panthers once first year head coach and second year quarterback Bryce Young got into the full flow of things were a tough out last year. They came up one possession short to each Super Bowl finalist and nearly beat the Buccaneers. In the latter portion of the season Bryce Young started to play like a number one overall pick as well. Their defense was the worst in the league last season and I think offensively they can be very good next season but are still a year away from reaching their full potential with Canales and Young together.

Saints 3-14

With quarterback Derek Carr in line to miss the season I have the Saints finishing with the league’s worst record. The Saints without Carr available at QB last year looked awful at times and with Spencer Rattler in line to start I would struggle to find any team who would be weaker than them.

NFC West

49ers 11-6

I am picking the San Francisco 49ers to have a bounce back season next year for several reasons. Firstly, in this era with coach Shanahan, where they consistently find themselves within striking distance of winning it all, they had a down year like last year before. After losing in the Super Bowl to Kansas City the first time, the 49ers missed the playoffs the next season going 6-10 but then made three consecutive conference titles and a Super Bowl right after. Coming off a Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, the 49ers missed the postseason last season as well, going 6-11. Injuries had a very negative affect on San Francisco both years as well and the 49ers can expect to stay healthier next season. The biggest thing outside of the injury bug that haunted the 49ers last year was the poor coaching on the defensive side of the ball. Nick Sorenson in year 1 as a defensive coordinator was clearly not cut out for the job as the 49ers finished 29^th in points allowed in the regular season with him as the defensive play caller after a top 3 finish the year prior without him. Robert Saleh who was the defensive coordinator for the 49ers the first time they made the Super Bowl against the Chiefs and who is one of the sharpest defensive minds in the sport has since been rehired as the defensive coordinator for San Francisco.

Cardinals 11-6

The Arizona Cardinals with head coach Jonathan Gannon going into his second full season with Kyler Murray at the helm are in line for a breakout season. Kyler Murray is one of the most electric quarterback talents I have ever seen and the combination of Trey McBride at tight end and Marvin Harrison Jr at wide out, in terms of receivers ranks up there with anyone in the NFL today. The defense was the Cardinals’ undoing a season ago, but now with Gannon getting more time in the role with a defensive background, along with key offseason defensive additions such as Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell, they are in line to improve defensively.

Rams 9-8

The Rams have started off 3-6 and 1-4 in consecutive seasons but narrowly made the playoffs both years. I am however predicting that their slow starts indeed catch up with them and they miss the playoffs as the division improves and Stafford continues to age. Davante Adams is hardly an upgrade if an upgrade at all over Cooper Kupp and they have yet to address the loss of Jonah Jackson on the offensive line. Stafford and McVay are one of only a few current head coach and QB combinations with a Super Bowl ring so they will still be a tough team to deal with, however.

Seahawks 7-10

I question if Darnold is an upgrade over Geno Smith at quarterback as both quarterbacks were backups for a large portion of their careers and had one great year where they put very strong numbers with a weak offensive line. But outside of that year both players are still closer to average and I question if Seattle got any better with Darnold instead of Smith at QB. With Darnold in his first year without Kevin O’Connell as a coach, without the Vikings elite skill position players, and with a young defensive minded head coach, and one of the weakest offensive lines. I am picking Seattle to finish last in the division. Seattle still nearly made the playoffs last season and head coach Mike MacDonald heads into his second season on the job so they will still be a tough out in my estimation.

NFC Predicted Playoff Picture

Division Winners