2025 NFL Post Draft Power Rankings

NFL Updated Power Rankings

In the previous rendition of my power rankings which was done right after the initial free agent period and before the draft, I firstly did not factor in draft picks, and more than that I made a very politically correct list. When I say I made a politically correct list I mean that I felt as if I made the list in a fashion that was intended to be objective and adequately check boxes. For instance, the Chiefs won the AFC last year and have still won three of the past six Super Bowls, so I felt the need to have them super high in the ranking by default. Referencing the political correctness and objectivity of the list. Furthermore, the Chiefs have beaten the Bills four straight times in the postseason so therefore the Chiefs must be ahead of the Bills by default in my previous list, the 49ers had a really down year last season so they cant be in the top ten in my previous list. I felt the need to make a very politically correct, objective based list that checked all the requisite boxes. But now I have made a more subjective list that factors in my feelings and that also factors in the NFL draft, the remaining free agents who signed, and also the schedule which was released.

 

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles from the previous power rankings to these power rankings remain in the top spot. Coming off a Super Bowl Championship the Eagles are poised to repeat. As no other team in the NFL who is elite on both sides of the ball can be trusted to effectively execute in the postseason like the Eagles can. The Lions and Ravens project to be elite on both sides of the ball, but cannot be trusted in the postseason. The Bills, Chiefs, Rams, and some others can be trusted to execute well in the postseason but cannot be trusted to be elite on both sides of the ball.

 

2. Buffalo Bills

Coming off an AFC Championship game appearance I am banking on the Bills to take it up a notch next season and win the AFC. In all reality there were only five teams who truly had what it took to win it all last season. The Eagles, Lions, and Ravens were both sides of the ball juggernauts and the Chiefs and Bills were elite on one side of the ball but lacking on the other side. Buffalo’s defense this past season was their undoing and I am banking on them to turn it around heading into next season. The Bills’ defense in the regular season ranked 11^th in points per game allowed but Pro Football Focus graded them as the 27^th best defense in the regular season. Come postseason time the Bills became the only team all season long (regular season and playoffs) to allow 30 points to the Chiefs in regulation. The Bills had a rookie NFL defensive coordinator this past season and the defense can expect to really improve with him going into year two in the NFL. Take out Sean McDermott’s first two years as head coach of the Bills when Buffalo was rebuilding and Allen was not nearly the player he is now and four out of six times the Bills under Sean McDermott fielded an elite caliber defense. Given those two facts I am banking on the Bills to field an elite defense next season. The offense is already elite led by Josh Allen as the Bills ranked 2^nd in the NFL in points per game this past regular season. The Bills next season project to be a both sides of the ball juggernaut like the Lions, Eagles, and Ravens were last season. I trust the Bills more in the postseason than I trust Baltimore and Detroit, however. As the Ravens and Lions had a combined -8 turnover differential in their postseason losses, whereas the Bills in three postseason games last year had a combined zero turnovers.

 

3. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens in the Lamar Jackson era have consistently been the most dominant regular season team in the NFL but have never even reached a Super Bowl. They were one of only three teams last year who were truly elite on both sides of the ball. Their lack of execution come postseason time along with QB Lamar Jackson’s inability to perform in the postseason came back to haunt them again last season. The Ravens committed three turnovers in a postseason loss to the Bills with Jackson accounting for two of those turnovers. They have addressed one of their pressing needs which was wide receiver with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr goes into his second full season as a defensive coordinator in the NFL as well. They will likely be a regular season juggernaut next season who is elite on both sides of the ball. However, the first two teams on this list project to have just as high of a ceiling but can be trusted in the postseason much more than the Ravens at this point in time.

 

4. Detroit Lions

The Lions in the 2023-24 season were up by three possessions in a conference title and couldn’t make the Super Bowl. Detroit in the 2024-25 season went 15-2 and finished with the #1 seed in the NFC but failed to even win a playoff game. The Lions, just like the Eagles and Ravens a season ago, were one of only three teams who were elite on both sides of the ball. Injuries played a big role in Detroit’s demise last season as they were the most injured team in the NFL with the vast majority of the injuries being on defense. That should not be an excuse for their failure come playoff time however as they still had a -5-turnover differential in their postseason loss. They remain #4 on this list and not higher because they are now faced with having lost both coordinators to head coaching jobs. They also cannot be fully trusted in the playoffs given all the mistakes they made at the end of the conference title vs the 49ers two seasons ago and against the Commanders in the postseason this past season. If Detroit can overcome the loss of both coordinators and hone it in come postseason time, they could certainly win it all again, however.

 

5. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals, in the first two seasons with a healthy Joe Burrow came within inches of winning a Super Bowl and getting to another one. The team, however, really regressed this past season missing the postseason all together but still finishing above .500 at 9-8 and narrowly missing the postseason. Most of the struggles with the Bengals this past season are indeed correctable and if those issues are corrected the Bengals can certainly return to elite form next year. The issues with the Bengals this past season were the offensive line, the defense, the inability to close out games, along with again a poor start to the season. They have since hired a new offensive line coach and a new defensive coordinator. The Bengals, in terms of raw talent on defense, are actually pretty talented but were all too young last season and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, although very capable, had ostensibly worn out his welcome with the team. Heading into next season the Bengals will likely be much better on defense as the young players will have gained experience and hopefully for their sake the new defensive coordinator will be a better fit than the previous one. The Bengals closed out games last season at maybe the worst rate in the NFL and it cost them. The Bengals, as they are notorious for in the Burrow era, again got off to a nightmare start to the regular season. Those last two issues are certainly correctable and if the Bengals can be better in those two departments and on defense especially, they can certainly return to being the team they were in the first two seasons with a healthy Burrow. Where if a few small things went differently, they could have come away with two Super Bowl wins in two seasons. The Bengals in the regular season last year had the Ravens beaten twice and the Chiefs beaten on the road as well but failed to close out any of the three games. Burrow when healthy is the first or second best quarterback in the NFL in my estimation as well. The New England Patriots with Brady-Belichick had a similar season to the one Cincinnati had last year in the first Patriots dynasty. Where they won the Super Bowl in three of four seasons and the one year, they did not win it, they narrowly missed the playoffs but still finished above .500. If the Bengals had just closed out games at even a below average rate this past regular season instead of at the poor rate in which they did, I could have easily seen them in the Conference Championship or Super Bowl again. Being up by double digits in the 2^nd half of both games in the regular season vs the Ravens who are consistently the most dominant regular season team is maybe the biggest reason I have the Bengals so high. No other NFL team in recent memory can say that they consistently played the Ravens in the regular season that well. With the Ravens in the regular season being the class of the NFL in recent memory and historically great at times. I also have the Bengals this high for the following reason. Although one would be hard pressed to make an objective argument for any QB being ranked ahead of Mahomes at this point in time. In my estimation and in my subjective opinion, when Burrow is healthy, he is the best overall QB in the game to me.

 

6. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers this past season in the first season of the Jim Harbaugh/Justin Herbert era looked strong as Harbaugh turned around a team that went 5-12 the previous season into an 11-6 playoff team. Jim Harbaugh, in my opinion, is the best football coach I have ever seen and it is only a matter of time before he wins a Super Bowl. In year 2 with the 49ers, which was his remaining NFL head coaching stint, he had the team in the Super Bowl. The Chargers were the #1 scoring defense in the NFL this past season despite having a rookie NFL defensive coordinator. With him going into year 2 in the NFL the defense can expect to improve. The lack of consistency and explosion on the offensive side of the ball was the biggest concern for the Chargers this past season. Much of those struggles can be attributed to Harbaugh/Herbert only being in their first year together. Much of those struggles will be alleviated with the pairing going into year 2 together. The Chargers personnel on the offensive side of the ball was also a question mark last season but they have made several key acquisitions. Such as offensive lineman Mekhi Becton, wide receivers Tre Harris and Mike Williams, and running backs Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton. All the above listed players are pro bowl caliber players and/or 1^st/2^nd round picks. When compared to the Chiefs in the division, I feel as if they actually have the slightly better head coach, a defense which is just as good if not better, offensive personnel that is just as good if not better. Along with a QB who is just as talented if not slightly more talented. The reason they don’t rank higher is because they cannot be trusted to be explosive offensively like the Ravens and Bills can be, Harbaugh/Herbert are still unproven as a head coach + QB combination having never won a playoff game. Along with Justin Herbert being unproven in the postseason as well having never won a playoff game either.

 

7. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs, having won the AFC in five of the past six seasons and having won the Super Bowl in three of those six seasons as well. Despite that, Kansas City finds themselves outside of the top five. The Chiefs were an elite defensive team this past season but struggled offensively for the second straight season. I liken the Bills to fix their defense more than the Chiefs to fix their offense. As the Bills have a rookie defensive coordinator going into year 2 and Buffalo has only struggled defensively for one season while being consistently elite before that. Whereas it has been two seasons in a row that the Chiefs have struggled offensively and they do not have an offensive coordinator going into year 2. From an offensive personnel standpoint the Chiefs perhaps project to be slightly better offensively next season, if that, with the additions of Elijah Mitchell, Jaylon Moore, and first rounder Josh Simmons. With the return of Rashee Rice from injury along with Xavier Worthy going into year 2 in the NFL. However, the loss of potential future hall of famer Joe Thuney on the offensive line maybes offsets some of those additions. The Chiefs do not project to have resolved their offensive issues heading into next season and it also does not feel as if they will win the AFC every single season. As the likes of Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and the combination of Jim Harbaugh/Justin Herbert are far too stout for that to be the case. This is also the first time the Chiefs will likely deal with a similar caliber opponent in their own division with the Chargers led by Jim Harbaugh/Justin Herbert going into year 2 together. They remain at #7 purely out of respect for the fact that they are still the dynasty of the NFL winning the AFC nearly every single season with Patrick Mahomes/Any Reid. Similar arguments could also be made in the opposite direction for the Chiefs offense juxtaposed to the Bills defense turning things around. As after two down offensive years by the Chiefs’ standards, it might only be a matter of time before they turn things around and return to elite offensive form.

 

8. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers, despite coming off a putrid 6-11 season are in the top ten of this ranking for the following reasons. The two biggest concerns for the 49ers this past season which led to the disappointing season they had was the underwhelming defensive coordinator position combined with injuries. They have now replaced their defensive coordinator from last season who was clearly not cut out for the job with Robert Saleh who as of now is already in the definitive discussion for being the best defensive coordinator in the NFL. It is also very unlikely that they are as injured in particular on offense next season. As the 49ers last season had likely the most injury riddled offensive personnel in the NFL last year with QB Brock Purdy missing a few starts as well. The only big difference between last year’s 49ers team led by Kyle Shanahan, which only won six games, compared to previous renditions of the Shanahan 49ers. Who consistently came within a few mistakes from winning/getting to Super Bowls and who were the class of the NFC was injuries/defensive coaching. Both of those issues are in line to be resolved heading into next season and there is no reason that the 49ers with Kyle Shanahan cannot return to their previous elite form. The 49ers led by Kyle Shanahan also had another season in 2020 akin to the one they had this past season in 2024. Where the 49ers under the helm of Shanahan only won six games coming off a Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs the year prior. After the 2020 season six-win season coming off a Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, the 49ers went on to make three straight conference titles/Super Bowls. It remains to be seen how they will look like after the 2024 season which was another six win season coming off a Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs. I think the fact that many are counting out the 49ers led by Kyle Shanahan and they are now flying under the radar may be a good thing for their sake.

 

9. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons on paper project to be a juggernaut but have to first prove it on the field before climbing this ranking. The Eagles and Lions despite the Lions’ early playoff exit were arguably the two best NFL teams this past season. In my previous power rankings article, I had the Eagles and Lions as the two best teams in the NFL. Those two teams are as good as they are in large part because they have offensive personnel in the definitive discussion for being the best in the NFL. Along with having a QB talent who is maybe not Mahomes or Lamar Jackson but is certainly the next closest thing. The Falcons as of now are one of only two other NFL teams who are in Detroit and Philadelphia’s class in that regard from an offensive talent standpoint. They have to prove it on the field, however. The defense is also a concern but with defensive minded head coach Raheem Morris heading into his second full season on the job as head coach of Atlanta, the defense is in line to improve. The Falcons can certainly climb this ranking if they prove it on the field more. But despite them being so unproven, I like them as the biggest team to challenge Detroit and Philadelphia in the NFC next season. The Falcons also get to benefit from playing in maybe the weakest division in the NFC.

 

10. Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels in my estimation is the best quarterback in the NFC and in my estimation is the only NFC QB who deserves to be recognized in that first group of elite QBs with Allen, Mahomes, Burrow, and Jackson. Based on that alone, in a game of QBs, the Commanders are already at an inherent advantage over the rest of the NFC. However, I question head coach Dan Quinn, I question the fact that the roster is still rebuilding in most part. Despite the Commanders conference title game appearance last season, they were never truly a threat to reach the Super Bowl given their 30+ point loss to the eventual champion Eagles in that conference title game. I certainly ponder if I have this team too low, but they were picking 2^nd in the draft two seasons ago for a reason and the roster is still rebuilding in large part as a result. Perhaps the Commanders with Jayden Daniels are still a year away from reaching peak form as a team.

 

11. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams since winning the Super Bowl have struggled to fully re-establish themselves as contenders. In the 2022 season, which was the first season after winning it all, the Rams had the worst season a defending champion has ever had going 5-12. The Rams made the postseason the next two years and came up one possession short to Detroit and Philadelphia each year on the road. However, they started off the 2023 season 3-6 and they started off the 2024 season 1-4. The Rams were the only team in the NFL this past season to give the eventual champion Eagles any trouble come postseason time. As Rams QB Matthew Stafford had the ball in his hands down 6 points inside the Eagles’ 25-yard line as the clock was winding down but failed to score. That was despite the Rams having a -2-turnover differential in that game. The eventual champion Eagles won the conference title and Super Bowl by a combined 40 points and won their remaining playoff game vs the Packers by multiple possessions as well. Despite that I have the Rams just outside the top ten because 5-12, 3-6, 1-4 which are records that the team with McVay/Stafford has held the past three seasons, is not the sign of a Super Bowl caliber team. The Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars who finished with two of the worst records in the NFL this past season also came within a possession of the eventual Super Bowl Champion Eagles in the 2024 season as well. One could argue for the Rams to be higher as McVay/Stafford could certainly be argued as the best overall head coach + QB combination in the NFC. With McVay/Stafford being one of only three current head coach + QB combinations with a Super Bowl ring as well.

 

12. Green Bay Packers

The Packers this past season put up a much better fight against the Eagles in the playoffs than the Chiefs did in the Super Bowl and than the Commanders did in the Conference Championship. As Green Bay came up only two possessions short of the eventual champions in the wild card round with it being a one possession game for a large portion of the 4^th quarter as well. This was despite Green Bay being on the road and suffering big injuries in that game as well. There is an argument to be made that Jordan Love is the top quarterback in the NFC. The Packers have now addressed their biggest need on offense which was wide receiver by drafting two in the first three rounds. This team has no definitive holes but you question if Love, LaFleur, and this roster are truly next level. As this Packers team in the first two seasons of the Jordan Love era have been very good but not yet great.

 

13. Chicago Bears

The only reason that the Bears are not higher on this list is because of the youth of their head coach + QB combination. Outside of that I see little to no holes on this roster and in terms of QB talent. Caleb Williams was heralded as a generational prospect taken #1 overall in the draft and had a solid rookie season despite the Bears having maybe the weakest offensive coaching in the league. Williams projects to be a superstar at the QB position for years to come and is now paired with the most sought after offensive-minded coach on the market in Ben Johnson. The defense the past two seasons has been borderline elite for long stretches despite the offense not putting it in positions to succeed. The running back unit is a concern as the team lacks a true #1 back, but with the rest of the offensive personnel being so strong, along with Williams/Johnson being stout as a QB + offensive coach combination, that flaw can certainly be overlooked. DeAndre Swift, although he may not be a true #1 back, is still capable. Ben Johnson being a rookie head coach, Caleb Williams only being in his second season in the NFL, along with the pairing being in only their first season together, is the biggest reason they remain outside the top ten. That combined with the Bears having to play in maybe the toughest division in the NFL has Chicago slightly outside the top ten.

 

14. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars had an abysmal season going 4-13 last season but I am still very high on this franchise being led by Trevor Lawrence heading into the future. The Jaguars this past season were perhaps the greatest 4-13 team in NFL history. Coming up one possession short to a 14-3 Vikings team despite not having Lawrence available at QB, coming up one possession short to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Eagles on the road, and losing three one possession games to playoff teams Green Bay and Houston. Lawrence was heralded as a generational prospect who would be the next John Elway and who was taken first overall in the NFL draft. In his first four seasons in the NFL, he has not been a bust but has not lived up to that billing as of yet. Lawrence has shown flashes of being that type of player early in his NFL career and I think it’s too early to close the door on him eventually becoming that type of player. In his first four NFL seasons Lawrence has been haunted by injuries and has not had the right coach, not to mention being so young. Now as he enters his prime with hopefully the Jaguars having hired the right coach for him, if he stays healthier, he can certainly enter that group with Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. If Lawrence starts to reach his potential the Jaguars will be a tough out whom I can certainly see winning maybe the weakest division in the NFL. The Jaguars combination of raw talent at the skill positions ranks up there with any NFL team. The struggles on the defensive side of the ball from a season ago are in line to diminish with their rookie defensive coordinator going into his second season as an NFL defensive coordinator. Much of the struggles defensively last season are also tied to former head coach Doug Pederson and the lack of a consistently effective offense. As Lawrence now hopefully stays healthier and enters his prime with hopefully the right coach for him, I am picking Lawrence to emerge as a superstar and for the Jaguars to win a very weak division.

 

15. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders are one of the teams that I look forward to watching play the most next season. They have upgraded their head coach and QB spots more than any team in the NFL. They have gone from a rotation of backup QBs to now Geno Smith who has proven to be a fine NFL starting QB. They have upgraded from Antonio Pierce who was likely not qualified for the job to begin with to future hall of famer Pete Carroll. The Raiders offensive personnel, on paper at least, is borderline elite. As Brock Bowers is already in the discussion for being the best tight end in the NFL. Running back Ashton Jeanty was a generational type of running back prospect as it is rare for a running back to be taken as high as he was in the draft. Jakobi Meyers at wide out is often overlooked because of his presence on the Raiders who are consistently not very good. They also drafted rookie wide out Jack Bech in the second round to complement Meyers/Bowers in the receiving core. If the young offensive line can play to its full potential, then the Raiders can have a top 5-10 offensive line in the NFL as well. Chip Kelly being hired as the offensive coordinator was an under the radar move this offseason that could loom large. As Kelly was heralded as one of the brightest offensive minds in all of football at a certain point. But the Raiders will likely struggle defensively even with Pete Carroll, and they will still be a flawed offensive team as well. But from an offensive personnel standpoint and QB talent standpoint the Raiders along with the Falcons are the only teams in the class of the Eagles and Lions. With Philadelphia and Detroit being arguably the top two teams in the NFL this past season and who were 1 and 2 in my previous power rankings. The Raiders could make the playoffs but given how unproven they are coming off a 4-13 season and how weak they currently project to be on defense. I have them right on the outside of the playoff picture as of now.

 

16. Minnesota Vikings

Despite the remarkable 14-3 record this team had last season, I am picking the Vikings to narrowly miss out on the postseason in 2025. The Vikings this past season were similar to the Vikings led by Case Keenum in 2017-18. Where the team finished with amongst the best regular season records with a backup QB but eventually got blown out in the playoffs. The Vikings the next season then proceeded to miss the playoffs. Playing in likely the toughest division in the NFL with a QB who has never played a regular season snap, I think the Vikings led by J.J McCarthy will have some growing pains. The Vikings were truly a 10-7 or an 11-6 caliber team disguised as a 14-3 team a season ago. That truth was eventually exposed come postseason time in a three-possession loss to the Rams. I could certainly see them going from an 11-6 or 10-7 caliber team to an 8-9 or 9-8 caliber team with McCarthy in year 1 playing in likely the toughest division in the NFL.

 

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs in the first two seasons of the Baker Mayfield era have been fun and dangerous but never a true Super Bowl contender. Now losing an offensive coordinator for the third consecutive season to a head coaching job with QB Baker Mayfield having his struggles early in his career without ideal offensive coaching, it will be an uphill climb offensively for the Bucs next season. Star wide out Mike Evans is aging, his counterpart star wide out in Chris Godwin is coming off a torn ACL, and the Bucs failed to address tight end in the offseason and the unit remains one of the weakest in the NFL. I question Todd Bowles as a defensive minded coach with a questionable track record as a head coach in an offensive leaning league. Bowles’ defense by any and all metrics was mediocre this past season and there is no reason for me to think it can greatly improve heading into next season. However, the Bucs can certainly still make the postseason and build upon the first two seasons of the Mayfield era. If they can find another star offensive coordinator, if Bowles can get the defense in order, and if the wide receiver unit led by the aging/injured Evans/Godwin and now their first rounder in Emeka Egbuka can hold up. I could certainly see a scenario in which they contend to win the conference, but I wouldn’t bet on it as of now, especially with the uncertainty in terms of offensive coaching.

 

18. Houston Texans

The Texans in the first two seasons of the C.J Stroud era have been solid but not spectacular. I am starting to question the direction of the franchise as they are hovering in the good but not great territory. The offseason trade of star left tackle Laremy Tunsil was a head scratcher for a team that already had a very weak offensive line. The defense has as high of a ceiling as any defense in the NFL but lacks consistency. In my estimation the two most important units for a team are QB and offensive line. C.J Stroud, despite being very talented as a QB, is still closer to average as a starting QB as of now given how talent filled the league is at the position. The Texans’ offensive line was a bottom 10-unit last season and projects to be even worse next season with the loss of Tunsil at left tackle. The skill position players of Houston led by superstar wide out Nico Collins are good to very good but not great as well. I could certainly see this team winning maybe the weakest division in the NFL and getting to the playoffs. But I unfortunately view them to be trending in no mans land in the good but not great territory. The team would likely quickly exit the postseason again even if they were to make it again.

 

19. Denver Broncos

Denver had a top 5 scoring defense this past season with one of the highest rated offensive lines. Bo Nix’s youth, his lack of next level talent, him/Sean Payton only being in year 1 together, along with the Broncos’ skill position players ranking near the bottom of the NFL, eventually caught up to Denver in the playoffs. As the Broncos led by Nix/Payton were only able to muster seven points in a postseason loss to the Bills. Going into year 2 of Nix/Payton era with the skill position players they have added in the draft/free agency, which was the weakness of the team, they are in line to improve. But their postseason loss was very ugly this past season and even an improvement upon it would still mean an early playoff exit. Almost every team improves on paper heading into the next season and Denver’s division has now gotten tougher with it being likely the toughest division in the AFC. As the Raiders have made major upgrades at coach and QB, the Chargers with Harbaugh/Herbert are going into year 2 as well, and the Chiefs are still the Chiefs. I could see Denver making the playoffs but I anticipate an early playoff exit once again even if they did make it. But if Nix can come into his own in his 2^nd NFL season and if the skill position play improves greatly from a season ago, this team could be very dangerous.

 

20. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have one of the most electrifying QB talents I have ever seen in the likes of Kyler Murray. The team seems to lack an identity with Murray at QB however as just having a very talented QB with some high-level players sprinkled in every here and there around him is not an identity. The team just missed out on the postseason this past season with Murray at the helm and if the defense in particular can improve, I can see them making it to the playoffs next year. The offense was very good this past season as Pro Football Focus graded them as the sixth best offense in the league this past season. But the defense was closer to average, likely costing them a postseason berth. Defensive minded head coach Jonathan Gannon had the Cardinals rank 31^st in points allowed in his first season on the job. In his second season on the job in 2024 the defense ranked 15^th in points allowed. The team has added several key defensive pieces in the offseason and if Gannon sees his side of the ball improve as it did from year 1 to year 2, the defense could be very good. However, this Cardinals team remains below average amongst all the teams at this point. Because of the lack of an identity last year and even as of now, they are just a team with an electric QB talent with some very good players sprinkled in every here and there. Not to mention an unproven defensive minded head coach in an offensive leaning league. Not to mention that Kyler Murray is not even heralded as an elite QB in that same group as Patrick Mahomes either.

 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers made the postseason this past year but lost quickly to the Ravens in the first round. The team has since signed veteran QB Aaron Rodgers to replace Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at the QB spot but I question if that does much for me. Rodgers, going on the age of 42 projects to hardly be an upgrade over Wilson in particular at the position. Even if he is, the offseason losses of Najee Harris and George Pickens will likely offset any improvements they see offensively. The Steelers have yet to adequately replace either one of those players and the offense with a 42-year-old Rodgers projects to stagnate. The team is still amongst the premier defensive teams in the NFL and head coach Mike Tomlin is one of the premier defensive head coaches as well. If Rodgers can have a bounce back season, this team could be very dangerous.

 

22. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins in the Mike McDaniel-Tua Tagovailoa era have been fun and dangerous at times but have mostly underwhelmed. Tua’s lack of durability and consistent inability to perform in the cold weather has essentially ended the Dolphins season in the first three years of this era with McDaniel-Tagovailoa. The team is now faced with big question marks on the offensive line with the retirement of star left tackle Terron Armstead. Miami is now also faced with big question marks in the secondary as well with the departure of star safety Jevon Holland and the impending departure of star corner Jalen Ramsey. Perhaps I have this team too low, but even when Tua is healthy and is placed in ideal weather conditions, the team has had its limitations and projects to have its limitations. Given the fact that Tua is prone to get more injured more than any starting NFL QB along with him performing in cold inclement weather consistently worse than any starting QB, I cannot rank them higher than this.

 

23. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts nearly made the postseason this past year but remain this low because of how much uncertainty they have at QB. Anthony Richardson in his first full season as starter was mostly abysmal in terms of throwing the football ranking dead last by a margin among all qualified QBs in terms of passer rating. Given the fact that it was his first full season as starter and given how long it took Bills superstar QB Josh Allen to develop as a passer. Colts’ fans should remain optimistic that Richardson can come into his own. Even if Richardson continues to struggle, backup QB Daniel Jones who has proven to be a solid capable NFL starter could take his place. The Colts have perhaps the best roster in maybe the weakest division in the NFL and if they get steady QB play, they could certainly threaten to win that division. But with so much uncertainty at QB, they remain this low but have all the potential in the world.

 

24. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks since the departure of star QB Russell Wilson have been the epitome of average as an NFL franchise. The team unfortunately remains in line to continue the average trend of the team next season even with Sam Darnold now at QB. I question if Darnold is an upgrade over former QB Geno Smith at all. The defense in the first season with defensive minded head coach Mike MacDonald was good and as he heads into his second season on the job, it projects to be even better. However, the Seahawks feel like just a lesser version of the Houston Texans who I also really question as of now. A defensive minded head coach with good but not great skill position players, a good but not a great QB, and a very weak offensive line. The Seahawks could certainly threaten to make the playoffs next season but just like Houston would likely be a quick out.

 

25. New England Patriots

Patriots now second year QB Drake Maye coming off a very strong rookie campaign is poised to be a star in the league for years to come. Maye put up very strong numbers as a rookie despite having amongst the weakest surrounding offensive circumstances in terms of personnel and coaching in his first season. The Patriots after their expensive offseason have an overall roster that is very good as of now with no definitive holes. But one certainly questions if they truly have the next end talent on their roster to complement Maye at QB. Head coach Mike Vrabel was maybe the best head coaching hire of the offseason but it remains to be seen how good he will be in year 1 with New England. This team could certainly rank higher as their roster is very good with no holes, Drake Maye is an electric QB talent, and Mike Vrabel is a proven head coach. But because of how unproven they are coming off a 4-13 season, they remain this low but have a bright future. The Patriots certainly have what it takes to be the Commanders and Texans of the past two seasons, however.

 

26. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers in the first two seasons of the Bryce Young era have been mostly abysmal until they started to turn things around in the second half of last season. Young, the former number one overall pick, was labeled as a bust after being benched early last season. Young and the team really started to turn things around last season when he came back from the benching. They came up one possession short to each eventual Super Bowl finalist in Kansas City and Philadelphia. They nearly beat eventual division champion Tampa Bay and they did indeed beat the Arizona Cardinals who nearly made the postseason. QB Bryce Young finished the season with three consecutive games with a 100+ passer rating as well. I am a big fan of head coach Dave Canales who showed he is a capable NFL head coach in his first season with Carolina. The development of Young/Canales heading into year 2 together next season is something to look forward to watching. They remain this low because the defense by any and all metrics was the weakest in the NFL this past 2024 season. That combined with optimism but still many offensive question marks and a 7-27 record over the past two seasons has the Panthers no higher than this.

 

27. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys in the Dak Prescott era before this past season came off of three consecutive 12-5 seasons with two narrow postseason losses to the 49ers in the playoffs. That is not easy to come by whatsoever but the team really regressed this past season mostly due to the injury to starting QB Dak Prescott. The team has since moved on from head coach Mike McCarthy and since appointed offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to take over head coaching responsibilities. Schottenheimer is totally unproven and many question if he was even qualified for the job to begin with. The team has also moved on from many key players who were present in their three consecutive 12-5 seasons such as Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, Brandin Cooks, and DeMarcus Lawrence. A rookie head coach who many question if he was even qualified for the job to begin with, a closer to average QB, and a likely below average roster has the Cowboys no higher than this. Although they will still be a tough out as many components of the team which went 12-5 three seasons in a row are still there.

 

28. Cleveland Browns

The Browns remain this low but fans should be optimistic about the future state of the team. With five different QBs currently on the roster there is far too much uncertainty at the most important position for them not to be in the bottom five NFL teams. In all likelihood Shedeur Sanders wins the starting job eventually but how good he will be as a rookie remains to be seen. The offensive personnel on top of it is pretty mediocre as of now. The defense is very talented but certainly not a great defense as of yet in an offensive leaning league. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is very capable as an NFL head coach, having won coach of the year twice, but he has his work cut out for him. With maybe the most uncertain QB spot and average to mediocre offensive personnel, the Browns remain this low. Despite how talented their defense is and how stout Stefanski is at the head coach spot.

 

29. New York Jets

The Jets for seemingly all of recent memory have been amongst the weakest franchises in the NFL. They have signed a new QB in Justin Fields and signed a new head coach in Aaron Glenn as well. Given the fact that Fields has been a journeyman QB for a large portion of his career, I am lukewarm on him as the starter of the Jets for the long term. Although Fields is certainly talented and was drafted as high as he was for a reason. Glenn was a solid hire, but I am also lukewarm on hiring unproven defensive coordinators in an offensive leaning league. Although Glenn could very well work out as the long-term head coach of New York. A journeyman QB with mediocre offensive personnel, a rookie defensive minded head coach, and a rookie offensive coordinator means the Jets will likely struggle to score points in an offensive league next season. But the presence of defensive minded head coach Aaron Glenn, along with many components of the Jets defense which was consistently elite a few seasons ago still remaining, I think they will play defense at a good rate. But a below average to a well below average offense, with likely a good but not a great defense, in an offensive league, has the Jets no higher than this.

 

30. Tennessee Titans

The Titans were the weakest NFL team this past season and were picking first in the NFL draft for a reason. They selected QB Cam Ward with that pick and he projects to be the face of the franchise for years to come. Although not a generational prospect, Ward can still be a very good starting NFL QB but it remains to be seen how good he will be in his rookie season. Head coach Brian Callahan did next to nothing in his rookie season as his team finished the league’s worst record and Callahan with an offensive background saw his team field one of the weakest offenses as well. With mostly a rebuilding roster, a rookie QB, a totally unproven head coach, and coming off of a league worst record, the Titans remain no higher than this.

 

31. New York Giants

The Giants along with their big apple counterparts in the New York Jets have also been mostly abysmal in recent memory representing New York in the NFL. The Giants have retained head coach Brian Daboll despite ruminations of his job security beginning to mount. The once coach of the year will be on the hot seat going forward and the Giants’ front office has supplied him with two new QBs in veteran Russell Wilson and rookie Jaxson Dart. Perhaps Daboll can have Wilson recapture some of his prime form as Daboll was indeed the primary party responsible for molding Josh Allen from a very erratic thrower into one of the best throwers in the NFL. Rookie QB Jaxson Dart was taken in the first round but many question if he is truly a next level type of player. This Giants team finished 3-14 last season and with an over the hill Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart who was perhaps over drafted and who is a rookie, I question if they have gotten much better. Thus, they remain near the bottom in my updated power rankings.

 

32. New Orleans Saints

The Saints, having maybe the weakest QB position after the retirement of Derek Carr along with them having a rookie head coach are last in my power rankings. When Carr was sidelined with injury last season the team looked abysmal at times. Head coach Kellen Moore was a solid safe hire that did not necessarily blow me away. Tyler Shough projects to be the starter for the Saints next season, as a rookie QB who wasn’t even a first rounder, it remains to be seen how good he will be. A rookie head coach, a rookie QB with a ceiling, and an average at best aging roster has the Saints in the last spot.