NFL Power Rankings: Pre-training camp edition

17. Miami Dolphins

I’m on record as being a believer in Ryan Tannehill. I think if the Dolphins can give him the support he needs he can be a big time QB. They did a lot to try and rebuild that offensive line that was a disaster in so many ways last season. My prediction is that the rebuilt line may struggle early on but as the year goes by they’ll start to gel and by the end of the season the Dolphins will be a force to be reckoned with. This is a team with the arrow pointing up.

16. Arizona Cardinals

I’m going to get killed by Cardinals fans for ranking them this low. I get it, they finished 10-6 in the hardest division in football last season. Most other power rankings have them rated higher, several in the top ten. So there are plenty of people that will back you up Arizona fans, I’m just not one of them. I think Carson Palmer is on his last leg and won’t make it through this season as the starter either due to injury or poor play. I don’t think there’s any way Logan Thomas is ready to take over and lead a playoff contender this season and I don’t like their run game enough to carry their offense. If Arizona had an elite QB they’d be in my top ten, but with Palmer as their starter I think they’re in the middle of the pack.

15. Baltimore Ravens

Before the draft I would have ranked the Ravens lower, but I REALLY like what they did in the draft. I think C.J. Mosley, Timmy Jernigan, and Terrence Brooks will really help solidify a defense that is still trying to reload after losing some truly legendary players. The Ravens need Joe Flacco to carry and lead the offense and I believe having a couple of safety valve options this year in Dennis Pitta who returns from injury and the free agent signing Owen Daniels will help tremendously. Having some underneath targets to occupy the safeties should also help them get more long balls over the top to Torrey Smith.