The 2017 NFL regular season is inching closer, and as NFL teams open up their training camps, we take a look at an early edition of our NFL Power Rankings.
We know it is early, but with NFL training camps opening up, it is time to unveil our first power rankings of the young season. There are plenty of teams who improved this offseason, and there were also those organizations who look like they might be trying to tank this season to get some of those big-name quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft. As we look towards the month of August, here is our first installment of our power rankings.
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The New York Jets kick off our power rankings prior to training camp, as they spent most of their offseason getting rid of the veteran talent on their roster. Heading into his third season as the team’s head coach, Todd Bowles is going to have to rely on players who will be getting their first real taste of playing time. With question marks all over the roster, it could be a long season for Jets Nation in 2017.
In 2016, the Jets finished with a record of 5-11, as they got terrible play out of starting quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick. In retrospect, it was a smart move not to offer him a long-term deal, as he proved that the 2015 season was a fluke. The quarterback position is once again a muddled picture, as veteran Josh McCown will look to beat out Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty this Summer, both young players with little experience.
Gone from last season’s roster are players like wide receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall, center Nick Mangold, linebacker David Harris, and cornerback Darrelle Revis. The team did add Morris Claiborne to their secondary, and first round draft pick Jamal Adams was regarded as arguably the best player in the draft class, and should be a serious upgrade at safety. The defensive line is going to solid, as Leonard Williams, Muhammad Wilkerson, and Sheldon Richardson are some of the best players in the AFC at their respective positions.
The Jets are young all over the roster, including at the wide receiving corps. They will have to lean on both Matt Forte and Bilal Powell on the offensive side of the ball, and hope that their stellar defensive line can get stops. There is going to be a growing period for the Jets for the next couple of years, though if they do finish at the bottom of the NFL, they may be able to get a franchise quarterback in next April’s draft.
The 2016 version of the Cleveland Browns were one of the worst football teams in the history of the NFL, as they managed only one win. Head coach Hue Jackson had to endure a horrendous season, but the feeling is that the organization is headed in the right direction. They are not going to be very competitive in 2017 either, but with some good, young talent players on the defensive side of the ball, they should be improved over last season.
During the offseason, the Browns swung a deal with the Houston Texans, bringing in quarterback Brock Osweiler. While many figured the team would release him, he has actually turned some heads within the organization, and may push Cody Kessler for the starting job. The Browns used their second round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer, so whoever wins the job this season, is only a placeholder for the team’s future franchise quarterback.
Staying with the 2017 NFL Draft, the Browns had three first round picks this past April, and they certainly made some nice picks. With the first overall selection, the Browns tabbed Myles Garrett, who many believe will be a transcendent player during his career. Later in round one, they grabbed safety Jabrill Peppers from Michigan, and tight end David Njoku from Miami (FL), both of whom should start for the Browns this season.
The defense is going to be improved, but there is just not enough firepower on offense to keep them in games. The wide receiving group is young, and 1,000-yard receiver Terrell Pryor is gone this season, with Kenny Britt being the top guy on the depth chart now. Isaiah Crowell is a solid running back, but with either Osweiler or Kessler under center, this team is going to struggle to put up points on a consistent basis.
The Chip Kelly-era in San Francisco is officially over, and the organization decided to make their next hire a long-term one. The 49ers brought in former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to be their head coach, inking him to a six-year deal. That deal coincides with new general manager John Lynch’s deal, giving the two men some time to turn this thing around in San Francisco.
One of the best moves of the 2017 NFL Draft came early in round one, when Lynch fleeced the Chicago Bears to move down one spot and pick up some draft picks. The Bears selected Mitchell Trubisky at No. 2, a player the 49ers were not targeting, and they were able to get their guy, Solomon Thomas, at No. 3. At the end of the first round, the 49ers once again added to their defensive, bringing in Alabama linebacker, Reuben Foster.
Both Lynch and Shanahan have their work cut out for them, and they could be in line for another high draft pick in 2018. As the organization tries to put the Colin Kaepernick-era in the rearview mirror, Brian Hoyer was brought in to be the team’s starting quarterback, and he should bring veteran leadership to the roster. On offense, the team also brought in wide receiver Pierre Garcon, giving them a good player at the top of their depth chart at the position.
The defense should be better, and running back Carlos Hyde should be in for another 1,000-yard season. Both Thomas and Foster figure to play big roles for the defense in their rookie seasons, and the addition of Elvis Dumervil and Malcolm Smith should improve depth alongside NaVorro Bowman at linebacker. Still, this team is going to struggle to play consistent football, and could be in line to draft one of the big-name quarterbacks at the top of the 2018 NFL Draft board.
In their first big splash of the 2017 offseason, the Chicago Bears brought in Mike Glennon to be their starting quarterback. Chicago gave him a pretty lucrative deal, although most of the money is only guaranteed for the first year, and it looked like he would be the one to bring stability to the position for the next few years. That all changed on draft night, when the team traded up one spot to draft North Carolina signal-caller Mitchell Trubisky at No. 2 overall.
While Trubisky is certainly the future at the position, it will be Glennon that should get all the reps in 2017, assuming he can stay healthy. The good news for Glennon is that the Bears have one of the better young running backs in the NFC, who would have led the league in rushing had it not been for Ezekiel Elliott last season. Jordan Howard rushed for over 1,300 yards during his rookie season, and will once again team with Jeremy Langford in the Bears backfield in 2017.
At wide receiver, the Bears have a talented group, including Cameron Meredith, who had nearly 900 receiving yards last season. The Bears also have a healthy Kevin White returning, who has incredible play-making abilities. Markus Wheaton, Victor Cruz, and Kendall Wright round out the unit, which will give Glennon plenty of options to work with in the passing game.
The defense is going to struggle, though they did bring in players like Prince Amukamarra, Quintin Demps, and Lamarr Houston to give them more of a veteran presence. Head coach John Fox will have to hope the team struck lightning with Glennon, but with out-of-division games against the NFC South and AFC North, the Bears could be in for a long year. The pieces are starting to be put into place to give Trubisky ever opportunity to win in 2018, but that is a full year away at this point.
When the Los Angeles Rams named Sean McVay their new head coach after last season, they made him the youngest head coach (30) in modern NFL history. He has a tall task ahead of him in his first year as a head coach, but comes from very good football stock. His grandfather, John McVay, was a general manager for the San Francisco 49ers when they won five Super Bowl rings.
With the Rams, McVay won’t have the kind of talent his grandfather did in San Francisco, but they do have some nice pieces in place. The biggest question mark is going to be at quarterback, however, as Jared Goff will look to improve on a sub-par rookie season. Goff went 0-7 as the team’s starter, but with a years experience under his belt, and the starting job from Day One, he will likely fair better in year two.
Los Angeles brought in Robert Woods to help out in the passing game, and he will join Tavon Austin at the top of the depth chart at the wide receiver position. Todd Gurley burst onto the scene during his rookie year in 2015, but the lack of a passing game, and trouble up front on the offensive line, made him a huge target last season. Expect him to bounce back in 2017, as there are more weapons around him in the offense now.
This season is going to hinge on whether or not Goff takes the next step in his development, and it could be a short run for him in Los Angeles if he doesn’t. The 2018 NFL Draft class is loaded with quarterbacking talent, and with another bad season, the Rams should be drafting early. If I had to guess, I would think Goff does enough this year for the team to stick with him, but I do not expect the Rams to be close to competitive in his first full season under center.
The Buffalo Bills and Rex Ryan parted ways prior to the end of the 2016 NFL season, and they never really accomplished what they set out to. The organization ushered in a new era by hiring Sean McDermott to be their next head coach, a position he will be getting his first taste of holding. He is an extremely talented defensive-minded coach, and should bring a lot more discipline to the team than Ryan did.
One of the biggest questions surrounding the Bills this offseason was what they were going to do with Tyrod Taylor, who has been more than adequate at the quarterback position in the last two seasons. Taylor re-worked his deal to stay with the team, and heads into 2017 with added confidence. While the team lost Robert Woods to free agency, they did draft wide receiver Zay Jones in the second round, and he may be one of the better rookies in the NFL at his position this season.
Jones will be joined atop the depth chart at wide receiver by Sammy Watkins, who despite being really talented, cannot seem to keep himself on the field. LeSean McCoy returns to his usual spot as the team’s starting running back, where he will be expected to carry the load once again in 2017. On defense, the loss of Stephon Gilmore is going to hurt in the secondary, but Tre’Davious White, whom the team drafted in the first round back in April, should slide right in at one of the cornerback spots.
Buffalo has a tough schedule in 2017, and will actually play all four teams that competed in the last two Super Bowls. In the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots are going to be tough, and their out-of-division foes come from the AFC West and NFC South. It could be a long season for McDermott in his first with the team, but the building blocks are in place for the Bills to finally make the playoffs for the first time since 1999 within the next few seasons.
By ranking the 2017 Jacksonville Jaguars this low, I may end up being right, or very wrong. The real fact is that the team brought in some quality players this offseason, and their draft class was one of the better collections of talent in my opinion. The problem is, the Jaguars always tease us with a splashy offseason, only to see their players fail to play with any consistency over the 16-game regular season.
It is quite possible the Jaguars could be a top-15 the time we are through the first month of the season, but lets see how it plays out first. The biggest question mark with this team is Blake Bortles, who looked so good two seasons ago, albeit mostly in garbage time. Last season, Bortles took a major step back, and with teams like the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts all looking like playoff teams, that leaves the Jags at the bottom of the AFC South.
With the No. 4 overall selection in last April’s draft, the Jaguars selected Leonard Fournette, a big back out of LSU. Fournette could have the kind of impact that Ezekiel Elliott had for the Dallas Cowboys last season, as he possesses that rare blend of size and speed. In addition, the team selected Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson, Illinois defensive end Dawuane Smoot, and Oklahoma wideout Dede Westbrook, all of which are super-talented players.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Jaguars made a couple big free agent pickups, including two defensive backs, and one defensive lineman. A.J. Bouye of the Texans was one of the more sought after free agent cornerbacks this offseason, and Calais Campbell is a solid player up front. The Jags were also able to grab Barry Church from the Dallas Cowboys, giving them more veteran leadership in their secondary. The Jags could be a surprising team this season, but I am not sold yet.
The Minnesota Vikings traded away their first round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles last year, as starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater blew out his knee during the preseason. The injury forced them to give up last April’s first round pick for Sam Bradford, who played well at times for the Vikings last season. Minnesota got off to a very fast start to the season, but eventually finished the year behind Green Bay and Detroit in the NFC North.
Without a first round pick, the Vikings made their first choice in the second round, picking up running back Dalvin Cook from Florida State. Cook will be joined in the backfield by free agent signing Latavius Murray, who was a touchdown machine for the Oakland Raiders last season. Holdover Jerick McKinnon will also be in the mix for carries, as the team looks to put the Adrian Peterson-era in the rearview mirror.
Head coach Mike Zimmer is one of the better defensive-minded coaches in the NFL, and it showed last season. Despite the offense fluttering at times, the Vikings defense was solid, and it should also be very good in 2017. Guys like Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith really stepped up last season, and Anthony Barr is as solid a linebacker as their is in the NFC North.
This Vikings team is a head-scratcher, as they do have the talent to be very good this season. However, they play in a very tough division, and it is difficult to see both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions struggling in 2017. Their out-of-division opponents come from the AFC North and NFC South, so outside of games against the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Los Angeles Rams, it is going to be tough sledding every week.
After the 2016 NFL season, the Chargers moved from San Diego, which had been their home for over 50 years, to Los Angeles. While they will eventually play in Los Angeles, they will play their home games in Carson, California in 2017, inside the StubHub Center. The arena holds only 30,000 fans, which is about half of the capacity that most NFL stadiums hold. With a new city, comes new hope, and Chargers fans have to be excited about the future.
First off, Philip Rivers continues to be an elite quarterback in the NFL, and is on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Coming back in 2017 will be Antonio Gates, who will go down as one of the best tight ends in the history of the league. Hunter Henry has proven to be a great No. 2 tight end, and with a healthy Keenan Allen back, Rivers should have a full compliment of weapons to throw to.
Staying with the wide receivers, it appears that first round selection, Mike Williams may not be ready to play this season due to a back injury. If that is the case, the Bolts are going to need every bit of Allen back at 100 percent. With their second and third round picks, the Chargers bolstered their offensive line with Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney, both of whom could have been first round choices. Outside of Williams, it has been a very successful offseason for Los Angeles.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Chargers brought back linebacker Melvin Ingram, who is their most important piece of the puzzle at that position. Joey Bosa proved to be every bit worth of the first round selection from a year ago, and is one of the more feared defensive linemen in the division. The Chargers do have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, but with a tough AFC West schedule, and games against the NFC and AFC East, it is going to be hard for them to reach a Wildcard.
The Cincinnati Bengals usually go into a season with one of the more talented rosters in all of football. The same case can be made for the 2017 version of the team, although they always seem to come up short. Head coach Marvin Lewis has still yet to win a playoff game, and missing the playoffs again in 2017 could mean the end of his somewhat successful run with the organization.
Andy Dalton returns as the team’s starting quarterback, and he was a Pro Bowler a year ago. With their first round pick, the Bengals selected John Ross from Washington, who should team well with A.J. Green at the wide receiver position. Tyler Eifert is one of the better tight ends in the AFC, and once again, this offense should be able to put up points in bunches.
The most controversial move the team made this offseason was bringing in Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon with their second-round pick. Mixon was involved in an ugly situation during his time with the Sooners, and many questioned whether or not a team would give him a chance. Well, the Bengals came calling, and now have a backfield that includes Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, and the aforementioned Mixon.
Cincinnati is no slouch on defense, either, as both Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins are tough up front on the defensive line. Vontaze Burfict, while a bonehead at times, is one of the better linebackers in the NFL, and will need to step up with Rey Maualuga gone. Oft-troubled cornerback Adam Jones will miss Week 1 due to some off-the-field issues this offseason, but he anchors a solid defensive backfield. The pieces are in place for Cincinnati, but the odds are, they are going to be missing the playoffs again in 2017.
Incredibly, the New Orleans Saints have not made the playoffs since 2013, and patience is starting to wear thin in the Bayou. Head coach Sean Payton was the darling of the city after bringing a Super Bowl title after Hurricane Katrina, but the team has struggled to reach .500 in each of the last three seasons. Like Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati, another year below .500 could spell the end of Payton’s tenure in New Orleans.
This offseason, the Saints traded away wide receiver Brandin Cooks, getting a first-round pick back from the New England Patriots. With two picks in the first round, the Saints brought in two very talented players in Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and Wisconsin offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk. Both players should be able to contribute right away, as will the most publicized addition of the offseason.
After being a Hall of Fame player for the Minnesota Vikings for his entire career, the team decided to say farewell to Adrian Peterson this offseason. The running back signed with the Saints this offseason, and will join a backfield featuring Mark Ingram, and third round pick, Alvin Kamara. Michael Thomas should be able to slide into the No. 1 spot on the wide receiver depth chart, taking the place of Cooks, after a standout rookie season in 2016.
The defense is going to be a question mark, but they do have some talent in the secondary. Lattimore should start alongside Delvin Breaux at cornerback, and Cameron Jordan is tough up front on the defensive line. The NFC South is loaded this season, and the Saints may not have enough talent to compete for a playoff spot once again. However, they do have Drew Brees at quarterback, so anything is possible.
The Philadelphia Eagles had some glaring weaknesses on their roster last season, including at the wide receiver position. While Jordan Matthews played well as a WR1, he is more suited to be lower on the depth chart, so the Eagles went out and got some reinforcements. Philadelphia brought in Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to add depth to the unit, and that should give second-year quarterback Carson Wentz plenty of options in the passing game.
Staying with Wentz, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft had a solid season under center for the Eagles. With the original plan being for him to sit a year behind Sam Bradford, that all changed with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater went down with a knee injury late in the preseason, and the Vikings traded for Bradford. That opened the door for Wentz, who showed some first year mistakes, but also showed he is a franchise quarterback.
With a first round pick in tow, the Eagles went out and got Derek Barnett from Tennessee, an incredible pass-rushing talent. Barnett broke former Eagles’ defensive end Reggie White’s career sack record at Tennessee, and hopefully he can bring the kind of pressure White did during his time with the Eagles. In the second round, the team grabbed Washington cornerback Sidney Jones, who could be a top corner if he comes back healthy from a torn Achilles tendon.
This team has the talent to be very good, but their division is loaded this season. The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys both made the playoffs last season, and the Washington Redskins are one year removed from a division title. If Wentz takes the next step in 2017, they could be playoff bound, but we will have to see the chemistry between him and his new weapons first.
The Indianapolis Colts head into the 2017 season with one of the best quarterback in the AFC, as Andrew Luck should finally be healthy. Luck had surgery on his shoulder in January, ending two years of pain from a hit during a Tennessee Titans game back in 2015. The team has struggled the past two seasons, and despite the AFC South being very tough in 2017, the Colts could find a way to sneak away with the division.
Indianapolis has both of their top wideouts back this season, as T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief sit atop the depth chart. In addition to Philip Dorsett, the team will also have Kamar Aiken, who they signed via free agency. Jack Doyle is a very capable tight end, and the team spent one of their draft picks to bolster their running game, selecting Marlon Mack from the University of South Florida. He will join Ronald Turbin and Frank Gore in the backfield.
The defense may be an issue, but they definitely got better in the secondary via the draft. Safety Malik Hooker and cornerback Quincy Wilson should both start as rookies, joining Vontae Davis in a pretty deep defensive backfield. They are going to need to control guys like Marcus Mariota of the Titans if they wish to come away with the division, and they may have enough defensive backs to do so.
Luck should have another solid season, and the schedule begins with a few winnable games in the first three weeks. They will play the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns early, giving them what should be a nice start to the season. A healthy Luck should enable the team to improve on an 8-8 record from a year ago, but will nine wins be enough to win a division headlined by the Titans and Houston Texans.
The Washington Redskins offseason featured a bunch of ups and downs, as most of the attention was on their starting quarterback, and their general manager. The team relieved Scot McCloughan of GM duties back in March, in a move that was surprising by many standards. Unable to come to an agreement on a long-term deal, quarterback Kirk Cousins will once again play under the franchise tag in 2017, leaving the organization with a huge question mark at the position following the season.
On offense, the Redskins lost their top two wide receivers to free agency, but did a decent job filling the void left by the departure of Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson. Terrell Pryor joins the team, as does Brian Quick, giving Cousins decent weapons at the wide receiver position once again in 2017. Robert Kelley is the unquestioned running back, as Matt Jones time with the team is coming to an end, and rookie Samaje Perine should be able to provide nice depth at the position.
The 2017 NFL Draft was nice to the Redskins, who got Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen later in round one than he was expected to go. In the second round, they grabbed his teammate, linebacker Ryan Anderson, who is a dynamic presence on the outside. UCLA cornerback Fabian Moreau should also get plenty of playing time as a rookie, joining the super talented Josh Norman on the outside in the secondary.
The Redskins are only one year removed from winning the NFC East, and they do have enough talent to challenge for a playoff spot in 2017. Cousins is going to have a solid season, and the additions on the defensive side of the ball should reap the benefits early. We will get a good look at this team early, as three of their first four games feature the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles.
After the 2015 regular season, the Arizona Cardinals played their way into the NFC Championship Game. While they would eventually lose to the Carolina Panthers, they showed that they were a team to beat in the NFC the following season, though it did not play out that way. The Cardinals just could not win the close games, and finished the regular season out of the playoffs.
Despite the fact that it looked like Carson Palmer would not be back under center for the 2017 season early in the offseason, he will in fact return for another go with the team. Also back is veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who still is incredibly productive at his age. Running back David Johnson is arguably the best young back in the NFC, giving the Cardinals more than enough firepower on offense.
Not only is this team loaded on offense, but their defense should be tough in 2017 as well. The linebacking combination of Karlos Dansby and Chandler Jones will be very tough, as will be their elite secondary. Teams are going to find it hard to pass against a unit consisting of Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson, and Antoine Bethea, which could prove to be the difference in them making the playoffs, or not.
The Cardinals could very well be a playoff team in 2017, and if things fall their way, could make a serious run towards the Super Bowl. Their schedule is not overly tough, and by the time they hit their bye week in late October, we should have a better idea of where they stand. Palmer is still a very good quarterback, and if he stays healthy, this team could be tough to beat late in the season.
The 2016 Detroit Lions had plenty of question marks heading into the season, including how they would replace their biggest weapon on offense. Star wide receiver Calvin Johnson retired after the season, leaving the team with a huge hole in their passing game. Instead of hanging their heads, the Lions went out and earned a Wildcard, although they really let the division slip through their fingers with a late-season collapse.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford had an excellent year under center, proving that he can put up Pro Bowl numbers without Johnson. Marvin Jones and Golden Tate proved to be playmakers, and at one point, the team was 9-4. They lost the final three games of the regular season, and in the Wildcard Round, were blown out by the Seattle Seahawks.
Heading into the 2017 season, their is a ton of confidence around the building. The defensive line is stacked, and first round draft pick, Jarrod Davis could start at middle linebacker. The real issue on the defensive side of the ball is the secondary, where the team may have to go with D.J. Hayden at cornerback. Oakland Raiders fans can attest to the horror show that is Hayden in one-on-one coverage.
Had it not been for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers going nuts and reeling off six straight wins to finish the season, the Lions could have been NFC North champs in 2016. Stafford is really an elite quarterback, and the addition of Matt Asiata gives the team a nice wrinkle in red zone situations. Players like Eric Ebron and Ameer Abdullah are going to have to have big years in 2017, but there is no reason this team cannot make a return trip to the playoffs.
The Baltimore Ravens finished the 2016 regular season at 8-8, missing the playoffs for the second season in a row. Head coach John Harbaugh is one of the best in the business, but the team just could not play consistent football throughout. The AFC North should be up for grabs once again in 2017, and with a solid roster on both sides of the ball, the Ravens could sneak up on the Pittsburgh Steelers for supremacy.
It all starts with the quarterback, and Joe Flacco has proven to be a good one. Steve Smith Sr. retired after the season, leaving a hole at the wide receiver position, but the organization did a nice job filling that this offseason. Jeremy Maclin, who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs, was picked up by the Ravens, giving the team another solid option alongside Mike Wallace in the passing game.
On defense, the Ravens are going through a youth movement, and will feature some fresh faces in 2017. Gone are the likes of Elvis Dumervil, but Terrell Suggs does return, and he will obviously be the leader of the unit. The Ravens brought in some talented players via the draft, including cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who many regarded as the best at his position in the class. He will team with Jimmy Smith to give the Ravens a strong starting unit at corner, to go along with Tony Jefferson and Eric Weddle at safety.
The schedule starts off in the Ravens favor, as they will play the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns within the first three weeks. The roster has enough talent to be a playoff contender, and Flacco is a proven quarterback when the calendar changes to January. If they can get the younger players on track early, this is a team that could easily win ten games this season, setting themselves up for a playoff run.
One year removed from representing the NFC in the Super Bowl, the Panthers struggled mightily in 2016, failing to make the playoffs. In fact, the team played so poorly, that they finished at the bottom of the NFC South, a division they dominated the year before. Quarterback Cam Newton took way too many hits, and with the division loaded once again in 2017, they are going to have to find a way to protect him.
After a 6-10 finish in 2016, the Panthers may come as a shock ranked this high, but they did have a solid offseason. Lacking playmakers on offense, and losing Ted Ginn Jr. to free agency, the team went out and drafted one of the better collegiate running backs we have seen in a long time. Christian McCaffrey is a very dangerous player, possessing the ability to change a game on the ground, and through the air.
In addition to McCaffrey, the team also drafted Curtis Samuel, an incredibly versatile player from Ohio State. Samuel can play wide receiver, or some running back, giving the Panthers two good, young players to add to their arsenal of weapons. Newton will no longer have to do everything on his own, and with a healthy season under his belt, Kelvin Benjamin should return to the form he showed in 2015.
Arguably their biggest splash of the offseason came when they brought back defensive end, Julius Peppers. Peppers is a legend in Carolina, and only adds to an already stout defensive front for the Panthers. With a healthy Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis in the middle of the defense, this Panthers team could flip their record from a year ago, and I expect them to do just that.
Who is going to play quarterback? That is the big question for the Denver Broncos as they head into training camp. Trevor Siemian beat out Paxton Lynch and Mark Sanchez last summer, earning the starting job, and he played well enough to keep the job in 2017. However, Lynch is a first round pick, and new head coach Vance Joseph may decide to roll with him instead of Siemian this season.
Whoever is playing quarterback, the team certainly has some weapons to work with. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are both elite wide receivers, and rookie Carlos Henderson could prove to be a playmaker in his first season. The running back picture is also muddled, but the team did bring in veteran Jamaal Charles, who could be explosive if his knee is fully recovered after mostly two years off.
The offensive line is going to be solid, as will the defense, which could rank as one of the best in the NFL once again in 2017. Von Miller is arguably the best defensive player in all of football, and rookie DeMarcus Walker was a sack machine during his time at Florida State. This team is going to be good, and after winning nine games in 2016, they just may reach 10 or 11 if they can get anything going on the ground.
The AFC West is loaded with talent, though it could be argued that the Broncos have the best defense of the group. They have to get to a decision on the quarterback position early in camp, and Joseph has to get acclimated to being a head coach in his first season in that role. Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy should be able to help him with that, and should give this team the kind of explosive offense they need to match their big-play defense.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made Jameis Winston the first overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, and boy has that decision paid off. The organization has gotten better every year, and entering the 2017 season, they are on the brink of being contenders in the NFC. They added some nice pieces around him this offseason, and with two full years of experience, he could be in for a breakout season for the Bucs.
Mike Evans is regarded as one of the best wide receivers in the NFC, possessing incredible big-play ability. Joining him this season will be DeSean Jackson, who should give Winston the ability to stretch the field. In addition, rookie Mike Godwin was a big target for Trace McSorley and the Penn State Nittany Lions last season, and should be a red zone target for the Bucs this season.
The Buccaneers defense is going to be tough as well, especially up front. Players like William Gholston, Gerald McCoy, and Robert Ayers are going to make it difficult on the opposition, especially those trying to get comfortable in the pocket. Tampa Bay is good enough to play with anybody this season, and will likely improve on their nine-win season from a year ago.
Despite having tight end Cameron Brate, the team drafted O.J. Howard, who could be a Rookie of the Year candidate at the position. Head coach Dirk Koetter was a very nice hire for the organization, and while the division is going to be tough, it really is anybody’s to grab. The Bucs play rival Atlanta twice in the last six games of the season, and this division may not be decided until Week 17.
Prior to the 2016 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins went out and made Adam Gase their new head coach. With no prior head coaching experience, Gase took on the challenge of changing the culture in Miami, and he did all of that and more. The Dolphins came out of nowhere to win ten games, being one of the hottest teams in football for the middle part of the season, only to see their quarterback get injured late in the regular season.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill should be back healthy in 2017, and with a bolstered running game led by Jay Ajayi, the Dolphins should be in the running for a playoff spot once again. The wide receiver group is also solid, led by superstar Jarvis Landry, who is one of the better players at his position in the AFC. The offensive line is stacks, with Laremy Tunsil taking his spot at left tackle, and with Mike Pouncey being one of the best centers in the game.
The defensive line is also scary for the Dolphins, as the unit is led by Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh. They are going to make it tough on opposing teams to run, and they also added nice young talent in Charles Harris and Raekwon McMillian. McMillian should start for the team in the middle, and fellow rookie Cordrea Tankersley will be a nice addition to the team’s secondary at cornerback.
Miami surprised people last season, but that won’t be the case in 2017. They have four games against the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets on the slate, which should be four easy victories. The team was blown out in the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but most of their young players got great experience. This is a team on the rise, and with Gase as the head coach, they have the right attitude entering year two of his regime.
The Tennessee Titans finished up the 2016 regular season with a 9-7 record, and many believe that is just a stepping stone to them taking the next step in 2017. Armed with one of the better young quarterbacks in football, the Titans have the pieces in place to make a nice run this season, having put together one of the better offseasons in football. People will need to stay healthy, butt he talent is there for them to take over dominance in the AFC South this season.
The AFC South is going to be good this season, and we actually have the Houston Texans ranked ahead of the Titans. Still, they head into 2017 with a healthy Marcus Mariota, who had the team scratching at a playoff berth before being injured late in the regular season. During the 2017 NFL Draft, the Titans added some weapons for Mariota on offense, including spending a first round pick on Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis.
Davis should slide in atop the depth chart at the wide receiver position, where he will be joined by free agent pickup Eric Decker, and guys like Rishard Matthews and Tajae Sharpe. Delanie Walker is still a solid tight end, and the tandem of Derrick Henry and DeMarco Murray at running back is still one of the best in the AFC. The team did not stop at only bringing in offensive free agents, as the addition of Logan Ryan in the secondary could prove to be a big one.
In a possible playoff matchup, the Titans open up their season at home against the Oakland Raiders, whose young quarterback was also injured late last season. They then travel to Jacksonville before hosting the Seattle Seahawks. By the time they play the Houston Texans in Week 4, we should have a good barometer of how good the Titans will be in 2017.
The New York Giants finally found the answers they were looking for on defense last season, making back to the playoffs for the first time in five years. The 2016 season was the first for head coach Ben McAdoo, who took over for Tom Coughlin, who led the team to two Super Bowl titles during his tenure. With a loaded roster returning in 2017, the Giants should find themselves back in the playoffs, hoping for a better result this time around.
The Giants were beaten in the first round by the Green Bay Packers, as they just could not get much going on offense. This offseason, the Giants brought in wide receiver Brandon Marshall from the crosstown rival Jets, adding another weapon for quarterback Eli Manning. Manning is starting to get up there in age, so the Giants need to do everything they can to take advantage of whatever time he has left.
Odell Beckham Jr. is one of the more polarizing players in the NFL, and he leads an offense that should be improved over last season. While they do not have much in terms of a running game, Paul Perkins should be able to carry the load, with rookie Wayne Gallman from Clemson helping share the duties. The offense was a bit vanilla last season, but McAdoo should have some tricks up his sleeves in his second season at the helm.
Up front on defense, the Giants will really shine, as Snacks Harrison, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Olivier Vernon may be the best unit in the NFC. In the secondary, the Giants may have the best cornerback tandem in the conference in Eli Apple and Janoris Jenkins, with Landon Collins being an elite safety as well. New York is ready to take over in the NFC East, but if the Cowboys super-sophomores take the next step, it will be a dogfight to the finish.
The Houston Texans made it all the way to the Divisional Round last season, though they were beaten by a very good New England Patriots team, ending their season. They were able to accomplish all of that despite the fact that they had a terrible starting quarterback, and J.J. Watt, a Defensive Player of the Year, was out for most of the season. They head into the 2017 season with a roster that could make a deep run through the playoffs, but they have to get good quarterback play to do so.
During the 2017 NFL Draft, the team traded up to get Clemson’s DeShaun Watson. The signal-caller will try to beat out Tom Savage for the starting gig this summer, though most believe that head coach Bill O’Brien is going to go with the veteran. If they can get consistent play out of either player, they have the defense to be a force in the AFC this season.
The defense is led by J.J. Watt, who should be back to 100 percent this season. Jadeveon Clowney proved to the world why he was the first overall pick back in 2014, and the combination of Whitney Mercilus and Brian Cushing at linebacker can be devastating at times. The secondary did take a hit by losing A.J. Bouye at cornerback, as the team will have to rely on Kareem Jackson and Jonathan Joseph at the position in 2017.
The AFC South is going to be a great race to watch this season, but the Texans should be able to keep their stranglehold on the division. I expect Watson to be the starter at some point this season, giving the team an exciting option at quarterback. Lamar Miller is a strong runner, and with DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller at wide receiver, this offense could really take off, giving them solid units on both sides of the ball.
Last season, the Dallas Cowboys were the surprise story of the NFL, shaking off a potential devastating injury in the preseason, and finishing with the best record in the NFC. Starting quarterback Tony Romo broke his back during the preseason, leaving the door open for rookie Dak Prescott to take over under center. All Prescott did was lead the team to a 13-3 record, although the season would end in disappointment with a Divisional Round loss at home.
Joining Prescott with an incredible rookie season was running back Ezekiel Elliott, who led the entire league in rushing yards. News this offseason is that Elliott may be suspended for a bit in 2017, due to the league’s investigation on a domestic violence allegation. However, team owner Jerry Jones says there is no evidence to support the allegations, and the team does have Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris if they are without their star second-year back.
The defense lost a bunch of starters this offseason, especially in the secondary. However, they did do a nice job filling those roles via the NFL Draft, bringing in cornerback Chidobe Awuzie from Colorado, and Jourdan Lewis from Michigan. In the first round, the team drafted Taco Charlton, who many believed was the best pass-rusher the draft class had to offer. The Cowboys are building the roster the right way, and should be a contender for the next few seasons at least.
Year two is always a scary one for quarterbacks, though Prescott should be the exception to the rule. The Cowboys will rely heavily on Elliott to carry the load, and they still have Dez Bryant and Jason Witten in the passing game. Dallas fans can expect another divisional title this season, and at the worst case scenario, a berth in the playoffs via the Wildcard.
The Kansas City Chiefs were the kings of the AFC West last season, going a perfect 6-0 within the division. While the Oakland Raiders got most of the publicity, it was the Chiefs were proved their dominance each week, beating the Raiders both times they played. They come into the 2017 season with a solid roster on both sides of the ball, and could be the team to beat in the AFC when all is said and done.
An offseason can be tough, even for good teams, and the Chiefs were no exception in 2017. They fired general manager John Dorsey after the NFL Draft, which is a pretty rare thing to take place. The team also said goodbye to key players like wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, and nose tackle Dontari Poe, but replaced Poe nicely with Bennie Logan. Tyreek Hill stepped up as the top dog at wide receiver last season anyway, making Maclin expendable this offseason.
The big question mark for this roster is the quarterback, as many believe that Alex Smith cannot win the big games. While Smith is likely to start this season, the team did trade up to draft Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes in the first round this past April, giving them a big arm for the future. Mahomes would be wise to sit for one season, though Chiefs fans will be clamoring for him if Smith struggles.
The AFC West is going to be tough this season, but the Chiefs have proven they can beat anybody in the division. Guys like Derrick Johnson and Justin Houston are back on the defense, and Tamba Hali appears to be fired up for the season to start. Head coach Andy Reid is one of the best in the business, so you can expect the Chiefs to be playing a few weeks into January this season.
The Seattle Seahawks play in arguably the worst division in football, as they get to play the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams two times per season. Still, they have been one of the dominant teams in the NFC for the last couple of seasons, and have really flourished with Russell Wilson under center. Wilson has come under fire this offseason as not being a great guy in the locker room, but the team has done everything they can to shut those rumors down.
The fact is that the Seahawks are going to be very good again in 2017, and could be the NFC representative in the Super Bowl. Doug Baldwin is a great wide receiver, and tight end Jimmy Graham looks to be back to the player we saw during his time with the New Orleans Saints. The offensive line is strong, they have a host of running backs, and of course, their defense should be elite once again.
Up front on the defensive line, the unit is led by bookends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. Both men can put the pressure on the quarterback, and the addition of Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell should be a good one. The Legion of Boom should be back at full strength as well, as the team really struggled with a hobbled Richard Sherman, and an injured Earl Thomas during playoff time last season.
Last season, the Seahawks saw their run end in the Divisional Round, as they did not have enough to stop Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. While they were strong last season, the roster is actually improved over 2016, and they should be at least in the final four teams again. Wilson already has one Super Bowl under his belt, and is desperately looking to get his second, after what should have been his second ended in an interception at the goal line three years ago.
I know, I am an Oakland Raiders fan, but that is not why I have them ranked at No. 5 in our initial power rankings. The fact is, the Raiders are going to be a team to beat this season, and will have an easier schedule than the rival Kansas City Chiefs do. However, the Chiefs have proven that they can beat the Raiders on nearly every occasion, so that is going to be the team’s biggest hurdle if they want to be the top dog in the AFC West.
Heading into their Week 16 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, the Raiders were flying high. They had won 11 of their first 14 games, and appeared ready to take home their first AFC West title since the 2002 season. That would not be the case, as star quarterback Derek Carr broke his leg, and the team would lose in Week 17, and in the Wildcard Round.
The 2017 season is one of high hopes for the team, who tried to get better in some weak spots this offseason. They were able to bring running back Marshawn Lynch out of retirement, giving them a true star at the position. In addition, they added tight end Jared Cook to the fold, giving Carr more weapons than just Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to throw to.
As it is for nearly every season, it will be the defense that makes or breaks the 2017 Raiders. Mario Edwards Jr. and Khalil Mack are nice bookends on the defensive line, and Bruce Irvin leads a decent linebacking group. The secondary will have the most question marks, as Sean Smith did not play well in his first season in Silver and Black in 2016, and the unit has been a liability for the last decade. First round pick Gareon Conley could prove huge if he is as good as advertised.
It was an offseason of question marks for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it started at the top. Rumors swirled that Ben Roethlisberger would call it quits after the team’s loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, but the quarterback is back for another run. The team also failed get a long-term deal done with running back Le’Veon Bell, who will play under the franchise tag in 2017.
The class of the AFC North once again in 2016, the Steelers reeled off 11 wins, and pulled off a stunning upset of the Kansas City Chiefs inside Arrowhead Stadium in the Divisional Round. Alongside Big Ben and Le’Veon, the Steelers will also return Antonio Brown, who many consider to be the top wide receiver in the AFC. Martavis Bryant is back from suspension, and gives the Steelers another threat in the passing game.
In a feel-good move, the team draft Pittsburgh running back James Connor, who beat cancer during his time in college. In the first round, the Steelers added linebacker T.J. Watt, who was regarded as one of the better linebacking prospects in college football last season. Watt is the brother of Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt, and plays with the same kind of motor his big brother does.
There are questions on this team, including the secondary, where the starters are not set at cornerback yet. They will get strong safety play, but this defense will hinge on the ageless James Harrison once again in 2017. This is a team that is going to win their division, and a high seed in the AFC Playoffs could mean the AFC championship goes through Heinz Field.
The Atlanta Falcons had a wonderful ride during the 2016 season, making it all the way to the Super Bowl. In fact, it looked like they were going to cruise to the win against the New England Patriots, only to blow a 28-3 lead in the third quarter. The team has put that loss in the rearview mirror, and with a stellar offseason, the Falcons could be back in the big game for a second straight season.
Quarterback Matt Ryan won his first NFL Most Valuable Player Award last season, and he returns with a ton of weapons on the offensive side of the ball. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are the best running back tandem in the NFC, and Julio Jones is as good as any wide receiver in the league. The NFC South is loaded with talent, but the Falcons have the best offense in the division, and may be too talented to stop.
On defense, there are playmakers as well, as Vic Beasley led the NFL in sacks last season. To upgrade their defensive line, the Falcons signed Dontari Poe away from the Kansas City Chiefs, and drafted Takkarist McKinley in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. They are going to be a very aggressive defense up front, and should be able to put good pressure on the quarterback every play.
Shaking off such a loss in the Super Bowl is going to be tough, but head coach Dan Quinn has the right attitude moving forward. Ryan and the offense are going to be elite, and if the team can get good play out of their secondary, the defense should be very good as well. If they can take care of business in the NFC South, they should be at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC this season.
Heading into game No. 10 of their 2016 season, the Green Bay Packers were staring at a 4-6 record. The Detroit Lions had gotten off to a hot start to the season, and it appeared the Packers were going to miss the playoffs. However, star quarterback Aaron Rodgers told the press they would win the rest of their games, and they did, beating the Lions in Week 17 to capture the NFC North.
It was quite an incredible ride, and they did not stop there. The Packers beat the New York Giants in the Wildcard Round, and then the Dallas Cowboys on the road in the Divisional Round. While they would eventually lose to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game, they definitely had nothing to hang their heads about. Heading into 2017, the Packers are ready to take another shot at a ring, and Rodgers proved once again that he is an elite quarterback in the league.
Rodgers has a great cast returning in 2017, with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams coming back. The Packers also brought in Martellus Bennett to play tight end, and he is fresh off a Super Bowl title with the New England Patriots. Running back Ty Montgomery made the switch from wideout to be one of the better backs in the NFC, and rookies Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams should provide depth at the position.
Green Bay made some nice moves via the draft to upgrade their defense as well this offseason, bringing in local linebacker Vince Biegel from Wisconsin. They also drafted Iowa star Desmond King to bolster their secondary, and defensive tackle Montravius Adams from Illinois. This team is going to be very good on both sides of the ball, and with Rodgers at the helm, a championship is always within reach.
The New England Patriots defied all odds last season, shaking off a four-game suspension to start the season by their star quarterback Tom Brady. When the smoke cleared, the Patriots went 14-2 during the regular season, and beat the Atlanta Falcons in an epic Super Bowl LI. Down 28-3 in the third quarter, the Patriots tied the game by the end of regulation, and then pulled off the victory in overtime, 34-28. It was Brady’s fifth Super Bowl title as the team’s quarterback, and he is looking for more.
No 40-years old, Brady has shown no signs of slowing down, and he actually has a more talented cast around him this season. The Patriots added New Orleans wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the fold, giving Brady arguably his best wideout since Randy Moss. Last season, star tight end Rob Gronkowski was injured for most of the season, and Brady will also have him back for the 2017 campaign.
Not to be outdone, the defense also got a few upgrades this offseason, bringing a rival linebacker to the team. David Harris was the face of the New York Jets defense for his entire career, but he makes the move to New England in 2017. The Pats also brought in cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who, like Harris, is a former AFC East foe, playing his career with the Buffalo Bills.
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It is almost unfair how good this Patriots team could be this season, and Brady is still the best quarterback in football. Despite not having a first, or second round draft pick, the Patriots will head into the 2017 season with the most complete roster of anybody, and should be looking at another ring. They have a tough schedule ahead of them, but head coach Bill Belichick is the best in the business, and will have his team ready each week.