NFL power rankings: Chiefs, Saints lead way into 2020

2020 Key Additions: As has been the case in recent years, Mike Tomlin’s team did not have a lot of cap room to play with. But the club did add free agents such as offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski, tight end Eric Ebron and fullback Derek Watt to fortify the offense. The Steelers also swung a trade for defensive tackle Chris Wormley via the rival Ravens. For the first time since 1967, the Steelers did not select a player in the first round of the draft thanks to last September’s deal which netted 2019 All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. But the club did use a second-round selection on Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool.

Offseason Review: The club saw its share of free-agent defections this offseason, including a number of former high draft choices (Artie Burns, Sean Davis) that never really lived up to the team’s expectations. The team also saw nose tackle Javon Hargrave move on to the Eagles, hence the trade for Wormley. Pittsburgh’s defense carried the club a year ago and in terms of starters, remains mostly intact. More importantly, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger appears to be very healthy following a season in which he played only six quarters and wound up requiring elbow surgery. And this may be a pivotal year for Tomlin.

2020 Key Additions: You could make a case that Bill O’Brien’s team has had the most controversial offseason of any of the 32 teams. It was led by the stunning trade of perennial Pro Bowl wideout DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona Cardinals in what seemed like a lopsided deal in favor of the Cardinals, even though the team wound up with former Pro Bowl running back David Johnson. On the plus side, the team did make a trade for well-traveled Brandin Cooks and also added Randall Cobb to a wide receiving corps now loaded with speed. And second-round defensive tackle Ross Blacklock (TCU) could be a Week 1 starter.

Offseason Review: The club’s head coach and general manager always seems to be under the microscope and the decision to deal Hopkins has not necessarily gone over well depending on who you ask. But despite his supposed shortcomings, the Texans have won the AFC South four times in the past five years and have done it with more than one starting quarterback. Speaking of which, Deshaun Watson and the offense could be fun to watch stretch the field via the additions of Cooks and Randall teaming with Kenny Stills and Will Fuller. But has O’Brien and company done enough to upgrade a shaky defensive unit?