NFL power rankings: Chiefs, Saints lead way into 2020
team. 15. . . . New Orleans Saints. 2
2020 Key Additions: As usual, due to salary cap issues, the Saints were conservative when it came to the free-agent market. The club signed wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders while safety Malcolm Jenkins returned to the franchise that made him a first-round pick in 2009. Via some wheeling and dealing, Payton’s club drafted only four players. But they may have found a few gems in University of Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz – versatile enough to play guard or center – and third-round Adam Troutman (Dayton). Via Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, the club was adding former Buccaneers’ quarterback Jameis Winston.
Offseason Review: The Saints have won their division three consecutive years, a first for this franchise. They also own a combined 37-11 regular-season record the past three seasons and are coming off consecutive 13-3 showings. But that has an added up to much in terms of a championship as the club has failed to reach the Super Bowl even once over that span. Still, this is an extremely talented team that did not lose a lot this offseason and also managed to secure their long-time franchise quarterback. Now the club has to find a way to get over their playoff shortcomings and that’s not something that comes easily.
124. . . . Kansas City Chiefs. 1. team
2020 Key Additions: Andy Reid’s team is at the top of the mountain these days and during free agency, the club only added a few pieces in terms of depth – most notably tackle Mike Remmers, tight end Ricky Seal-Jones and versatile running back DeAndre Washington. The Chiefs used the final pick in the first round to select LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, giving quarterback Patrick Mahomes another weapon. But four of their final five remaining choices were spent on defense. Including playoffs, the defending Super Bowl champions bring a nine-game winning streak into the upcoming season.
Offseason Review: It has been a fairly quiet offseason for the reigning holders of a Lombardi Trophy, who have retained most of their personnel from their championship season of 2019. Reid and general manager Brett Leach dotted some I’s and crossed some T’s when it came to adding depth. The club did draft some intriguing prospects, most notably on the defense as Steve Spagnuolo’s unit eventually got its act together and that group played a big role in the team’s first championship since 1969. Getting highly-talented defensive tackle Chris Jones (given the franchise tag) under contract has to be the team’s next priority.
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