It’s been another wild offseason and there could be more changes on the horizon. But the Super Bowl LV opponents look better than ever.
Free agency is winding down, although there’s are still some veterans to be scooped up. There have been 259 selections by the 32 teams as the 2021 NFL Draft is in the books. So why not take an early look at how the clubs stack from 32-1 in this post-draft NFL Power Rankings. There may be a surprise or two.
2021 NFL power rankings
First-time NFL head coach Urban Meyer inherits a team with a combined 12-36 record the past three seasons and enters 2021 with a 15-game losing streak. The rebuild starts with the Clemson duo of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne. It’s the defense that must rediscover a winning formula as the club allowed the second-most total yards and points in the league in ’20 and new coordinator Joe Cullen has a lot of work ahead.
The newest head coach in the Motor City is exuberant Dan Campbell, who inherits a club that owns a combined 14-33-1 record the past three years and a team that allowed the second-most points (519) in a season in NFL annals. There’s a new quarterback in Jared Goff, obtained in a trade that sent veteran Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams. Former Chargers’ head coach Anthony Lynn takes over the offense. Let the latest rebuild begin.
Bill O’Brien had led the franchise to four division titles in five years. But a 0-4 start this past season put the head coach/general manager out of work. The club comes off a 4-12 showing and no GM Nick Caserio is at the controls signing a ton of veteran free agents while the likes of J.J. Watt (released), Benardrick McKinney (traded to Miami) and Will Fuller (signed with Dolphins). And the future of quarterback Deshaun Watson remains a bit uncertain.
Former Colts’ offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni is now the new sideline leader in the City of Brotherly Love. This after the Birds tumbled to 4-11-1 following three consecutive postseason appearances. Second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts is reunited with one-time teammate Devonta Smith, the 2020 Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver. But the Eagles still have to fix a number of problems. The club allowed a league-high 65 sacks this past season.
The team with the longest active playoff drought in the league was active this offseason as general manager Joe Douglas eventually dealt three-year quarterback Sam Darnold to Carolina. Then the Jets went out and used the second overall pick in the draft on BYU quarterback Zach Wilson. In between were additions such as wide receiver Corey and linebacker Jarrad Davis. New head coach Robert Saleh, late of the 49ers, has a tall task ahead of him.
It’s been a rough five-year stretch for the team from the Queen City and thanks to the worst record in the league in 2019, the franchise used the first overall pick last April on Joe Burrow. He was lost in Week 11 at Washington but to head coach Zac Taylor’s credit, the team stayed competitive for the rest of the year. The club stressed defense in free agency but got Burrow some help at wideout (Ja’Marr Chase) and along the offensive line come the draft.
The big move was the trade for quarterback Sam Darnold. The third overall pick in the 2018 draft by the Jets had his fifth-year option picked up by his new club (via Kevin Patra of NFL.com). The club released numerous veterans and recently dealt Teddy Bridgewater to Denver. The Panthers’ big additions include veteran cornerback A.J. Bouye and improved linebacker Hasson Reddick and Matt Rhule grabbed cornerback Jaycee Horn in the first round.
What to make of a team that finished last in the AFC West and led the league with 32 turnovers this past season? The Broncos have posted four straight losing campaigns and added to its quarterback depth chart by trading for Teddy Bridgewater. After missing all of 2020, linebacker Von Miller returns and should aid an inconsistent defense that also added first-round cornerback Patrick Surtain II. And rookie running back Javonte Williams bears watching.
A year ago, the team opened 0-5, Dan Quinn was dismissed and the club never recovered as a 4-12 finish was the Falcons’ worst since the same mark in 2013. Enter new head coach Arthur Smith and veteran defensive mind Dean Pees. He inherits the task of improving a unit that allowed the most passing yards in the league in 2020, 34 scores through the air and the third-most total yards in the NFL in 2020. And the Atlanta offense is seeking some balance.
General manager Dave Gettleman was extremely active during free agency and also prepared for 2022 by picking up future picks in the first-round trade with the Bears. Rookie wide receiver Kadarius Toney joins a now-crowded group when it comes to the skill positions. Fellow newcomers Kenny Golladay and tight end Kyle Rudolph should aid Daniel Jones, as will a healthy Saquon Barkley. And the Giants’ defense made big strides this past season.
For the second consecutive year, no team in the league added more players during the draft. In 2020, GM Rick Spielman added 15 players – nine on the defensive side of the ball. This time around, it was a much more balanced approach and three of the first four selections were on a pair of offensive linemen and quarterback Kellen Mond. Did the Vikings do enough this offseason to fix a team that allowed the fourth-most points in the league in ’20?
From leading in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIV to finishing fourth in the NFC West. Other than that 13-3 finish and NFC championship in 2019, Kyle Shanahan and company have had their struggles. This past year, injuries played a major part in the Niners’ 6-10 finish. That includes Jimmy Garoppolo and GM John Lynch traded up to the third spot and selected quarterback Trey Lance. Losing defensive coordinator Robert Saleh (Jets) was a big blow.
The team won the NFC East in 2018 and opened 3-0 a year later. Since then, the Cowboys own an 11-18 mark and this past season was nothing short of a disaster. Quarterback Dak Prescott went down in the fifth game of the year but the defense was a season-long issue. Which is why there’s a new coordinator in Dan Quinn, safety/turned linebacker Keanu Neal and a draft that saw the organization use its first six picks to aid the NFL’s 23rd-ranked unit.
Off another second-half collapse, the Silver and Black began overhauling its offensive and defensive lines. The former saw tackle Trent Brown, guard Gabe Jackson and center Rodney Hudson dealt to the Patriots, Seahawks and Cardinals, respectively. Former Pro Bowler Yannick Ngakoue should help the pass rush. It’s the defense that still needs to turn things around. Only the Lions and Jaguars allowed more points than Jon Gruden’s club in 2020.
The team added veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick this offseason in hopes that he could bring a little more oomph to an offense that gained the third-fewest yards in the league this past year. But the reigning NFC East champions do have a talent-laden defensive unit that added linebacker Jamin Davis (Kentucky) in the first round in April. Head coach Ron Rivera now has former Panthers’ offensive weapon Curtis Samuel at his disposal again.
Mitch Trubisky is now a member of the Buffalo Bills. And the quarterback room in the Windy City not only features former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles but veteran Andy Dalton and promising 2021 first-round pick Justin Fields. That kind of competition hopefully leads to a better performance for an offense that finished 26th in the league in total yards per game. Chicago’s defense had its ups and downs but once again Matt Nagy’s struggled to force turnovers.
The club’s new sideline leader is former Rams’ defensive coordinator Brandon Staley and during his one year on the job that club allowed the fewest total yards and points in the league. He inherits 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert, who put up big numbers and helped orchestrate a season-ending four-game winning streak. Rashawn Slater (1-Northwestern) bolsters an offensive line that added center Corey Linsley this offseason.
Life begins without prolific passer Drew Brees on a permanent basis as the NFL’s all-time leader in aerial yardage has called it a career after 20 NFL seasons. Talented but erratic Jameis Winston figures to be the new man behind center, but versatile Taysom Hill and rookie Ian Book (4-Notre Dame) could have a say as well. Running back Alvin Kamara and wideout Michael Thomas are stars but a talented defense needs to rebound from an inconsistent ’20.
The club comes off its first losing campaign since 2000 but it’s also been an unusual offseason for the franchise. The Patriots spent their share of money this offseason, especially on offense with the signings of wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor, as well as Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. Quarterback Cam Newton is back for a second straight year and former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones fell into the team’s laps with the 15th pick.
An 11-0 start a year ago turned into a 12-4 disappointment as the AFC North champions were embarrassed at home by the rival Browns in the wild card round. The league’s worst ground attack hopes to get a big boost from first-round running back Najee Harris (Alabama). The Steelers once again led the league in sacks but the defense did lost outside linebacker Bud Dupree to free agency. Can second-round performer Alex Highsmith fill the void?
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 03: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans in action against the Tennessee Titans during a game at NRG Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The club missed the playoffs this past season despite a 10-6 record and expectations are very high in South Florida. Quarterback Tua Tagovaiola got a familiar target via the first round when general manager Chris Grier tabbed Alabama wideout Jaylen Waddle with the sixth overall pick. He also added pass rusher Jaelan Phillips to a club that led the NFL with 29 takeaways in 2020. Brian Flores needs his young offensive line to take a step forward this year.
Kliff Kingsbury’s squad finished 8-8 after a 6-3 start and general manager Steve Keim got busy during free agency, adding proven veterans such as defensive end J.J. Watt, wide receiver A.J. Green and cornerback Malcolm Butler. The Cardinals also wound up trading for quality center Rodney Hudson. The team opted for a linebacker in the first round for the second straight April, taking talented Zaven Collins (Tulsa) a year after grabbing Isaiah Simmons.
No team drafted fewer players (3) than the defending NFC West champions this year. But this is an organization that has posted nine consecutive winning seasons and reached the playoffs eight times over that span. Russell Wilson continues to put up impressive numbers but has had to in recent years as the Seahawks’ defense has seen better days. He’s also been sacked 40-plus times eight straight years and it has certainly begun to take its toll.
The club comes off its first AFC South title since 2008 and has plenty of offensive firepower. Derrick Henry has led the league in rushing two straight years and reborn quarterback Ryan Tannehill proved his second-half play in 2019 was no fluke. But the Titans allowed a whopping 439 points – most by any of the 14 teams to reach the playoffs this past season. Pass-rushing linebacker Bud Dupree should improve a club that totaled a mere 19 sacks in ’20.
Arguably the biggest trade of 2021 resulted in the Rams acquiring veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Lions while sending 2016 first overall pick Jared Goff and a few picks to Detroit. Los Angeles also dealt defensive tackle Michael Brockers to the Lions while 2020 defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is now the head coach of the Chargers. Sean McVay still has a talented team and the Rams turned six picks into nine selections in the draft.
It will be interesting to see how this saga with quarterback Aaron Rodgers actually plays out (the latest via Rob Demovsky of ESPN). Even minus the drama, the chances of a third straight 13-3 finish and a return to the NFC title game is a formidable challenge. With the 2020 NFL MVP at the helm and pieces such as Aaron Jones and Davante Adams, this is a tough team to beat. The defense was inconsistent a year ago and the new coordinator is Joe Barry
For the second consecutive offseason, general manager Chris Ballard grabbed a player via trade from the first-round class of 2016. Now head coach Frank Reich is reunited with quarterback Carson Wentz and hopes to cure him of his recent inconsistencies. It should be easier behind one of the league’s best offensive lines and a backfield combo of Jonathan Taylor and Marlon Mack. Darius Leonard and All-Pro DeForest Buckner lead a solid defense.
It’s a team that has reached the playoffs each of the past three seasons but has yet to find a way to get to the AFC Championship Game. The Ravens have led the league in rushing two consecutive years and quarterback Lamar Jackson was a 1,000-plus yard runner once again. And only the Rams allowed fewer points this past year. But has general manager Eric DeCosta done enough this offseason to bolster the passing attack as well as the pass rush?
The club comes off its first playoff appearance since 2002 and first postseason victory since ’94. NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski’s team features a balanced attack spearheaded by improving quarterback Baker Mayfield, the league’s third-ranked running attack and an offensive front on the rise. The defense was quie unreliable this past season so the Browns addressed it exclusively during free agency and with their first two picks in this draft.
The club claimed its first division title since 1995 and reached the conference title game for the first time since ’93. The Bills dropped a total of four games this past season and two of those were to the reigning AFC champion Chiefs, who pushed around Sean McDermott’s defense on each occasion. After giving up 259 points in ’19, the club was stung for 375. Quarterback Josh Allen was stellar in his third season but still has to cut back on the turnovers.
The Super Bowl LIV champions were dethroned by the Buccaneers at Tampa and Patrick Mahomes was under siege with tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz sidelined. Now the Chiefs enter this year with a revamped offensive line featuring newcomers such as tackle Orlando Brown Jr., guards Joe Thuney and Kyle Long and center Austin Blythe. Andy Reid’s team currently owns the longest active playoff streak (6) as well as the AFC West.
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Bruce Arians’ defending Super Bowl champions return all 22 starters and added depth in the draft. The team also retained wide receiver Antonio Brown, giving veteran Tom Brady his full complement of weapons. Todd Bowles’ defense came up big in the postseason in terms of sacks and takeaways. So are the Buccaneers’ primed to become the first repeat champion since the Patriots in 2003 and ’04? It will take a big effort to knock them off their throne.