NFL Power Rankings after NFL Draft: What the league looks like right now
50. . . . Detroit Lions. 24. team
Under Dan Campbell, the 2021 Lions didn’t win a lot but were extremely competitve. One year after allowing the second-most points in a single season in NFL history, the Lions weren’t much better defensively.
Hence using six of their eight picks in this year’s draft on help for this side of the ball. Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson should aid the pass rush. Once healthy, talented rookie wideout Jameson Williams (Alabama) will make life easier for Jared Goff.
. . New York Jets. 23. team. 30.
Since the franchise’s last winning season back in 2015, the Jets own a horrendous 27-70 win-loss record. General manager Joe Douglas made some smart free-agent acquisitions in the form of guard Laken Tomlinson, tight end C.J. Uzomah and defensive backs D.J. Reed and Jerome Whitehead.
And the team appeared to nail the draft with first-rounders such as cornerback “Sauce” Gardner, wideout Garrett Wilson and pass-rusher Jermaine Johnson.
Minnesota Vikings. 22. team. 60. . .
The Purple Gang is coming off consecutive losing campaigns. Hence the decision to part ways with head coach Mike Zimmer while hiring former Rams’ offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell to take over.
New GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah focused on defense in free agency – adding linebackers Jordan Hicks and Za’Darius Smith – and also used five of the club’s first six picks in the draft on that side of the ball. The new defensive coordinator is Ed Donatell.