32. New England Patriots:
What a crazy world, isn’t it? Over the past 2 decades the Patriots have consistently been at the top of these power rankings, that isn’t the case this year. The Pats drafted quarterback Drake Maye in the first round and I believe he is New England’s future, however the Patriots are projected to start Jacoby Brissett to start the year with the most lackluster receiver core in the league led by Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas. The Patriots offensive line has declined, and they just traded their best defensive player in Matthew Judon to the Falcons. It’s clear the Patriots are in rebuild mode and this year I see no true X Factor on the whole team.
31. New Orleans Saints:
The Brees era is over and New Orleans hasn’t been the same since. This year I believe they will finally be forced to go into rebuild mode. Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, and Cameron Jordan are all on the decline and the team lacks many young star players outside of Chris Olave. With a weakening defense, aging running back, and overall lackluster receiving core led by a regressing veteran quarterback and undeserving head coach, I project the Saints to finish as the 2nd worst team in the league this season.
30. Carolina Panthers:
The Panthers offense is progressing after paying two new guards to help out the OLine and bringing in weapons for Bryce Young in Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Brooks, and Ja’Tavion Sanders. Young should have an opportunity to prove himself this year. Carolina’s defense on the other hand is miserable and will hold back Carolina no matter how Young plays.
29. New York Giants:
Daniel Jones should not be a starting quarterback and the Giants should have realized that years ago. The Giants have many young promising playmakers being held back by the quarterback situation and that will continue this year. The Giants have an extremely talented defense though that should help make for a rather quick rebuild once they find a quarterback.
28. Las Vegas Raiders:
Gardner Minshew is certainly an entertaining signal caller, but won’t propel his team to success and Aidan O’Connell is not better. While I’m excited to see the Stache throwing to Davantae Adams and Brock Bowers, this offense with a below average offensive line will not win many games. The defense is doing the team very little favors as well, lacking any difference makers outside of Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins.
27. Tennessee Titans:
The Titans have added a ton of big names this offseason, yet it still seems like it won’t impact the team’s success this season. Calvin Ridley was massively overpaid as the worst starting receiver in the league last year, Lloyd won’t cover up a bad offensive line, and Pollard will regress behind said offensive line. The defense should bring the team some wins for Will Levis though as the defense has massively improved with additions of L’Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie, and Ernest Jones.
26. Minnesota Vikings:
A team that has consistently been a playoff contender finally meets their dropoff. After the loss of Danielle Hunter and miss after miss in the secondary, the Vikings defense has majorly declined. The offense has also taken massive hits with the loss of Kirk Cousins, the injuries to JJ McCarthy and TJ Hockenson, and the suspension of Jordan Addison. Despite having arguably the best receiver in the league, this team will struggle to find success this season.
25. Denver Broncos:
Bo Nix has impressed immensely so far but with a very lackluster receiving core and injury prone running backs I doubt the rookie finds team success in his first year. The defense should still be decent being led by Patrick Surtain with several very solid role players, but I wouldn’t say this is a defensive unit that will win Denver many games.
24. Washington Commanders:
Jayden Daniels I believe will impress heavily his rookie year but it is going to be difficult with a below average offensive line and a lacking abundance of offensive playmakers. Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey, and Ben Sinnott should be very solid pieces long term but I don’t see success this season. A defense lacking any true threat off the edge or in the secondary isn’t going to work wonders either.
23. Arizona Cardinals:
Kyler Murray’s offense should be very exciting this season with Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey McBride, and Trey Benson but the lack of depth receivers and miniscule OLine will hold them back. More crucially, the Cardinals defense lacks star talent, especially on the front 7. This situation became even more extreme following BJ Ojulari’s injury and the trade of Cam Thomas.
22. Seattle Seahawks:
Seattle has one of the best receiver trios in the league with Jaxon Smith-Njigba primed for a breakout season, a star running back, and a solid offensive line. The quarterback is holding them back from being a great team no matter if it’s Geno Smith or Sam Howell under center though. The defense has some great young players but overall a disappointing front 7 for a team with so many young stars. If Seattle got a franchise quarterback and a good pass rusher they would be terrifying.
21. Cleveland Browns:
A team with a great defense but an offense holding the team back. Deshaun Watson should not be a starting NFL quarterback from a personal level or a skill level, he will hold the team back from being contenders no matter how well the defense and OLine play. The offense has too many questions whether it’s Deshaun’s play, Nick Chubb’s injury, or hopeful receiver breakouts that haven’t panned out yet in Jerry Jeudy or Elijah Moore.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers:
The defense is one of the best in the league so let’s get that out of the way, their defense could propel them to the playoffs any year. The offense has too many question marks to be higher on the list though. Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are wildcards for how they’ll play, the offensive line is very young, and the receiving threats on the team are minimal especially when considering George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth’s injury history. If Wilson or Fields step up big time then Pittsburgh could be a legitimate contender though.
19. Los Angeles Chargers:
Justin Hebert is a quarterback I believe has the ability to elevate the guys around him to their ceiling, but whether that will happen or not is yet to be seen. With an improved offensive line and new coach, Herbert has a fresh start to put some wins together if the skill positions don’t struggle. The defense as always looks good on paper, but they need to stay healthy and put it all together under Jim Harbaugh as well for the Chargers to get back into the playoffs.
18. Indianapolis Colts:
Anthony Richardson is an extreme boom or bust signal caller that could become a superstar, or shoot his team down the ranks. AR5 is in an extremely good situation to succeed in Indy however so the odds are in his favor to boom. Richardson has 3 good young receivers, one of the best running backs in the league, and an extremely consistent OLine to help him reach his potential. The Colts also have a very strong defensive unit that will help the team find success, it all rests on Richardson’s shoulders for how their season will play out though.
17. Chicago Bears:
The Bears finally built a legitimately scary offense, they were just waiting on Justin Fields to leave to get it done. The Bears have in my opinion the best receiver trio in the league consisting of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and 9th overall rookie Rome Odunze. Having a fringe top 10 tight end in Cole Kmet, an electric running back in D’Andre Swift, and an improving offensive line only adds to the great abundance of playmakers for Caleb Williams to utilize. On top of the offense’s projected turnaround, the Bears defense has made massive strides led by Montez Sweat and Jaylon Johnson. This is an extremely strong looking Bears squad that believes they have finally found a premier quarterback and I could easily see Caleb Williams leading this team to the playoffs even in his rookie year. Plain and simple this team isn’t one you would have expected to have the 1st overall pick back in April and the Bears are projecting to soar in the future.