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NFL power rankings: Bills, Cowboys among teams taking big hits this offseason
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- NFL power rankings: Bills, Cowboys among teams taking big hits this offseason
With March's foray into free agency leaving the shelves of the veteran market stripped clean, the NFL "offseason" has reached something of a pause – though word hasn't reached the Bills and Texans yet . Regardless, anticipation is quickly building toward one of the league's marquee events, the 2024 draft set to commence just three weeks from today in Detroit .
The draft is sure to change the complexion of the football landscape anew as teams utilize their final major opportunity to shape rosters heading into the upcoming season. But as we await the dispersal of rookies, seems like a good time to see how the clubs currently stack up ( previous rank in parentheses ):
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1. Kansas City Chiefs (1):Fairly smooth offseason thus far for the two-time defending champions … at least until WR Rashee Rice's apparent "Fast & Furious" moment in Texas over the weekend. Otherwise? All-Pro DT Chris Jones was extended, while CB L'Jarius Sneed was effectively swapped out for speedy WR Hollywood Brown . A question remains at left tackle, and there could be further tinkering at wideout. Doesn't feel remotely premature to pencil K.C. in for a ninth straight AFC West crown – at minimum.
2. San Francisco 49ers (2):They've advanced at least as far as the conference title game three years running. Yet whenever this franchise gets tantalizingly close to its sixth Lombardi Trophy, it seems a catastrophic injury is around the corner – though maybe the overtime loss in Super Bowl 58 will ward off the injury bug after the catastrophic emotional blow suffered by the Niners. Recent heartbreaking history aside, the NFC champs remain nicely positioned for another title run in what will likely be QB Brock Purdy 's final year on his criminally cheap rookie contract … and maybe WR Brandon Aiyuk 's final year in the Bay Area. Won't hurt to have six picks in the draft's first four rounds.
3. Baltimore Ravens (4):They took a collective hit in free agency without seemingly suffering an irreplaceable loss. They also appeared to add the perfect bellcow in two-time league rushing champ Derrick Henry , whose presence could catapult QB Lamar Jackson to a third MVP trophy . Still some holes to fill – whether internally, via the draft or unemployed vets – but this team is going to remain a serious problem and, with Henry aboard, one unlikely to again stray from its identity at the worst possible time.
4. Detroit Lions (5):NFC North champs for the first time, they came oh-so-close to also reaching their first Super Bowl last season. The Lions largely held serve in free agency and swung a nice deal for CB Carlton Davis III. But they'll need to maximize limited draft capital if they want to go further in 2024, when the division seems likely to be far more hotly contested.
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5. Green Bay Packers (6):Owners of the league's youngest roster in 2023, this franchise usually adheres to draft-and-develop mode – yet spent handsomely on free agent RB Josh Jacobs and SS Xavier McKinney . With an extra second-rounder in hand, courtesy of last year's trade of QB Aaron Rodgers , more exciting drafting and developing ahead for a squad that appears perched for a nice stretch of sustained success under new leader of the Pack Jordan Love.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (12):They're mixing in their share of new pieces while working through the departure of OC Brian Callahan and unsettled situation around franchise-tagged WR Tee Higgins . Yet they should again be a force to be reckoned with QB Joe Burrow healthy after missing nearly half of the 2023 season and never really 100% when he was on the field. With Joe Cool and five of the draft's top 115 picks available to a club that evaluates talent well, another deep postseason charge could be in the offing.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (10):They've subbed out inexperienced coordinators for proven ones (OC Kellen Moore , DC Vic Fangio). They've lost legendary team leaders Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox to retirement – their estimable wisdom couldn't save the 2023 squad – but have young talent ready to step in. And the additions of RB Saquon Barkley , DE Bryce Huff , WR3 DeVante Parker and DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson should more than offset the departure of LB Haason Reddick and others. And, naturally, EVP/GM Howie Roseman has an extra second-rounder at his disposal. If this team underachieves again, it won't be for a lack of ability.
8. Houston Texans (9):The roster around breakout QB C.J. Stroud appeared marginally improved (if far more expensive) following free agency, the major arrivals being veteran DE Danielle Hunter and RB Joe Mixon . Then WR Stefon Diggs was acquired Wednesday , likely further bolstering Houston's chances to reach the AFC championship game for the first time. However no first-round pick here after trading it during last year's draft to get DE Will Anderson Jr. and subsequently sending the final Round 1 selection obtained in the Deshaun Watson deal to Minnesota .
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9. Buffalo Bills (3):Only the Niners gave the Chiefs a tougher playoff test. But the now-perennial AFC East champs have lost quite a few familiar faces – none bigger than Diggs – and only draft twice in the first three rounds, the second-rounder from the Texans not arriving until 2025. Perhaps consistency won't be such an issue with a full season under OC Joe Brady, and maybe diversifying the post-Diggs attack will bear fruit for QB Josh Allen and Co. the way it did for Kansas City after WR Tyreek Hill 's departure.
Nov 6, 2022; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) scores a first quarter touchdown on a keeper as the New York Jets are unable to stop him at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-489332 ORIG FILE ID: 20221106_lbm_usa_372.JPG
10. Los Angeles Rams (8):If they're not already at a weird intersection, it's quickly approaching. After a surprising 2023 revival, legendary DL Aaron Donald has flexed into the sunset , QB Matthew Stafford seems to be in year-to-year mode himself and Cooper Kupp may now be WR2. But a team set to welcome a first-rounder for the first time since 2016 should remain a legit NFC threat … at least for 2024.
11. Cleveland Browns (11):(Insert shrug emoji.) They nearly won the AFC North despite largely being without the services of injured Watson and RB Nick Chubb . Yet Cleveland didn't truly catch fire until former QB Joe Flacco took the reins in December. So what to make of their 2024 outlook, which includes just five draft picks and no first-rounder but does feature newly acquired WR2 Jerry Jeudy ?
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12. New York Jets (15):The trade for Reddick appears like the latest deft move by GM Joe Douglas, who'd already revamped his offensive line during free agency before signing WR Mike Williams . Douglas is wheeling and dealing for his job (plus HC Robert Saleh's) and still has the 10th pick of the draft, which should bring another premium player to a high-ceiling/low-floor roster – which, naturally, remains dependent on Rodgers, who's now 40.
13. Miami Dolphins (13):They shed a lot of salary and added some back, though the overall talent seems necessarily diminished for a team that's about to shell out for Pro Bowl QB Tua Tagovailoa . But is a club with two picks in the draft's first four rounds (and edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips coming off serious leg injuries) any closer to winning a playoff game for the first time in 24 years?
14. Dallas Cowboys (7):They could be forgiven for sitting out the first wave of free agency . But HC Mike McCarthy 's seat has to feel that much hotter as his roster effectively remains in salary cap gridlock with scant draft capital to enlist reinforcements.
15. Atlanta Falcons (24):Big money (4 years, $180 million) means big pressure, but few excuses for this team – aside from maybe a short grace period for new HC Raheem Morris – following the arrival of QB Kirk Cousins . Owning four of the draft's top 79 picks could alleviate some.
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16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (25):GM Jason Licht, who picked up a third-rounder in the Davis transaction, otherwise pretty much kept the band intact as the Bucs set their sights on a fourth straight division crown. TBD how they adapt to a third offensive coordinator (Liam Coen) in three seasons.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (17):They seemed to upgrade significantly at quarterback after adding Russell Wilson and, shortly thereafter, Justin Fields . But the debate about whom to play is already afoot while wondering if either can elevate the Steelers beyond the postseason's fringes.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (14):They only finished a game behind the ascendant Texans in the AFC South last season. Yet it remains to be seen what a heavy spend in free agency and middling draft leverage can further do for a franchise that really needs its franchise quarterback ( Trevor Lawrence ) to take a major step in 2024 in order to bridge what could be a growing divisional gap.
19. Indianapolis Colts (16):They only finished a game behind the ascendant Texans in the AFC South last season. Yet it remains to be seen what a heavy spend in free agency and middling draft leverage can further do for a franchise that really needs its franchise quarterback ( Anthony Richardson ) to take a major step in 2024 in order to bridge what could be a growing divisional gap.
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20. Chicago Bears (18):If you're going to have a league-low four draft picks, it's nice to at least own Nos. 1 and 9. The first will almost certainly be spent on former USC QB Caleb Williams , who's set to enter a much more promising situation than the one now-departed Fields inherited three years ago.
21. New Orleans Saints (21):Aside from DE Chase Young , pretty quiet free agent period. With no third- or fourth-rounder, could also be a quiet draft. But keep an eye on new OC Klint Kubiak, who could be one of this season's more impactful assistant hires.
22. Los Angeles Chargers (19):We know HC Jim Harbaugh is the new BMOC. We don't know whom QB Justin Herbert will be primarily feeding in 2024. Maybe we find out with the fifth pick of the draft.
23. Las Vegas Raiders (27):New HC Antonio Pierce appears to be a galvanizing force with very good front liners at several key positions. But does he have enough effective stopgaps and role players elsewhere, most notably behind center?
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24. Seattle Seahawks (22):Can rookie HC Mike Macdonald run his defense effectively given the state of the second and third levels? Can the offense run or throw effectively given the state of the line? Much to figure out for a franchise in clear transition, and one that won't have the benefit of a second-rounder.
25. Tennessee Titans (31):A highly aggressive offseason approach – one that's so far brought the likes of Sneed, WR Calvin Ridley and RB Tony Pollard , among others – perhaps illustrates the lack of philosophical alignment between GM Ran Carthon and former HC Mike Vrabel . A pretty penny should mean a more competitive product, assuming sophomore QB Will Levis takes to Callahan's playbook.
26. Arizona Cardinals (23):Free agency was about addressing the trenches. But the rebuild could hit high gear in the draft, where GM Monti Ossenfort has more consequential ammo than anyone – six of the top 90 selections, including two first-rounders. And after signaling he's quite open to more deals, Ossenfort's bounty could grow for a roster that still needs a lot of help. Could be a force … by 2026.
27. Washington Commanders (26):Active spenders in free agency as new GM Adam Peters and HC Dan Quinn begin establishing a new culture, they head into the draft with nearly as much currency as Arizona – six of the top 100 picks. Could be a force … by 2026.
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28. New York Giants (28):An offense that ranked 29th in 2023 looks worse post-Barkley. Maybe the sixth pick of the draft changes that. Maybe.
29. Minnesota Vikings (20):Cousins has left the building. A second first-round pick has entered the building. Is it possible to wait for a third shoe to drop?
30. New England Patriots (30):Kinda feels like they're running it back with the 2023 team, albeit without Bill Belichick and QB Mac Jones . Their decision with the No. 3 pick feels like perhaps the draft's first compelling mystery.
31. Carolina Panthers (32):Why pay OLB Brian Burns when you can trade him for 50 cents on the dollar and sign older, less-talented players? However new GM Dan Morgan isn't the guy who orchestrated the deal for QB Bryce Young last year yet seems to be trying to make it work above all else now … and maybe he can with the 33rd, 39th and 65th selections.
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32. Denver Broncos (29):No quarterback, one draft pick among the top 75 and maybe two premium trade assets (LT Garett Bolles , CB Patrick Surtain II ). Woof.
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Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL power rankings: Bills, Cowboys take big hits after free agency
