NFL Power Rankings: Post Draft

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The 2019 NFL Draft is behind us, which means it’s the perfect time to take a look at the rosters we have in front of us. It’s the time of year where we start to think about which teams will replicate success, which will exceed expectations, and which will self-destruct.

32. Miami Dolphins

Miami has a lot of holes to fill in during their roster turnover. They are transitioning to an overall younger side, which is why they shipped out QB Ryan Tannehill and traded for QB Josh Rosen. They also drafted DT Christian Wilkins, who should be a an immediate leader on defense. There is promise in Miami, but there more problems than solutions.

31. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have been quiet through free agency and the draft. They improved their offensive line by drafting OT Jonah Williams, which is a start. This will be a make or break year for QB Andy Dalton.

30. Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray or Josh Rosen? That’s what Arizona fans will be thinking until we get to see these two in action again. After last year, the Cardinals thought they drafted their quarterback of the future, but traded him away in order to receive QB Kyler Murray. Their season will be based on how quickly he can transition to the NFL.

29. New York Giants

Trading WR Odell Beckham Jr is going to prove to be a large gamble. In return they received a young safety and a first-round pick, which resulted in QB Daniel Jones. This came as a shock to many, but his value won’t come to light until QB Eli Manning retires.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In the draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers addressed one of the biggest by drafting LB Devin White. In their next three picks, the Bucs selected defensive backs to give much-needed help to the secondary.

27. Washington Redskins

QB Dwayne Haskins makes this side much more interesting. In addition, RB Derrius Guice coming back from injury will give the team a solid, young nucleus to the offense. After trading for S Landon Collins, the defense has a newfound leader.

26. Denver Broncos

Trading for QB Joe Flacco was a move that surprised quite a few. In result, the experiment involving QB Case Keenum was short-lived. To prepare for the future, Denver drafted QB Drew Lock in the second round. If Flacco doesn’t win out of the gate, this will turn into Lock’s team.

25. New York Jets

One of the biggest moves in the offseason was RB Le’Veon Bell joining the New York Jets. Even with a year off, he has the talent to propel the offense. Adding DT Quinnen Williams in the draft and LB C.J. Mosely through free agency should give the defense a boost as well.

24. Buffalo Bills

DT Ed Oliver was a great first-round pick for the Buffalo Bills. The Bills had the #2-ranked defense in 2018, and made the appropriate moves to continue to compete against opposing offenses. During free agency, QB Josh Allen received some reinforcements when the front office signed WR John Brown, WR Cole Beasley, and RB T.J Yeldon.

23. Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions were one of the more active teams during free agency when they reeled in WR Danny Amendola, TE Jesse James, RB C.J. Anderson, and OL Trey Flowers. During the draft, the front office surprised the fan base when they selected TE T.J. Hockenson. He is the top tight end from the 2019 draft class and is viewed as a superb pass-blocker.

22. Oakland Raiders

The first chapter of the rebuild era under Jon Gruden involved trading for WR Antonio Brown. On top of that, the Raiders signed WR Tyrell Williams, OL Trent Brown, and S Lamarcus Joyner. Through the draft, they struck us with surprising selections in DE Clelin Ferrell and RB Josh Jacobs.

21. Carolina Panthers

RB Christian McCaffery had a great sophomore season and is a great sidekick to QB Cam Newton. However, it was surprising that the Panthers didn’t invest in a wide receiver through the draft. After losing WR Devin Funchess in free agency, we will see if the offense can produce with a particularly weak receiving core.

20. San Francisco 49ers

Nick Bosa was once the clear-cut #1 pick, but he fell to San Francisco once the Arizona Cardinals selected QB Kyler Murray. The 49ers fan base should be excited, as QB Jimmy Garoppolo is on course to start all 16 games in 2019.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars

Is QB Nick Foles the answer for the Jaguars? He is at least an upgrade from QB Blake Bortles. Through the draft, no one expected Edge Josh Allen to fall to #7. Later in the round, OT Jawaan Taylor should give a boost to the offensive line.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers

Losing WR Antonio Brown and RB Le’Veon Bell could prove to be detrimental to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They drafted inside linebacker Devin Bush #10 overall, which was one of the safest picks in the entire draft.

17. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens lost key pieces on defense in LB C.J. Mosley, Za’Darius LB Smith, and LB Terrell Suggs. However, they added the best safety in free agency in S Earl Thomas. On offense, they added RB Mark Ingram and added two wide receivers in WR Marquise Brown (25th overall) and WR Miles Boykin (93rd overall).

16. Houston Texans

Replacing Tyrann Mathieu with Tashaun Gipson is a downgrade, but only time will tell the true impact of this transaction. Houston has been quiet this offseason, but one important move they made was adding QB A.J. McCarron. A solid backup quarterback is a formula for success in this league, especially with the injury history of QB Deshaun Watson.

15. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons needed to improve on the offense line, and they did so by adding Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary. For the first time in the common draft era, the entire offensive front was selected in the first round.

14. Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans added OL Rodger Saffold in free agency and drafted OL Nate Davis to address their needs on the offensive front. The offense also has weapons to play with in WR Adam Humphries and rookie WR A.J. Brown. QB Ryan Tannehill was also brought in as the backup option.

13. Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers stealing S Adrian Amos from the Chicago Bears in free agenccy was a big move for the defense. They added depth at the position in the first round by adding S Darnell Savage. On top of that, they added another tight end in the draft, Jace Sternberger, who should find playing time later on.

12. Seattle Seahawks

A move that many saw coming this offseason was Russell Wilson’s payday, and it made him the highest-paid player in the NFL. In turn, the Seattle Seahawks traded away DE Frank Clark, who was owed a new contract himself. Through the NFL Draft, the Seahawks drafted pass-rusher L.J. Collier in the first round. In the second, they drafted who many believe is the best wide receiver in this draft in D.K. Metcalf.

11. Minnesota Vikings

In the NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings addressed one of their biggest problems at the offensive line. At #18, ,they drafted a top prospect in OL Garrett Bradbury. They are a year removed from their NFC Championship appearance and still have most of that talent on the roster today.

10. Cleveland Browns

One of the biggest moves this offseason, if not the biggest, was the Cleveland Browns trading for WR Odell Beckham Jr. The Browns continued their impressive offseason by adding one of the best defensive tackles in free agency, Sheldon Richardson. For years the Browns have been a team most write off, but this is the first time in awhile where they will contend for the AFC North.

9. Dallas Cowboys

Through the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have added offensive weapons in WR Randall Cobb and TE Jason Witten. These two add depth and reliability to the offense. The defense also addressed a need in the secondary by signing George Iloka on a one-year deal. Within the defensive line, the Cowboys added Robert Quinn and drafted Trysten Hill out of Central Florida in the NFL Draft.

8. Kansas City Chiefs

Major headlines have been made by the Kansas City Chiefs, but not for the right reasons. Although Tyreek Hill hasn’t been officially released, the assumption is that his time with the Chiefs is nearing the end. Mecole Hardman ran a 4.33 at the NFL Combine and could play an immediate role in the offense. Another big loss Kansas City involve trading away Dee Ford, but they managed to acquire Frank Clark in return.

7. Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles may have lost their backup Super Bowl MVP in Nick Foles to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but that means they are all-in on Carson Wentz. His health is the biggest concern for the Eagles, but if he remains healthy, then they always have a chance. Adding Jordan Howard via trade gives the running back rotation more depth and versatility. Their first-round draft pick in Andre Dillard will prove to be Jason Peters replacement in the near future.

6. Chicago Bears

Matt Nagy has transformed the Chicago Bears into a legitimate threat in the NFC. Through the transition, the Bears held the top defense in the NFL last year. They filled possibly their biggest need in kicker this offseason as well. They were a kick away from advancing in the playoffs this past season. Adding a playmaker on the ball in Cordarrelle Patterson gives their offense and special teams an instant boost as well.

5. Indianapolis Colts

We all must have forgotten how talented Andrew Luck is, because when he is healthy, the Indianapolis Colts are contenders. They have enough cap space to play with, but we have to see them flex that spending power. With some big names left in free agency, the Colts could add a few more quality players to their roster.

4. Los Angeles Rams

The representatives of the NFC in the Super Bowl should have a strong campaign this coming season. We all know the offensive capabilities this roster has with receivers Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp, who will be returning from injury. The team is losing Ndamukong Suh on the defensive line, but when they have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year it in Aaron Donald, it makes the loss easier to handle.

3. Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers hold possibly the most balanced roster in the NFL. Offensively, they have a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Philip Rivers. In addition, they contain a top receiver in Keenan Allen and an efficient running back in Melvin Gordon. Defensively, the Chargers have one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Los Angeles is always under the spotlight, but this will be the year they put it together.

2. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints offer one of the most explosive offenses with Alvin Kamara in the backfield and Michael Thomas on the outside. Mark Ingram has departed, but the front office has filled that need nicely with Latavius Murray. Another offensive addition was Jared Cook at tight end, which gives Drew Brees another pair of reliable hands.

1. New England Patriots

Every season, members of the media claim that Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the New England Patriots are going to slow down. However, each season they tend to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Until someone can prove they can knock the Patriots off their pedestal, they remain at the top spot.

Featured Image: Mark Humphrey / AP