NFL Power Rankings - Preseason Edition: Cardinals unanimous at No. 1

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Mitch Sanderson, Arun Srinivasan, and Dan Wilkins.

1. Arizona Cardinals

Chandler Jones is the dynamic pass-rushing force the Cardinals desperately lacked in the past, and last year's second-ranked scoring offense should be much better with David Johnson destined for stardom. Arizona is in great position to capture its first Lombardi Trophy. - Arun Srinivasan

2. Carolina Panthers

With the return of Kelvin Benjamin canceling out the loss of Josh Norman, this is pretty much the same 15-1 team that went to Super Bowl 50 - only more experienced. - Mitch Sanderson

3. New England Patriots

Please keep the Browns' defense in your thoughts. Tom Brady's revenge tour starts in Week 5, and New England might ride his vengeance to a top spot in the power rankings all season long. - Jack Browne

4. Denver Broncos

Bradley Roby bragged the Broncos could defend their title with George Bush at quarterback, and the defending champions face their toughest challenge yet after Peyton Manning retired. - Srinivasan

5. Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson played the best football of his career and is expected to lead the offense to new heights, despite Marshawn Lynch's retirement. With the league's best scoring defense, the Seahawks are chomping at the bit in trying to dethrone the Cardinals for NFC West supremacy. - Srinivasan

6. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay should be a playoff team for as long as Aaron Rodgers is under center, but continued success with developing talent around him is what gives this team enough talent to remain a perennial Super Bowl contender. - Dan Wilkins

7. Minnesota Vikings

The only thing potentially working against the Vikings' ascent is that they're in the same division as Green Bay. Teddy Bridgewater taking the next step this season could have this team positioned for a deep playoff run. - Wilkins

8. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh was understandably an early Super Bowl favorite, but do suspensions to Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant have this team headed for another year of wasted potential? - Wilkins

9. Cincinnati Bengals

Let's forget about the continued playoff disappointment for a second. This is still one of the most complete rosters in football, and there's no reason Cincinnati can't take the next step this year. - Wilkins

10. Kansas City Chiefs

Jamaal Charles is still recovering from a torn ACL but the Chiefs have proved they can be one of the NFL's most frightening teams without him, as evidenced by their 11-game winning streak last season. - Srinivasan

11. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys' offensive trio of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and Ezekiel Elliott could light up the league, but with what feels like half the defense suspended, they're among the league's boom-or-bust teams. - Browne

12. Houston Texans

Star receiver? Check. Healthy running back? Check. Top-five defense? Check. Franchise quarterback? TBD. - Sanderson

13. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders clearly won the offseason, making a number of marquee free-agent signings. Now they need to prove they're greater than the sum of their collective talent entering 2016. - Srinivasan

14. New York Giants

The Giants grabbed handfuls of cash and threw it at any big defensive free agent that moved this offseason. Rarely do quick fixes work in the NFL, however. Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. will have to keep New York afloat as the defense gels. - Browne

15. Washington Redskins

Despite winning the division in 2015, it's hard for anyone to trust the Redskins. It just doesn't feel right to say, "Kirk Cousins, franchise quarterback." Until Cousins proves last season wasn't a fluke, Washington will remain an underdog. - Browne

16. New York Jets

Ryan Fitzpatrick's back! Time to celebrate, right? Maybe not. If the veteran's play returns to normal after a solid 2015, the Jets' aging roster isn't set up to carry him. - Browne

17. Buffalo Bills

The health of Sammy Watkins and Rex Ryan rejuvenating the defense is paramount to the Bills' success. If Watkins misses time or the defense falters again, it could be a long season for Buffalo, even with Tyrod Taylor emerging as a legitimate starter. - Browne

18. Chicago Bears

A new management regime is quietly building a contender. Look for a suddenly stacked front seven to control games on the defensive side, ideally taking some pressure off Jay Cutler and the offense. - Wilkins

19. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore will be a popular pick to bounce back. With some glaring holes remaining on both sides of the ball, though, it may be at least another year before this team finds itself back in the playoff hunt. - Wilkins

20. Indianapolis Colts

How good can a bad team be with a great quarterback? We’re about to find out. - Sanderson

21. New Orleans Saints

The perpetually unstoppable offense got stronger this offseason, but that wasn't the problem in New Orleans. - Sanderson

22. Philadelphia Eagles

An old NFL adage is, "If you have two quarterbacks, you have none." Well, the Eagles have three. Philadelphia's plan to sit Wentz during his rookie year could blow up if Bradford struggles early. - Browne

23. Atlanta Falcons

Still recuperating from a second-half collapse last year, Dan Quinn's unit will have to prove it's learned its lessons on the field. - Sanderson

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

A great free-agent class and draft crop can only move a team so far out of the basement. - Sanderson

25. Los Angeles Rams

Todd Gurley in Los Angeles is an ad executive's dream, but the Rams' top-heavy roster will need contributions off the board to leap past the Cardinals and Seahawks. - Srinivasan

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Lots of positive buzz around Jameis Winston headed into his second season, but it's still just that - his second season. - Sanderson

27. San Diego Chargers

Joey Bosa is in the midst of a contract holdout, Stevie Johnson tore his meniscus, and the Chargers are facing the bleak prospect of playing their last year in San Diego. Get the Pepto Bismol ready. - Srinivasan

28. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have all the makings of a disaster, the defense especially. Kiko Alonso is made of glass, Mario Williams seemed half asleep with the Bills in 2015, Byron Maxwell isn't capable of being a No. 1 cornerback, and Cameron Wake is coming off an Achilles injury. - Browne

29. Detroit Lions

Are the Lions more in line with the team that started 2015 at 1-7, or the one that rebounded with a 6-2 finish? With Calvin Johnson's retirement only adding to the question marks throughout the roster, don't be surprised if it's the former. - Wilkins

30. Tennessee Titans

When your interim coach is literally named Mularkey and you promote him to head coach, there really isn't much hope. - Sanderson

31. San Francisco 49ers

Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick are splitting reps in practice, a sign of further dysfunction from the comically awful 49ers. Let's be honest, when was the last time Chip Kelly inspired confidence? - Srinivasan

32. Cleveland Browns

Patience, Browns fans. While it should be easy to get excited about a new regime, this is going to be a long rebuilding process. A severe lack of roster talent has to make Cleveland a favorite for the No. 1 overall pick. - Wilkins