NFL Power Rankings: Uneven draft class sends Browns back to basement

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

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Post-FA Rank: 1st

The reigning champs only had five picks, but they made them count and added even more depth to what was already maybe the league's best roster. Snagging highly athletic edge rusher Josh Sweat in the fourth round is just unfair considering the defensive-line talent Philly already owns. - Browne

2. New England Patriots

Post-FA Rank: 3rd

The Patriots filled their only major needs on offense by grabbing Isiah Wynn and Sony Michel in the first round. The former should offset the loss of Nate Solder, while Michel has the potential to be a star in New England's system thanks to his versatility, big-play ability, and receiving skills. Tom Brady is one happy man. - Browne

3. Los Angeles Rams

Post-FA Rank: 4th

The Rams' draft class was nondescript, but for a roster loaded with stars, they needed only to plug small holes. For a team lacking picks in the first and second rounds, L.A. came out of the weekend with plenty of depth for its offensive and defensive lines. - McClymont

4. Minnesota Vikings

Post-FA Rank: 2nd

The Vikings added depth at several positions in the draft, including the offensive line and cornerback, but didn't come away with many prospects who will make an immediate impact, which just speaks to how solid the roster already is. - Sanderson

5. New Orleans Saints

Post-FA Rank: 5th

New Orleans was panned by some for trading a 2019 first-round pick to select Marcus Davenport. Worry about that later. The Saints now have a formidable front-seven that pairs well with their talented offense, stoking their bid for a Super Bowl run. - Srinivasan

6. Jacksonville Jaguars

Post-FA Rank: 7th

Jacksonville strengthened what was already arguably the best defensive line in the NFL by selecting Taven Bryan, then added depth across the board in the later rounds. It's a sign of the changing times that the Jaguars could afford to go with the best player available as they look for a measure of revenge against the Patriots. - Srinivasan

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

Post-FA Rank: 6th

The Steelers added enough pieces at the draft to remain a strong contender in the AFC, though they looked to be preparing for the future more than 2018 - a sign of a successful, sustainable franchise. - Sanderson

8. Green Bay Packers

Post-FA Rank: 8th

The Packers went from having one of the league's worst secondaries to putting together the brightest group of young defensive backs while also retooling their receiving options. Don't expect a second straight playoff miss. - Sanderson

9. Atlanta Falcons

Post-FA Rank: 9th

Calvin Ridley injects life into a Falcons offense that inexplicably struggled for large stretches of the 2017 season. Julio Jones must be salivating at the prospect of single coverage. - Srinivasan

10. Carolina Panthers

Post-FA Rank: 10th

Carolina opted to get Cam Newton some help by using its first-round pick on receiver D.J. Moore. Don't look now but the 2015 Panthers may be back. - Srinivasan

11. Los Angeles Chargers

Post-FA Rank: 13th

The Bolts move up a few spots in our rankings for landing perhaps the biggest steal of the draft. The Chargers held firm at No. 17 and watched as Derwin James fell into their laps. L.A. gets bonus points for nabbing one of the top prospects at one of its biggest areas of need. - McClymont

12. Houston Texans

Post-FA Rank: 12th

Deshaun Watson's devastating injury put a halt to one of the NFL's most entertaining teams, and though they barely had any draft capital, the Texans are poised to contend for the AFC South title once again. - Srinivasan

13. Tennessee Titans

Post-FA Rank: 15th

Tennessee bolstered its pass rush by obtaining Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry in the first two rounds, then sat back and watched the rest of the league during the draft. With only four picks, it's almost an incomplete class, but the Titans' rookies may end up being among the most impactful. - Srinivasan

14. Kansas City Chiefs

Post-FA Rank: 11th

After focusing much of their attention on the offensive side of the ball during free agency, the Chiefs went all defense in the draft. Raise your hand if you'd heard of Breeland Speaks, Derrick Nnadi, or Dorian O'Daniel before this past weekend, though. Didn't think so. - McClymont

15. Baltimore Ravens

Post-FA Rank: 18th

How exactly all the Ravens' picks will slot in with the team is a little confusing, but they certainly added some potential difference-makers in Ozzie Newsome's last draft. It's on John Harbaugh and Co. to ensure their longtime GM can be proud of his final class. - Sanderson

16. San Francisco 49ers

Post-FA Rank: 14th

The Niners remain a sexy pick to make a big jump in 2018, but a roster short on talent could have benefited greatly from a strong draft. Instead, John Lynch and Co. used their first-round pick on a tackle and waited until the fifth round to draft a corner. Jimmy G can't do it all himself. - McClymont

17. Detroit Lions

Post-FA Rank: 16th

The Lions addressed needs on their offensive line, at running back, and in their secondary, but not with players who drum up excitement around the league. Maybe they know something we don't. - Sanderson

18. Dallas Cowboys

Post-FA Rank: 19th

The board fell nicely for Dallas, helping it fortify its linebacking corps and offensive line while finding a much-needed target for Dak Prescott in the third. However, the Cowboys still may not be good enough to challenge the Eagles for the divisional crown. - Browne

19. Denver Broncos

Previous Rank: 21st

The defense must be happy. The Broncos didn't take a QB at No. 5, just as Chris Harris had hoped. John Elway had one of the strongest drafts. Aside from snatching Bradley Chubb, the Broncos found a handful of prospects who should contribute in their first year. - McClymont

20. Washington Redskins

Post-FA Rank: 17th

First-round DT Da'ron Payne was a reach, but Washington desperately needed to address its 32nd-ranked run defense. Guice may prove to be a major steal, but after him, there's little in the Redskins' draft class to suggest they'll be able to compete for a playoff spot in 2018. - Browne

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Post-FA Rank: 25th

The Buccaneers did well to obtain a ton of draft capital from other teams and may have ended up with their running back of the future in second-round pick Ronald Jones. They still have a long way to catch the rest of their division, however. - Srinivasan

22. New York Giants

Post-FA Rank: 23rd

Saquon Barkley is guaranteed to be a star, but that's the floor for a running back taken No. 2 overall. The Giants are betting big that their defense can rebound and Eli Manning still has enough juice to help his elite weapons excel. If the QBs in this class hit, the Giants could look back at this draft as a franchise-changing mistake. - Browne

23. Seattle Seahawks

Post-FA Rank: 24th

While the Seahawks were (rightfully) celebrated for drafting one-handed linebacker Shaquem Griffin, they did almost nothing to improve their starting lineup. Taking what many believed to be the sixth- or seventh-best running back on the board at No. 27 overall was one of the biggest head-scratching moves of the draft. - McClymont

24. Oakland Raiders

Post-FA Rank: 20th

The Raiders take one of the biggest drops in our rankings. Jon Gruden and Reggie McKenzie all but ignored their weak secondary and added to a position of strength, their offensive line, with their first-round pick. They found talent in the later rounds with the likes of Arden Key and Maurice Hurst, but few of their picks are expected to contribute immediately. - McClymont

25. Chicago Bears

Post-FA Rank: 30th

Slowly but surely, the Bears are building a talented offense around Mitch Trubisky and while their defense added Roquan Smith as the next great Chicago linebacker, the club is still a work in progress. - Sanderson

26. Arizona Cardinals

Post-FA Rank: 28th

Josh Rosen and Christian Kirk are Arizona's stars of the future, but in the present, this team is much less intimidating than the Cards of years past. - McClymont

27. Miami Dolphins

Post-FA Rank: 31st

Minkah Fitzpatrick could be the steal of the first round and should be the leader the Dolphins' defense needs. However, not landing one of the top quarterbacks means Miami has tied its 2018 fate to the returning Ryan Tannehill. This team still has a lot to prove in a make-or-break year for Adam Gase. - Browne

28. Cincinnati Bengals

Post-FA Rank: 27th

Give Cincinnati credit for finding value with most of its 11 draft picks, but Andy Dalton is still the quarterback and Marvin Lewis is still the head coach. - Sanderson

29. Buffalo Bills

Post-FA Rank: 29th

Buffalo went all in on upside, taking two of the draft's rawest top prospects in Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds. The reward could be two franchise-level players, but the Bills don't have the talent right now to ease the rookies into the lineup. It could be a long few seasons before this risk pays dividends. - Browne

30. Indianapolis Colts

Post-FA Rank: 26th

It's not a sexy pick but the Colts selected the best guard prospect in years when taking Quenton Nelson. It doesn't raise the profile of the team significantly, however, and it's looking to be another long year in Indianapolis. - Srinivasan

31. New York Jets

Post-FA Rank: 32nd

Sam Darnold could be well worth the price New York paid to move up three spots (three second-round picks), but the Jets' roster desperately needed an infusion of talent and the quarterback likely won't be ready for 2018. The future is brighter, but there will be significant growing pains until then. - Browne

32. Cleveland Browns

Post-FA Rank: 29th

Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward may very well end up as solid pros, but considering the consensus pre-draft rankings and the team that selected them, it feels like the Browns overthought their top picks again. Prove us wrong. - Sanderson