NFL Power Rankings: Browns crack top 10 after savvy free-agency moves
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
1. New Orleans Saints
Final 2018 Rank: 1
After a disappointing 2018 finale, the Saints made a statement by signing Jared Cook, Malcom Brown, and Latavius Murray in free agency. It's safe to say their sights are set on the Lombardi Trophy.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Final 2018 Rank: 3
The additions of Tyrann Mathieu and Bashaud Breeland are nice, but the losses of pass-rushers Justin Houston and Dee Ford are unsettling.
3. New England Patriots
Final 2018 Rank: 6
Where there's a Brady-Belichick combination, there's a way. But the path is now foggier following the departures of dependable stars like Rob Gronkowski and Trey Flowers.
4. Los Angeles Rams
Final 2018 Rank: 4
It'll be "Super Bowl or Bust Part 2" for the Rams in 2019, as short-term deals given to Eric Weddle, Clay Matthews, and Dante Fowler were win-now moves for last season's runner-up.
5. Chicago Bears
Final 2018 Rank: 2
The Bears are ready to defend the (NFC) North in 2019, but did they add enough talent to fend off their drastically improved division rivals?
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Final 2018 Rank: 5
The Chargers were almost disappointingly quiet in free agency. Does anyone out there really believe Thomas Davis will make the difference following a divisional-round exit?
7. Indianapolis Colts
Final 2018 Rank: 10
The Colts weren't planning to make a splash in free agency, but they still walked away with Justin Houston and Devin Funchess, who should fill key gaps in a roster that's ready to contend.
8. Philadelphia Eagles
Final 2018 Rank: 15
The Eagles plugged all their glaring holes with additions such as DeSean Jackson, Malik Jackson, and Jordan Howard. Now it's on Carson Wentz to stay healthy and deliver the goods.
9. Cleveland Browns
Final 2018 Rank: 16
John Dorsey's team is the talk of the town these days. Led by Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, and of course, Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland is finally ready to ascend in the AFC North.
10. Seattle Seahawks
Final 2018 Rank: 9
The Seahawks opted for continuity after a 10-win season, as they focused on re-signing their own players in free agency.
11. Green Bay Packers
Final 2018 Rank: 18
Kudos to GM Brian Gutekunst. The Packers - once allergic to early free-agent additions - addressed their biggest needs and are poised to compete for a playoff spot with Aaron Rodgers still in his prime.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Final 2018 Rank: 12
Sure, the Vikings were strapped for cap space, but you have to wonder why they hardly addressed the offensive line in free agency. A blocker or two must be added in the draft.
13. Houston Texans
Final 2018 Rank: 7
The defending AFC South champion will need to do more than sign Matt Kalil to fix an offensive line that allowed a league-high 62 sacks last season.
14. Dallas Cowboys
Final 2018 Rank: 11
The defending NFC East champion made no discernible offseason upgrades, is mired in a contract standoff with star defender DeMarcus Lawrence, and retained one of the least-adaptable coaches in the league.
15. Baltimore Ravens
Final 2018 Rank: 8
Quick - name two receivers on the Ravens' roster. Let's hope Lamar Jackson can survive a 16-game schedule.
16. Carolina Panthers
Final 2018 Rank: 20
The Panthers were rolling last year before Cam Newton's shoulder injury. We'll see if he's ready to pick up where he left off come September.
17. Atlanta Falcons
Final 2018 Rank: 22
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is back for his second stint in Atlanta. That could be good news for Julio Jones, who found the end zone 18 times in 36 games with Koetter around from 2012-14.
18. Tennessee Titans
Final 2018 Rank: 13
The Titans added to their already sturdy offensive line and brought in slot receiver Adam Humphries, but how will the offense look under former tight ends coach Arthur Smith?
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
Final 2018 Rank: 14
It's officially a new era in Pittsburgh. It's also a shame the Steelers couldn't hoist the Lombardi Trophy while the Killer B's were together and in good spirits.
20. Detroit Lions
Final 2018 Rank: 30
Detroit spent big in free agency, but the veteran additions will only put more pressure on head coach Matt Patricia. If he can't produce in Year 2, his seat will warm up in a hurry.
21. San Francisco 49ers
Final 2018 Rank: 28
General manager John Lynch had an up-and-down offseason, taking a big risk (for a potentially big reward) on Kwon Alexander coming off a torn ACL and coupling that with a trade for Dee Ford. The return of Jimmy Garoppolo will be the team's biggest addition.
22. Oakland Raiders
Final 2018 Rank: 31
Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock are reshaping the Raiders in their image. The addition of Antonio Brown alone warrants a climb in these rankings.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
Final 2018 Rank: 26
Are we really supposed to believe Nick Foles is the Jaguars' savior?
24. New York Jets
Final 2018 Rank: 29
Gang Green spent big in free agency and should be improved with Le'Veon Bell and C.J. Mosley in the lineup, but they still have too many question marks at the positions that really move the needle in the NFL.
25. Buffalo Bills
Final 2018 Rank: 25
Josh Allen's supporting cast is better, but the second-year pivot needs to make major strides in the accuracy department for that to really matter.
26. Denver Broncos
Final 2018 Rank: 21
The Broncos insist their roster is capable of competing. They also believe their recently acquired 34-year-old quarterback is "just going into his prime."
27. Washington Redskins
Final 2018 Rank: 19
The truth is that Case Keenum is the type of quarterback you trade for when you want to go 6-10. No offense (and no pun intended).
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final 2018 Rank: 27
The clock is ticking on Jameis Winston to deliver that breakout season we've all been waiting for.
29. Arizona Cardinals
Final 2018 Rank: 32
Thanks to some fine under-the-radar moves and the decline of other teams, the Cardinals are out of the basement.
30. Cincinnati Bengals
Final 2018 Rank: 23
The Bengals' biggest offseason "splash" was re-signing Bobby Hart for $21 million. It's going to be a long year in Cincinnati.
31. New York Giants
Final 2018 Rank: 24
The Giants' plan to ignore traditional stats, advanced stats, and the eye test in favor of another run with Eli Manning at age 38 is crazy - so crazy it just might work. It probably won't, though.
32. Miami Dolphins
Final 2018 Rank: 17
The Dolphins are committed to a full-scale rebuild, as evidenced by their signing of Ryan Fitzpatrick to start at quarterback in 2019 and their shedding of other veteran talents.