NFL Power Rankings: Patriots retool early in free agency
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2020 record: 11-5, won Super Bowl
The band's back together, as the Buccaneers managed to re-sign Shaq Barrett, Lavonte David, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski, and others. With another offseason together, Tampa Bay could be better in 2021 than it was in its Super Bowl-winning season.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
2020 record: 14-2, lost Super Bowl
The Chiefs were surprisingly active in free agency considering they entered it over the cap. The AFC champs recruited Joe Thuney on a sizable deal and came close to landing Trent Williams and JuJu Smith-Schuster. But a glaring hole remains at left tackle.
3. Buffalo Bills
2020 record: 13-3, lost in AFC Championship
The Bills are focused on closing the gap on the Chiefs. Re-signing Matt Milano and Micah Hyde while adding Emmanuel Sanders was a good place to start.
4. Green Bay Packers
2020 record: 13-3, lost in NFC Championship
Aside from bringing back Aaron Jones, the Packers were eerily quiet in the first week of free agency. They'll make the necessary additions via the draft this time around, right?
5. Los Angeles Rams
2020 record: 10-6, lost in divisional round
There aren't many better at maneuvering around cap limitations than the Rams. They upgraded at quarterback by dealing Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford and managed to keep a key defensive piece by re-signing Leonard Floyd.
6. Cleveland Browns
2020 record: 11-5, lost in divisional round
The Browns used free agency to shore up their biggest liability: the defensive backfield. Safety John Johnson brings his playmaking ability to a unit that was ravaged by injury last season.
7. Baltimore Ravens
2020 record: 11-5, lost in divisional round
Finding a top-flight receiver remains a priority, but it's a need that can be addressed in a draft chock-full of options. More concerning is the hole that Orlando Brown would leave at right tackle if his trade request is granted.
8. New Orleans Saints
2020 record: 12-4, lost in divisional round
For the first time in 15 years, the Saints will have someone other than Drew Brees under center. They'll also be without Trey Hendrickson, Janoris Jenkins, Emmanuel Sanders, and Jared Cook who weren't retained and signed elsewhere.
9. Seattle Seahawks
2020 record: 12-4, lost in wild-card round
It's been a dramatic offseason in Seattle, but Russell Wilson should be encouraged by the trade for guard Gabe Jackson, the addition of tight end Gerald Everett, and the retaining of rusher Chris Carson.
10. Arizona Cardinals
2020 record: 8-8, missed playoffs
The additions of J.J. Watt and A.J. Green made all the headlines, but the trade for stud center Rodney Hudson should help fix a leaky offensive line and put quarterback Kyler Murray in a position to thrive in 2021.
11. Washington Football Team
2020 record: 7-9, lost in wild-card round
Washington's been one of the most assertive teams this offseason. Brandon Scherff is back and William Jackson reinforces one of the league's best secondaries. There's no telling how Ryan Fitzpatrick will play in that offense, but it's sure to be entertaining.
12. Tennessee Titans
2020 record: 11-5, lost in wild-card round
The Titans have been busy, shedding Kenny Vaccaro, Malcolm Butler, Adoree' Jackson, Isaiah Wilson, Corey Davis, and Jonnu Smith. The biggest addition thus far is a multi-year deal to Bud Dupree, who suffered a torn ACL in December.
13. Indianapolis Colts
2020 record: 11-5, lost in wild-card round
General manager Chris Ballard isn't one to go on a shopping spree just because he has the cash. The Colts have only handed out one-year contracts in free agency and took care of their biggest matter - trading for quarterback Carson Wentz - before the market opened.
14. Miami Dolphins
2020 record: 10-6, missed playoffs
This is Tua Tagovailoa's team, and he now has one of the league's best downfield threats in Will Fuller to pair with Devante Parker.
15. New England Patriots
2020 record: 7-9, missed playoffs
New England has enjoyed the second-most successful offseason behind only Washington, according to PFF's improvement index. They eschewed the Patriot Way to do so, splashing more than $270 million on new contracts for the likes of Matt Judon, Hunter Henry, and Jonnu Smith.
16. San Francisco 49ers
2020 record: 6-10, missed playoffs
The Niners put an emphasis on their offensive line, luring back the biggest fish in Trent Williams and adding Alex Mack at center. With a focus on retaining many of their own, and in the hope of better health, the 49ers intend to return to their 2019 level of play.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
2020 record: 12-4, lost in wild-card round
Pittsburgh is ranked the lowest among last year's playoff teams. A decimated offensive line and a number of other notable departures don't elicit confidence in a prosperous 2021.
18. Los Angeles Chargers
2020 record: 7-9, missed playoffs
Bringing in Corey Linsley was necessary after center Mike Pouncey retired. Now, the Chargers need to sign a pass-rusher and corners to flank Chris Harris in Brandon Staley's defense.
19. Dallas Cowboys
2020 record: 6-10, missed playoffs
Dak is back, and thank goodness for that, but the Cowboys have done little to address a defense that allowed 30 points per game in 2020.
20. Denver Broncos
2020 record: 5-11, missed playoffs
The Broncos have been generous in handing out new contracts to Justin Simmons and Shelby Harris while also adding Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby to the defense. Denver still has $37 million in cap space to complement its young pieces.
21. Las Vegas Raiders
2020 record: 8-8, missed playoffs
It's been an odd offseason in Las Vegas. The Raiders traded away their three best offensive linemen, then signed Kenyan Drake and Theo Riddick to back Josh Jacobs. Who knows what Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock will do next?
22. New York Giants
2020 record: 6-10, missed playoffs
Daniel Jones now has a No. 1 receiver to go along with a rebuilt offensive line and the returning Saquon Barkley. Kenny Golladay's addition should do wonders for the third-year passer as the Giants chase an NFC East title.
23. Minnesota Vikings
2020 record: 7-9, missed playoffs
The Vikings' biggest moves to date have been to let safety Anthony Harris walk and shell out $10 million for aging corner Patrick Peterson.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
2020 record: 4-11-1, missed playoffs
Out is Geno Atkins and in is Trey Hendrickson. The Bengals also signed Riley Reiff at right tackle, brought in a couple of corners, and still own ample cap space to play with.
25. Carolina Panthers
2020 record: 5-11, missed playoffs
The Panthers have been among the most active teams this offseason, redesigning the team to fit Matt Rhule's system. They've also been in hot pursuit of a franchise quarterback, but until Carolina lands one, the club will remain in the bottom third of the league.
26. Chicago Bears
2020 record: 8-8, lost in wild-card round
Seemingly in on every quarterback rumored to be available, the Bears took their best swing at the elites but had to settle for Andy Dalton. Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace will need to work some magic to save their jobs.
27. New York Jets
2020 record: 2-14, missed playoffs
The Jets haven't been shy in free agency. The defense should be much improved with Carl Lawson and Jarrad Davis aboard, but the offense is still predicated on the decision at quarterback. Will New York continue on with Sam Darnold or reset at the position with the second pick in the draft?
28. Philadelphia Eagles
2020 record: 4-11-1, missed playoffs
Still $12 million over the cap, the Eagles' most notable move was inking star safety Anthony Harris to a $5-million deal. Philly will have to get creative and rely on the draft to bring in more pieces.
29. Atlanta Falcons
2020 record: 4-12, missed playoffs
The Falcons have been quiet, trading for a backup tight end and making depth adds at linebacker and safety. This roster is still desperate for help on the offensive line, at running back, and in the pass rush.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
2020 record: 1-15, missed playoffs
It's not a good look for the rebuilding Jaguars that new head coach Urban Meyer lamented his inability to use college-like recruiting in free agency. As a result, Jacksonville failed to land a star free agent despite owning the most cap space in the league.
31. Detroit Lions
2020 record: 5-11, missed playoffs
Jared Goff hasn't exactly been placed in a position to succeed on his new team. The Lions surprisingly chose not to tag Kenny Golladay and restocked the empty shelves with career backups Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman, and Jamaal Williams.
32. Houston Texans
2020 record: 4-12, missed playoffs
The Texans have acquired 30 new players, yet they still employ the league's worst roster. They'll have to do more than hand one-year deals to bit players to entice quarterback Deshaun Watson to stay.