NFL Power Rankings: How do teams stack up after 1st week of free agency?
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive line depth were the reigning Super Bowl champions' biggest needs, and they tackled two of them by signing offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor and pass-rusher Charles Omenihu. The Chiefs also reportedly remain interested in Odell Beckham Jr.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
We already knew the Eagles wouldn't be able to re-sign all of their starters in free agency, so the departures of Javon Hargrave, Miles Sanders, and T.J. Edwards were inevitable. It hurts to see C.J. Gardner-Johnson join the Lions on a one-year, $8-million deal, but Philadelphia is bringing back Jason Kelce, James Bradberry, Darius Slay, Fletcher Cox, and Brandon Graham. Plus, the Eagles added Rashaad Penny to replace Sanders in the backfield. They'll be fine.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals lost a few starters, including safeties Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell. However, adding offensive tackle Orlando Brown and re-signing Germaine Pratt fill in bigger needs for a Cincinnati team that remains very competitive.
4. San Francisco 49ers
The rich get richer, as the 49ers - owners of the NFL's No. 1 defense - landed top free-agent defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. San Francisco also added to its injury-plagued quarterback depth chart by signing Sam Darnold.
5. Buffalo Bills
The Bills remain a Super Bowl contender, but last season exposed some flaws on their roster. Yet Buffalo hasn't been aggressive this offseason, with the return of 31-year-old Jordan Poyer being the club's biggest move so far.
6. Miami Dolphins
The arrival of coordinator Vic Fangio alone makes Miami's defense better. But the Dolphins have also landed cornerback Jalen Ramsey and signed linebacker David Long and safety DeShon Elliott, adding experience, versatility, and depth to Fangio's system.
7. Dallas Cowboys
It was an eventful week for the Cowboys, who released Ezekiel Elliott, re-signed Leighton Vander Esch, and traded for 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks. If Gilmore, who turns 33 in September, plays as well as he did last season, he'll form a premier duo of cornerbacks alongside Trevon Diggs.
8. Los Angeles Chargers
How much would the loss of Austin Ekeler, who's scored a league-high 38 touchdowns over the last two seasons, affect the Chargers? It might be time to start thinking about that, as L.A. has granted the running back permission to seek a trade.
9. New York Jets
It's likely just a matter of when, not if, the Jets acquire Aaron Rodgers in a trade. With the four-time MVP and a top-five defense, it's Super Bowl or bust for the AFC East club.
10. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota signed edge rusher Marcus Davenport and corner Byron Murphy in high-upside moves. Fixing the defense remains the top priority for the Vikings, who are also welcoming new defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville has been relatively quiet in free agency. However, Calvin Ridley's return from his gambling suspension gives Trevor Lawrence another interesting weapon.
12. Seattle Seahawks
With Geno Smith signed to an extension, the Seahawks focused on defense in the first week of free agency, significantly bolstering their line by adding Dre'Mont Jones and Jarran Reed.
13. New York Giants
The Giants have been trying to scoop offensive weapons since giving Daniel Jones a $160-million extension. Darren Waller and Parris Campbell could be the answer if they stay healthy.
14. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have reasons to be excited after adding Derek Carr to a team that boasted a top-10 defense in 2022. With the four-time Pro Bowler, New Orleans is in a prime position to compete for the division title in a wide-open NFC South.
15. Detroit Lions
The Lions ranked fifth in points scored but 28th in points allowed last season. They now seem destined to improve defensively, though, having bolstered their needy secondary with top free-agent safety Gardner-Johnson and veteran corners Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley.
16. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens haven't made any high-profile acquisitions to a roster that clearly needs help. But that's not even the biggest concern for fans in Baltimore right now - Lamar Jackson's future with the team remains cloudy.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Defense has been Pittsburgh's priority, especially the linebacker position. After missing out on some blue-chip free-agent linebackers, the Steelers signed Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts to try to revamp the middle of their defensive unit.
18. Washington Commanders
The biggest question is at quarterback. But with 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell set to start and new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy in town, Washington hasn't been aggressive in free agency. The team did add to the offensive line and sign Jacoby Brissett, though. The veteran passer is a reliable backup who could become an option as a starter with plenty of experience if the Howell experiment goes wrong.
19. Denver Broncos
The Broncos made their best offseason move in January when they hired coach Sean Payton. They also addressed needs by bringing in offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, guard Ben Powers, and defensive lineman Zach Allen while adding backfield depth with Samaje Perine. Committing $139.5 million to McGlinchey and Powers combined is questionable, but Denver has clearly gotten better.
20. Cleveland Browns
Three new defensive starters have landed in Cleveland: tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, edge Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, and safety Juan Thornhill. Is that enough to fix one of football's worst run defenses last season?
21. New England Patriots
Yes, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki have arrived, but we were expecting a little more urgency from the Patriots; the AFC East got even better this offseason. New England might not be done yet, though, as it's reportedly inquired about DeAndre Hopkins and Jerry Jeudy.
22. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have added one player this offseason, acquiring backup tight end Hunter Long as part of the trade that sent Jalen Ramsey to the Dolphins. In addition to Ramsey, Los Angeles has parted ways with multiple starters, including Bobby Wagner and Leonard Floyd.
23. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders and Josh McDaniels can't stop adding former Patriots players, but do they have an actual plan? Granted, bringing in Jimmy Garoppolo and top free-agent receiver Jakobi Meyers helps, but Las Vegas has yet to make any big-time moves to bolster its vulnerable defense. And trading Darren Waller for a third-round pick just months after rejecting an offer for a second-rounder wasn't smart, either.
24. Green Bay Packers
With Aaron Rodgers set to be traded to the Jets, the Jordan Love era is about to begin in Green Bay. But things won't be easy, as the Packers haven't made any relevant additions to replace a pair of starters who left in free agency.
25. Tennessee Titans
Tennessee doesn't look anything like the teams that won back-to-back AFC South titles in 2020 and 2021. In fact, the Titans seem destined for a full rebuild with Derrick Henry reportedly being shopped, Kevin Byard refusing to reduce his salary, and Ryan Tannehill potentially being released.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The post-Tom Brady era is about to kick off in Tampa Bay with Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask headlining the club's quarterback depth chart. It could be a great opportunity for Mayfield, who's on his fourth different team since 2021, to put his career back on the right track.
27. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons deserve credit. Re-signing Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary was a must, while the arrivals of safety Jessie Bates and tackle David Onyemata should have an immediate defensive impact. Taylor Heinicke is also a good backup for Desmond Ridder.
28. Carolina Panthers
It's the beginning of an era for the Panthers, who hired Frank Reich as head coach this offseason and are expected to draft a quarterback first overall. Carolina also added running back Sanders, tight end Hayden Hurst, and Adam Thielen. Can the 32-year-old Thielen step up as the club's No. 1 receiver and replace D.J. Moore?
29. Indianapolis Colts
Whichever quarterback the Colts draft in the top five next month will inherit a team that didn't make any splashes in the first week of free agency.
30. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona's biggest free-agent acquisition is linebacker Kyzir White. That's not great news for a team that lost its top two edge rushers and best cornerback this offseason. Plus, Kyler Murray isn't expected to be ready for the season opener due to a torn ACL.
31. Chicago Bears
The roster still has glaring holes, but things are starting to look better for the Bears. Chicago's given Justin Fields a new No. 1 receiver in Moore and added starters to its defense, including linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. Oh, and the Bears also have the No. 9 pick and an extra second-round selection in next month's draft.
32. Houston Texans
It'll take time, but the arrivals of guard Shaq Mason, receiver Robert Woods, and safety Jimmie Ward, among others, are a good start for the Texans as they rebuild this offseason. The next step is to draft the right quarterback.