The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
This week we'll be identifying one 2023 signing or draft pick that each team wishes it could return to the store like an unwanted holiday gift.
1. Baltimore Ravens (12-3)
Previous rank: 2
Rock Ya-Sin: The Ravens have few regrets amid one of the best seasons of John Harbaugh's tenure. Ya-Sin wasn't as much of a bad gift as he was an unneeded one. The veteran cornerback has been a healthy scratch recently.
2. San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
Previous rank: 1
Nothing to return: The 49ers' holiday spirit might've been ruined by the Ravens, but they don't have any 2023 gifts they feel compelled to give back as their roster was firing on all cylinders before Monday night's loss. They remain in the driver's seat for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
3. Buffalo Bills (9-6)
Previous rank: 3
Deonte Harty: Harty hasn't found a key role behind Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis as some had hoped. Though he's been a productive punt returner, Harty has caught just 14 passes for 138 yards since inking a two-year deal in the offseason.
4. Miami Dolphins (11-4)
Previous rank: 7
Jeff Wilson: The Dolphins re-signed Wilson in the offseason, but he's gotten lost in the shuffle in the team's backfield. Thanks to injuries, the emergence of De'Von Achane, and the steady production of Raheem Mostert, there just hasn't been a lot of work left for Wilson.
5. Dallas Cowboys (10-5)
Previous rank: 4
Luke Schoonmaker: Expectations were never sky-high for rookie Schoonmaker, but the Cowboys probably thought they'd get more than eight catches and 65 yards. That a second-string tight end is Dallas' biggest issue speaks volumes about how good of a year it's having.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (11-4)
Previous rank: 5
James Bradberry: The Eagles tried to run it back in 2023, but if there's one piece of baggage they wish they'd left in 2022, it's probably Bradberry. The once-solid cornerback is a serious weakness in an already spotty Philly secondary.
7. Detroit Lions (11-4)
Previous rank: 8
Jack Campbell: The only off-ball linebacker to be taken in the first round this past spring, Campbell has delivered mixed results. Although his ability to attack downhill is exemplary, his struggles in coverage leave much to be desired.
8. Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)
Previous rank: 6
Jawaan Taylor: Of all the problems with the Chiefs' offense - and there are more than a few - signing Taylor to a four-year, $80-million deal can't be ignored. The former Jaguars tackle is 58th out of 60 qualifying tackles (minimum 50% of snaps) in PFF's player grades. That money could've been better spent elsewhere.
9. Los Angeles Rams (8-7)
Previous rank: 9
Kickers: The Rams have been gifted multiple kickers this year, and not one has put a smile on their faces. Brett Maher missed six kicks before his release, while replacement Lucas Havrisik is already up to five misses.
10. Cleveland Browns (10-5)
Previous rank: 10
Siaki Ika: The obvious answer is Deshaun Watson, but due to our theme restrictions, we're only focusing on 2023 acquisitions or decisions. Ika - a third-round pick this past spring - is an easy choice after being a healthy scratch for most of the year.
11. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
Previous rank: 15
Bobby Wagner: Wagner is undoubtedly a future Hall of Famer and rightfully beloved in Seattle. But the linebacker is far from his prime, and his limitations in coverage are having a detrimental effect on the Seahawks' defense.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
Previous rank: 17
Devin White: The Buccaneers opted to not fulfill White's offseason trade request, and they probably now wish for a do-over after the linebacker held himself out of Week 15 amid reported attitude concerns.
13. Houston Texans (8-7)
Previous rank: 11
Robert Woods: With the Texans' receiving group ravaged by injuries, it'd make sense for them to turn to the reliable veteran. But Woods has been a nonfactor over the last month and only has one touchdown all season.
14. Las Vegas Raiders (7-8)
Previous rank: 20
Jimmy Garoppolo: Moving on from Derek Carr was the right decision for the Raiders, but even at the time, Garoppolo seemed like a lateral move. It ultimately wasn't even as good as that, with the veteran morphing into a turnover machine before getting benched.
15. Denver Broncos (7-8)
Previous rank: 12
Mike McGlinchey: The Broncos gave McGlinchey a huge free-agent deal as they attempted to fix their offensive line to help Russell Wilson bounce back. While the offensive tackle's play has improved of late, he still ranks fourth in pressures allowed and has been responsible for nine penalties.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7)
Previous rank: 14
Anton Harrison: Leaping to the NFL level is hard for offensive tackles, especially those asked to switch sides. But Harrison has looked more raw than most expected, ranking 53rd among 60 qualifying tackles by PFF and giving up five sacks.
17. Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
Previous rank: 16
Matt Gay: The Colts made Gay one of the NFL's highest-paid kickers in March, and the early returns were promising. But with five missed kicks in the last six games, Indianapolis has to be wondering if it's paying a steep price for another short-term answer.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
Previous rank: 24
Matt Canada: The Steelers already got rid of Canada but likely wish they'd returned him earlier. The decision to bring him back for 2023 may have rotted their season from the inside out.
19. Cincinnati Bengals (8-7)
Previous rank: 13
Irv Smith: Smith didn't cost the Bengals a lot of money in free agency, but he hasn't even been worth the modest deal he received. The tight end has only 18 catches for 115 yards and one touchdown.
20. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
Previous rank: 18
Marcus Davenport: The early signs were positive for Davenport, but an ankle injury in Week 6 derailed his prove-it season in Minnesota. Despite the Vikings needing help to secure a playoff spot, the pass-rusher's return timetable remains unclear.
21. Green Bay Packers (7-8)
Previous rank: 19
Joe Barry: With no obvious players to return, we'll bend our theme a little here. The Packers opted for continuity on defense heading into the 2023 campaign by retaining Barry despite some fans calling for the coordinator's job. The gamble appeared to pay off at times early on, but the defense has fallen off a cliff lately, jeopardizing Green Bay's playoff hopes.
22. Chicago Bears (6-9)
Previous rank: 22
Robert Tonyan: Plucking Tonyan from the Packers appeared to be a solid decision but hasn't resulted in any significant production. Thankfully, the continued development of Cole Kmet has overshadowed another miss by the current regime in free agency.
23. Atlanta Falcons (7-8)
Previous rank: 23
Jeff Okudah: Plagued by injuries during his tenure with the Lions, the former first-round pick hasn't been able to establish himself as a bona fide running mate to A.J. Terrell. Okudah's struggles in pass coverage during the season showcase him as a rotational piece instead of a fixture in the secondary.
24. New Orleans Saints (7-8)
Previous rank: 21
Derek Carr: Carr hasn't bolstered the New Orleans' offense as projected. Unfortunately, the Saints won't be able to return this gift after the holidays, as the veteran quarterback's $30-million price tag remains nonrefundable amid a 7-8 campaign.
25. Tennessee Titans (5-10)
Previous rank: 25
Andre Dillard: The former first-round offensive tackle was trending toward being Tennessee's latest free-agency steal after starting eight of its first nine games. Dillard now finds himself stuck on the sideline after surrendering 10 sacks and 36 pressures in his failed experiment as the starting left tackle.
26. New York Giants (5-10)
Previous rank: 26
Daniel Jones: The Giants are financially committed to Jones after signing him to a four-year, $160-million contract last offseason. After another underwhelming campaign cut short due to injuries, the club can't be pleased that the same questions about its starter quarterback linger. Some in the organization still believe in Jones, but even his most ardent supporters would like another chance to negotiate that contract.
27. New York Jets (6-9)
Previous rank: 28
Aaron Rodgers' baggage: The Jets can't overlook the excitement of finally having a true franchise quarterback. However, the acquisitions to appease the future Hall of Fame QB (Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Nathaniel Hackett) haven't panned out after he sustained a season-ending injury. Rodgers will be welcomed back in 2024, but much of his entourage probably won't be.
28. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
Previous rank: 27
Zach Pascal: It's fitting that the veteran receiver wears No. 0 given the lack of production he's provided in his first year in Arizona. Pascal languishes at the bottom of the depth chart after signing a two-year deal this past spring.
29. Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)
Previous rank: 30
Quentin Johnston: After posting over 1,000 yards in his final season before turning pro, Johnston struggled to establish himself despite ample opportunities. The second wideout drafted in 2023, Johnston's production is well behind fellow first-rounders Zay Flowers and Jordan Addison.
30. New England Patriots (4-11)
Previous rank: 31
JuJu Smith-Schuster: The Patriots rewarded Smith-Schuster with a three-year contract in hopes that the veteran would solidify the receiving corps. The signing joins the many head-scratching free-agency deals of the Bill Belichick era.
31. Washington Commanders (4-11)
Previous rank: 29
Emmanuel Forbes: A rookie season can certainly be a trial by fire for any defensive back, let alone a first-round pick. Forbes has been humbled in a forgettable campaign, and his snaps have dwindled recently.
32. Carolina Panthers (2-13)
Previous rank: 32
Bryce Young: Carolina went all-in on the 2023 first overall pick but has little to show for it. After watching No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud excel, there's plenty of buyer's remorse given the steep price tag to acquire Young.
