NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating teams after FA frenzy
The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The reigning Super Bowl champions traded standout cornerback L'Jarius Sneed but managed to re-sign All-Pro lineman Chris Jones. Plus, Kansas City added Marquise Brown, who brings upside and speed to the Chiefs' offense while addressing a major need at wide receiver.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The defending NFC champs are having a quiet offseason. Most of San Fran's 2023 starters are returning next season, and the team's major change came in the defensive coordinator role after replacing Steve Wilks with Nick Sorensen. As long as Kyle Shanahan is calling the shots, the 49ers will continue to have one of the best offenses in the league.
3. Detroit Lions
Detroit attacked this offseason by looking to fix a pass defense that ranked 25th in dropback success rate in 2023. The Lions traded for Carlton Davis and signed Amik Robertson to fill holes in last season's struggling secondary. Defensive tackle D.J. Reader is one of the most underrated additions any team has made this offseason. He fills a massive hole in Detroit's interior defense.
4. Baltimore Ravens
As expected, Baltimore lost multiple starters to free agency. But the Ravens remain a well-rounded squad with plenty of star power. Quarterback Lamar Jackson will share the backfield with running back Derrick Henry, the club's main acquisition this year.
5. Houston Texans
The Texans tackled main needs and increased their potential on both sides of the ball by signing edge rusher Danielle Hunter and trading for running back Joe Mixon. After a surprising divisional-round appearance last season, Houston's future is bright with quarterback C.J. Stroud entering Year 2.
6. Green Bay Packers
The Packers had 14 players record at least 1,400 offensive snaps last season, and 12 of them are set to return in 2024. Green Bay ranked fifth in EPA per play on offense in 2023, and another campaign with this core could make them a top-three unit. Adding Xavier McKinney should help shore up the back end of the team's defense.
7. Buffalo Bills
The Bills moved on from multiple veterans due to their salary-cap situation. However, Buffalo should remain a threat in the AFC as long as Josh Allen is around. The 27-year-old is the only player in NFL history to account for 40-plus touchdowns in four straight seasons. He'll have a new weapon this campaign in Curtis Samuel, who should be a great fit as he reunites with offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
8. Philadelphia Eagles
General manager Howie Roseman saw his club lose six of its last seven games and decided he needed to make significant changes. The Eagles added key contributors Saquon Barkley, Bryce Huff, C.J. Gardner Johnson, and Devin White. Jason Kelce's and Fletcher Cox's retirements leave holes at center and defensive tackle, but Philly drafted Jalen Carter and Cam Jurgens in recent years for this situation. The Eagles project as a boom or bust team in 2024.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals still have to figure out what's next for Tee Higgins, who recently requested a trade after receiving the franchise tag. But with a healthy Joe Burrow in 2024, Cincy remains one of the NFL's toughest teams. The Bengals smartly added offensive tackle Trent Brown and running back Zack Moss to replace losses in free agency.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Linebacker Eric Kendricks is the Cowboys' only outside free-agent addition this offseason. Dallas has holes to fill all over the roster after players like Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, and Tony Pollard left. Still, the Cowboys are 36-15 over the last three seasons and have stars CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. Both will likely get new contracts this offseason. How Dallas deals with Dak Prescott's contract will be interesting over the following few months, as the quarterback is set to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
11. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland re-signed the right players, including edge rusher Za'Darius Smith. The Browns' trade for Jerry Jeudy also makes sense, but they probably shouldn't have given the receiver a three-year, $58-million extension after the move. With Deshaun Watson returning from injury, Cleveland and its premier defense's hopes rely on how the quarterback plays in his third season in town.
12. Miami Dolphins
We know what Miami can do offensively. The main question is on the defense, which lost several starters, including lineman Christian Wilkins, cornerback Xavien Howard, and linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jerome Baker. As replacements, the Dolphins added linebacker Jordyn Brooks, cornerback Kendall Fuller, safety Jordan Poyer, and pass-rusher Shaq Barrett, among others. Miami also has a new defensive coordinator.
13. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams' big moves this offseason included signing guard Jonah Jackson and retaining Kevin Dotson, who had a terrific year in 2023. Los Angeles ranked ninth in offensive success rate last season, and it'll hope that continues, as Aaron Donald's retirement leaves question marks on the defensive side.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
No other team revamped its quarterback room like the Steelers, who signed Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields. That's an upgrade over Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph. Is it enough for Pittsburgh to win in the playoffs after losing its last four postseason games since the 2017 season?
15. Atlanta Falcons
Kirk Cousins, welcome to the Atlanta Falcons. If the 35-year-old can recover from his torn Achilles and return to his pre-injury 2023 play, the Falcons' offense could be one of the best in the league. Raheem Morris should bring stability to the defense, and Atlanta has a top-10 pick to help build this roster.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay is basically running it back from last year after making the divisional round. The Bucs re-signed Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Lavonte David. They have a talented roster, but all eyes will be on Mayfield and if he can continue his 2023 play.
17. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are committed to Geno Smith as their starting quarterback next season. Although he took a step back from 2022, Seattle's offense still ranked 10th in success rate last year. The defensive side was their Achilles heel. Hopefully, new head coach Mike Macdonald can help turn this unit around.
18. New York Jets
New York stayed patient early in free agency and still made big splashes, signing receiver Mike Williams and offensive tackle Tyron Smith as part of an O-line reconstruction. For a second straight year, the Jets look ready for Aaron Rodgers.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars
The arrivals of defensive tackle Arik Armstead, receiver Gabe Davis, and center Mitch Morse, among others, filled important holes. That said, the Jaguars didn't plan on getting outbid by the Titans for free agent Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville's only 1,000-yard pass-catcher in 2023. This team needs more to make a deep playoff run with Trevor Lawrence under center.
20. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts prioritized re-signing key defenders and inking top receiver Michael Pittman to a multi-year deal early this offseason, and they nailed it. It'll be fascinating to see how this group helps Anthony Richardson develop after the quarterback missed most of his rookie season due to injury.
21. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota is arguably the most interesting team over the next two months. The Vikings added another first-round pick in a trade with the Houston Texans and project to add another quarterback behind newly signed Sam Darnold. Who starts under center for this club in 2024 is still up in the air.
22. Chicago Bears
The Bears traded Fields and are set to enter a new era for the franchise with whoever they select No. 1 as their new starting signal-caller. Chicago finished 5-3 in its last eight games and added players like D'Andre Swift and Keenan Allen. The top selection in the draft will enter a great situation and should help this team compete for an NFC North crown.
23. New Orleans Saints
New Orleans had a quiet offseason, as it again had to do a lot of cap maneuvering to stabilize its financial situation. The Saints' roster will look similar to a team that finished 9-8 last season and failed to win a weak NFC South. After restructuring Derek Carr's contract, he'll bring $50-plus million cap hits in 2025 and 2026.
24. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers will look much different in 2024, with Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman on the sidelines. The biggest changes will be on offense after Los Angeles parted ways with veteran wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The team needs to land a top target in the draft to give Justin Herbert a capable group of pass-catchers.
25. Tennessee Titans
Here come the Titans! Tennessee traded for Sneed and spent big on Ridley and center Lloyd Cushenberry. The club also added starters in running back Tony Pollard and corner Chidobe Awuzie. It's now up to unproven quarterback Will Levis and first-year head coach Brian Callahan to take this team to the next level.
26. Las Vegas Raiders
Antonio Pierce and Co. scored a major win by landing Wilkins. But the Raiders offense has major questions as they head into the draft with Aidan O'Connell and recently acquired Gardner Minshew as their top quarterbacks.
27. Denver Broncos
The Broncos stole headlines this offseason, but not because of their acquisitions. They released Wilson and safety Justin Simmons and traded Jeudy. Denver's roster has a lot of holes, and with Jarrett Stidham atop the quarterback depth chart, it's hard to see Sean Payton's outfit competing in a stacked AFC anytime soon.
28. New York Giants
The Giants added star pass-rusher Brian Burns but lost vital 2023 contributors Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney. New York's defensive line is now one of the best in the league, while the rest of the roster leaves a lot to be desired. The Giants could potentially target a quarterback high in the draft.
29. Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray played well for Arizona last season after returning from a torn ACL, totaling 2,043 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Cardinals have made it clear he's their franchise signal-caller moving forward, and the organization will hope he can elevate a below-average roster in 2024. This team is in transition in Year 2 of the Jonathan Gannon era.
30. New England Patriots
The rebuilding Patriots kicked off the Jerod Mayo era by returning multiple starters and trading Mac Jones to the Jaguars. Next is the draft, and New England is in a great position to select a top quarterback at No. 3.
31. Washington Commanders
It's a new era in Washington. Dan Snyder and Ron Rivera are out, and the Commanders are basically starting from scratch. Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters are tasked with changing the fortunes of a franchise that hasn't won a playoff game since the 2005 season. Look for the Commanders to select their quarterback of the future with the No. 2 pick.
32. Carolina Panthers
After a disastrous rookie season for signal-caller Bryce Young, the Panthers have made it clear they want to bolster the situation around him. New head coach Dave Canales helped resurrect Mayfield's career, which should give Young an offensive mind he can rely on. The 2024 season will be all about Young's development.