NFL Power Rankings takes stock of all 32 teams throughout the season.
This week, we identify each team's priority before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
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1. Buffalo Bills (6-1)
Previous rank: 1
Bolster the secondary: Buffalo has struggled defensively this year, and its secondary is the biggest culprit. Several high-upside defensive backs could be available - including Budda Baker and Amani Hooker - and the Bills shouldn't think twice about adding a new defensive starter.
2. San Francisco 49ers (6-1)
Previous rank: 3
Keep looking for a WR: With Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel battling injuries, the 49ers lined up with Brandin Cooks and Jordan Watkins as their starting wide receivers in Week 7. San Francisco reportedly tried to trade for Jauan Jennings, but the former Niner opted to stay with the Vikings. Kyle Shanahan's outfit should still keep looking for a pass-catcher.
3. Chicago Bears (6-2)
Previous rank: 5
Nothing: Chicago already made its big move, trading two first-round picks to the Titans for Jeffery Simmons last week. Simmons was one of the best players on the field in his debut against the Seahawks, and the Bears looked like the best team in football as they beat the defending champs. Ryan Poles' work is done; the GM can sit back and let his team take it from here.
4. Denver Broncos (6-2)
Previous rank: 6
Get a bell-cow RB: Bo Nix receives the lion's share of the criticism for Denver's offensive struggles, but the quarterback isn't the only position letting the Broncos down. Neither J.K. Dobbins nor RJ Harvey has run with enough juice, and both are averaging well under 4 yards per rush. Jonah Coleman gave the Broncos a spark against the Chiefs, but even he was at 3.7 yards per carry in that one. A legitimate franchise running back could do wonders for this offense - and for Nix, who isn't equipped to carry the unit.
5. Minnesota Vikings (6-1)
Previous rank: 2
Improve the backfield: Aaron Jones doesn't have the burst he once did, and Jordan Mason isn't enough of a home-run threat behind him. The Vikings need more explosiveness in the backfield, especially since Kyler Murray still isn't much of a passing threat. Sunday's loss to the Lions was a reminder of what happens when your offense has to pull its own weight.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2)
Previous rank: 8
Find D-line reinforcement: The Jaguars' need for a defensive tackle grew in Week 8 after starter DaVon Hamilton suffered a season-ending quad injury. Zach Sieler (Dolphins), Moro Ojomo (Eagles), and Grover Stewart (Colts) are among the top linemen possibly available on teams looking to sell.
7. Detroit Lions (5-2)
Previous rank: 12
Get Aidan Hutchinson a partner: The much-maligned Lions defense has been coming around over the last three weeks, but it still has a glaring need at defensive end. While Hutchinson has the left side locked down, the right side remains a weakness. Detroit is a Hutchinson running mate away from looking awfully scary.
8. Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
Previous rank: 7
Get an RB: The reigning Super Bowl champs' offense hasn't dominated this season. The attack has become somewhat predictable, and the backfield lacks explosiveness, even with running backs Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price returning from injury. Seattle doesn't have time to wait for them to shake off the rust and should explore a move for an established, healthy running back.
9. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)
Previous rank: 4
Bring in an offensive playmaker: General manager Brett Veach already acknowledged he's in the market for a wide receiver. Given the lack of playmakers around Patrick Mahomes, he'll need to do more than just send out feelers. The Chiefs have dropped two straight, and their offense stalled out in crunch time in both games.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Previous rank: 9
Make a splash: You have to give the Steelers credit for their record, but they still give off pretender vibes. Whether it's on offense or defense, this team needs to get bold and acquire a legitimate needle-mover to raise its ceiling. Otherwise, Pittsburgh is destined to go on its annual late-season slide before a real contender crushes it early in the playoffs.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
Previous rank: 10
Add another defensive difference-maker: Cincinnati's defense has improved this year after a series of offseason moves. However, Sunday's 43-36 overtime win over Tennessee showed that the unit still needs more, ideally in the middle of the field and the secondary.
12. New England Patriots (5-3)
Previous rank: 11
Iron out the WR core: A.J. Brown has been in and out of the lineup and hasn't been particularly impressive when available, while Romeo Doubs is on injured reserve and has also taken some lumps. Wide receiver was supposed to be this team's strength entering the season, but the Patriots may need to reinforce the group.
13. Los Angeles Rams (4-4)
Previous rank: 14
Pursue another WR: With Davante Adams sidelined for weeks, Puka Nacua is the only Rams wide receiver with 10-plus receptions this season. Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas Jr. is the top trade candidate at the position.
14. New York Giants (4-2-1)
Previous rank: 16
Stay the course: John Harbaugh's determination to acquire Jeffery Simmons - which ultimately fell short - is a bit peculiar for a team that hasn't yet entered its Super Bowl window. The Giants have a good thing going, but trading top draft picks for older players before the roster is really ready to compete for a championship could set the franchise back years.
15. Cleveland Browns (5-3)
Previous rank: 13
Kick the tires on young players: The Browns are still very much building for the future, so they should look for young talent who might need a fresh start. Acquiring someone like Josh Downs or Nolan Smith would be more sensible for Cleveland than targeting veterans like Jauan Jennings or Josh Sweat.
16. Green Bay Packers (5-3)
Previous rank: 19
Work on the offensive line: With or without Josh Jacobs, the Packers can't run the ball into this porous offensive front. Matt LaFleur has been shifting players around since training camp and still hasn't found a combination he likes. Green Bay reportedly showed interest in Quenton Nelson but let the Seahawks gobble him up for third- and fifth-round picks.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)
Previous rank: 23
Buy and sell: The Buccaneers are bad enough to shed expiring contracts, but good enough - especially in a bad division - to pursue upgrades, too. A'Shawn Robinson, Yaya Diaby, and Al-Quadin Muhammad could be among the outgoing players. Don't be surprised if GM Jason Licht plays both sides.
18. Atlanta Falcons (3-5)
Previous rank: 17
Be aggressive: The NFC South is wide open, and the Falcons are 3-2 in games when Michael Penix Jr. starts and the rain isn't pouring like there's no tomorrow. An impact move could set Atlanta up for a nice little run in the second half of the season and a postseason berth for the first time since 2017.
19. Carolina Panthers (3-4)
Previous rank: 18
Target pass-rushers: Jaelan Phillips has helped, but the Panthers need a lot more, especially with the $120-million linebacker battling injuries for much of the season. Carolina has 11 sacks all year, better than only four teams.
20. Las Vegas Raiders (4-4)
Previous rank: 21
Trade Ashton Jeanty before it's too late: Actually, it might already be too late. Klint Kubiak reduced Jeanty to a supporting role in Sunday's win over the Jets, limiting the former sixth overall pick to just two carries. Although Jeanty nearly won the Heisman Trophy in 2024, he's averaging just 3.5 yards per carry in his two-year NFL career. At this point, the best the Raiders can hope for is a Trent Richardson-esque deal before his value declines any further.
21. Baltimore Ravens (4-4)
Previous rank: 15
Find an interim QB: The Lamar Jackson injury is a killer, but the Ravens have enough talent to remain in the playoff race - provided they get competent quarterback play. If Jackson can return before the season ends, Baltimore should do everything it can to stay afloat. While the QB options are bleak this time of year, maybe GM Eric DeCosta can pull a rabbit out of his hat.
22. Houston Texans (2-5)
Previous rank: 22
Gauge the market for their expensive vets: The Texans are projected to be $41.5 million over the 2027 salary cap, a bad place for a team with two wins near the halfway point of the season. Now might be the time for Houston to see if it can get out of some expensive contracts by dangling guys like Danielle Hunter, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Dalton Schultz on the trade market.
23. Arizona Cardinals (3-5)
Previous rank: 27
Maximize their assets: The Cardinals are multiple years away from contending, and veteran defenders Budda Baker and Josh Sweat don't fit that timeline. Too many teams let their top assets depreciate; Arizona can do the opposite and extract maximum value for two quality players.
24. Dallas Cowboys (3-5)
Previous rank: 20
Get a proven pass-rusher: It's tiring to harp on this again, but seriously - get a freaking pass-rusher already! Dallas' defense has been abysmal ever since Micah Parsons skipped town, even though the club has made moves to strengthen other parts of the unit. Offseason acquisition Rashan Gary and first-round pick Malachi Lawrence have one sack apiece - not remotely good enough.
25. New Orleans Saints (2-5)
Previous rank: 25
Avoid the temptation of a major move: The Saints are in a tricky position, trailing the NFC South-leading Panthers by only one game despite having just two wins. Still, they should avoid a big move, since there's no point in trying to make a short-term push in a weak division with a flawed roster. Instead, New Orleans should sell expendable veterans for draft capital while protecting younger studs who will have short- and long-term impact.
26. Washington Commanders (2-4-1)
Previous rank: 26
Improve the trenches: The Commanders should be deadline sellers, but GM Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn are on the hot seat and can only save their own jobs by improving the team. The offensive and defensive lines have been a mess, so that's a good place to start looking for upgrades.
27. Philadelphia Eagles (2-6)
Previous rank: 24
Part with expendable players: The Eagles don't need to launch a full rebuild despite their disappointing season, as they still have young stars who can help them get back on track next year. That said, it'd be smart to acquire draft capital by trading players with limited long-term upside, including Riq Woolen and Dallas Goedert.
28. Miami Dolphins (1-6)
Previous rank: 28
Sell anything worthwhile: The Dolphins are in the early stages of a multi-year rebuild and don't have any untouchables. Malik Willis is swimming upstream in this situation but probably isn't the QB of the future anyhow - put him on the block. Zach Sieler is 31, and teams always need defensive tackles - trade him while you can. Even Chop Robinson, an emerging edge rusher, is worth fielding offers on.
29. Tennessee Titans (1-7)
Previous rank: 29
Keep capitalizing on star defenders: Amani Hooker is coming off a three-interception game against Joe Burrow and is signed through 2028 - his stock will never be higher. The Titans cashed out on Jeffery Simmons' worth at its peak, and they should consider doing the same with Hooker, if not Jermaine Johnson as well.
30. New York Jets (2-6)
Previous rank: 31
Make another trade with the Colts: New York got two first-round picks from Indianapolis for corner Sauce Gardner, and that deal gets better by the day. The Jets currently hold three top-10 selections in 2027, since they also nabbed a Round 1 pick from the Quinnen Williams midseason trade to Dallas last year. If N.Y. has another chance to fleece Indy, or any other team, it shouldn't hesitate.
31. Indianapolis Colts (2-6)
Previous rank: 30
Recoup draft capital: The Colts have traded multiple starters to launch a rebuild, but they don't have a 2027 first-round pick. Though Indianapolis likely won't fetch a Round 1 selection in a midseason trade this year, the team should focus on adding Day 2 picks in exchange for running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Josh Downs.
32. Los Angeles Chargers (0-7)
Previous rank: 32
Focus on 2027: Despite the nightmare season, the Chargers still have some good pieces to move forward with. However, keeping pending free agents like Khalil Mack and Quentin Johnston to attempt a late-season surge, instead of waving the white flag and stockpiling draft picks for 2027, would be a mistake.
