The NFL draft took place in April, and now we have a good vision of what this league will look like in the next upcoming season.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City had a lackluster WR core last season, with the only real weapon given to Mahomes was Rashee Rice, who is already involved in controversy. Because of KC’s lack of WR depth, they signed WR Hollywood Brown in free agency and drafted WR Xavier Worthy. Their offensive line is nothing special, but it gets the job done like your uncle’s tractor. Their defense is at least top 12. The Chiefs have competition, but a 3-peat in Super Bowl wins is possible.
2. Detroit Lions
The Lions had one weakness going into this offseason, secondary. The Lions improved their secondary by drafting CB Terrion Arnold who is the best CB in the draft. Lions have a top 3 offense, an up and coming defense, and one of, if not, the best offensive line in the league. The RB duo also shines as David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs put up incredible numbers together. We think the Lions are strong competitors in the NFC, but that doesn’t mean they won’t have competition.
3. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have a young and competent QB in Brock Purdy, who has an arsenal of weapons around him on offense. The 49ers also have an elite defense led by DE Nick Bosa. The 49ers lost Chase Young in free agency, but that shouldn’t make a huge difference in their defensive power. We think the 49ers and Lions are the two titans of the NFC.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens gained a lot and lost a lot in free agency. They brought in a sparkling-new backfield featuring Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson, where both should be explosive playmakers under the cushion of their offensive line and John Harbaugh’s play calling. Their defense certainly also shines as having one of the best linebackers in the league and having an even stronger secondary with the addition of the speedster Nate Wiggins. However, the Ravens lost LB Patrick Queen to their rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. We think that Patrick Queen’s absence will de-tier the Ravens defense this upcoming season.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have an arsenal of weapons especially with the new addition of RB Saquon Barkley and elite-rookie CB Quinyon Mitchell. Jalen Hurts is good and he can get the job done with WRs Devonte Smith and AJ Brown. Their defense needs some work, but they certainly improved in the draft. The Eagles’ offensive line is questionable with the retirement of Jason Kelce.
6. Houston Texans
The Texans are an up-and-coming team in the NFL. They have their Sophomore QB in CJ Stroud, and WRs in the forms of Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell. Defense still needs some improvement but their O-line is a decent one with LT Laremy Tunsil.
7. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincy has an MVP candidate QB in Joe Burrow, who has questions about his injury but is overall an accurate and mobile QB. They have a pro bowl receiver in Ja’marr Chase, and good defense with Trey Hendrickson. The Bengals upgraded their offensive line in the draft and free agency, and for their RB they have Zack Moss, who is a strong replacement for Joe Mixon. All of this improvement on the o-line in the offseason and Joe Burrow coming back should help this Bengals offense return to its former glory.
8. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are the youngest team in the NFL. They just upgraded their RB to Josh Jacobs, and they still have overall maintained most of their young stars. However, they did lose David Bakhtiari in free agency and Jon Runyan to the Giants. We still think this Packers team is a strong contender in the NFC.
9. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are a team with lots and lots of talent. Dak Prescott is an above-average QB that can shine with his star WR Ceedee Lamb. Their defensive line is certainly incredible with two defensive power-houses in Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence. The Cowboys are a good team overall, but they didn’t improve in the offseason.
10. New York Jets
The Jets have Aaron Rodgers, an old QB but one who can get the job done. They have an elite secondary and defensive line. Even though they’re offensive line is mediocre, they are still strong contenders for the AFC East.
- Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have an elite defense and pretty good offense, but they have big questions at QB. They will most likely start Russel Wilson, but we don’t know yet. They signed LB Patrick Queen to buff up their defense even more.
- Buffalo Bills
The Bills lost a lot of pieces in free agency. They lost players from all corners of the field, the biggest loss being Stefon Diggs to the Texans. The Bills signed Chase Claypool to help out Josh Allen, but it is definitely a downgrade from Stefon Diggs. The Bills went in on free agency, signing all kinds of defensive players to help reload their roster for this upcoming season.
- Miami Dolphins
Miami has possibly the best WR trio in the league, a pro bowl QB with a good offensive line, and a defense that definitely needs some work but will be improved with rookie DE Chop Robinson. The Dolphins also have a great RB in De’Von Achane and will play alongside rookie RB Jaylen Wright.
- Cleveland Browns
Cleveland has an elite defense with Myles Garrett leading the pack. They still have some questions at QB because he is in some controversy. As far as WRs go, you’re pretty much with Jerry Judy and Amari Cooper and RB is obviously elite, as long as Nick Chubb doesn’t get busted up.
- Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons picked up QB Kirk Cousins in free agency. Kirk is coming off an achilles tear, so he probably won’t be the laser-accurate pocket passer he was in previous seasons. Big Kirko does have some weapons in his arsenal, with RB Bijan Robinson, TE Kyle Pitts, and WR Drake London. Their defense is still very questionable due to them drafting QB Micheal Penix Jr. in the first round, but hopefully that won’t come back to bite them.
- Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have a veteran QB in Matthew Stafford, and a young WR in Puka Nacua. They also have their veteran WR Cooper Kupp. The Rams did lose Aaron Donald due to his retirement, so their defense won’t be as good as it was last season. The Rams are still a strong team though, and they will have their Wildcard round rematch with the Lions on Sunday Night Football in week 1.
- Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have an elite WR group with Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson. Minnesota has a young QB in JJ McCarthy, who has a lot of talent that can be brought out even more with these elite WRs. Minnesota also has a backfield with RB Aaron Jones. Minnesotas’ defense is still great even without Daneille Hunter, since they drafted elite-rookie Dallas Turner to replace him.
- Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have Justin Herbert, a young gunslinger at QB. Their offensive line had a lot of spots to improve last season but OT Joe Alt can help with that. Their defense is mediocre but can improve with all the Michigan defensive players they drafted.
- Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have found their QB in Anthony Richardson, and they drafted DE Laiatu Latu. They have a great offensive line, and their defense is still pretty good. The only thing that can hold the Colts back now is coaching.
- Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have found a QB in Geno Smith, and they have one of, if not, the best WR trio in the league. The Seahawks also have a decent defense, and we predict they will stay a middle-tier NFC team.
- Chicago Bears
The Bears got their QB in Caleb Williams in the draft, and picked up WR Rome Odunze. They also finally got a punter. We think the NFC North with the Lions, Packers, Vikings, and Bears will be a very competitive division this season.
- Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence is a pro bowl QB for the Jags but still is a bit of a fumble machine. They have good WRs, having hefty powerhouse Brian Thomas and Christian Kirk. Defense is good with DE Josh Allen, but not really good.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have a good QB in Baker Mayfield, and a veteran WR in Mike Evans. The Bucs have a decent defense, but it’s nothing special. We don’t think the Bucs will have a season like they did last year.
- New Orleans Saints
The Saints have an insane defense, adding on to it by drafting elite-rookie CB Kool-Aid McKinstry. They have big questions at QB (starting Derek Carr), but they should have a decent offense overall led by Alvin Kamara.
- Denver Broncos
The Broncos drafted QB Bo Nix in the draft, and have a very solid WR1 in Courtland Sutton. The Broncos also have a very solid secondary, but they have needs at pretty much every other position on the field.
- Las Vegas Raiders
Vegas has pretty much no QB starting either Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew. In terms of WRs they have Jacobi Meyers and Davante Adams. Defense is really good with amazing DE Maxx Crosby. However there is nobody in the backfield, as the Raiders lost RB Josh Jacobs. Maybe coach Antonio Pierce can figure it out, but for now, it doesn’t look good in Vegas.
- New York Giants
The Giants drafted their WR1 in Malik Nabers, but they have questions at other parts of their offense. They taped up their offensive line in free agency, they lost RB Saquon Barkley and signed Devin Singletary to replace him, and they will most likely start Daniel Jones at QB. The Giants have a sneaky good defense, but their questions at offense will hold their team back for now.
- Washington Commanders
The Commanders are only a bit worse than the Giants, having WR Terry McLaurin and RB Austin Ekeler. They addressed their QB problem by drafting QB Jayden Daniels, but they still have a pretty bad offensive line. Their defense should be decent, but nothing special. The Commanders are a weird team, and it’s hard to tell how they will pan out.
- Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have no defense except for Budda Baker, but even he can’t do everything. Their offense is going to be pretty solid with rookie WR Marvin Harrison and QB Kyler Murray, as long as he doesn’t get busted up. Their coaching is alright, but it wont raise the ceiling too much for this Cardinals team.
- Tennessee Titans
The Titans drafted OT JC Latham to help bring their offensive line back to the surface, and they will most likely start their Sophomore QB Will Levis. They lost Derrick Henry in free agency, and their team should overall stay the same.
- New England Patriots
The Patriots have nobody that really stands out on their offense besides rookie QB Drake Maye. However, Drake Maye does need some time to adapt to New England. Their defense is very good, and it will be led by former Patriots LB Jerod Mayo.
- Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have no o-line, no WR help for Sophomore QB Bryce Young, and now that Brian Burns is gone to the Giants, the Panthers have nobody. They traded their first round pick last season for Bryce Young, but that trade clearly hasn’t panned out for Carolina. It will be surprising to see the Panthers in the playoffs within the next 3 years.
Overall, this season will be great. We have a season opener with Chiefs vs Ravens, and our own Detroit Lions will play on week 1 Sunday Night Football against the Rams. The NFL season is around the corner, and we’ll see you there before week 1.
Danny Treganowan • May 18, 2024 at 12:59 pm
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