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NFL Nation, ESPNMay 13, 2024, 07:00 AM ET
The NFL draft is behind us, and teams are getting ready for OTAs and mandatory minicamps — which means the 2024 season is getting closer.
Since rosters have plenty of new faces, it’s time to reevaluate our 2024 Power Rankings. How did the Bears drafting Caleb Williams impact their ranking? Where do the Broncos sit after an offseason of moves and quarterback questions? Did the Eagles addressing their secondary lift them back into the top five?
In addition to our post-draft rankings, NFL Nation reporters offered up the most improved unit for every team since the 2023 season ended. Let’s start with the reigning Super Bowl champions — the Chiefs.
Our power panel of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL teams stack up against one another, ranking them from 1 to 32.
Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Sport 1. Kansas City Chiefs
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Post-FA ranking: 1
Most improved: Wide receiver
The Chiefs added Marquise Brown in free agency and Xavier Worthy through the draft, giving them a chance to have their first 1,000-yard wideout since trading Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins. But beyond the newcomers, Kansas City doesn’t have much depth. Rashee Rice’s availability for a full season is in question, and Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore are coming off disappointing seasons. — Adam Teicher
Sport 2. San Francisco 49ers
Post-FA ranking: 3
Most improved: Defensive end
In 2023, the 49ers traded for Randy Gregory and Chase Young in an effort to finally find a complement to Nick Bosa. It didn’t work, and ends not named Bosa managed a combined 11 sacks and 49 pressures. San Francisco made addressing that a priority in free agency, signing veteran Leonard Floyd (who has had at least nine sacks in each of the past four seasons) and promising youngster Yetur Gross-Matos, whom the Niners envision playing multiple spots on the line. — Nick Wagoner
Sport 3. Baltimore Ravens
Post-FA ranking: 4
Most improved: Cornerback
Baltimore drafted Nate Wiggins, one of its top 20 prospects, with the No. 30 pick and selected T.J. Tampa, arguably a second-round talent, in the fourth round. They will team with returning starters Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens this season, but they could eventually become first-team corners. “They’re both long and rangy,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Wiggins and Tampa. “They both use their hands really well in press. They both can move really well. I think it’s going to factor into how we build our defense.” — Jamison Hensley
Sport 4. Detroit Lions
Post-FA ranking: 2
Most improved: Secondary
It’s no secret that Detroit needed help in the secondary after allowing 28 passing touchdowns last season — which was the sixth worst in the league. So the Lions drafted two DBs — Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. — with their first two picks of the draft, which is a first for the team during the common draft era (i.e., since 1967). The rookies join free agent signees Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson. After loading up at the position, GM Brad Holmes noted there will be plenty of competition for the starting jobs. On paper, it’s a major upgrade. — Eric Woodyard
Sport 5. Philadelphia Eagles
Post-FA ranking: 7
Most improved: Secondary
The Eagles signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency to bolster the safety spot and then used their first two picks in April’s draft on defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. All told, they could have three new starters in the defensive backfield this season. Philadelphia finished 31st in passing touchdowns allowed last season with 35. With corners Darius Slay and James Bradberry both north of 30 years old, the Eagles needed to address the corner position for the short and long term, and they accomplished that this offseason. — Tim McManus
Sport 6. Houston Texans
Post-FA ranking: 8
Most improved: Pass-catchers
The Texans traded for running back Joe Mixon and four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs. Both can elevate C.J. Stroud’s air attack going into Year 2. Since 2020, Diggs ranks fourth in yards (5,372) and touchdowns (37) while leading in receptions (445) among all receivers. Mixon has tallied 1,131 receiving yards in the past three years, so he’s an effective option. Adding Diggs and Mixon to a group with Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz could lead to an even more explosive offense in 2024. — DJ Bien-Aime
Sport 7. Miami Dolphins
Post-FA ranking: 6
Most improved: Pass-rush depth
Although the Dolphins’ top two pass-rushers are about as good a tandem as you get in the NFL, their depth behind Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb left something to be desired. Miami released Emmanuel Ogbah and lost Andrew Van Ginkel to free agency, but general manager Chris Grier signed veteran Shaquil Barrett this offseason, then doubled down on pass-rushers in the draft — taking Chop Robinson and Mohamed Kamara in the first and fifth rounds, respectively.
The rookies might be asked to contribute early in the season if Chubb and Phillips have not fully recovered from their season-ending injuries suffered in 2023, but once those two are healthy, Miami has to feel good about its pass-rush depth in 2024. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
0:38
Where do negotiations stand between Tua and the Dolphins?
Jeremy Fowler reports that the Dolphins have started contract extension talks in earnest with Tua Tagovailoa.
Sport 8. Buffalo Bills
Post-FA ranking: 5
Most improved: Youth
This is a Bills team in transition, and that’s reflected in the many changes to the roster over the offseason. Multiple key players who departed are 30 or older — including Stefon Diggs, Jordan Poyer, Mitch Morse — with only two of 10 team captains from last season still on the roster. As a result, there was an injection of youth when the Bills drafted 10 players last month. Unlike in recent years, later draft picks have a better chance of making Buffalo’s roster this coming season, something general manager Brandon Beane acknowledged. This will be a Bills team that has a different look come September. — Alaina Getzenberg
Sport 9. Cincinnati Bengals
Post-FA ranking: 11
Most improved: Safety
This one is a no-brainer. The Bengals really struggled at the back of the defense and admitted their safety combo was not working. They added Geno Stone and brought Vonn Bell back, giving them two potential upgrades at those spots. Stone’s range and instincts helped him come up with seven interceptions last season for the Ravens. Bell, who was with Cincinnati from 2020 to 2022, will help the back-end communication. Keep an eye on second-year player Jordan Battle’s development throughout the offseason, too. — Ben Baby
Sport 10. Green Bay Packers
Post-FA ranking: 10
Most improved: Safety
The Packers essentially started over here by making a huge free agent splash with Xavier McKinney (four-year, $68 million contract) and then drafting three safeties: Javon Bullard (second round), Evan Williams (fourth) and Kitan Oladapo (fifth) after they moved on from Darnell Savage, Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford — a trio that combined to play nearly 2,000 snaps last season. — Rob Demovsky
Sport 11. Dallas Cowboys
Post-FA ranking: 9
Most improved: Linebacker
So much of the Dallas offseason has been about players the team lost instead of players it has added, and there are questions at running back, offensive line, defensive line and wide receiver and in the secondary. Linebacker is really the only answer. The Cowboys signed Eric Kendricks to quarterback Mike Zimmer’s defense. They welcome DeMarvion Overshown back from a knee injury. They drafted Marist Liufau in the third round. Basically it comes down to this: They will have linebackers playing linebacker with Markquese Bell moving back to safety. — Todd Archer
Sport 12. Cleveland Browns
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Post-FA ranking: 12
Most improved: Wide receiver
It has been a rather quiet offseason for the Browns, who have mainly re-signed their own and made small outside additions. However, the team’s biggest move has been its trade for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. The 2020 first-round pick has yet to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in a season but gives Cleveland additional playmaking in the passing game alongside wide receiver Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku. Jeudy averaged a career-high 6 yards after catch per reception last season, a figure that ranked ninth in the league among 77 wide receivers with at least 50 targets. — Daniel Oyefusi
Sport 13. Jacksonville Jaguars
Post-FA ranking: 15
Most improved: Defensive line
Signing Arik Armstead and drafting Maason Smith (second round) and Jordan Jefferson (fourth round) significantly upgrades the defensive tackle rotation and should improve the team’s run defense. That was one of the biggest problems during the team’s 1-5 record over the final six weeks: The Jaguars gave up 44.4 more yards per game rushing in Weeks 13-18 than they did in Weeks 1-12. Armstead also provides an interior pass-rush presence the team lacked last season, in part because of DaVon Hamilton’s back injury. — Michael DiRocco
Sport 14. Los Angeles Rams
Post-FA ranking: 14
Most improved: Secondary
The Rams did a lot to improve their defensive front in the draft, but they still had Aaron Donald on their roster at the end of the 2023 season. Last season, Los Angeles had 10 interceptions — tied for 23rd in the NFL. Improving the secondary was a focus during free agency and the draft, with the Rams signing cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Darious Williams and safety Kamren Curl and selecting safety Kamren Kinchens in the fifth round. — Sarah Barshop
Sport 15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Post-FA ranking: 13
Most improved: Quarterback
It’s tempting to go with the offensive line here, but the veteran quarterback additions edge out the rookie offensive linemen. Russell Wilson threw for 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions a year ago, while a combination of Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph threw 13 touchdowns to nine interceptions. At the very least, Wilson and Justin Fields should offer a mixture of more stability and a higher ceiling at the position — especially in a run-first, play-action-heavy offense that plays to their strengths. — Brooke Pryor
1:15
Could we see Justin Fields as a punt returner for the Steelers?
Brooke Pryor joins “SportsCenter” to break down the Steelers floating the idea of using Justin Fields as a punt returner and why that likely won’t be happening.
Sport 16. Chicago Bears
Post-FA ranking: 21
Most improved: Quarterback
Justin Fields reached a career-high 2,562 passing yards in his third season in Chicago while accounting for 20 total touchdowns and nine interceptions. Those numbers were an improvement but still highlighted the inconsistencies the team has long had with its quarterback play.
With No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, the Bears expect those numbers to spike considerably, given the upgrade of his capabilities as a passer. Williams’ arm strength, accuracy, mobility and ability to hit the same target whether he’s under pressure or not are qualities Chicago believes will elevate the entire offense and take a passing attack that ranked 27th (182.1 YPG) to new heights. — Courtney Cronin
Sport 17. New York Jets
Post-FA ranking: 18
Most improved: Offensive line
The Jets were the only team last season to rank in the bottom four in both pass block win rate (50%, 30th) and run block win rate (67.7%, 29th), so they had to do something to beef up Aaron Rodgers’ protection. And they did, acquiring three veteran starters (LT Tyron Smith, LG John Simpson and RG Morgan Moses) and drafting LT Olu Fashanu in the first round. The return of RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (Achilles) will help too. Smith and Moses, both 33, aren’t long-term answers, and Simpson is a middling player, but the line is in better shape than last season. The depth, led by Fashanu, is better too. — Rich Cimini
Sport 18. Indianapolis Colts
Post-FA ranking: 16
Most improved: Defensive line
The first thing to know is the Colts’ roster is mostly unchanged, unless you count the return of QB Anthony Richardson from a season-ending shoulder injury. After retaining a long list of internal free agents, one of Indianapolis’ few major changes was drafting DE Laiatu Latu with the 15th pick. He has the potential to become an elite edge rusher with his unique traits and repertoire of moves. Also of note is the signing of free agent DT Raekwon Davis, who adds quality interior depth. — Stephen Holder
Sport 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Post-FA ranking: 17
Most improved: Interior offensive line
The Buccaneers selected center Graham Barton with the 26th draft pick to replace Ryan Jensen, and they drafted guard Elijah Klein in the sixth round to compete with Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson for the starting left guard position. Tampa Bay had a league-worst 59.6% run block win rate at center last season. At guard, the Bucs had a combined 70.2% run blocking win rate, ranking 16th. The team is hoping the new talent will be an upgrade. — Jenna Laine
Sport 20. Atlanta Falcons
Post-FA ranking: 19
Most improved: Quarterback
The Falcons needed a quarterback so bad they got two. Free agent signee Kirk Cousins was leading the NFL in passing touchdowns (18) through eight games in 2023 when a torn Achilles tendon ended his season. Atlanta’s QB combination of Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke threw for 17 TDs in 2023, with 16 interceptions. Only two quarterbacks since 2020 have thrown for more touchdowns than Cousins: Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. The Falcons also drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick, but he doesn’t figure to start, barring a health concern for Cousins, until 2026, at the earliest. — Marc Raimondi
Sport 21. Seattle Seahawks
Post-FA ranking: 20
Most improved: Defensive line
The Seahawks used the 16th pick to draft Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, whom they considered the best defender in this year’s draft. They previously signed veteran nose tackle Johnathan Hankins on a one-year deal to be an early-down run-stuffer. Murphy is a three-down player, but between his addition and that of Hankins, as well as a full season of Leonard Williams and new coach Mike Macdonald’s scheme, Seattle should be better against the run after allowing the most rushing yards (4,906) of any team over the past two seasons. — Brady Henderson
Sport 22. Los Angeles Chargers
Post-FA ranking: 26
Most improved: Offensive line
This offseason has featured the departures of some of the Chargers’ best players, including wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, tight end Gerald Everett and running back Austin Ekeler. Los Angeles hasn’t made any noticeable upgrades at those spots, but it has done so on the O-line. To help build the running offense and protect quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers signed center Bradley Bozeman and general manager Joe Hortiz used the fifth pick to draft Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt. — Kris Rhim
Sport 23. Minnesota Vikings
Post-FA ranking: 23
Most improved: Quarterback
The Vikings overhauled two primary positions this offseason: quarterback and pass rush. We’ll lean toward quarterback as the most improved because it now revolves around J.J. McCarthy, whose relatively inexpensive rookie contract will provide additional cap space over the next four years to afford overhauls like the one Minnesota executed with its pass rush. The combined cap number of McCarthy and veteran Sam Darnold in 2024 is roughly one-third what incumbent Kirk Cousins would have commanded. — Kevin Seifert
Sport 24. New Orleans Saints
Post-FA ranking: 22
Most improved: Cornerback
This answer could change if the Saints trade Marshon Lattimore this summer, but the addition of second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry is a solid addition to a group that includes Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor. New Orleans didn’t improve in a lot of areas this offseason, but McKinstry could either be in the rotation right away or be trained as Lattimore’s replacement. — Katherine Terrell
Sport 25. Las Vegas Raiders
Post-FA ranking: 24
Most improved: Defensive tackle
Signing an elite free agent in Christian Wilkins, who brings 20.5 career sacks with him to Las Vegas, does more than improve the position from a pass-rush perspective — it makes the Raiders’ defense potentially a top-10 unit. Wilkins, who had a career-high 9.0 sacks for the Dolphins last season, had more sacks in 2023 than fellow Raiders DTs John Jenkins (3.5), Matthew Butler (0.5), Byron Young (0) and Nesta Jade Silvera (0) have combined in their careers. But DT Adam Butler had 5.0 of his 22.0 career sacks for Las Vegas last season. Adding Wilkins should also stop offensive lines from double-teaming Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby so much. — Paul Gutierrez
Sport 26. Tennessee Titans
Post-FA ranking: 25
Most improved: Cornerback
An argument can be made for offensive line, but the cornerback position was upgraded the most by signing free agent Chidobe Awuzie, trading for L’Jarius Sneed (one of the NFL’s best corners) and drafting fifth-rounder Jarvis Brownlee Jr. The common thread among these three additions is the level of physical play they bring, especially at the line of scrimmage. This group will attack receivers off the ball, which is right in line with new Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson’s aggressive approach. Holdover Roger McCreary will man the nickel spot, and Sneed and Awuzie play on the outside. — Turron Davenport
Sport 27. Washington Commanders
Post-FA ranking: 29
Most improved: Linebacker
For the long term, they’re in a better spot at quarterback with Jayden Daniels. But he remains an unknown in the NFL. So for right now the Commanders improved their linebacking play considerably by adding Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. Wagner might not be a Pro Bowl, three-down linebacker anymore, but he led the NFL in tackles (183) last season, and Luvu’s pass-rush ability — 12 combined sacks the past two years and 29 tackles for loss — will provide a boost. — John Keim
Sport 28. New York Giants
Post-FA ranking: 28
Most improved: Edge rusher
The Giants essentially subbed in Brian Burns for Jihad Ward, which instantly improved the unit. Burns, acquired via trade from the Carolina Panthers, ranked seventh with a 21.6% pass rush win rate in 2023. Ward, on the other hand, had a 2.3% PRWR, the second lowest of any qualifying edge rusher. — Jordan Raanan
Sport 29. Arizona Cardinals
Post-FA ranking: 30
Most improved: Defensive line
The Cardinals signed three defensive linemen — Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols and Khyiris Tonga — in free agency, adding 294 games of experience and 26.5 sacks among the three of them to provide more depth for a rotation that’s expected to look like hockey lines.
Arizona also drafted Darius Robinson out of Missouri in the first round and edge rusher Xavier Thomas out of Clemson, both of whom can play inside and out. Adding all of the new faces to a defensive line room that already includes the likes of L.J. Collier, whom the Cardinals re-signed this offseason, second-year lineman Dante Stills and veteran Roy Lopez means Arizona’s defensive front got much-needed improvement. — Josh Weinfuss
Sport 30. New England Patriots
Post-FA ranking: 31
Most improved: Quarterback
Signing veteran Jacoby Brissett as a placeholder until No. 3 pick Drake Maye is ready to take over seems to have the Patriots better positioned than they were last season — with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe at the reins — when they finished tied for last in points scored per game (13.8). Zappe and sixth-round pick Joe Milton III (Tennessee) round out the QB depth chart. Brissett has started 48 career games, and Maye’s upside sparks promise for the future if New England can develop him properly. — Mike Reiss
0:29
Jacoby Brissett excited for QB competition with Drake Maye
Jacoby Brissett speaks on his relationship with new Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and what he’s expecting during the quarterback competition this offseason.
Sport 31. Denver Broncos
Post-FA ranking: 27
Most improved: Defensive line
The Broncos trading for DE John Franklin-Myers during draft weekend was one of the best under-the-radar moves of the three-day affair. Denver acquired a player who will play and have an impact across its entire defensive front for a swap of sixth- and seventh-round draft picks. Franklin-Myers is a highly productive player who consistently pressures opposing passers. Couple that with the addition of Malcolm Roach, a powerful interior player who should help what was a wobbly run defense at times last season, and the Broncos have improved. — Jeff Legwold
Sport 32. Carolina Panthers
Post-FA ranking: 32
Most improved: Offensive line
This easily could have been wide receiver with the additions of Diontae Johnson and first-round pick Xavier Legette, but quarterback Bryce Young was sacked a team-record 62 times, so giving him time to find his receivers was the first priority. GM Dan Morgan did that by signing free agent guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis and shifting guard Austin Corbett to center. Inside pressure resulted in 35 of Young’s sacks and hindered his ability to effectively run the offense. — David Newton
