My post-draft rankings for the 2024 season:
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens
Ceiling: Super Bwol
Floor: Wildcard
The Ravens have a really goo roster again. I like the addition of Derrick Henry on offense, and I like the corners they drafted, but I have some concerns. They lost some depth on both sides of the line, and I am a little concerned with their depth at receiver. Other than that, the Ravens should be a dangerous contender again.
2. Cleveland Browns
Ceiling: AFC Championship
Floor: In the Hunt
The Browns look pretty similar to last year. Their defense should be really good again, and Nick Chubb is coming back from injury. That coupled with the acquisition of Jerry Jeudy puts the Browns in good position to be competitive. The only thing keeping me from making the Browns a super bowl contender is Deshaun Watson. I don’t think he has what it takes to lead a team to a super bowl.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
Ceiling: AFC Championship
Floor: In the Hunt
Unlike Cleveland, the Browns have a stellar QB in Joe Burrow. Their defense seems to be improves as well. I am concerned with depth on offense especially. At WR they have Ja’Marr Chase who is one of the best in the league, they have Tee Higgins, who requested a trade, and the rookie Jermaine Burton. I also think Zack Moss is a downgrade from Joe Mixon. My main concern with Cincinnati though, is their organization as a whole. They have had several of their players leave or request trades because the Bengals aren’t willing to pay them. I’m just not sure if the Bengals’ organization has faith in their team.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ceiling: Wildcard
Floor: Top 15 pick
The Steelers made some efforts to be better this season, and I think they will be. Their defense has the potential to be elite, and the offensive line should be improved. The only big question mark I see on this team is the passing game. At QB they have Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, who are basically the same person. Wilson has more experience, but Fields has more athletic upside. One of their main problems at their previous stop was their pieces around them, and it may have gotten worse for both. The only good options for them to throw to are George Pickens and TE Pat Freiermuth. I don’t think Pittsburgh will be able to throw the ball well enough really compete.
AFC East
1. Miami Dolphins
Ceiling: Super Bowl
Floor: Wildcard
The Dolphins’ offseason was interesting. They had to let go of some big names, but they may have improved their depth, which was their biggest problem last year, especially in the playoffs. Every position group is one of the best in the NFL except for both sides of the line of scrimmage. The O-line is middle of the pack at best, and the d-line is flat out weak. We’ll see if the plethora of edge options can bail out the interior.
2. New York Jets
Ceiling: AFC Championship
Floor: Wildcard
We’ll finally be able to see Aaron Rodgers with the Jets. Not only is QB obviously upgraded, but they also have a better o-line and a better receiving corps with the additions of Mike Williams and Malachi Corley. The depth on defense doesn’t seem as good as in recent years, but they should still be elite as long as they stay healthy. We’ll just have to see how they all mesh.
3. Buffalo Bills
Ceiling: Divisional
Floor: In the Hunt
This year is kind of a reset year for the Bills. They had to give up on a lot of their long time contributors. Josh Allen is still an elite QB, and both the O-line and D-line should be very good. The receivers, linebackers, and secondary are all sub-par. I don’t think they quite have the talent top to bottom to compete for a super bowl this year.
4. New England Patriots
Ceiling: Top 15 Pick
Floor: Top 5 Pick
The Patriots won’t have a shot at the playoffs this year, but I think they may be able to surprise some people with some wins. I think Drake Maye is going to be good some day and Hunter Henry is an underrated TE. The receivers are all meh unless someone like Ja’Lynn Polk or Javon Baker breaks out. The defense could actually be pretty good if they stay healthy. The Patriots are rebuilding, but I don’t think they are too far off from at least being in the playoff conversation.
AFC South
1. Houston Texans
Ceiling: Super Bowl
Floor: In the Hunt
The Texans made some big moves this offseason bringing in Joe Mixon, Stefon Diggs, and Danielle Hunter. They are ready to win now. Their young talent should get better too. They should. All too often a young team will look very promising and go to the playoffs and then lay an egg the next year (just look at the Jaguars last year). We’ll see if the Texans are here to stay.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Ceiling: Divisional
Floor: In the Hunt
The roster looks good again this year, and rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr. has star potential. The defense and the WR corps as a whole look like they could be a little better this year. The final product relies on the development of Trevor Lawrence. Can he take the next step? We’ll see. Sometimes he’s great. Sometimes he’s not.
3. Tennessee Titans
Ceiling: Wildcard
Floor: Top 10 Pick
Okay, hear me out. The Titans, low-key, they had a pretty good offseason. The O-line is looking ready to possibly be the best in the division. The receivers should be a lot better with Calvin Ridley. Running back is promising with Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. Will Levis had flashed last year, and we’ll just have to see if he can build on that. The defense is looking decent as well, especially after adding L’Jarius Sneed. Don’t sleep on Tennessee.
4. Indianapolis Colts
Ceiling: Wildcard
Floor: Top 15 Pick
The Colts have been mediocre for a while now, but that could change for better or worse with a full season from Anthony Richardson. He looked good in the first few games last season, but we’ll see if he’s the real deal. He will have better weapons this year though with the addition of Adonai Mitchell, who might be one of the biggest steals of the draft. The defense looks solid, but I am a little concerned that they did not address CB in the draft.
AFC West
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Ceiling: Super Bowl
Floor: Divisional
The Chiefs should easily dominate what seems like the worst division in the AFC. Their team looks to be better in almost every area except for the secondary. I’m not too concerned though since the rest of the team is so good.
2. Las Vegas Raiders
Ceiling: In the Hunt
Floor: Top 10 Pick
The Raiders added a bonafide star in Christian Wilkins to shore up the D-line, but their draft was confusing. While I think Brock Bowers is going to be a star, it did not fill a need. They did not really address OT or CB, which were two huge needs. They have a lot of star power, but not mush after it which is why I don’t think they can make the playoffs.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
Ceiling: In the Hunt
Floor: Top 10 Pick
The Chargers’ roster is okay. They seem to have both tackle positions locked down if Alt lives up to the hype. Justin Herbert is an elite QB. Contrary to popular opinion, I still have faith that Quentin Johnston can still develop into a good NFL WR. They also have some pieces defensively with Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, and Derwin James Jr. as well as some promising rookies in Justin Eboigbe and Junior Colson. The Chargers have some pieces, but it may be a few years until they become a real contender.
4. Denver Broncos
Ceiling: Top 10 Pick
Floor: Top 5 Pick
The Broncos are going to be bad this year, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Bo Nix should be a good fit for Sean Payton’s system, and he has some decent targets to throw to, so the offense might be okay. The defense on the other hand is gonna be terrible. Basically all they have is Pat Surtain II and that’s it. Denver is going to be one of the worst teams in football this year.
NFC North
1. Detroit Lions
Ceiling: Super Bowl
Floor: Divisional
The Lions kept everything that made them so good last year, and improved their weaknesses. Their defense should be much improved, and their offense should be really good again. The Lions are definitely a Super Bowl contender.
2. Green Bay Packers
Ceiling: NFC Championship
Floor: Wildcard
The Packers finished the season very strong last year, and I expect them to be nothing but better next year. While Aaron Jones was good last year, I think Josh Jacobs will be just as good except more durable. I’m just not sure if they have the depth on defense to be a real super bowl contender.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Ceiling: Wildcard
Floor: Top 15 Pick
I considered putting the Bears here, but Minnesota’s defense is just way better. Aaron Jones should improve the running game in a big way, and the rest of the skills group looks good. The success of this team all rides on how JJ McCarthy can do in his rookie season.
4. Chicago Bears
Ceiling: Wildcard
Floor: Top 15 Pick
I think the Bears offense could be pretty dang good if Caleb Williams is at least better than Justin Fields. DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and rookie Rome Odunze make up what is possibly the best trio in the division. I do not have trust in the defense though, especially the front 7. It should interesting to see how they do in one of the toughest divisions in football.
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Ceiling: Super Bowl
Floor: Wildcard
The Eagles had a terrible second half collapse last year that ended in a double digit blowout loss at the hands of the Buccaneers. I have faith though, that the Eagles can get back to 2022 form. Saquon Barkley was a great addition for their offense that also made the Giants way weaker. Devante Parker should be a good WR3. I like how they handled the defense this offseason in the addition of Devin White in free agency and drafting multiple CBs early in the draft with Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. The Eagles could make it to the super bowl yet again.
2. Dallas Cowboys
Ceiling: Divisional
Floor: Wildcard
The Cowboys almost nothing during the offseason to improve their roster. If anything, they just got worse by losing Tony Pollard and signing Zeke again. Trevon Diggs is coming back from injury, which I guess is something to look forward to. They’ll probably be pretty good in the regular season like usual, but I don’t see them winning a playoff game.
3. Washington Commanders
Ceiling: Top 15 Pick
Floor: Top 5 Pick
I think Washington could have a sneaky good offense this year. I think Jayden Daniels is a star in the making at QB, and he has good weapons around him in the passing game with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Zach Ertz, and Austin Ekeler. Brian Robinson Jr should be good again in the running game. The defense is actually looking decent as well. The interior of the d-line is loaded with Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Jer’Zhan Newton, and Phidarian Mathis. The LB corps should be good with the additions of Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. The secondary and o-line will be probably be the main weaknesses. Overall, I think Washington will be much improved.
4. New York Giants
Ceiling: Top 15 Pick
Floor: Top 3 Pick
The Giants are going to be pretty bad. The defense could be okay with the addition of Brian Burns, but the offense is the main problem. Daniel Jones is one of the most unreliable QBs in the NFL. With the loss of Saquon Barkley, the Giants no longer have a running game. The O-line is garbage as usual. The only bright spot is the addition of Malik Nabers, but I don’t think they have a QB who can get him the ball. The Giants are going to suck.
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons
Ceiling: NFC Championship
Floor: In the Hunt
The Falcons should be much improved. Not just at QB with Kirk Cousins, but pretty much everywhere. The defense should be decent, but it could have been even better if they would have just picked a defensive player instead of Michael Penix Jr. The Falcons are going to be good, but I don’t think they quite have a super bowl ceiling yet.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ceiling: NFC Championship
Floor: In the Hunt
The Bucs finished strong last year, and I think the offense will improve with more time to mesh. Overall, I don’t think the Bucs really did enough in the offseason to raise their ceiling.
3. New Orleans Saints
Ceiling: Wildcard
Floor: Top 10 Pick
The Saints should be mediocre yet again. Their offense has some decent pieces, but nothing is elite. The defense may be better with the additions of Chase Young and Kool-Aid McKinstry, but I don’t think they have much of a chance at any sort of postseason success.
4. Carolina Panthers
Ceiling: Top 15 Pick
Floor: Top 5 Pick
The offense should be much better for Bryce Young. Not only should offensive coaching be better, but the o-line should be better and the receiving corps is improved with Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette joining Adam Thielen. The defense may be worse tough, as they lost most of their top players in the offseason. Overall, this should be a better year.
NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers
Ceiling: Super Bowl
Floor: Divisional
The 49ers should have one of the best rosters yet again as they lose just a little depth on defense. The most interesting thing to watch with San Francisco is if they trade one of their star receivers.
2. Los Angeles Rams
Ceiling: NFC Championship
Floor: In the Hunt
The Rams have a lot of high end talent, especially on offense. The retirement of Aaron Donald is going to hurt, but I like some of the additions they made on defense in Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, and Tre’Davious White. They should be good again as long as Matthew Stafford stays healthy.
3. Seattle Seahawks
Ceiling: Divisional
Floor: Top 15 Pick
The Seahawks have a similar roster to last year, they just have a new coaching stuff for better or worse. They should be okay, but I’m not sure how good Geno Smith is going to be in year 3 as the starter.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Ceiling: In the Hunt
Floor: Top 10 Pick
The Cardinals over-achieved last year, and they could be decent this year. I thought they had a great draft, and I think Marvin Harrison Jr could develop into an All-Pro WR. They don’t quite have the depth anywhere on their roster to compete for the playoffs, but they should be better than advertised.
Power Rankings
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Detroit Lions
- San Francisco 49ers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Miami Dolphins
- Houston Texans
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Green Bay Packers
- Cleveland Browns
- New York Jets
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Buffalo Bills
- Atlanta Falcons
- Los Angeles Rams
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Dallas Cowboys
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Tennessee Titans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Seattle Seahawks
- Minnesota Vikings
- Chicago Bears
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New Orleans Saints
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Washington Commanders
- New England Patriots
- Arizona Cardinals
- Denver Broncos
- Carolina Panthers
- New York Giants
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