With the 2024 draft on the rear view mirror, teams will slow down a bit on taking players via FA or trade unless their plans got spoiled in a bad way on draft weekend. I don't expect big news from here to the start of the season, so I made a roster arrangement using ourlads.com info on current state of NFL rosters and do a little evaluation on every division as I see it, listing teams best to worst and starting with the toughest division to end with the weakest. Heck, I'll even throw a draft grade just for fun (for the record, A+ are stupid).
AFC NORTH
RAVENS
The Ravens have been so good at the draft that they don't need to move around, just pick up dudes and go kick ass. This team has been very good at the draft for many years now, rarely do you see a big need at any position and if they do have one, they have plenty of ammunition to plug it with a draft pick. I honestly didn't expect them to go corner with their first pick but that was my fault, once they picked Nate Wiggins I did see the need for him, on top of that they got T.J. Tampa in the 5th and that is just not fair, getting Beau Brade as a UDFA is just sick, he might end up being the NB they need. With their second selection they got needed competition for their RT position by picking OL Roger Rosengarten. They really needed some help at WR to have a 3rd option and they found it by selecting Devontez Walker in the 4th round. The addition of EDGE Addisa Issac is so Ravens. Grade: A
This offense is ready to go, Lamar Jackson behind a solid OL and a variety of wideouts, Derrick Henry in the backfield, its scary good.
The defense is really good enough and could just get better as the season progresses and the rookies get more comfortable. They really are the team to beat in the north.
BENGALS
Overall the Bengals had a solid draft, picking up players at positions of need and even got depth without having to move from their original 10 picks. They did a good job of picking a high quality prospect in Amarius Mims to insure if one of the vets goes down. They got needed WR help in the third round picking up Jermain Burton, a need with the departure of Tyler Boyd and the uncertainty of Tee Higgins. DTs Kris Jenkins and Jackson McKinnley fell into a good situation where they can learn behind good vets, CB Josh Newton might get a chance to push for a starting spot at CB. They went double dipping at TE with Erick All and Tanner McLachlan, I like the later pick more but both seem to be candidates for ST or help as blocking inline TEs. Their final pick in C Matt Lee is a good depth piece. Grade: A
The Bengals need Joe Burrow to stay healthy if they want a change at the post season and the draft helped they get hopefully enough depth to assure Burrow stays in one piece.
The Bengals did a good job to fill holes on defense with FA and the draft especially at the DL, this team is going to be tough to beat.
BROWNS
The Browns had the least value picks on this draft, still managed to get three good players with their top picks. With their highest pick they got a disruptor in DT Michael Hall Jr. and will be a good rotational player for the DLine. Then they added OG Zak Zinter to develop behind a good veteran OLine as well as newcomer WR Jamari Thrash for depth if Jerry Jeudy doesn't pan out. They still seem to need help at defense and not place all their eggs on the Fa they got. Grade: B
The Browns will go as far as Deshaun Watson takes them, last year he didn't manage to go very far but it might change if he stays healthy, he has a great supporting cast to go against any team.
The defense is all about the pass rushers and corners, they are the difference makers on this team, they might struggle against the run.
STEELERS
This years draft for the Steelers was a very good one and can very well help Mike Tomlin to continue going above .500, only needs for Russell Wilson or Justin Fields to play more consistently than Kenny Pickett did. They started by drafting an upgrade at LT in Troy Fautanu, a future pro C in Zach Frazier and a quality backup G in Mason McCormick, and still got good help for the WR room by drafting Roman Wilson. With a mid round pick they added MLB Payton Wilson to pair up with Patrick Queen as a very promising rushing duo. Grade: A
This team is not where they would want to be with all the other teams in the division getting better, but the Steelers are one of those teams you don't wish them luck because they will beat you with it. They will not be a bad team, it all will depend if one of both picked up QBs can get the job done early and often and they really did plenty to help them out by drafting a group of promising Olinemen. It might take time for the coaches to figure it out but if they do, this can be a good offensive unit.
The Steelers pass rush is what keeps them in on all games and by adding Payton Wilson to the MLB aside Patrick Queen, the pass rush can get even better.
OVERALL: There's not a lot separating these teams if not the state of the QB position is what makes the difference.
NFC NORTH
LIONS
We have entered the twilight zone where the Lions didn't have to do much at the draft to keep being the top dog in their division. Even still, they manage to get better going double dipping on their most pressing need, going up at a high cost to pick up my top prospect CB in Terrion Arnold and following by drafting Enis Rakestraw with their two top picks, for some reason they traded away a 2025 R3 to pick up OT Giovanni Manu, they followed it by going up with a not so good trade to pick S Sione Vaki and finished the draft by picking up good depth and both DL and OL with Mekhi Wingo and Christian Mahogany respectively. I got nothing against the players for the exception of Manu but the trade values were not good, but you gotta do what you gotta do to get your guys I guess. Grade: B-
The offense has their leader set in Jared Goff with his new contract signed, Goff has traveled a long and curious road to get to a dependable QB on a good coached team, I felt they were missing some extra help on the WR group, guess someone already on the team will have to step up to get attention off Amon-Ra St. Brown to do his thing.
It all depend on how soon the secondary can gel with Arnold and Rakestraw Jr., once they do, this defense looks to be lights out.
PACKERS
They are still a good organization that does some weird things in the draft but ultimately end up getting what they need. They needed a OT, they got Jordan Morgan with their first pick, why Morgan? Packers. They needed LB, double dip on LBs Edgerin Cooper and Ty'Ron Hooper, same position but different flavors. They need a S, they go triple dipping this time with Javon Bullard, Evan Williams and Kitan Oladapo. They lose Aaron Jones? They get one of my favorite RBs in MarShawn Lloyd. They prioritize in OL to protect their QB, they get C Jacob Monk and OT Travis Glover, who? Packers and they will probably start in 3 years and be good. They bullshit into QBs, draft QB Michael Pratt. Hey we still got one pick, whos on the board everybody forgot? Freaking Penn ST CB1 Kalen King because why not and Packers. Grade: A-
So looks like Jordan Love is a good QB, aint that swell, only hole this offense looks to have is going to be Morgan's learning curve.
The defense is a solid unit that still needs to gel but the top skills are there to result in a good unit.
BEARS
Too little ammo to plug all the needs, but the Bears managed to come out of the draft with a good combo with their two first rounders. The obvious was answered with the first overall pick by drafting QB Caleb Williams who will be the new hope for the Bears franchise to pull them out of QB purgatory, with their second first rounder they could have gone in various routes, it ended up somewhat scripted that WR Rome Odunze was bound to be a Bear all this time. Other picks in OT Kiran Amegadjie and EDGE Austin Booker are good depth pieces to see if they can turn out to be impactful players, one that I really expect to be impactful sooner rather than later is P Tory Taylor, a 4th for a special teamer, well I will remember that Devin Hester was a second round special teams player that is in the Hall of Fame now and hope Taylor has half of his success at the least. Grade: B+
Caleb Williams will dictate how good this offense ends up to be this season, improvement is all that we con wish for, he has a good enough OL that needs to stay healthy, great wideouts and a versatile running backs group. Main concern is who and how good will the C be.
The defense ended in a good note last year, its still a wait and see if it continues, again health will be a main cause of their early success.
VIKINGS
The Vikings where in a better spot draft capital wise than the Bears and managed to make some questionable moves in the first round, their decision to go up one spot for their QB J.J. McCarthy by giving a bit more than needed is understandable, but the move they made to go up to draft EDGE Dallas Turner, who I understand is a need but not necessarily a fit, is a bit more difficult to back up considering the pick value they gave away, especially the future picks. Picking up CB Khyree Jackson was a good one and although they did draft some help for the OL which was needed, OT Walter Rouse and C Michael Jurgens are not names I'm familiar with. Grade: D+
McCarthy has enough to survive this season if placed immediately behind center, the OL might be something to keep a close eye on.
The defense might struggle often but its average at worst, they have enough vets mixed with talented youth to create some mismatches.
OVERALL: There is too much talent in Detroit and Green Bay to say this division is close but if someone has a chance, its the improved Chicago Bears, especially when it seems they have the Lions number.
AFC EAST
JETS
They really moved around at the draft and finished with five trades made, one of those netting them a 3rd rounder for 2025, the rest where very on point in value so they must be happy with that specific result. The Jets set off to draft insurance players starting by picking OT Olu Fashanu to assure the OL remains as minimally intact as possible. The addition of WR Malachi Corley gives them a good slot player but also someone to step up if Mike Williams isn't healthy enough. Drafting QB Jordan Travis is smart, he is a very ready QB with limited weapons, he might be good enough to maintain the boat from sinking if Aaron Rodgers goes down again for some short amount of time. Double dipping at RB drafting Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis might be a sign of heavy running which is something Rodgers had at Green Bay. Grade: A
This team wasn't far away from being the toughest team in the division, they plunged some holes in FA and got plenty of insurance players in the draft, they look ready for anyone.
Defensively they didn't need to do much but not adding a S might have been a mistake, but with a oozing talent at the front seven and a lock corner on one size, there is plenty of talent to cover some minor details.
DOLPHINS
This team really wants to get to the QB, adding EDGE Chop Robinson with their first pick and Mohamed Kamara in the 5th round. Smart move drafting OT Patrick Paul with their 2nd rounder who doesn't need to play right away and can maybe replace Austin Jackson next year. They ended up using a 2025 3rd rounder to get Jaylen Wright in the 4th round and I wasn't a fan of the move, they already have major talent at RB and Wright is a big boom or bust prospect in my eyes at the spot where they got him. Getting both WRs Malik and Tahj Washington so late is criminal making the WR room feel very stacked. I feel they missed adding a talented TE but they wont be short on pass catchers this year. Grade B+
Some teams might slow this offense down, but the only thing stopping them will be themselves in winter.
The defense has some concerns at DL, they might struggle against the run, but can compensate it with their pass rush.
BILLS
It was a good idea to trade down with the intent of getting more picks to have more bodies on this roster, but did they really needed to begin with the Chiefs in the first round? At the end of the day they only amassed one additional pick with the four moves they made and gave a 5th rounder for a 2025 4th, which is good but they really need help NOW. They needed a WR and got Keon Coleman finally with their highest pick, they also needed S help and drafted Cole Bishop which I'm not a fan off getting him this high. Offensive depth help came in RB Ray Davis and C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger who are good picks. I just done know the guys they picked and feel they didn't help the defensive side as much as I would liked. Grade: C+
The Bills window is closing, their roster is starting to show some needs on various areas, they are still a respectable team and they have Josh Allen, but they aren't what they used to be.
The front seven looks good, only time will tell if the secondary can hold on.
PATRIOTS
They didn't make much noise at the draft, going back in the second round only 3 spots to better their high 5th rounder and convert it to a mid 4th, a good value move but the only move done, overall their diversification of picks to fill up the depth chart was decent. They started with the right decision by drafting Drake Maye who should be a good QB once he is placed behind center, may not be this year and that would be a sound decision as well, this might not be the most ready Oline to play they guy that will probably be your future franchise player. The receiving got help with the additions of WRs Ja'Lynn Polk and Jevon Baker along with TE Jaheim Bell. Drafting OT Caeden Wallace in the 3rd was a need but not the player I expected them to pick, they followed a good trend of drafting OL help by picking OG Layden Robinson. The rumors of drafted QB Joe Milton of changing to TE is interesting, sure hope to see that cannon of an arm used in some trick play. Feel they missed in drafting S help. Grade: B-
This team will likely not be competing for much this year, but are placing good pieces on the foundation for the future.
The defense was very solid last year and possibly will continue to be so with the additions made in FA, they might have lost Jack Jones but get Christian Gonzalez back from injury, they didn't add big names to it at the draft and hopefully this wont impact them much.
OVERALL: The Dolphins are just too talented, but once winter hits, this division might be even tighter than at the start of the season. If the Jets can get a lead in the win column by then, they can cruise to the post season.
NFC SOUTH
FALCONS
I mean they did address defense with the next top four picks, Kirk Cousins IS coming back from an injury and is old, so maaaaaybeeee drafting a plug and play QB who is kind of old for a rookie to get drafted #8 overall is a good idea? The Falcons stole the spotlight by doing this and went "all in", in a way, by drafting QB Michael Penix with their first pick sending a statement that this team can go all the way and if Cousins dies they have a solution for it. it just so happens to be an uber expensive decision, not to mention that the move they made to go up for DT Ruke Orhorhoro was, welp, questionably bad. Grade: C
Its a mighty explosive offense that only needs Cousins body to endure the season to achieve big things.
Defensively they could get better depending on this years defensive haul, still its a big if.
BUCCANEERS
The Bucs had a sound draft, they could have tried to bolster the OL a bit more but the pick of OT/OG/C Graham Barton can plug whichever need on the line they think they need solving, DE Chris Braswell bring a good motor to an already solid front seven, CB Tykee Smith and WR Jalen McMillan will try and plug holes at NB and Slot respectively. Overall a very decent draft. Grade: A-
Baker Mayfield is a good QB but time will tell if he is good enough to take the Bucs offense to the post season, they have the weapons to get there.
The defense has enough personnel to go against anyone on the league, most pressing need is for Smith to learn to play the position on this squad.
SAINTS
The Saints didn't have much ammo in the case of value picks, they gave a chunk away to go up and draft CB KoolAid McKinstry for some reason. Their first pick in OT Taliese Fuaga was a good pick, right now he is slotted to be the LT but I would assume he will play inside, if not, the Saints needed more help at OL. They got an interesting backup QB in Spencer Rattler who con be good insurance if anything happened to Derek Carr. Other than that, drafting Khristian Boyd was a good one to add depth to a questionable DL. Grade: C+
Same story, can Carr constantly be the answer for the Saints offense? If they can shuffle the OL enough to be functional, they can compete in this division.
The defense has to do the same, what's the best combination of players to start for this DL? I believe they have a problem at the S position that could be reasonable to keep an eye on.
PANTHERS
I had to go back and confirm the trade the Panther did with the Rams, they fleeced the Rams, period. I don't know why they felt necessary to move one spot to draft WR Xavier Leggett, I mean he was a need but you can forget the two nitpicks of moves they made with the one they did with the Rams, just wow. The other trade up that didn't benefit them in value by just a bit was to get my best ranked RB in Jonathon Brooks who might not be ready to play yet due to injury but they can shelf him for a while and reap the benefits later. They did the Jets a favor with a trade where they lost a bit of value, doesn't matter because they FLEECED THE RAMS. Picking up LB Trevin Wallace, TE Ja'Tavion Sanders and CB Chau Smith-Wade for depth were good moves. Grade: A-
The Panthers bought a OL in FA to try and protect Bryce Young a bit more, they gave him two new weapons to play with and a solid running backs group, your move young man.
The defense is solid at best, they tried to upgrade via FA as well so its a wait and see if it pans out.
OVERALL: The Falcons are the clear favorites but this division has always been fierce, and bad, so anything can happen.
AFC SOUTH
TEXANS
This team came out of no where last year thanks to their rookie first round players., his year they had no first rounder, lets see how they continue building without one. With their highest pick they drafted CB Kamari Lassiter who is slotted to be the NB, I don't know if he is going to take Desmond King's spot that easily. They follow it with more help in the secondary with FS Calen Bullock, both picks look like future assets or depth than day one starters. Draftin OT Blake Fisher in the second round is an ideal pick to try and solidify the RT spot. I like that they drafted ex OSU teammate TE Cade Stover to reunite with C.J. Stroud. I don't see no slash picks made this year and the trades they made to move around didn't benefit them in value, but the picks made are solid depth at least.. Grade: B
Its gonna be real interesting to see Stroud's sophomore year and see if he can keep up the numbers, his supporting cast got better so he should be able to manage consistency.
At defense I felt they needed help at IDL and LB, they did pick up some guys but I honestly don't know how good they are, they did go heavy in FA to try and fill the gaps, we will see if it was enough in a very tight division.
JAGUARS
The Jaguars move in the first round paid off, picking up needed help in WR Brian Thomas Jr. while trading 5 spots down to the 23rd pick and getting mid round picks for next year was excellent value, rest of their draft they stayed put and focused almost all their assets on defense for depth in DTs Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson, CB Jarrian Jones and EDGE Myles. They did great with their work in the first round, after that was nothing spectacular but solid. Grade: A-
This team looks decent, it needs Trevor Lawrence to help push it to the next level, they got some OLine and WR help in FA, time will tell if the where the right pieces to complete this offense.
The defense has some pieces at EDGE, LB and S but still lacks some big time players, they went dipping for it in FA as well but I don't know if it will be enough.
TITANS
Not enough picks to plug all the holes on the roster, its always smart to pick OL help to protect your young QB, OT J.C. Latham was the selection to try and protect the blindside, though he played primarily RT in college. More help in the trenches in the form of a massive man in DT T'Vondre Sweat to clog the middle of the DL, a pair of LBs in Cedric Gray and Jarvis Brownlee Jr., interestingly the later is slotted as a NB. Anything that hits from this draft will be a plus for this team that need at least one more year of offseason to take shape. Grade: B+
I expect for Will Levis to at least have enough time behind this OL to find his trio of veteran WRs or they can always establish the run with a good RBs group.
The defense is a whole other story, this is an unfinished product in the front seven, Jeffrey Simmons will not be able to do everything even if the secondary plays out of their mind which they are capable.
COLTS
The Colts made moves at the draft to help out their unproven young franchise QB by getting him a promising WR in Adonai Mitchell and depth at OL by picking up Matt Gonclave and Tannor Bartolini with their top half of picks. They when pass rush with their first pick drafting EDGE Laiatu Latu to bolster the DL a bit more. I thought they needed coverage help, while they did draft 2 Safeties and a CB but no LBs, I just don't know if that will be enough to upgrade those areas. Grade: B+
The offense will be as good as Anthony Richardson shows progression, that will have to start by taking more care of himself at the pocket and when scrambling, he has a good established OL with weapons around him to do enough damage in this division.
The defense has a chance to have a dominant DL if their young players can contribute often, what is worrisome with this team is if the back seven will do their part by giving the DL enough time to pressure the QB.
OVERALL: Honestly, the Titans might be the worst of the bunch and the Texans the high risers, but there is no clear winner here, teams are an injury away or a rising star in wait from flipping the tables.
NFC WEST
49ERS
They really must like Ricky Pearsall to draft him in the first round, he has a good skill set but there were other dudes that looked better, still the niners already have a good receiving group so he doesn't need to do much to start his career unless Brandon Aiyuk leaves. The niners decided to get depth in the secondary by drafting CB Renardo Green and S Malik Mustapha who are good players and are needed now, but I was assuming they would help their aging front seven as well. Offensively they drafted OT Dominic Puni, who will possibly convert to OG, and RB Issac Guerrendo, a bruising runner to change this up in the RBs group. Grade: B+
Brock Purdy brings it back with much of the same unit from last year to dominate the division.
The defense is getting old and could be the reason the niners window closes soon, but for now its a solid unit and ready to giving one more go.
SEAHAWKS
The Seahawks opt to bolster the trenches by picking DT Byron Murphy and OG Christian Haynes, both strong and high motor players. Other than both CBs in Nehemiah Pritchett and D.J. James who will be depth players, there's not much I can tell from the rest of the Seahawks draft. Grade: B+
Can Geno Smith replicate last years success with this offensive unit which looks very solid.
The defense will try and wreck havoc with their DL and a deep secondary, they just need to know who will start at what position.
RAMS
Oh man FLEECED I TELL YOU, they must really like DT Braden Fisk, one of the strongest players at the combine and a human bowling ball, but they already have Kobie Turner to play 3T, well at least it will be a very good DL with depth, joining them will be first round pick DE Jared Verse who is also known for his strength against the run and pushing OLinemen backwards. Even with the trade, the Rams where able to pick up good talent in RB Blake Corum, S Kamren Kinchens, DT Tyler Davis and OC Beaux Limmer for great depth players. Grade: B+
Time will tell if not drafting a OT this year will come to hunt aging Matthew Stafford, other than that this offense has enough weapons to put points on the board fast.
I cant deny the Rams have a scary DL with the addition of the Seminole duo, there's a lot of power in that line, if the secondary can give them time, its going to be a nightmare for opposing QBs.
CARDINALS
They got WR Marvin Harrison Jr. with their first pick, that would put a smile on any face especially Cardinals fans who their team really needed a WR and might still do, the WR room is that slim. They also needed pass rush and drafted EDGE Darius Robinson with their second first rounder, a successful first round. Second round got even better starting by robing the Falcons then preceding to plug a hole with CB Max Melton, bolster their respective positional groups with RB Trey Benson and OT Isaiah Adams. Some additional quality picks in birdman TE Tip Raiman and S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson who will definitely be competing in camp for snaps with the starters or at least be special teams bodies. Grade: A
Its not going to be an easy year for Kyler Murray, he might be fighting to retain his job next year, the OL looks shaky and there's not enough wideouts to throw to, injuries might derail this team very fast.
The defense is lacking talent and will try to count on veteran players to keep things afloat while the rookies can contribute enough to have a fighting chance.
OVERALL: I just don't see the Cardinals doing something significant this year and it brings all this division down to a three headed race with the 49ers with a significant lead from the start.
AFC WEST
CHIEFS
The Chiefs moved quite a bit at the draft but still retained the number of picks they started the day with, biggest move was for their biggest need and if they were aiming for speed at the WR spot they got it with Xavier Worthy, looking at their other picks it seems what the Chiefs are interested in is to keep Patrick Mahomes as clean in the pocket as possible by drafting three OLinemen, one of each position. Grade: A-
Everybody knows you have to try and stop Mahomes to have a chance to win against this team but the Chiefs seem to know this as well be adding assets to the OL and RB rooms additionally getting massive speed at the WR group, if the Chiefs get an early lead they can just run heavy and deflate de opposing defense.
They have a very good front seven that can pressure the QB which adds to the formula of getting ahead and just milk the clock, but the hole they have at CB might give opponents a chance, if they can find a way to make time to throw the ball consistently.
CHARGERS
The Chargers had a draft they can be proud of, don't know if everything is going to work but its a good start to build the foundation fairly quick at least more so because their bottom half draft looks very promising. Solidifying the blindside with first rounder OT Joe Alt as priority #1 for new coach Jim Harbaugh that will probably mean he is interested to run the ball a lot as well. Obviously the Charges needed help at WR and got a rout running specialist in Ladd McConkey with their next pick, followed by Harbaughs LB Junior Colston who will possibly bring scheme familiarity and knowledge, bring in good depth for the defense in DT Justin Eboigbe and CB Cam Hart, just staking up RBs drafting Kimani Vidal and finishing filling up the WR group with their final two picks drafting Brenden Rice and another wolverine in Cornelius Johnson, it was a good haul this year. Grade: A
Justin Herbert should be able to do something now that he will be better protected and he has some new guys to throw the ball to. The RBs group will have a melee battle to see who gets to play on gameday and this Harbaugh-led offense will probably run the ball significantly even with Herbert under center just like the Chiefs.
The defense did not show up enough last year and this year might not change much at least not based on player personnel but maybe better coaching and scheming can rise this whole group enough to not have to get into shootouts every game.
BRONCOS
The QB needy Broncos had no option but to draft one, unfortunately the only one left was the last promising QB on this draft which was Bo Nix, still you cant criticize a team that has no established QB to not pick someone at the position, even if Nix is not as talented as the rest picked before him he is still talented to maybe surprise the league, drafting him his buddy WR Troy Franklin should help. PIcking up defenders in EDGE Jonah Eliss and CB Kris Abrams-Draine fro depth is a good move. The Broncos bolster their RBs group by drafting bowling ball RB Audric Estime to form solid trio in the backfield. The lack of S help is concerning. Grade: B
I will be very surprised to see a QB other than Nix start the season, mostly because there isn't any QB that has played under Sean Payton', so there isn't really an advantage for any QB.
The defense is solid at best, just a bit of a concern at SS and really no one to challenge Cade Stern for the job.
RAIDERS
With the top 6 QBs taken before the Raiders pick, they went BPA and drafted TE Brock Bowers who isn't a bad pick but certainly wasn't a need. They followed with help at OL by picking mammoth C Jackson Powers-Jonhson who is listed as the starting RG, this would help him quicken his learning curve. Then they just drafted some guys I don't really know for the exception of Tommy Eichenberg who will most likely start on the bench. Grade: C
The Raiders stood in place and said we got Gardner Minshew, were good, and that is a decision to say the least. They are very thin at WR so they will have to plan a scheme where Bowers and Michel Mayers are on the field most of the time, go 12 personnel and run the ball often with, oh wait, Josh Jacobs isn't here, well whoever looks better at camp behind a OL than need time to coordinate.
Well at least the DL is good at worst, still they need to decide where Tyree Wilson is going to play and if he will pan out, the secondary has some things to figure out, but if they do, the Raiders will have half their problems solved.
OVERALL: The Raiders with QB woes, the Broncos with a rookie and a bunch of needs, only leaving the Chargers to keep up with the beast which are the Chiefs. Makes their dynasty look really similar to the Tom Brady led Patriots.
NFC EAST
EAGLES
I was not a fan of tracking the Eagles moves at this years draft, they moved 8 times, just pure mayhem, started with 9 picks ended with 8 and an additional 2025 3rd rounder. Going up for Cooper DeJean cost them but was worth it and with all the other moves they made they more than recovered for that trade up. Him and Quinyon Mitchell along with the capital they added for next years draft is what makes this draft a success for the Eagles, their mid picks are promising players and good depth, the front office surely came to work this year or just had fun doing it, or both. Grade: A
What will Jalen Hurts achieve with this offense? Playoffs should be a given, the only thing they should be worried about is if Cam Jurgens is able to fill in at C.
The defense should improve as the season progresses, their porous secondary has the guys that should be able to give the front seven liberty to wreck havoc, unless the Safety tandem is not the right one, still it shouldn't result in a melt down until maybe the post season.
COWBOYS
The Cowboys traded down in the first and didn't miss a beat taking OT Tyler Guyton which was a need and the compensation was very good, they used it to pick up OG Cooper Beebe who is right now slotted as the backup C which is a weak link on this OL. Marshawn Kneeland makes the Cowboys top half draft a very good one. Grade: A-
If either Brock Hoffman or Cooper Beebe can fix the C spot, Dak Presscot should be good to go, another WR would have been good though, and a RB, and survive Guyton's learning curve.
This defense can surely rush the QB no problem, its up to "all in " CBs DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs to take advantage of hurried passes and turn them into turnovers.
GIANTS
The Giants didn't have much capital to spend in this years draft and ended up with a good draft either way, it would have been better if they got a QB but instead got one of the three top WRs in this draft in Malik Nabers, well he can always learn the ropes of the NFL for a year until the Giants get him the right QB I guess. DBs Tyler Nubin and Andru Phillips come to try and solidify the secondary who needed the help, additions of freaky TE Theo Johnson and a change of pace RB in Tyrone Tracy Jr should help this offense at least run the ball. Grade: A-
This offense looks like they want to be the Dolphins or Chiefs with lots of speed on the outside, a good enough OL and versatile RBs group, but where's the QB? I mean, maybe Daniel Jones can orchestrate this team but can he bail a struggling team with his arm? Their ceiling is the Dolphins, I cant envision in any way they being the Chiefs.
If the secondary gets good enough to give the DL 3 second to get to the QB often, its all up to the offense to win them games.
COMMANDERS
The Commanders with all its deficits on their roster had a very good draft, obviously starting with their first pick in QB Jayden Daniels, then they got one of the best 3T DTs in the draft in Jer'Zhan Newton followed by a trade down with the Eagles that gave them good value in return and still landed one of the better slot CB in Mike Sanristil which was a big need on this team. It didn't stop there, they followed it with my #2 ranked TE in Ben Sinnott, versatile OT/OG Brandon Coleman and a promising slot guy in WR Luke McCaffrey, finishing their draft by picking with a good prospect rusher in EDGE Javontae Jean-Baptiste. Even with this haul, the Commanders are still to deep in a hole to be considered a good team but if they can develop this years draft and have a similar one next year, they might be a favorite to flip the table and go last to first. Grade: A
Priority for this team is the development of Daniels, they cant afford to finish with a similar results like the one Anthony Richardson ended up having last year, with his tendencies in college to scramble too often, he will be battling an uphill battle playing behind an average OL and new scheme, but fortunately he will have a good WR room and reliable veteran RB and TE he can lean on.
The front seven has been the Commanders bread an butter for some years now but have lost their rushing prowess by trading away Montez Sweat and Chase Young. They should be capable of shutting down the run game at will, but with big questions at CB and missing big names at EDGE, its going to be tough for them to keep games close.
OVERALL: The Giants will most probably start the rebuild, the Commanders seem to have started the rebuild and the Cowboys are definitely not all in. The Eagles should soar through this division.
My early ranking list, based on season matchups and overall team strength:
1 RAVENS
2 CHIEFS
3 49ERS
4 JETS
5 EAGLES
6 LIONS
7 PACKERS
8 FALCONS
9 BENGALS
10 DOLPHINS
11 BROWNS
12 TEXANS
13 BILLS
14 RAMS
15 BEARS
16 CHARGERS
17 BUCCANEERS
18 STEELERS
19 SEAHAWKS
20 PANTHERS
21 JAGUARS
22 SAINTS
23 COWBOYS
24 COLTS
25 TITANS
26 PATRIOTS
27 CARDINALS
28 VIKINGS
29 COMMANDERS
30 BRONCOS
31 GIANTS
32 RAIDERS
I can crack my head nitpicking and moving this list around, but basically this is what I expect, teams ranked from 1 though 12 are who I expect make it to the playoffs. Teams 13 through 17 I expect to be in the mix. Teams 18 through 22, I expect to die hard. Lastly, teams 23 and below I don't have high hopes for them. Of course this changes with injuries, but what makes guys like me look stupid are falling and rising players, there's always that one guy no one expects to shine or bust, other than some football expert or Bob the couch potato, those players are what makes you stick to the screen or makes you buy more TVs each year, you know who you are.
