NFL Power Rankings: Risers, fallers after free agency
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ESPN.com
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/NFLpowerrankingsx180327/2018-nfl-power-rankings-risers-fallers-free-agency
There has been no shortage of movement this offseason, and now it’s time to make some sense of it.
The ESPN power panel — a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities — evaluates how the NFL stacks up following the initial surge of free agency. (Hint: The league has shifted quite a bit since our way-too-early edition.)
Note: These are based on which teams would win head-to-head. Higher-ranked teams would be favored against lower-ranked teams. ESPN Stats & Information’s John McTigue contributed the following.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
2017 record: 13-3
Way-too-early ranking: 2
One of the reigning champs’ biggest strengths was the defensive line, which featured a league-high seven players with at least 400 snaps last season. The Eagles lost two contributors, Beau Allen and Vinny Curry, but replaced them with two players with eight combined Pro Bowls: Michael Bennett and Haloti Ngata.
2. New England Patriots
2017 record: 13-3
Way-too-early ranking: 1
One of the Patriots’ biggest weaknesses last season was their front seven, allowing the second-most yards per rush and the most time to throw on passes. They’ve traded for Danny Shelton and signed Adrian Clayborn, who had 9.5 sacks in 2017, to bolster the defensive front.
Los Angeles took a risk to beef up its defensive line. Is it worth it? Plus: Tyrann Mathieu to the Texans. Dontari Poe to the Panthers. And Kirk Cousins to the Vikings. Bill Barnwell evaluates every big move of the offseason.
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3. Minnesota Vikings
2017 record: 13-3
Way-too-early ranking: 4
The 2018 offseason will be defined by the signing of Kirk Cousins. Consider this for a moment: The Vikings have been around since 1961, and they’ve never had a quarterback throw for at least 20 touchdowns in three consecutive seasons. Cousins has thrown at least 25 touchdown passes in three consecutive seasons.
4. New Orleans Saints
2017 record: 11-5
Way-too-early ranking: 6
Drew Brees re-signing for two years is the best news for the Saints this offseason, but they’ve also added pieces to their resurgent defense. Demario Davis, Alex Okafor and Patrick Robinson all join a defense that allowed eight fewer points per game in 2017 than in 2016.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
2017 record: 13-3
Way-too-early ranking: 3
The biggest question for the Steelers is whether they can work out a long-term deal with Le’Veon Bell, who was once again franchised. Bell has accounted for 75 percent of the Steelers’ rushing yards over the past two seasons, the only player to surpass 70 percent.
6. Los Angeles Rams
2017 record: 11-5
Way-too-early ranking: 9
The Rams had one of the biggest offensive turnarounds in NFL history last season. This offseason the Rams are adding 12 Pro Bowls between Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib to a defense that already featured the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, Aaron Donald.
7. Atlanta Falcons
2017 record: 10-6
Way-too-early ranking: 7
The Falcons filled a big need by signing guard Brandon Fusco to bulk up the interior of the offensive line. The defensive line has taken a hit, though, with Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn both signing elsewhere. The duo played the second- and third-most snaps along Atlanta’s defensive line last season.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
2017 record: 10-6
Way-too-early ranking: 5
The Jaguars saw a huge turnaround in 2017 and are continuing to build on that success. No team ran more between the tackles in 2017, so they signed an All-Pro guard in Andrew Norwell to help. No team had fewer receptions at tight end last season, so they signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins to fix that.
9. Green Bay Packers
2017 record: 7-9
Way-too-early ranking: 8
The splashy signing of Jimmy Graham will certainly shore up a tight end group that combined for two touchdowns last season, tied for fewest in the NFL. But that move didn’t come without sacrifice, and how will Aaron Rodgers react without his old favorite target? Rodgers has thrown more touchdown passes to Jordy Nelson in his career than any other player (65).
10. Houston Texans
2017 record: 4-12
Way-too-early ranking: 15
The Texans allowed the most points in the NFL in 2017, so plugging gaps on the defense was crucial. Tyrann Mathieu, who leads all players in interceptions when lining up as a slot corner the past five seasons, and Aaron Colvin, who was the slot corner on the Jaguars’ stout defense last season, are good starts.
11. San Francisco 49ers
2017 record: 6-10
Way-too-early ranking: 14
Only the Packers allowed a higher Total QBR on passes to wide receivers than the Niners did last season, so the addition of Richard Sherman should pay immediate dividends. With a huge defensive need addressed and Jimmy Garoppolo locked in, San Francisco is in good shape heading into the draft.
12. Carolina Panthers
2017 record: 11-5
Way-too-early ranking: 10
The Panthers were able to mitigate the loss of defensive tackle Star Lotulelei by bringing in Dontari Poe, but the Panthers haven’t done much to mitigate the loss of All-Pro guard Andrew Norwell yet. The Panthers already ranked 24th in yards per rush between the tackles last season, so losing Norwell won’t help.
13. Seattle Seahawks
2017 record: 9-7
Way-too-early ranking: 11
The Seahawks ranked 13th in points allowed last season, the first time since 2011 they ranked outside the top three. With Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, Sheldon Richardson, DeShawn Shead and Jeremy Lane all gone — and more changes potentially coming — it’s possible Seattle could slip even further.
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