2021-2022 NFL Power Rankings

NFL regular season football is back! Preseason football is cool, but we all know that the real fun doesn't start until the opening kickoff of Week 1 on Thursday. I know that not everybody shares the same passion for football as I do, but every week outside of the NFL season feels different - after what feels like forever, we are finally back! In this article, I will be releasing my power rankings for all 32 NFL teams before the season kicks off. When discussing all NFL teams, there will always be some disagreeing, so I would love to hear your opinions in the comments or on Twitter. With the mention of Twitter, if you enjoy this content, be sure to follow @SportsVerseHQ and my personal account, @cobioconnell. Enjoy!

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Coming in at first in my power rankings are the 2019 Super Bowl Champs and 2020 Super Bowl runner-up Kansas City Chiefs. Many people would have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in this spot, and I can't argue much with that take. The Chiefs and Buccs are interchangeable in my rankings, but I gave the slight edge to the team with the better quarterback at this point in time. It is no secret that the strength of the team lies within their offensive firepower, which is seconded by none in the league by the likes of Mahomes, Kelce, Hill, Edwards-Helaire, and a revamped offensive line that includes Orlando Brown, Joe Thuney, and impressive rookies Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith. However, I would argue that the Kansas City defense remains underrated, despite the top of the AFC projections that nearly everyone has for the team. During the 2020 season, the Chiefs held opponents to an average of 22.6 points per game, which was 11th best in the league. When you consider that teams often need to play at a faster pace to match the scoring of their offense, that is a pretty impressive statistic. Expect the Chiefs to return to the Super Bowl for the third consecutive season.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As mentioned in the breakdown of the Chiefs, the one and two spots on my power rankings were essentially interchangeable. If I was evaluating the roster with the fewest weaknesses and strongest overall balance, then the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers would lead the way, but I am still slightly more fearful of the Chiefs all things considered. There are truly no holes on Tampa Bay as they have the greatest quarterback of all time under center, a strong offensive line, endless offensive weapons, and a top ten defense, primarily due to their dominant front seven. The team did little in the off-season in terms of new additions, but they managed to hold on to every player that was pivotal to their championship, which is all they needed to do. I don't think anyone would be surprised if Tom Brady is able to do it again in 2021.

Picture Attribution: All-Pro Reels, Tom Brady (50831667973), CC BY-SA 2.0

3. Green Bay Packers

What a rollercoaster of emotions Packers fans endured during the 2020 off-season. After complications were revealed between Aaron Rodgers and the organization's front office, it seemed very unlikely that Rodgers would ever play another snap in a Packers uniform. At one point, there was even some concern whether Davante Adams would be shipped off or play through the season with the team. Nonetheless, the start of the season has arrived, and both players will be playing in what may be their "last dance" season. There has never been any question about what Aaron Rodgers can do - if he is playing, the Packers are a threat to win it all. In years past, he has had minimal weapons and a weak defense to work with, but we saw that turn around in 2020. The Packers defense finished within the top half of the league in points allowed per game, and that shouldn't be surprising when looking over their roster. Kenny Clark, Za'Darius Smith, and Jaire Alexander are all elite players, and they have solid players filling the gaps within the other starting roles. On the offensive side, the injury to David Bakhtiari may hurt at the start of the year, but with weapons like Aaron Jones and Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers will be just fine.

4. Baltimore Ravens

Do not sleep on the Ravens. I have said this many times before, but it is crazy how fast Lamar Jackson went from overrated to slept on following his MVP season, and I only mean overrated in the sense that people had Jackson on the same tier as the likes of Mahomes and Rodgers. His postseason play hasn't been the strongest in his career, but the fact that people can label him as a "choker" is lunatic - he is the most electric player in the sport with the ball in his hands, and is remarkably misinterpreted as a passer. However, this piece isn't only about Jackson. The injury to J.K. Dobbins doesn't help the team, but with a reliable offensive line and vertical threats in Mark Andrews, Hollywood Brown, Sammy Watkins, and Rashod Bateman, the offense will remain as one of the best units in the league. To add to that, the Baltimore defense is one of the hardest to score on in the NFL, and is arguably the best at forcing turnovers. Last season, they were one of three defenses to hold opponents to less than 20 points per game on average, only trailing the Rams in that category. The Ravens and Bills have a strong fight for the second best team in the AFC.

5. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have a good quarterback, and Matt Stafford has a good team! That is not a combination that the rest of the NFL should be excited to see, as the Rams made the Super Bowl just three seasons ago with Jared Goff at quarterback (although he does deserve some credit), and Matt Stafford is one of the most underrated players in the entirety of pro football. It would be unfair to the Rams to not start this talk by mentioning their defense. Led by Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, the two best players at their respective positions, the Rams defense ranked first in total points allowed last season, and also finished first in yards per game allowed with nearly 25 less than the team finishing in second. There are some weaknesses in their defense, so I wouldn't classify them as the strongest unit coming into the 2021 season, but there is no doubt that they are within the top five. Offensively, their tackles in Whitworth and Havenstein are solid players, but there is some cause for concern within the interior. The injury to Cam Akers also doesn't help, but with weapons in Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, Matt Stafford still has more to work with than he has had in the majority of his career. The NFC West has four legit playoff threats, but the Rams are the best of the bunch in my opinion.

6. Buffalo Bills

Who would have thought that Josh Allen would be a MVP candidate in his junior season following the campaigns he produced during his first two seasons? For the record, I didn't. I have always recognized the potential of Josh Allen, but going off his first two seasons, there was little to think that he was nothing more than a glorified present day Drew Lock. In my quarterback rankings prior to last season, I actually ranked Daniel Jones one spot higher than Allen - yikes. It would be foolish to expect the same level of production from Josh Allen this year, but there is no doubt that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league heading into the season. The Bills boast a strong receiving core headlined by Stefon Diggs, but their tight end, running back, and offensive line rooms are all below average. Regardless, with Allen and Diggs, they are still one of the scarier offenses to play. Given their success last season, it is surprising to see that the Bills defense was weaker than years past, although still average. With one of the strongest defensive back groups in the league and a front seven that has been heavily invested in the last two drafts, I expect them to return to their former glory this season. The Bills are a young team that should only improve in the years to come, which is scary to think about.

7. Cleveland Browns

If you ask Madden, the Cleveland Browns will be the best team in the NFL for each of the next 10 seasons. As funny as it is to joke about, it isn't hard to understand why the video game expects so much from the team. They have young superstars on both sides of the ball, and are one of the most complete rosters in the league. The Browns have the best offensive line in football, two great running backs, quality receiving threats in Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, and Austin Hooper, and have a young quarterback in Baker Mayfield who has shown that he is capable of winning big games. Although there are some gaps in the defense, Myles Garrett is the best edge defender in the league, and Denzel Ward is an elite corner, making the unit above average as a whole. This team is definitely one to be fearful of, but unless Baker Mayfield plays at an elite level, it will be tough for them to matchup against the likes of the Chiefs, Ravens, and Bills as top dogs in the AFC.

8. Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans keep getting better every season. Although they were bested by the Ravens in the Wild Card round of the 2020 NFL Playoffs following their AFC Championship run in 2019, I still believe they were the better team last year. Ryan Tannehill has had one of the greatest career resurgences that we have seen in recent times, and there is no reason to think that he won't continue to play like a top ten quarterback in the fore coming season. He plays with one of the best three-headed skill position monsters in the league, which includes Derrick Henry, AJ Brown, and newly acquired Julio Jones. With an offensive line that is slightly above average, the Titans offense is one to be feared. On the defensive side of things, the Titans have a strong front seven led by Jeffrey Simmons, Harold Landry, Rashaan Evans, and free agent signee Bud Dupree who is coming off 19.5 sacks in his last 27 games. Aside from Kevin Byard, the team does have a rather weak secondary, but that is the only real spot of concern on the entire roster. The Titans are legit.

9. Seattle Seahawks

Will Russell Wilson finally win his MVP? He was the heavy favorite through the first couple of weeks of the 2020 season, but it seems like every year he has a few games that cause him to drop off the award pedestal. He will have no shortage of weapons as Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, and Dee Eskridge are one of the most forceful receiver trios in the game. Chris Carson is a quality running back as well, but the Seahawks, like they have for years, need a drastic overhaul on their offensive line. Defensively, Seattle boasts superstars in Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams, but have some serious concerns at other positions. Undeniably, there are some spots that cannot be overlooked on the Seattle roster, but as long as Russell Wilson is playing to the level we come to expect from him, there is no ceiling for how well the team can perform.

Picture Attribution: Larry Maurer, Russell Wilson vs Jets, November 11, 2012, CC BY 2.0

10. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers invested heavily into Trey Lance as the future of the organization given that they sent three first-round picks, and a third-round pick to move up in the draft to select him. At the time of writing this, the 49ers haven't announced who their starting quarterback will be, but I believe it will be Jimmy Garoppolo. People are quick to forget that Jimmy G is 24-8 as a starter, and was able to reach the Super Bowl just two seasons ago. Although he is far from an elite quarterback, he is probably the better short term option so that Trey Lance can be molded as he is still raw. Aside from the quarterback position, the team is above average in essentially every positional group. Their secondary isn't great, but players like Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Fred Warner, and Dre Greenlaw create for the best front seven in football. Working with that defense, a quality offensive line, and weapons in George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk, whoever starts at quarterback should be just fine.

11. Indianapolis Colts

Although there are definitely some strong pieces to the Colts roster, the team isn't overly flashy on paper, but still plays to an elite level thanks to the success of the coaching staff. Last season was a perfect example of this, as a washed-up Phillip Rivers was able to lead the team to the playoffs. Carson Wentz was unbelievably terrible last season with the Eagles, but I am still a firm believer that he is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL. I fully expect him to have a bounce back season with the Colts, although he may be injured for the start of the season. The Colts boast a strong offensive line, which is something that Carson Wentz needs to succeed based on his performance in 2020. Last season, the Colts defense finished within the top 10 in points allowed per game, and finished fifth in turnovers produced. With the addition of an impressive rookie in Kwity Paye, there is no reason why the Colts defense won't follow up with another elite season. The Colts and Titans have a grueling battle for top of the AFC South.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently listed at +170 odds to make the playoffs on Fanduel, which I think is one of the best bets you could make. I am not in love with the roster, but I do think they are being heavily slept on as of now. Sure, there is some ugliness to the team, but don't forget that they started the 2020 season with an 11-0 record. They did lose numerous starters on their offensive line, but they added the best rookie running back in the class, Najee Harris, who will immediately enter the league as a work horse. We saw just how elite of a defense the Steelers can be with their 2020 performance, and although I do think they will regress slightly, they are still a top 5 defense. As mentioned above, the Steelers offensive line is very weak with the losses of DeCastro, Pouncey, and Villanueva, which is not something that can be swept under the rug. Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Najee Harris are good offensive threats that should counteract the struggles of the offensive line, at least a little bit. I expect the Steelers to be a contender for a Wild Card playoff spot in 2021.

13. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are the fourth ranked NFC West team and come in at number 13 on my power rankings. That is a true testament to the strength of the division, and I wouldn't be surprised if all four teams end up securing a playoff spot somehow. The Cardinals bolster one of the most electrifying rosters in the league with players like Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, J.J. Watt, Chandler Jones, and Budda Baker, but there are a few positional groups that could weigh down the team. In particular, there is a shortage of talent in the trenches on both sides of the ball for the team, although the acquisitions of Rodney Hudson and Watt will help fill some of the void. Also, Budda Baker and Byron Murphy are certified starters in the secondary, but there are some glaring holes at the other spots. It is unfortunate that the Cardinals carry one of the most difficult schedules in the NFL, but it still wouldn't be much of a shock if they manage to punch their ticket to the playoffs.

14. Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are probably the organization that has been plagued by injury the most in recent years. Since we haven't been able to see the team at full force for more than a few games, it is difficult to project how well they will fair this season. However, there is no doubt about the sheer amount of talent on the roster. After his exciting Rookie of the Year campaign, we all are aware of how good Justin Herbert is, and he has elite weapons with Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen. Justin Herbert was one of the most pressured quarterbacks last season, so the Chargers invested capital to draft Rashawn Slater and sign Bryan Bulaga, which will immediately help his protection. On the flip side of the ball, Joey Bosa, Chris Harris, and Derwin James help anchor down a defense that should be adequate. It will be challenging to snatch the reigns of the AFC West from the Chiefs, but the Chargers will be fighting for a playoff spot in 2021.

15. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints faced a tough offseason that was headlined by the retirement of Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees. On top of that, Michael Thomas had a surprisingly late surgery that will keep him sidelined for the start of the season at a minimum. It seemed like the Super Bowl window closed for the Saints with Brees' retirement, but they are still a relatively strong football team that has a legitimate playoff chance. We have yet to see how Jameis Winston will function a year after learning after Brees, but it would be hard-pressed for him to be anything better than an average quarterback at this point in his career. He will play behind one of the best offensive lines in the league, but lacks any real weapons aside from Alvin Kamara with Thomas out. Not much changed for the squad defensively - they are still a forceful unit at all levels. The Buccaneers should win the NFC South with ease, but the Saints are the favorites to lock up second.

16. Dallas Cowboys

After the Cowboys season was derailed by the horrific Dak Prescott injury last year, the organization looks to have a bounce back season and finish atop the lackluster NFC East. The Cowboys will need their offense to carry them to success as their defense lacks talent and depth at all levels, particularly within their secondary. They have no lack of offensive firepower however, so it is a task that is achievable, but will likely be exposed against stronger teams. Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliot, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and a decent offensive line puzzle together an offense that can score with most teams in the league, so there is always a path to victory. The Cowboys are the favorites to take home the NFC East title, but it seems like the favorite never wins in that division.

17. Miami Dolphinsa

With one of the quickest and most successful complete rebuilds that you will see, the Miami Dolphins look to make the playoffs this season for the first time since 2016. This will be no easy feat as the AFC is loaded with potential wild card contenders, and the Dolphins would need to surpass the Bills to claim the AFC East. On offense, there are some concerns behind the play off Tua Tagovailoa and the offensive line, but they have enough threats within their receiving unit to help ease the stress. During the 2021 NFL season, the Dolphins allowed 21.1 points per game, which was the sixth best mark in the league. The team lost Kyle Van Noy in the offseason, but drafted Jaelan Phillips, so they should be able to uphold their success as a defense. If Tua shows signs of improvement, this team can cause damage.

18. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are an exciting team to watch offensively with Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen. These players create for one of the best trios in the league, but will need to carry the offense as there are virtually no other threats. Although he tends to underperform in the big moments, Kirk Cousins is still a relatively good quarterback. He will likely be tasked with facing a ton of pressure like he has the last few seasons, as the team's offensive line is still poor. Even though their talent is enticing, with the lack of depth and a weak line, the offense is only slightly above average. During the course of the 2020 season, the Vikings allowed 29.7 points per game and 393.2 yards per game, which were fourth and sixth worst in the league. With talents such as Harrison Smith, Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks, and Anthony Barr still on team, and with the additions of Patrick Peterson and Dalvin Tomlinson, I don't expect the defense to be nearly as bad as last season would leave you to believe. The Minnesota Vikings could find a playoff spot if their defense returns to form.

Picture Attribution: Joe Bielawa, Harrison Smith, CC BY 2.0

19. New England Patriots

It was only fated that Bill Belichick and the Patriots would draft Mac Jones, have Jones beat out Cam Newton for the starting job, and have him lead the Patriots to five Super Bowl victories. Perhaps the last part is a little too much, but would anyone really be surprised? All jokes aside, although I have the Patriots ranked in the bottom half of the league, I wouldn't be shocked if they manage to squeeze into the playoffs. Mac Jones will play behind a very good offensive line, which is something that he needs with his game-manager type of play. The Patriots spent big in free agency to help build up their repertoire of offensive threats with Nelson Agholor, Hunter Henry, and Jonnu Smith. Although they are solid, none of the additions are game changing players, and without a stud running back, I don't think the offense has enough firepower yet. Defensively, the Patriots are above average with an excellent secondary and strong linebacker group. Who truly knows how New England will perform in 2021.

20. Washington Football Team

2020 was certainly a wild year for the Washington organization. From interpersonal problems within the organization, changing their name to "Football Team", and making the playoffs after being projected to finish with one of the worst records in the league, it would be tough for the team to follow up with a more eventful season. Their roster is a tale of two sides of the ball, as they reserve one of the strongest defensive units in the league with no weaknesses, but although improved with the signings of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Curtis Samuel, the offense should be below average overall. It is my belief that the NFC East is completely open for grabs between the Cowboys, Football Team, and the Giants, so Washington is most definitely in the playoff hunt.

21. New York Giants

Coming in just after their NFC East counterparts on my power rankings list is the New York Giants, my favorite team. Although the Giants are still far from being a legit threat to any serious team, I am optimistic about their chances in the division for the first time in some years. This is largely due to the fact that the NFC East is at one of its weakest points in years past, but can also be attributed to the Giants making moves to secure Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Adoree Jackson, and the return of Saquon Barkley. The Giants have talent across both sides of the ball in every positional group except two - offensive line and quarterback. That is obviously a concern as quarterback is the most important position in the sport by wide margins, and problems at both quarterback and offensive line is never a good recipe for success. However, if either of Daniel Jones or the offensive line are able to step up, I truly believe the Giants will win the NFC East, but that is no easy task. Just last season, the Giants defense finished within the top 10 in points allowed per game, and they have plenty of offensive firepower to work with. For my sake, I hope the Giants finish with their first winning season since 2016.

22. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are one of the tougher teams to place. They have arguably the best secondary in the entire NFL, two great linebackers in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, some quality threats on their offense, and an average offensive and defensive line. There is one major spot weighing this team down, and it is at the most important position. I do believe that Teddy Bridgewater is the better short-term quarterback option over Drew Lock, but Broncos fans shouldn't be too excited about either player. However, with quarterback being the only severe concern on the team, the Denver Broncos could be a dark horse playoff candidate if their starting quarterback severely exceeds expectations. I am not too high on this team coming into the 2021 season, but I can see paths to the Broncos being a decent team, especially with their weaker schedule.

23. Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears would move up a few spots on this list if they were starting the season with Justin Fields, but they aren't. At the current time, Andy Dalton is probably the worst starting quarterback in the NFL, and a bad quarterback almost always means a bad team. To add to the struggle that is the Bears offense, their offensive line room looks like it will rank near the bottom. Allen Robinson is the only elite threat on that side of the ball, although David Montgomery and Darnell Mooney are good players as well. Defensively, the Bears still have a solid unit, but not to the same degree as a few years ago. I don't think the defense will be able to carry the offense like we saw during the first couple of seasons of Trubisky's career. Starting Justin Fields would immediately put a spark on the offense, and I am sure he'll be under center sooner rather than later.

24. Carolina Panthers

I am infatuated with what Matt Rhule and the Panthers ownership have done in the last couple of seasons. I wish they would have selected Justin Fields over Jaycee Horn in the draft this year, saving them from needing to spend capital to acquire Darnold, but other than that, I love their recent moves. They have built a team that is founded on cornerstone youth pieces on both sides of the ball, which sets them up very well for the future. Unfortunately for them, this power ranking only focuses on 2021. I believe that Sam Darnold is very talented and was never given an opportunity to succeed in New York, but it is still difficult to fall in love with him given what we have seen thus far. Darnold will have a better offensive line and more weapons in CMC, DJ Moore, and Robby Anderson than he ever had with the Jets, but the offense should still be average overall unless he has a massive leap in play this season. On the other side of the ball, Brian Burnes, Derrick Brown, Haason Reddick, Donte Jackson, Jeremy Chinn, and Jaycee Horn are all players that could makeup a dominant defense in the years to come, but it is too early to say the defense is anything better than average now. Look out for the Panthers in the years to come, but probably not in 2021.

25. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are set up relatively well for the future with young talent on both side of the ball, but they are still a few years out from being a winning football team, especially with them playing in one of the toughest divisions. Included among these players are 2020 first overall selection Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase, Jonah Williams, and one of the most underrated players in the league in Jessie Bates. I am a firm believer in Joe Burrow, so I wouldn't be too shocked if the team ends up being decent, but the Bengals poor offensive line and unspectacular defense won't allow me to place the team any higher on my list.

Picture Attribution: AlexanderJonesi, Joe Burrow Bengals, CC BY-SA 2.0

26. Philadelphia Eagles

As you can probably tell by my placement of the Eagles on this list, I am not much of a believer in Jalen Hurts. Fans drew into the hype of Jalen Hurts when he was able to secure a win in his first career start, but he had an abysmal 33.8 QBR during the course of the season. I actually believe the team would be better off starting Gardner Minshew right now, but as a Giants fan, I am happy it is Hurts. The rest of the offense is mediocre - their offensive line is pretty good, Miles Sanders is an average running back, and DeVonta Smith should spark an immediate impact in an otherwise unimpressive receiving corps. Defensively, the Eagles have a strong defensive line headlined by Fletcher Cox, but their linebacker talent is very poor, and their secondary is below average. I predict the Eagles to come in last in the weak NFC East.

27. Atlanta Falcons

Following the Falcons collapse in Super Bowl 51, the team has progressively gotten worse in almost every consecutive season. They are clearly no longer a dangerous playoff threat, which can largely be accredited to their abysmal defense. Surprisingly, the Falcons were just below average in points allowed per game in 2020, although they gave up the fourth most yards. The regression of Matt Ryan hasn't helped either, but he is still an above average quarterback in the league. In all actuality, the only strengths of this team are their receiving threats in Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts, and their quarterback, if you consider Matt Ryan to be a strength. Their offensive line is below average, and as discussed prior, their defense is bad. I am not a fan of predicting the Falcons to have a rebound season in 2021.

28. Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders have been a team in the last few years that have exceeded expectations and been a fringe playoff team. This year, I don't think that will be the case. The Raiders offensive line has been one of the strong suits of the team during the last few seasons, but with the losses of Trent Brown, Rodney Hudson, and Gabe Jackson, they are now one of the worst units in the NFL. With the mediocrity from the rest of the offense aside from Waller, I just don't see the team scoring a ton of points. If you aren't able to score with most of the other teams in the league, then you need an elite defense, and they don't have that. As a matter of fact, only the Jaguars and Lions allowed more points in 2020. I am not confident with the current roster the Raiders have.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars have their franchise quarterback! Barring some sort of crazy surprise, Trevor Lawrence will be the best quarterback to ever play for the Jaguars as soon as he steps on the field. However, like the quarterback mentioned next, there just isn't enough talent around him yet. Unfortunately, the team lost Travis Etienne for the season with injury, although James Robinson is capable of being a work-horse back as evident in his play last season. Like many of the other teams near the bottom of this ranking, the Jaguars should have a bright future with the talent they have, it just isn't all there yet. I expect the Jaguars offense to be average, but the defense to struggle.

30. New York Jets

Coming in at number 30 on my power rankings is the New York Jets. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if this team ends up being average, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they finish with four wins. With the current surplus of talent in the league, there was just no way I could put them any higher. Zach Wilson looked phenomenal in the pre-season, and I expect him to be a quality starting quarterback in the NFL, but there just isn't enough talent around him yet. The additions of Elijah Moore and Corey Davis are monumental to the team's future, but the Jets boast a weak offensive line aside from youth talent in Becton and Vera-Tucker, and they lack a quality running back. Defensively, they have standouts in Quinnen Williams and C.J. Mosley, but lack talent elsewhere. Although trending in the right direction, the Jets still rank near the bottom of the league in the present time.

31. Detroit Lions

With the shipping of Matthew Stafford, the Detroit Lions committed to a multi-year rebuilding process. It was unlikely that the Lions would be a threat within the shortening window they had with Stafford, so I can't critique the move, despite the talent that he has. Unlike the Texans, Lions fans can be somewhat optimistic about their future as they have many young pieces, salary cap, and draft capital. Narrowing the scope to only this season however, the Lions should struggle. Although wildly overpaid, Jared Goff has shown that he can be a solid quarterback with weapons and a good scheme, but the Lions have perhaps the least amount of offensive threats in the entire league. Similar to their offense, there are some young players with potential on the defense, but they will likely struggle as a unit in the upcoming season. Like most others, I expect the Lions to have a top two selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.

32. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are a hot mess right now. Just a couple seasons ago, the Texans were one of the top threats in the AFC with Watson, Hopkins, Fuller, and Watt. Now, the three latter players are no longer on the team with little compensation made for the losses, and no one knows if Deshaun Watson will ever play a snap for the Texans or any NFL team again. This power ranking is solely based on projecting the upcoming NFL season, but the Texans are also not in a great spot for the future, as they have a bad roster and little draft compensation or salary cap. As things sit for the team now, I am hard-pressed to find a single good thing to say about the roster. They have a few young players who certainly can be used to build around for the future, but there truly isn't a strong positional group on the entire team. Things are not looking good in Houston.