USA TODAY International Edition
Chiefs planted at the top
All 32 NFL teams got a fresh coat of paint over the weekend. But the 2020 draft promises to be the last time for a while that preseason impressions – whenever those might come – will change for each club. Nonetheless, updated power rankings are warranted ... perhaps for the last time until a ( hopefully) coronavirus- free summer ( previous ranking in parentheses):
1. Chiefs ( 1): Champs were basically drafting for short- term depth and long- term development since there wasn’t really an egregious weakness in the starting lineup. However multipurpose RB Clyde Edwards- Helaire and LB Willie Gay Jr., should quickly earn major roles whenever title defense begins.
2. Ravens ( 3): Sick draft further addressed defensive shortcomings ( LB Patrick Queen, DL Justin Madubuike). But for the greatest rushing team in league history to add Ohio State RB J. K. Dobbins before importing 100catch receivers Devin Duvernay, James Proche? Simply unfair.
3. Saints ( 4): Given roster didn’t need much, front office focused on quality over quantity in draft – including pair of nice third- rounders ( LB Zack Baun, TE Adam Trautman). To then get 5,000- yard passer Jameis Winston for nickels on the dollar? They’re primed to send Drew Brees into the sunset in style.
4. 49ers ( 2): They did a nice job given their circumstances. Yet adding LT Trent Williams, DT Javon Kinlaw and WR Brandon Aiyuk to replace LT Joe Staley, DT DeForest Buckner and WR Emmanuel Sanders probably amounts to collectively treading water.
5. Vikings ( 9): WR Justin Jefferson could make Skol supporters forget Stefon Diggs in fairly short order. Quality depth added to trenches and secondary.
6. Colts ( 7): QB Philip Rivers must be thrilled to get Round 1 talents in WR Michael Pittman and RB Jonathan Taylor in Round 2. However Buckner was their best “pick”( up).
7. Buccaneers ( 8): Tom Brady may not know his new neighborhood or local social distancing rules. But he knows Gronk and knows Tampa Bay is already pulling out the stops to bolster supporting cast charged with delivering in a two- year championship window.
8. Titans ( 5): Has first team to ever finish 9- 7 in four consecutive seasons done enough to take a Super Bowl step? Doubtful. Or even reach 10 wins? Maybe.
9. Steelers ( 10): Their draft, which brought S Minkah Fitzpatrick last season, added several players who could immediately take snaps from prominent vets.
10. Packers ( 6): Aaron Rodgers has 364 career TD passes ... one to a firstround pick! ( Answer: Marcedes Lewis.) Unless controversial first- round QB Jordan Love splits out wide, that ain’t changing any time soon.
11. Bills ( 11): Third- round RB Zack Moss should provide a lot more juice than Frank Gore did in 2019 and might even be an offensive rookie of the year dark horse.
12. Eagles ( 13): Should get numerous players back healthy, and this is only NFC East team returning its head coach. As for the draft? Not pretty at the top.
13. Cowboys ( 15): A seemingly brilliant draft headlined by first- round WR CeeDee Lamb provides justified optimism. But newcomer Mike McCarthy still must stir pot ... maybe without unsigned QB Dak Prescott’s assistance for foreseeable future.
14. Broncos ( 20): RB Melvin Gordon in free agency. WRs Jerry Jeudy, K. J. Hamler atop strong draft. OLB Bradley Chubb on the mend. Keep an eye on this team.
15. Seahawks ( 12): Defense reliant on its front could be in for letdown without Jadeveon Clowney. Also questions about health of running backs, retooled O- line.
16. Falcons ( 14): Fair or not, Atlanta’s draft felt flat in wake of buzz they had big move up their sleeve. Kind of a microcosm for ATL post- Super Bowl LI.
17. Chargers ( 17): Picked up a quarterback ( Justin Herbert) and quarterback on defense ( LB Kenneth Murray) in Round 1, and they’ll be best- looking rookies in league next season ... because these new uniforms won the offseason going away.
18. Cardinals ( 19): Defense- heavy draft after Arizona finished 2019 last on that side of the ball. This team could be sneaky good after Kliff Kingsbury finished first in work- from- home power rankings.
19. Patriots ( 18): Unless one of their rookie tight ends pop, QB Jarrett Stidham will be operating same weapon- deficient offense that hindered Brady in 2019.
20. Rams ( 16): Maybe it’s the new logo. Maybe it’s the exodus of so many vets. But team just one year removed from Super Bowl has look of retrograding outfit.
21. Texans ( 21): As mismanagement of their draft capital came to forefront, hard not to think team that’s won division four of last five years isn’t cratering.
22. Lions ( 26): Perhaps quietly on cusp of significant jump given resources devoted to reducing load on QB Matthew Stafford while keeping him upright.
23. Dolphins ( 22): Patriots may be descending, but Miami’s draft suggests Fins probably won’t be ready to compete for playoff spot until at least 2022.
24. Jets ( 23): Roster for a franchise that went 6- 2 in second half of 2019 appears improved ... though NYJ rarely respond to elevated expectations.
25. Bengals ( 25): Given how much No. 1 pick Joe Burrow has virtually met with Cincinnati brass this spring, he may have easier rookie transition than most.
26. Browns ( 27): New GM Andrew Berry, 33, followed strong showing in free agency with sneaky good draft. Question now is how long will it take rookie coach Kevin Stefanski to implement his playbook and a new locker room vibe for a team that likely won’t convene for months?
27. Raiders ( 24): Hard to quibble with GM Mike Mayock’s eye for talent. But club that doesn’t know its way to stadium seems to be falling behind in AFC West.
28. Redskins ( 29): Ron Rivera just might have this franchise heading in a positive direction. Chase Young should help defense get 50 sacks.
29. Bears ( 28): No picks in Rounds 1, 3 or 4 of draft. And no idea how QB Mitchell Trubisky improves in this environment. Long hibernation might be inevitable.
30. Giants ( 30): Culture shock is surely coming under new coach Joe Judge, though at least players should have some idea of what’s coming from New England.
31. Panthers ( 31): Culture shock is surely coming under new coach Matt Rhule, and players likely have scant idea what to expect is coming from Baylor.
32. Jaguars ( 32): Yannick Ngakoue? Still here. Leonard Fournette? Still here. Several raw ( and impressionable) rookies headed here. Questionable recipe.