Champs open at No. 1
USA TODAY’s NFL power rankings, the training camp edition:
1. Patriots (previous: 1): Do they have the most formidable roster? Nope – even if this Gronk retirement ultimately proves premature. But they have the most jewelry and enter 2019 in the pole position, where they’ll stay until further notice.
2. Chargers (2): The 12-4 record tied for the AFC’s best. Add full campaigns from DE Joey Bosa and TE Hunter Henry and a compelling set of rookies, and it might finally be Philly Riv’s year. Though RB Melvin Gordon’s business posture looms as problematic, it seems likely to be addressed. If not, a holdout should be survivable; the Bolts were 4-0 without him last year.
3. Eagles (6): A residual championship core bolstered by guys returning from injury (QB Carson Wentz, CB Ronald Darby, DE Derek Barnett) and nifty pickups (DL Malik Jackson, WR DeSean Jackson, RBs Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders). DeSean Jackson, who averaged a league-best 18.9 yards
per catch, brings needed deep speed.
4. Chiefs (8): The D should be better suited to new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s philosophy and will benefit from the arrival of multifaceted DE Frank Clark. Secondary questions linger. K.C. caught a break with a resolution of WR Tyreek Hill’s situation, but that doesn’t mean QB Patrick Mahomes can replicate off-the-charts MVP numbers.
5. Saints (3): New TE Jared Cook and second-year DE Marcus Davenport need to be difference-makers for a club on the cusp, especially as it adjusts to the loss of C Max Unger and RB Mark Ingram. No word on Lady Luck’s travel plans for January.
6. Vikings (5): They’re lurking under the radar. Rookie C Garrett Bradbury should stabilize the O-line for a team looking to re-emphasize the run ... which, if successful, should restore the defense to elite stratum.
7. Colts (4): Aside from Mahomes, no one threw for more TDs than Andrew Luck (39) last year. Expect him to get some easy ones from fleet rookie Parris Campbell.
8. Falcons (10): The return of coordinator Dirk Koetter and RB Devonta Freeman plus a revamped line could vault this offense to the level that could at least resemble what the Super Bowl team managed three years ago. Underappreciated defense also getting replenished by healthy horses.
9. Bears (13): The defense is as good as anyone’s, but there will be plenty of scrutiny on coordinator Chuck Pagano as he takes baton from Vic Fangio. Lots of eyeballs on QB Mitch Trubisky and whomever winds up kicking, too.
10. Browns (9): No franchise is mired in a longer playoff drought (2002). The Brownies finally have the raw ingredients they need to escape the desert, but do they have the seasoning?
11. Rams (7): Free agency was unkind to them in the trenches, and it remains to be seen if RB Todd Gurley’s knee is going to flare once the season starts. Don’t expect another 6-0 run through NFC West, either.
12. Steelers (14): Will less high-maintenance talent equate to more wins? That’s the hope. ILB Devin Bush should be on the rookie of the year short list.
13. 49ers (18): The preseason outlook isn’t nearly what it was a year ago even if the overall talent might be superior. That (plus QB Jimmy Garoppolo’s surgically repaired knee and two stacked lines) might help launch a proud organization back to prominence.
14. Packers (11): A retooled depth chart is intriguing, but it feels like they’ll (read: Aaron Rodgers) need time to adapt to coach Matt LaFleur, whose offense ranked 25th in Tennessee in 2018.
15. Cowboys (15): A team prone to distractions has unfinished contractual business. DE DeMarcus Lawrence, who cashed in, might miss the start of the season after shoulder surgery. Might the
same go for RB Zeke Elliott?
16. Seahawks (12): A well-constructed nucleus of young studs carried them to greatness six years ago. The current newcomers, even with newly minted QB Russell Wilson at the helm, don’t seem up to the task quite yet, especially after Jarran Reed’s suspension.
17. Jaguars (19): Despite consistently being in tough spots, the defense remained a top-five unit in 2018. But the Jags need more big plays from that side of the ball to reclaim Sacksonville label and playoff bona fides.
18. Titans (20): QB Marcus Mariota might be entering a contract year, but he’d be wise, and likely healthier, to spend most of his time handing off to Derrick Henry.
19. Ravens (17): As exciting as this offense could be, can it compensate for the starters last season’s top-ranked defense lost?
20. Panthers (23): QB Cam Newton’s repaired throwing shoulder might not be as concerning as the fact that no one aside from RB Christian McCaffrey caught more than 55 balls in 2018.
21. Bills (25): Watch out for this defense. Ranked second last year, it might enjoy an Aaron Donald-lite impact from rookie Ed Oliver.
22. Jets (24): Despite talk of fresh tread on new RB Le’Veon Bell’s tires, cars parked in the garage too long tend to break down with regularity.
23. Texans (16): If it’s possible to have a quietly disastrous offseason, they qualify. Hard to foresee them cruising back to AFC South’s summit.
24. Raiders (22): Ought to be quite fun to watch but will likely have to win a lot of shootouts given reality of a defense that remains Mack-less despite draft upgrades.
25. Buccaneers (21): Coach Bruce Arians might not put a premium on running backs, but his offense has typically been manned by far more accomplished runners than anyone in this stable.
26. Giants (30): Let’s hope they resurrect before dynamic RB Saquon Barkley’s career is squandered.
27. Broncos (26): When you change out the coaching staff and starting quarterback, things typically don’t go well initially.
28. Cardinals (29): When you change out the coaching staff and starting quarterback, things typically don’t go well initially ... though the intrigue factor is much higher in the desert than in Denver.
29. Lions (28): Hard to envision a pathway to success given their shortcomings relative to three division rivals positioned to contend.
30. Redskins (27): Given a litany of challenging circumstances, sixth-year coach Jay Gruden has had laudable run. He needs a miracle to reach Year 7.
31. Bengals (31): O-line back in shambles after the premature loss of first-rounder Jonah Williams.
32. Dolphins (32): Coach Brian Flores is evidently providing needed culture change, but that only goes so far without talent ... and the Fins don’t have much.