Patriots sit pretty
Buccaneers, Chargers make leaps
In our post-draft power rankings, the reigning Super Bowl champs stay at No. 1,
1. Patriots (previous: 1): Picks were sparse, but the Patriots’ true haul included WR Brandin Cooks, DE Kony Ealy, TE Dwayne Allen and RB Mike Gillislee. There’s no shortage of young talent. 2. Falcons (2): The Super Bowl hangover looms, but DE Takkarist McKinley could boost a young defense on the upswing. New coordinator Steve Sarkisian has the full arsenal of the topscoring offense. 3. Packers (3): The addition of several potential early contributors, including CB Kevin King, should aid a vulnerable pass defense. RB Jamaal Williams could be a valuable complement to Ty Montgomery.
4. Steelers (5): OLB T.J. Watt doesn’t need to replicate his brother J.J., but the pass rush needs a jump-start. WR Martavis Bryant’s return aids an offense that has struggled to keep all of its pieces on the field. 5. Cowboys (4): Two major needs were addressed with DE Taco Charlton and CB Chidobe Awuzie, but will the rookies be ready? Pressure is on QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott for an encore. 6. Seahawks (6): The offensive line received sorely needed reinforcements, but QB Russell Wilson could be under fire again. A full recovery from S Earl Thomas is needed for the defense.
7. Raiders (7): Having Marshawn Lynch will placate fans until the moving vans are packed for Las Vegas. But QB Derek Carr’s recovery and the defense’s development are the real keys.
8. Titans (9): The receiving corps needed new life, so the Titans added arguably the draft’s best target in WR Corey Davis. If QB Marcus Mariota heals properly, Tennessee could be the AFC South front-runner. 9. Chiefs (8): Patrick Mahomes could become the first quarterback drafted by the Chiefs since 1983 to win a game for the franchise. But he’ll likely have to wait. Alex Smith remains the pilot for a team seeking a breakthrough.
10. Giants (10): Picking QB Davis Webb was an odd move for a team looking to make the most out of its years with Eli Manning. Catching up to the contenders could depend on the offensive line and running game. 11. Buccaneers (14): Is a Falcons-esque jump ahead? QB Jameis Winston now has weapons beyond WR Mike Evans, but issues remain at running back and offensive line. 12. Dolphins (11): Adam Gase’s group must prove that last season was the start of something substantial. The young offense should progress, but there’s a gulf separating them from the Patriots.
13. Broncos (12): Whether it’s incumbent Trevor Siemian or 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch, Denver needs more from its starting quarterback.
14. Texans (15): Tom Savage remains the quarterback, but, given the need for a playmaker and Houston’s investment, Deshaun Watson’s ascension looks imminent. 15. Ravens (16): Another typical Ozzie Newsome offseason in Baltimore. The secondary is replenished, but QB Joe Flacco’s supporting cast is underdeveloped, especially at receiver.
16. Cardinals (18): LB Haason Reddick and S Budda Baker help reload a defense hit by free agency defections. If QB Carson Palmer, 37, can string together a strong year, Arizona could be dangerous.
17. Lions (13): The linebacking corps was reshaped, but the pass rush might not be up to snuff in the NFC North. 18. Vikings (17): With a reworked offensive line, the pressure is on QB Sam Bradford to deliver. Latavius Murray and rookie Dalvin Cook should reinvigorate the NFL’s worst rushing attack. 19. Redskins (19): DE Jonathan Allen is the kind of piece needed for Washington’s defense. Will QB Kirk Cousins keep up his success with a revamped receiving corps?
20. Panthers (22): RB Christian McCaffrey and WR Curtis Samuel should provide QB Cam Newton much-needed relief. Now it’s time for the defense to find its way with a new coordinator and aging pass rush. 21. Chargers (25): QB Philip Rivers will find his Los Angeles surroundings more comfortable with the addition of WR Mike Williams and two guards. A turnaround is possible if injuries don’t derail Anthony Lynn’s debut.
22. Saints (21): New Orleans is a strange landing spot for RB Adrian Peterson, but QB Drew Brees’ offense should be ready to roll again. CB Marshon Lattimore might not be enough to lift the NFL’s worst pass defense.
23. Colts (20): New GM Chris Ballard has reshaped the defense with pieces such as S Malik Hooker and DT Johnathan Hankins, though the pass rush is bare. Will QB Andrew Luck be in top form after shoulder surgery?
24. Eagles (23): With dangerous WRs Dez Bryant, Odell Beckham Jr. and Terrelle Pryor in the division, cornerback was a primary concern. Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas are promising, but there could be rookie growing pains.
25. Jaguars (24): An offensive recalibration could be in order with RB Leonard Fournette. With QB Blake Bortles having thrown 51 interceptions over three seasons, a run-heavy attack could be welcome.
26. Bengals (27): Cincinnati is in jeopardy of missing the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 2008. If a reshuffled offensive line doesn’t jell, Andy Dalton could be in trouble.
27. Bills (26): GM Doug Whaley’s firing marks the completion of the transition to the Sean McDermott era. QB Tyrod Taylor and WR Sammy Watkins enter a year that could define their future in Buffalo. 28. Rams (28): The true cost of the Jared Goff move comes into focus after a limited draft haul. Now it’s up to Sean McVay, the youngest coach in NFL history, to make something of the league’s worst offense.
29. Bears (29): Between Mike Glennon and Mitchell Trubisky, the Bears have invested plenty at quarterback. Patience will be necessary if the passing game doesn’t find its footing.
30. 49ers (30): New GM John Lynch continues to impress in his first offseason, giving coach Kyle Shanahan instant contributors in DE Solomon Thomas and LB Reuben Foster. But this rebuild will be extended.
31. Browns (32): Top pick Myles Garrett should pay immediate dividends for the defense, but there’s a quagmire at quarterback despite the addition of DeShone Kizer. Expect Cleveland to lean on the run game behind a beefed-up offensive line.
32. Jets (31): A quarterback race of Christian Hackenberg, Bryce Petty and Josh McCown is hardly inspiring. Even more foreboding: a roster deprived of top talent almost everywhere else.