By Cooper Girolamo
With many moves made by many teams this offseason through both free agency and the draft, the power rankings going into the season look slightly different than they did at the season’s end. This will be the final part and will cover teams No. 21-32 of the NFL post-draft power rankings.
21. New England Patriots
At No. 21 I have the Patriots led by new coach Mike Vrabel and second-year quarterback Drake Maye. They had the most cap space heading into the offseason and made a ton of moves, most notably getting a massive run stopper to plug the middle and a recent Super Bowl champion in Milton Williams. They also killed the draft getting the best offensive line prospect with Will Campbell and a dynamic running back in round two in Treveyon Henderson who will be a massive, big-play threat any time he touches the ball. The Patriots did a lot to drag themselves from the cellar of the NFL power rankings this offseason and if they can exceed this a little bit more, they could be looking at a playoff berth in 2026.
22. Carolina Panthers
Toward the end of last season the Panthers’ potential QB of the future, Bryce Young, started to really show flashes that he can be great in this league and if he can continue that the rest of the NFC South may be in trouble. The Panthers Front Office did Young a massive favor in the draft getting the best wide receiver in the entire draft in Tetairoa McMillan, grabbing him with the No. 8 overall pick. The Young to McMillan duo could be lethal for this Panthers offense for years to come.
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23. Arizona Cardinals
Most people are slightly higher on them, but I think they consistently underperform and Kyler Murray is very overrated. They had nice additions in the draft with Walter Nolen and Will Johnson to really sure up the defense. They were also able to grab Josh Sweat in free agency, a big add to their defensive line and who will bring a much needed pass rush to the desert. Overall though they don’t have much to move the needle for me as a team, in their division, and in the NFC which is why I have them near the bottom of the rankings.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite on paper having a below average offense and a lot of offseason drama with TJ Watt and new QB Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers always seem to finish above .500. I do feel as though their roster is not very strong outside of a few pieces. I don’t think they had a good draft and didn’t do much in free agency besides essentially flipping a younger George Pickens for an older version of himself through a few different trades and getting DK Metcalf. They also flipped Minkah Fitzpatrick for Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey with the Miami Dolphins, but that also does not move the needle in the slightest. Will this be the year Mike Tomlin finally finishes with a losing record or will he and the Steelers shock us again?
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25. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are greatly improved this offseason, upgrading QB in Geno Smith and head coach in the great Pete Carroll. They also killed the draft getting one of the best running back prospects we have seen in recent memory in Ashton Jeanty and a potential wide WR1 in round two with Jack Bech. They would be higher, but they still have a lot of holes on both sides of the ball and with them being in the tough AFC West and the tough AFC conference as a whole, I see them being a few years out from being competitive.
26. New York Jets
The Jets made a lot of changes this offseason going from Rodgers to Justin Fields, going from no head coach to the forceful leader that is Aaron Glenn, and overall made a lot of steps in the right direction. They sured up their offensive line for the future, after getting Olu Fashanu in the first-round last year they took Armand Membou with pick No. 8 this year to give Fields all the time in the world to flourish in the pocket and make plays. While I think they are much improved and more cohesive than last year they still also have many holes in their roster that will take some time to fill and improve upon.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are the only team on this list that I think could surprise me enough to win their division. They have a few GM a new head coach and a new franchise player in Travis Hunter. He will most likely be the first player to play most snaps on both sides of the ball. He is an outstanding wide receiver and weapon for Trevor Lawrence and this offense and a lockdown cornerback for this defense. So while I am not sure if Lawrence is the answer at QB and while they have a lot more questions to answer going forward I do think the Jaguars are taking a big step in the right direction.
28. Tennessee Titans
All I really have to say about the Titans is two words—Cam Ward. They got the No. 1 pick and got their QB of the future in Ward. He is experienced, throws the ball exceptionally well and has very good mobility as well. All the makings of a great NFL QB. The Titans roster is young and Ward will need time to develop and grow which is why I have them slotted in at No. 28, but I do believe in a year or two they could be near the top and coming for the Lombardi trophy sooner than people think.
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29. Indianapolis Cots
To me the Colts have no direction. They have year three of the Anthony Richardson experiment incoming and yet despite how bad he has been, he isn’t Daniel Jones. Yet, they signed and most likely will opt to start Jones where you know what you are going to get, and it isn’t good. They did have an all-around solid draft highlighted by getting Tyler Warren at pick No. 20 which was a steal in my book. Overall the Colts need to figure out what direction they are going and once they have that they can build moving forward.
30. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have very little fire power across both sides of the field, and the big thing is we have no idea who the next starting QB will be. Tyler Shough, Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler are not names that make opposing defenses scared and whoever is the starter will have a lot of work cut out for them and a lot to prove. In the draft their first pick was offensive linemen Kelvin Banks Jr. and while that was a big position of need, offensive line has been a top pick for them in lots of recent years and hasn’t turned out well. I would have liked to see them go in another direction. Maybe new head coach, Kellen Moore, can right the ship and get the Saints back to their winning ways.
31. New York Giants
The Giants were abysmal last year and I expect more of the same this year. They have veteran Russell Wilson at the helm and with inadequate weapons around him it will be hard for him to succeed. I did like what they did in the draft getting maybe the best overall player in Abdul Carter and getting their QB of the future in Jaxson Dart. They also grabbed safety Jevon Holland in free agency which was a great addition. Overall, I think they are a few years away from competing and need to plug many holes on both sides of the ball, but embracing the rebuild this offseason was a good first step.
32. Cleveland Browns
Coming in last in my post-draft power rankings is the Browns. I have a few major questions with this team. Who is your starting QB and why don’t they scare me in the slightest? Why draft two running backs and two QBs in the same draft? What solid players do you have outside of Myles Garrett? A lot of major questions with very few answers. I would be shocked if the Browns aren’t picking at the top of the draft next year as they are back in the gutter of the NFL. Time will tell with this team, but I don’t see a great direction forward for them as of now.
This is the end of my NFL post-draft power rankings. I am excited to see where these teams will stand through the first few weeks of this upcoming season.
