2025 NFL Power Rankings: Post-Draft Edition
Many publications have already posted their post-draft power rankings. I decided to wait to see if any teams signed more notable free agents after they learned what holes they still needed to fill. Only a few did anything, but we’re here anyway! I won’t have “previous rankings” listed because these are my first 2025 NFL power rankings. Last year’s record will be stated for reference though. Teams with more than 17 games have their playoff results included, and I also state how far they advanced in the postseason. Don’t be alarmed if your team is ranked very differently than you expect. Plenty will change as we move ahead!
32. New Orleans Saints (5-12)
The retirement of QB Derek Carr really took the wind out of the Saints’ sails. A perennial win-now team, New Orleans is suddenly (likely) starting 2nd-round rookie Tyler Shough. Their formerly stout defense has aged quickly in recent years, and the offensive weapons aren’t good enough to lift a rookie signal caller. RB Alvin Kamara should be a bright spot, but there are few other things to love. New coach Kellen Moore has his work cut out for him. New Orleans could steal a win or 2 by playing in the weak NFC South, but even if that costs them the #1 pick next year, this is still probably one of the league’s worst teams.
31. New York Giants (3-14)
Is Russ cooked? The Pittsburgh Steelers thought so, but Russell Wilson will be the QB with the unenviable task of saving some jobs. Both GM Joe Schoen and HC Brian Daboll are under immense pressure to win right now. Their odds don’t look great, as the Giants lucked into the league’s hardest schedule. As an NFC East team, NYG unfortunately drew the short stick of playing the NFC North and AFC West this year. Each of those divisions sent 3 teams into the playoffs in 2024, and their own division sent two. With a poor roster, that feels like it could make things go awry, but maybe we’ll get to see rookie QB Jaxson Dart at some point?
30. New York Jets (5-12)
The Aaron Glenn era began like all new coaching hires do: with boundless optimism. I hate to be the one to put a damper on things, but I must analyze this situation honestly. New York went 5-12 with Aaron Rodgers not playing as badly as people think, so how will the offensive improve with a worse QB in Justin Fields? Defensively, CB DJ Reed was a big loss, and Glenn will need to get the unit back to the way it played under Robert Saleh. New York’s defense imploded after his midseason firing, but I trust in Glenn. It’s the offense that has me down on New York, especially with the AFC looking as daunting as ever this season.
29. Carolina Panthers (2-15)
While the Panthers made a late-season surge in 2024, I don’t want to overreact to that. Aside from their near-upset of the Eagles, they didn’t play many good teams that were still trying. Don’t let that take away from the growth QB Bryce Young showed upon his return from the bench though. That stretch of games really altered his trajectory and sets this up as a make-or-break year instead of his time already being up. I still don’t see enough talent added on the 32nd-ranked defense for this team to make very much noise. As with New Orleans, playing in the NFC South could keep Carolina interesting regardless of their capabilities.
28. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
When you earn the #1 pick, there’s nowhere to go but up. In this case, it’s just a few spots, but it’s an improvement nonetheless! Rookie QB Cam Ward, though not a slam dunk, can’t be worse than Will Levis. The team wisely brought in LT Dan Moore and G Kevin Zeitler to protect Ward, though his weaponry isn’t elite. All of the offensive changes have distracted from a defense that declined a good bit last year. Second-year HC Brian Callahan couldn’t be fairly judged until he put more of his stamp on the roster, but both sides of the ball require progress for ownership to believe that he’s the guy to lead the Titans moving forward.
27. Cleveland Browns (3-14)
This is actually higher than most are ranking the Browns, but it comes with a caveat: I only think they’re better than #30 if Joe Flacco or Shedeur Sanders starts at QB. Flacco did really well for Cleveland in 2023, but he’s 40 now, so the team should only start him if they’re trying to compete now. Otherwise, if they deem the Deshaun Watson contract a death sentence that they can only escape from in 2026 or 2027, Sanders should get the season to see what he can do. I don’t see starting potential in Dillon Gabriel, and Kenny Pickett is a bust. The rest of the roster isn’t half bad. Sanders could give fans a reason for hope.
26. Arizona Cardinals (6-11)
As you can tell by this ranking, I’m still not a believer in QB Kyler Murray or the totality of the Arizona defense. While I expect the connection between he and 2nd-year WR Marvin Harrison Jr to improve, counting on Murray to stay healthy isn’t a wise plan. The Cardinals addressed the defense in the draft (DT Walker Nolen, CB Will Johnson) and in free agency (DE Josh Sweat, DT Calais Campbell), but do you fear anyone on this unit other than S Budda Baker? I also have questions about the offensive line. With San Francisco healthy, the Rams looking great, and the Seahawks retooling, we could be looking at a 4th-place NFC West finish.
25. New England Patriots (4-13)
One of our contenders for “most improved”, the Patriots are definitely better than they were in 2024. However, I’m still not seeing the dark horse playoff thing that some are predicting. This roster was one of the worst in the NFL, and one free agent spending spree won’t fix that overnight. That said, there are still things to like, starting with new coach Mike Vrabel. He should get the defense back on track, but it’ll be interesting to see what OC Josh McDaniels does with 2nd-year QB Drake Maye. The young gunslinger showed some promise last year, and he’ll determine whether the Pats are truly on the correct path.
24. Indianapolis Colts (8-9)
Few teams’ outlooks dimmed in a few late-season games more than the Colts’ did. An ugly loss to the Giants exposed the defense and effectively eliminated Indy from playoff contention. New DC Lou Anarumo will help, but you wonder if a previously decent defense just had enough. I wouldn’t blame them if that were the case, as the Colts are trapped in QB purgatory with Anthony Richardson looking like a major whiff. He’s already hurt prior to minicamp, which will give another former bust, Daniel Jones, a leg up. Neither of these players is likely to be the answer, so Indianapolis may be back to the drawing board in 2026.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13)
This was the first spot where I really wasn’t sure where to rank a team. Jacksonville upgraded at head coach and GM with Liam Coen and James Gladstone replacing Doug Pederson and Trent Baalke, respectively. I love both hires, particularly for the sake of QB Trevor Lawrence. WR/CB Travis Hunter, who the team traded up in the draft for, should also be interesting. I didn’t see enough investment in the offensive line though, and the defense might be abysmal. The Jaguars have good edge rushers, but the middle is a gaping hole, and the secondary is not equipped to cover people even if Hunter truly plays both of his positions full time.
22. Las Vegas Raiders (4-13)
A bleak-looking situation got a lot better when the Raiders announced the hiring of Pete Carroll as their new coach. Trading for QB Geno Smith from Seattle was also a good move, as I advocated for passing on this QB class. Those two plus rookie RB Ashton Jeanty bring respectability to Las Vegas. That doesn’t mean I see them finishing anywhere but last in their division. The AFC West is occupied by three 2024 playoff teams, and the Raiders still have trouble on defense and at WR. However, this team was a #1 pick contender prior to their offseason moves, so this is a substantial upgrade. A 7-win season feels reasonable.
21. Chicago Bears (5-12)
Perhaps we overhyped the Bears too quickly last year, but I’m afraid it’s happening again. It’s easy to see why: the team improved the offensive line in a big way by signing C Drew Dalman and trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. The biggest upgrade came at coach, with Ben Johnson coming over from Detroit. A new coach can bring growing pains though, and the NFC North is absolutely loaded. The best outcome for this season would be the development of last year’s #1 pick, QB Caleb Williams, into a star. Given the offensive line additions, I think Chicago is finally heading in the right direction.
20. Atlanta Falcons (8-9)
On paper, Atlanta addressed their biggest weakness: edge rusher. They did so by spending two first round picks (including one mortgaged from next year) on Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Relying on rookies can be risky though, and with so little else at the position, the Falcons need those two guys to be great immediately for this to work. Offensively, QB Michael Penix Jr hasn’t shown me enough yet in his limited starts, but he has plenty of arm talent. His performance will determine whether Atlanta challenges the Bucs for the NFC South title. As far as rosters go though, this is not one to sleep on.
19. Seattle Seahawks (10-7)
I don’t think any team that didn’t change their coach or GM swapped out more parts than Seattle did. Gone are traded WR DK Metcalf and QB Geno Smith, and in come former rival WR Cooper Kupp and QB Sam Darnold. The aging Kupp is probably a downgrade, but Darnold could be an upgrade. However, can he function behind a bad offensive line that only got first-round pick Grey Zabel as reinforcements? Pressure is what doomed Darnold in his playoff loss as a Viking, and a poor run game harmed the Seahawks in 2024. The other pieces are pretty decent, so we’ll see if Zabel is enough to stabilize this team’s weakest link.
18. Miami Dolphins (8-9)
There’s no kind way to put this: the Dolphins had a brutal offseason. S Jevon Holland left for the Giants, CB Jalen Ramsey is expected to be traded soon, and worst of all, LT Terron Armstead retired. None of these players were adequately replaced unless last year’s second-rounder, OT Patrick Paul, shocks everybody. Having such a top-heavy roster cost this team a ton of depth, and the construction seems flawed. When bully ball is required, Miami struggles. Now even less resilient against injuries, the Dolphins seem poised to take a big step back. We’re all curious if WR Tyreek Hill becomes a malcontent in the process.
17. Dallas Cowboys (7-10)
For anyone saying the Cowboys are ranked too high, this isn’t a bad team. To people who think Dallas should be above this: don’t forget that this team was underachieving before QB Dak Prescott got hurt. HC Mike McCarthy is gone after a weird contract standoff between him and owner Jerry Jones, and Brian Schottenheimer is definitely not an inspiring hire. On the positive side, health should be very helpful for Dallas, as injuries decimated both sides of the ball last year. Trading for WR George Pickens also addresses the biggest offensive weakness. The Cowboys can be good this year, but their division and conference are tough.
16. Los Angeles Chargers (11-7; L Wild Card Round)
Completely exposed by Texans in their one-and-done playoff appearance in 2024, the Chargers spent the offseason leaning further into the style of roster that HC Jim Harbaugh likes. The pass catchers didn’t improve much (though the team likes rookie Tre Harris), but the Bolts got deeper in the trenches and especially at RB, where Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton will receive the bulk of the carries. As the team morphs into a more physical unit, it will be better equipped for December and January football. I still worry that they’ll find a way to “Charger” things up, but they’re doing their best to mitigate that possibility.
15. Green Bay Packers (11-7; L Wild Card Round)
A playoff team two years in a row, a roster that’s both young and deep, and a top-notch play caller in HC Matt LaFleur. Why don’t I have the Packers in the top 10? Two major concerns give me pause. First, the defense, especially the CB position, is a potential liability. That becomes doubly true if Jaire Alexander is traded. Second and more worrisome: it’s time for QB Jordan Love to show up. His highs are as good as anyone’s, but he goes through stretches within games and across weeks where his accuracy vanishes. You can’t win it all without consistency under center, so the good Love will need to appear far more often in 2025.
14. San Francisco 49ers (6-11)
San Francisco’s outlook is decidedly mixed. On the positive side, this team should be healthier by default, as nobody lost more collective starts to injuries than the 49ers did. Finishing last in 2024 also earned SF a 4th-place schedule that happens to be one of the easiest in the league. Unfortunately, few teams lost more talent. Paying QB Brock Purdy caused an exodus of players out the door, including LB Dre Greenlaw, S Talanoa Hufanga, and WR Deebo Samuel. WR Brandon Aiyuk may also not be quite right upon returning from an ACL tear. The 49ers are still good, but the stars will have to carry them like never before.
13. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
Improbably, the Bengals managed to pay the entire pass-catching trio of WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and TE Mike Gesicki. That means one of the NFL’s best offenses is completely back. However, can Cincinnati stop anyone? DE Trey Hendrickson still doesn’t have a new deal and may hold out, and this was a terrible defense WITH him leading the league in sacks. Unless some young players take strides in their development, the stop unit won’t be stopping many teams. The Bengals can outscore anyone, but they really need to start a season faster for once. Preferably before week 8.
12. Minnesota Vikings (14-4; L Wild Card Round)
The Vikings have the biggest unknown in the league in second-year QB JJ McCarthy. The former top-10 pick is essentially a rookie after missing his entire first season with a torn meniscus. He’s the hand-picked QB of reigning coach of the year Kevin O’Connell, but this team just won 14 games with Sam Darnold. Making a change in light of that is a bold move that’s fraught with risk. Otherwise, this is a stacked roster with talent at just about every position. If McCarthy proves worthy of his first-round pedigree, the Vikings will be Super Bowl contenders. He could also be the one that brings this whole thing down.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-8; L Wild Card Round)
In a tale of two half-seasons, Tampa’s offense looked reborn down the stretch. QB Baker Mayfield played the best football of his career, and rookie RB Bucky Irving emerged as a legitimate playmaker. Losing an OC to another team’s head coaching job for the second straight year hurts, but regaining Chris Godwin following his ACL recovery is a bonus. The defense has some holes, and spending a first-round pick on a 4th WR in Emeka Egbuka didn’t aid that unit. Still, this team plays in the NFC South, which is the worst division in football. That helps with the Bucs’ quest for a division five-peat, at which point they’ll host a playoff game.
10. Houston Texans (11-8; L Divisional Round)
It seems like we go through this every year, but we’re once again wondering about the Texans’ offensive line. As usual, it’s the team’s biggest threat, more so than any opponent. CJ Stroud is a great young QB, but he needs protection. Trading LT Laremy Tunsil seemed to make things worth, even if Cam Robinson turns out to be a viable replacement. Rookie Aireontae Ersery needs to be a hit in a big way. Houston showed against the Chargers that they can beat teams up, and their back-to-back AFC South titles show that they’re for real. If they want to take the next step though, they’ll need to hold up on the front line.
9. Washington Commanders (14-6; L Conference Championship)
Many are projecting the Commanders to take a leap forward after their already-impressive conference championship run. Others, though less numerous are (shrewdly in my opinion) opining that they could take a surprising step back. The assets are obvious: QB Jayden Daniels had a great rookie year, and the team added WR Deebo Samuel and LT Laremy Tunsil in trades to help him. The culture also changed with a completely new organizational structure. However, a lot had to go right for this team, especially with all the older veterans they signed, and teams have had an offseason to prepare for Daniels. Beware a sophomore slump.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-8; L Wild Card Round)
Aaron Rodgers just signed to fill the Steelers’ massive QB hole, and now it’s a race to contend during his likely last season. The clock isn’t just ticking on Rodgers; Pittsburgh’s strong defense is also running out of time to chase a ring. In that effort, the Steelers traded for WR DK Metcalf but shipped George Pickens out of town. It’s well-documented that coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season, so his team is bound to be good. However, they also haven’t won a playoff game in years. This is their best chance to change that narrative, along with Rodgers’ post-Green Bay legacy. Pittsburgh is full of intrigue.
7. Denver Broncos (10-8; L Wild Card Round)
As you can see by this ranking, I’m buying what coach Sean Payton is building. QB Bo Nix came on strong late during his rookie year, and now TE Evan Engram is there in Payton’s “joker” role. I’m unsure if 2nd-round rookie RB RJ Harvey is enough to form a potent ground attack, but Payton has manufactured rushing games with less. Elsewhere, one of the best defenses in the league got better with rookie CB Jahdae Barron and two San Francisco imports, S Talanoa Hufanga and LB Dre Greenlaw. I can’t recall a team with a better chance to dethrone the Chiefs and end their run of AFC West titles. Denver brings big expectations into 2025.
6. Baltimore Ravens (13-6; L Divisional Round)
Once again the league’s most loaded roster, Baltimore’s season doesn’t start until the playoffs. This team has not proven that we can trust them in the postseason, as they have not won back-to-back playoff games in the Lamar Jackson era. Something always lets them down, and in this rugged AFC, that won’t cut it. The Ravens brought in more talent in S Malaki Starks, DE Mike Green, and WR DeAndre Hopkins. In terms of pure talent, no team is better equipped to win a Super Bowl. Until Jackson can deliver in the most crucial moments though, Baltimore will remain a tier below the elites/
5. Kansas City Chiefs (17-3; L Super Bowl)
For once, the Chiefs don’t have that air of invincibility that they’ve possessed for several seasons. Despite 17 wins and another Super Bowl appearance, KC’s offense never looked quite right last season. TE Travis Kelce is slowing down, and QB Patrick Mahomes was betrayed by his protection at the tackle spots. The latter issue could be fixed, but either Jaylon Moore will need to be as good as he looked in limited action last year or rookie Josh Simmons will have to recover very quickly from a torn patellar tendon. As long as Mahomes and HC Andy Reid are around though, anything is possible with this team.
4. Los Angeles Rams (11-8; L Divisional Round)
If not for a blizzard, LA probably would’ve taken Philadelphia out of last year’s playoffs. They were the only team that even came close, which tells you how good they can be. QB Matthew Stafford stuck around after a bit of flirtation with other teams, and WR Cooper Kupp has been replaced by Davante Adams, forming one of the league’s best tandems with Puka Nacua. Best of all for Rams fans, the young defense that showed so much promise has another year of experience, so they should be even better. Every year is Super Bowl or bust for this team, and they most certainly can win the big game as currently constructed.
3. Detroit Lions (15-3; L Divisional Round)
Everything seemed to be aligned for a deep Lions run in 2024, but defensive injuries came back to haunt them. They should be healthier now, with DE Aidan Hutchinson among their many returning players. Detroit added a few more players to bulk up on D, but changes continue to come. Two coordinators, OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn, left for head coaching jobs. As we saw with the 2023 Eagles, losing a pair of coordinators can be a major impediment. Just this week, Pro Bowl C Frank Ragnow retired, leaving a void on one of the league’s best lines. I still think very highly of Detroit, but the margin for error is less this time around.
2. Buffalo Bills (15-5; L Conference Championship)
Among all the contenders in these rankings, the Bills have the easiest path back to the playoffs. That’s because they have an oddly friendly schedule for a 1st-place team. Their division is also relatively easy, with the Dolphins weakening and the Jets and Patriots not threatening anyone. Buffalo’s biggest weakness last year was on defense, and they hammered that hard during the draft. The team also signed DE Joey Bosa, though he’s already injured. As long as QB Josh Allen is in place, Buffalo is basically assured contender status. Maybe this is the year they finally get past the previously insurmountable Chiefs.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (17-3; W Super Bowl)
I believe this is the first time in a while that KC hasn’t had this spot in the first edition of a season’s power rankings. That’s because the Chiefs won the prior two Super Bowls, and my rules dictate that the champs start off at #1 unless something crazy happens. Therefore, the reigning champion Eagles claim this coveted spot. To be sure, they lost plenty of talent, including DEs Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat, DT Milton Williams, and S CJ Gardner Johnson. I trust in their drafting and development to fill those voids though, and if all else fails, Philly kept its beloved tush push for at least one more season.