NFL Power Rankings 2017: Cowboys Drop, Patriots Stay On Top Pre-Draft

By Fansided and Cody Williams/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone
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2017 NFL Power Rankings to assess the league following the biggest moves of NFL free agency this offseason.

The 2017 NFL Draft is upon us. In less than a week, the newest stars and hopefuls will enter the league and hopefully change the fortunes of the teams that select them for the better. After almost two months of the official offseason and with the bulk of free agency settled, though, before the draft is a good time to make an assessment of the league as a whole. Specifically, it's a quality time to revisit the NFL Power Rankings for the 2017 season.

As is always the case, there are winners and losers in free agency in terms of quality. Of course, all of this is based on projection. Adding A.J. Bouye is a big move for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but we've seen them add big names before and still fail to make any kind of progress as a team. That's the universal truth of this league, but those projections are the fuel for these NFL Power Rankings.

For each team, we'll look at what they've done — or not done — this offseason and see where that places them in relation to the other 31 teams in the league prior to the draft. The draft will obviously change things, but it's important to know where things stand before the fact. With that in mind, here are the pre-draft 2017 NFL Power Rankings.

Note: Each team's rank in our previous rankings will be denoted in parentheses. You can see those power rankings here. 

Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Jets outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (55) tries to sack Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Jets won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

32. New York Jets (27)

Though they weren't the worst team in the league in the 2016 season, the New York Jets are currently in the position to be just that heading into 2017. Granted, they own the No. 6 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, but how much is that actually going to move the needle for them? This is a team in complete disarray and that is seemingly blowing it all up and going all-in on a rebuild. In their current state, though, no team is worse off than them looking ahead.

As has been the case, a look at the quarterback room is all you really need to make a damning case about the Jets. Even if that's been the norm, it may be even worse than in recent memory currently. They signed Josh McCown, who will compete with Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty for the starting job. Yes, that is 100 percent frightening and Jets fans have every right to cry after seeing that.

What's more, though, the once-vaunted defense of the Jets is also in a bad spot. They have talent up front with players like Muhammad Wilkerson and even the much-maligned Sheldon Richardson. However, those players have failed to produce at the level that they should. Then there's the secondary full of either unproven or downright bad players. It's going to be a long year for the Jets as not even a home run of a draft is going to save them.

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

31. Cleveland Browns (32)

This is a historic day for the Cleveland Browns. Even if they avoided the dubiously historic honor of going winless for the 2017 season, they were a staple for the last spot in the power rankings a year ago. However, they go into the draft not in that spot as they move up. Even better for the Browns, though, is that they are going to take an even bigger leap once they make their 11 selections — including No. 1 overall — in the 2017 NFL Draft.

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    As for now, though, I'm a big fan of the way that the Browns went after it in free agency. The worst thing that they could've done with their abundance of cap space would've been to start overpaying veterans. Instead, they played it smart and went after quality options in areas of need/areas necessary to help a young team progress. Most notably, the signings of J.C. Tretter at center and Kevin Zeitler at guard are huge for the development of the offense.

    Though they watched Terrelle Pryor leave, the Browns were able to re-sign Jamie Collins and thus give them one undeniably building block on defense in addition to quality young talent coming and already in place. This is a franchise that has been a joke and doormat for many years in this league. However, they are approaching the current rebuild quite smartly and this offseason has their future looking quite bright.

    Jul 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) throws the ball during training camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

    30. Chicago Bears (30)

    Mike Glennon probably isn't the quarterback of the future for the Chicago Bears. Yet, they're paying him heftily over the next two seasons to at least give him the opportunity to prove that sentiment wrong while the rest of the roster is rebuilding. And yes, the Bears are 100 percent going to have their share of growing pains this season. Put simply, this isn't a roster constructed to be competitive in 2017.

    The arrival of Glennon signifies a new era for the offense. Jay Cutler and Alshon Jeffery are gone, which may not be bad things and certainly is a part of rebuilding. Moreover, the Bears might actually be better on some spots on offense than often given credit for. Their offensive line a year ago was solid and is young enough to improve moving forward. Jordan Howard also proved his value as a potential bell cow back for them. Yet they still lack weapons at wide receiver and Glennon is a question-mark at best.

    The biggest detriment to the Bears currently is on the defensive side of the ball. The secondary as currently constructed might not be able to stop a mediocre college offense, much less contend with NFL offenses — though the addition Prince Amukamara helps to a degree. However, they still lack stability at most spots throughout the unit, which was a group that was horrible a year ago. That's where the rebuild currently needs to focus, but it won't happen immediately even if they do address it.

    Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) passes against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Soldier Field. Chiefs won 23-7. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

    29. San Francisco 49ers (31)

    The San Francisco 49ers will be better in the 2017 season than they were one year ago. That's probably the most back-handed compliment that you can give this team considering that they won only two games a year ago. However, they've had a strong offseason to this point under new general manager John Lynch and are on the right track in terms of their rebuilding process.

    Though they are still looking for the long-term answer at quarterback, the addition of Brian Hoyer as a stop-gap option is going to serve this team well. Though his weapons at receiver are lacking to a degree, the addition of Pierre Garcon is nice and should help make them more competitive moving forward, as will adding the speedy Marquise Goodwin. Meanwhile, they added solid depth on both sides of the ball to help them improve in that regard.

    Again, the 49ers are going to have their woes in 2017, which is to be expected. However, the arrival of new head coach Kyle Shanahan in addition to just increasing the level of talent and professionalism on the roster is going to be huge. They'll be less of a dumpster fire in 2017, even if that doesn't mean being wholly competitive.

    Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) gestures for a safety during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

    28. Los Angeles Chargers (26)

    It's quite possible that this is a bit harsh on the Los Angeles Chargers. They had a stroke of horrendous luck a season ago as 19 players were ultimately put on IR throughout the season. Though some of those players have torrid injury histories and could've been expected to suffer such fates, that's still bad luck to an unnerving degree. What's more, there are plenty of things to like, starting with the defense.

    The Chargers might have one of the most formidable pass-rushing duos in the entire league working on their defense right now. Joey Bosa was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 and rightfully so as he was historically great as a rookie pass rusher. Meanwhile, Melvin Ingram was slapped with the franchise tag this offseason and will return to the mix to help Bosa get after the quarterback. Even better, Casey Hayward established himself as an elite cornerback a year ago.

    With that said, the biggest concerns stem from the offense. At his best, Philip Rivers is a top-10 quarterback in the NFL. However, there are question marks on the outside — even in Keenan Allen's return — about how effective his receivers can be. What's worse is that his offensive line protecting him is a major question mark, which doesn't bode well for an older quarterback. Those questions and the injuries make me tepid on the Chargers, but they have pieces that could help prove me wrong.

    Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

    27. Cincinnati Bengals (24)

    After a run of playoff berths (albeit with a lack of postseason success), it was basically accepted as a formality that the Cincinnati Bengals were going to return in 2016. Instead, they were one of the most disappointing overall teams in the league. Marvin Lewis' group took huge strides in the wrong direction and finished well out of playoff consideration, even in a relatively open race in the AFC North.

    The bad news for the Bengals is that all signs point to them either staying in the same position, or perhaps getting even worse. That all begins on the offensive line in front of Andy Dalton. Losing their top-two offensive linemen from a year ago, veteran Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler, is hugely detrimental to their plight. Throw in questions at receiver outside of A.J. Green and two running backs that can't seem to stay on the field, the offense is problematic for the Bengals.

    More than that, though, the Bengals defense is, for lack of a better word, old as a whole. Sure, they let go a veteran in Rey Maualuga in an effort to get younger, but you have the likes of Vontaze Burfict and Pacman Jones still playing pivotal roles in the offense. While Burfict may not be old in the way that Jones is, they lack the athleticism necessary to compete in the modern NFL. The struggles won't be short-lived for Cincy at this rate.

    Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) runs during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

    26. Buffalo Bills (25)

    Thankfully at some point early in the offseason, someone in the Buffalo Bills front office looked at themselves in the mirror and said, "You're an idiot if you think that you're going to find someone better than what Tyrod Taylor has been for you." Thus, Taylor will be back at quarterback and the Bills won't be searching through the bargain bin for his replacement. However, that's not exactly going to make Buffalo contenders, especially with a slew of other issues looming.

    There will be times when the Bills offense that currently exists will show flashers. With Taylor, LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins, that stands to reason. However, they have virtually nothing behind them at receiver and have very little to speak of in terms of offensive line depth. That's going to cost them in a big way at times, even if there are nice flashes.

    But the biggest issues come on the other side of the ball. The defense of the Bills underperformed under Rex Ryan and there's hope that Sean McDermott will help them. That's going to be a tall task, though, considering that he'll have less talent to work with than did Ryan. The departure of Stephon Gilmore from the secondary is going to be crippling, as will losing Zach Brown, who was huge in the front seven in 2016. Meanwhile, they failed to make any real key additions. As such, the Bills will struggle to compete in 2017 as currently constructed.

    Dec 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) walks off the field after throwing an interception in the closing seconds of the Rams' 22-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

    25. Los Angeles Rams (29)

    You could truthfully argue that the stink of Jeff Fisher not lingering around the Los Angeles Rams anymore would vault them up four spots in the power rankings. That might be the case, but they've actually made some solid improvements this offseason. To be clear, "some" improvements isn't enough to make them a good football team. However, the Rams could be more competitive than they were a season ago.

    In Jared Goff's first season after being the first-overall pick, he failed to notch a win after he finally overtook (Re: Fisher got his head out of his rear) Case Keenum for the starting job. There are many reasons why, but the biggest issues were a lack of weapons and an abhorrent offensive line as a whole. The Rams addressed both things with the signings of wide receiver Robert Woods and the addition of veteran tackle Andrew Whitworth. He's not a long-term option, but he was a stud again last season and should help give Goff time to actually breathe and work in the pocket.

    Meanwhile, the arrival of head coach Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips are both huge. Though the defense may have to adjust to a switch to the 3-4 under the Son of Bum, they should be in a good spot to take a step forward. There's still work to do, but the Rams are heading into the right direction.

    Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

    24. Indianapolis Colts (23)

    New Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard took the job over from Ryan Grigson and immediately starting bringing in pieces in free agency. Their biggest concern (or one of them, at least) was largely the defense as a whole and Ballard made a ton of moves to try and help improve that unit in terms of both depth and quality. However, when you break it down, is there really any signing outside of Johnathan Hankins that will move the needle.

    First off, Hankins is a great signing for the Colts and one they needed to make. Though he had a down 2016, he's proven to be a dominant tackle on the defense and a player that can simply be a disruption, which is a huge part of the battle on that side of the ball. Looking at the other signings, though, that include the likes of John Simon and Al Woods, how impactful are they really? These guys are veterans, but they don't exactly make up a great defense. Thus, that unit could continue to struggle more than the quantity of moves to address it might suggest.

    Most importantly prior to the draft, though, the Colts haven't done a great deal to address their offensive line. Indy's greatest asset is their franchise quarterback, but Grigson failed to adequately protect him and the Colts didn't make any splash in free agency to do so either. As a result, the quantity of their signings isn't mistaken for overall quality.

    Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) in action against the Oakland Raiders during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

    23. Jacksonville Jaguars (28)

    Stop me if you've heard this one before, but the Jacksonville Jaguars were the big winners of free agency. Once again, they set their sights on the open market and just threw as much money as possible into the unit. And when you look at the players that they ultimately ended up with, it truthfully reads like a who's who of the players that were available on the open market this offseason.

    The additions of Calais Campbell, A.J. Bouye and even Barry Church will all be huge for the Jaguars in the upcoming season. One of the best kept secrets due to the team's overall lack of success a season ago was that Jalen Ramsey, Malik Jackson and the defense were able to lead a quality defensive unit. But when you look at why the Jags only move up five spots, that offense is really the reason why.

    Specifically, the biggest factor in the Jaguars don't jump up higher is Blake Bortles is still their quarterback. He's not proven he can be a consistent or effective NFL player and that may be independent of who is head coach is. Bortles simply might not have what it takes, which obviously spells bad new for the Jaguars as a whole. Their defense can be great, but it doesn't matter if Bortles is still a train-wreck.

    Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) turns to deliver a handoff during the first quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won the contest 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

    22. Baltimore Ravens (22)

    Sitting on the outside of the playoffs last season, it's truthfully hard to know what to make of the Baltimore Ravens. What is their defense going to look like? Can the likes of Eric Weddle at a somewhat advanced age replicate a dominant performance on an impressive unit from 2016? What's more, there are also a number of questions that are warranted about the offensive moving forward.

    The biggest issues that the Ravens face offensively is that they are devoid, really, of any weapons that are proven. With the retirement of Steven Smith Sr., Mike Wallace is now the No. 1 receiver for Baltimore. In case you've missed his entire career to this point, you do not want your team in a position where Wallace is the top pass-catcher on the outside. Meanwhile, Breshad Perriman is unproven and the running game continues to be a question mark — especially with the likes of Rick Wagner bolting in free agency.

    Though the AFC North outside of the Pittsburgh Steelers has two teams below the Ravens in these rankings, they feel like they're closer to the bottom two than they are to the favorites from the Steel City. Maybe they prove me wrong and obviously the draft could change things. As of now, though, things aren't particularly promising.

    Dec 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

    21. Houston Texans (10)

    Let me just go ahead and address the fact that I am fully aware that the Houston Texans defense was absolutely the reason that they were able to make the playoffs a season ago. Subsequently, the fact that their offense is currently in trouble would seemingly make them okay on that side of the ball, especially with J.J. Watt likely returning to make their front seven even more dominant. However, there are just so many concerns about this team that they are easily the biggest faller in the power rankings.

    Sticking with the defense for now, they're probably still going to be a very good unit. However, in trying to clear up space and play the waiting game with Tony Romo, the Texans watched a ton of key contributors from their defense a year ago depart. A.J. Bouye, Quintin Demps and others are all big losses for this unit that will have an effect on the overall proficiency of the unit.

    But really, this is largely about the offense. Prior to the draft, Tom Savage is the starting quarterback for the Texans. Even if he's better than expected (I don't think he is), Savage isn't Romo and isn't likely going to be a star. That severely limits the offense to frustrating degrees, similar to the problems with Osweiler — just with a smaller price tag. And with the division improving as a whole, 2017 seems to be set up for massive disappointment in Houston.

    Oct 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) and tackle Matt Kalil (75) pass protect for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) as Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) rushes in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

    20. Carolina Panthers (21)

    The Carolina Panthers moving up a spot is truthfully more a product of other teams getting substantially worse than it is a testament to Carolina improving their roster a great deal. Yes, the Panthers largely underperformed last season and fell victim to some detrimental injuries on both sides of the ball. However, there were also flaws in the roster and how it was constructed and I'm not sure many of those concerns have gone away.

    One of the biggest problems that the Panthers faced a year ago were injuries and inconsistency on the offensive line. Thus, they went on the market and signed former Viking (and brother of their center) Matt Kalil to a lucrative contract to play left tackle next season. While there's hope in the move, they paid premium money for a player who hasn't been good in a few years. Considering that he's also young and already struggling, there's reason to doubt that move.

    What's more, the issues in the secondary haven't fully been addressed, though the return of Captain Munnerlyn is nice. But perhaps more than anything, the fact that Cam Newton's weapons are still underwhelming might be the concern that everyone's overlooking. Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess might simply not be good NFL receivers. And without Ted Ginn Jr. in the fold, that could hurt the offense.

    Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

    19. New Orleans Saints (19)

    Keeping the New Orleans Saints in the exact same spot as they were in the last NFL power rankings feels like the right move on just about every level. They've been active this offseason, most notably sending out Brandin Cooks in a trade with the New England Patriots. With that, they have an extra first-round pick in addition to the No. 11 overall selection that they "earned" last season.

    Until the draft, though, is it really outlandish to say that you can expect the exact same type of things from the Saints as in previous seasons if the currently constructed roster took the field to start the season? Their offense is still going to be a force with a solid line, a slew of receiving weapons, and Drew Brees still at the helm of the offense.

    With that said, there are still just too many holes on this defense and not nearly enough depth to be able to withstand playing opposite of the Brees-led offense. Their front four is promising, surely, with Nick Fairley being re-signed and the likes of Sheldon Rankins and Cameron Jordan. But linebacker is still shaky as a whole and the secondary is an earthquake in terms of shakiness at this point. Again, this could improve through the draft, but the Saints are the same ol' Saints as of now.

    Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

    18. Minnesota Vikings (20)

    There will certainly be some that question the Minnesota Vikings moving up in these power rankings. After all, they're set for another year with Captain Checkdown, Sam Bradford, at the helm. What's more, this will be the first time in basically a decade that Adrian Peterson won't even be a hopeful factor in the offense. And considering injury concerns on the defense, seeing them move up two spots might be a bit curious.

    With that said, the Vikings did some things to address their biggest area of weakness from a year ago, the offensive line. They were absolutely atrocious a year ago and didn't give any running back in the fold a chance. What's more, you can almost forgive Bradford for his short throws because he didn't want to die. The addition of Riley Reiff will be huge in helping that. And while Mike Remmers isn't a star, he isn't T.J. Clemmings and that is wholly positive for the Vikings offense.

    Under the tutelage of Mike Zimmer, you know that the Vikings defense will remain hard-nosed and competitive as well. It's not going to be substantial improvement from them as I think that Bradford has a limited ceiling and that there is a need for depth on numerous areas of the roster. With that said, this team should be better than how they finished the 2016 season throughout 2017.

    Nov 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

    17. Arizona Cardinals (16)

    When you look at the Arizona Cardinals from a year ago, they might've been the dubious winners of the team that underperformed the most. Obviously it all comes down to how you perform and if you're ahead on the scoreboard at the end of the game. However, the Cards had the look of a 10-6 team that had some bad breaks and moments that led to them finishing 7-8-1. Having said that, they'll need to prove themselves heading into 2017.

    The offseason of the Cardinals to this point has largely been shrouded in departures and uncertainty. When you look at the names that will be leaving Arizona from last season, it looks like a daunting task for them to replace them, especially on defense. Marcus Cooper, Tony Jefferson, Calais Campbell and Kevin Minter all played huge roles for that unit in Arizona. Then you throw out the early speculation that Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald might retire, and things are questionable in the desert.

    With that said, the defense has young components such as Robert Nkemdiche that could conceivably step in and keep that unit afloat. What's more, the offensive line will be healthy and should help that unit improve. They have the opportunity to improve from 7-8-1. But as stated, they're in a position where they need to prove it before anyone fully gets behind them.

    Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) lines up over New England Patriots offensive guard Shaq Mason (69) in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

    16. Denver Broncos (11)

    A year removed from winning Super Bowl 50 in 2016, the Denver Broncos looked like an entirely different and lesser team. Yes, their defense was still formidable as ever when at its best, but even they took some steps back with the losses of guys like Malik Jackson. When you couple that with one of the league's worst offensive lines and inexperience at quarterback, the Broncos were put in a bad spot last season.

    After missing out on the postseason as the best team to not make it, though, they've done very few things to fully improve where they were lacking last season. That has nothing to do with them sticking with Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch at quarterback as banking on young players with promise is perfectly passable. However, they have to give them a chance on the O-line and I'm not so sure that'll happen as things currently stand.

    Adding Ronald Leary at guard was a wise move that will improve them on the interior. However, Menelik Watson is only marginally better than the saloon doors they employed at tackle last season. Donald Stephenson, one of those saloon doors, remains in place. As their arsenal of weapons is still remarkably top-heavy on offense, it's hard to imagine the offense as currently constituted will be good enough for even the defense to carry them.

    Sep 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) warms up before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

    15. Philadelphia Eagles (18)

    It was more-or-less a mixed bag for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2016 season. They traded up to the No. 2 overall pick last year to take Carson Wentz and, for the most part, the rookie quarterback showed that he has the goods to be a franchise type of player at the position. However, the biggest concern for him was the fact that his weapons around him were sub-par, which is putting it as nicely as possible.

    The Eagles thus went out and made sure to address that in as big of ways as possible in free agency. They first landed Torrey Smith, which could be huge for the team as they look to stretch the field more in Wentz's second season. However, that signing paled in comparison to landing the top player at the position on the market, Alshon Jeffery. Though inconsistent, Jeffery at his best is a dominant force in this league and the No. 1 target that Wentz so desperately needed a year go.

    With all of that said, there are still areas of concern for the Eagles. Their front seven is solid, though it could still use minor upgrades and depth. However, their secondary remains a concern, at cornerback in particular. That's something that they'll surely address heavily in the draft, though, and that could vault the Eagles even further up these NFL power rankings.

    Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the San Francisco 49ers 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

    14. Miami Dolphins (13)

    What the Miami Dolphins were able to accomplish in the 2016 NFL season was wholly impressive. Early in the year after a 1-4 start, they looked to be in store for a forgettable year with everyone failing to make the leap. However, the group under Adam Gase proved that they were resilient and finished the campaign on a 9-2 run and made it into the playoffs. Now, they largely have the same group returning to try and replicate that effort.

    The emergence of running back Jay Ajayi was a big reason for the Dolphins surge through the final three-quarters of the 2016 season. He proved that he can be a bell cow back and really help to carry the offense. What's more, Ryan Tannehill also showed that he could be making the leap, though a late-season leg injury really hurt him in that regard. The offense also retained Kenny Stills and added a potential receiving threat in tight end via a trade with Julius Thomas.

    While the defense added Lawrence Timmons and T.J. McDonald (who's suspended for the first eight games of 2017), there are still concerns about the defense. There's also questions still about the offensive line, particularly at guard and with the injury concerns lingering around Mike Pouncey. The Dolphins should still be competitive, but they're more of a TBD than anything at this point as a fringe playoff team.

    Dec 15, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs with the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

    13. Seattle Seahawks (8)

    Every season, there are teams that play well above their heads and either make the playoffs or flirt with a postseason berth when they really have no business doing so. For my money, the Seattle Seahawks were the team that accomplished that in the 2016 season. What's more, they haven't really done a great deal prior to the draft to address the problems that lead to that type of thinking.

    The biggest issue that the Seahawks had in the 2016 campaign was keeping Russell Wilson upright, healthy and from having to run for his life on a consistent basis. Their offensive line play was just absolutely abysmal and it showed in a lack of consistent running game and the aforementioned position that their franchise quarterback was put into all too often. Yet, Seattle did very little to address that. They're banking on young guys taking the leap, but can you really put faith in the likes of Germain Ifedi after how atrocious he was a year ago?

    What's more, there seems to be some type of unrest when it comes to their vaunted defense. Not only will the heartbeat in Earl Thomas be coming off a serious leg injury, but the Richard Sherman trade rumors loom large. This is a volatile unit always and any type of added unrest could send things tumbling. Though they could have a big draft, I'm not convinced that the Seahawks don't regress noticeably in the 2017 season.

    Aug 18, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) follows a block by guard T.J. Lang (70) in the first quarter during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

    12. Detroit Lions (12)

    Frankly, it's hard to know fully what to make of the Detroit Lions following what they did in free agency. When you look at the names that departed in free agency, you'd think that they're primed to regress a great deal. Losing the likes of Riley Reiff and Larry Warford on the offensive line are big blows, and seeing DeAndre Levy's release is big, even if he's not been on the field due to injury in recent years.

    With all of that being said, the Lions are did some work to help ease the blow of those losses. Most notably, you could actually argue that they improved their offensive line in free agency. While Reiff and Warford were great in Detroit, the additions of Rick Wagner at right tackle and T.J. Lang at guard could theoretically improve the unit up front for the Lions.

    Obviously fans would've liked to see Detroit do more to address the defense in free agency. D.J. Hayden coming in at cornerback barely moves the needle and the unit needs to improve. However, they were a playoff team last season that improved up front and will have Ameer Abdullah back in the fold next season at running back. Their defense won't be markably worse as it stands now, so they stay right at the same spot as the previous power rankings.

    Nov 20, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) is tackled by Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Zach Brown (53) at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bills won 16-12. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

    11. Washington Redskins (15)

    Some people might be shocked by both seeing the Washington Redskins this high and by the fact that they actually rose four spots this offseason. After all, much of the talk about the organization this offseason has been grounded in negative connotation. For the most part, it's not hard to see why that's the case as there's been plenty of turmoil surrounding the team.

    For one, the Redskins fired general manager Scot McCloughan in an exceedingly ugly situation. What's more, the saga regarding the contract and long-term viability of Kirk Cousins has continued this offseason. Then you have the fact that Cousins' arsenal of weapons in the receiving corps has depleted with both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon departing in free agency. However, they've done enough to maintain the offense while improving the offense to make it seem as if they'll make a step forward in 2017.

    The addition of Terrelle Pryor at wide receiver will help to alleviate the blow of losing Garcon and Jackson, as will the likes of Josh Doctson hopefully getting on the field and Jamison Crowder continuing to work well in the slot. What's more, the additions of Terrell McClain, Stacy McGee and most importantly Zach Brown will improve the front seven. Then you add D.J. Swearinger at safety and the defense will take a step forward. Don't sleep on the team in D.C.

    Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

    10. Tennessee Titans (14)

    The 2016 season was a bit of a rollercoaster ride for the Tennessee Titans as they flirted with breaking out, but were never really able to get over the hump. Still, they were in contention to win the AFC South heading into their final games of the season. However, they ultimately fell short of that when Marcus Mariota went down with a broken fibula during that closing stretch to the season. As their star quarterback is expected to make a full recovery, they should be primed for improvement in 2017.

    Though there is still a bit of work to be done up front, the Titans made strides through free agency in both making their defense younger and improving the unit. Their two biggest upgrades came in the secondary as they were able to sign cornerback Logan Ryan and safety Jonathan Cyprien on the open market. Tennessee had one of the worst defensive backfields in the league last season and, despite the release of Jason McCourty, they're in a position to improve in that regard now.

    Meanwhile, the offense has largely stood pat outside of letting Kendall Wright walk in free agency. This is still a team that will thrive behind the strength of an impressive offensive line and the running back corps of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. What's more, with two picks in the top 18 in the 2017 draft, the Titans could improve further after draft day.

    Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) rushes the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

    9. Pittsburgh Steelers (4)

    At their best, the Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most explosive offenses in the entire league. When a team has weapons such as Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown at their disposal, that's not exactly shocking. However, it's impossible to ignore the fact that the Steelers were incredibly inconsistent on that side of the ball last season. And that could potentially get even worse.

    One of the biggest stories of the offseason for Pittsburgh was the odd possibility that the Steelers could see their quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, retire. He's coming back, but that type of mental uncertainty could seemingly affect his play, in addition to the performance of the rest of the offense considering how integral he is to their success. That's certainly a disconcerting notion at best when it comes to the Steelers.

    However, the biggest issues that Pittsburgh face coming into the 2017 season remain on the other side of the ball. While there are playmakers like Ryan Shazier and the emerging Bud Dupree, their secondary is absolutely a problem. In fact, the lack of playmaking and performance in the defensive backfield is so severe that it's probably not going to be solved by the NFL draft alone. That's an issue and why the Steelers slide a bit in the power rankings.

    Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

    8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (17)

    One of the biggest leapers in these pre-draft NFL Power Rankings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are primed for a full-on breakout in the 2017 NFL season. They flirted with making the playoffs a year ago, but fell victim to struggles down the stretch, when they admittedly played a brutal finishing schedule. Now Jameis Winston and company have improved their roster and could be primed to absolutely make the leap to being a viable contender out of the NFC.

    The biggest addition for the Buccaneers is certainly that of DeSean Jackson to the offense. Despite how good Winston and the offense looked in Tampa Bay a year ago, their lack of offensive weapons was actually quite shocking. That's why Mike Evans saw such ridiculous target numbers as there wasn't another reliable option. Jackson provides that as a veteran, but the speedster also provides the perfect receiving complement to the big-bodied Evans.

    Another underrated move that the Bucs made this offseason was slotting in Chris Baker at defensive tackle. The big fella was one of the most underrated positives on the Washington Redskins defense and bolsters an already promising front seven for the Bucs. J.J. Wilcox could also be a nice addition at strong safety. Tampa still needs to shore up their offensive line a bit and may have to move on from Doug Martin, but I have them circled as a team on the rise in a big way.

    Oct 9, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) runs after making a catch during the second quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

    7. New York Giants (9)

    Before I get into glowing about the New York Giants, let me first say that I have them marked as a potential regression candidate. There's every reason to wholly believe in their defense and it'd be shocking if they didn't maintain the level of dominance that they showed a season ago. And they made additions to the offense, without question. However, their offensive line is still a question mark and nothing about their running game inspires confidence. To me, that could be more of an issue than people are letting on.

    However, they're coming off of a 2016 season where they went 10-6 and showed the peak of their defensive abilities with two stifling performances against the Dallas Cowboys in the regular season. With Jason Pierre-Paul returning and key components such as Janoris Jenkins, Landon Collins and Olivier Vernon still in the fold, the defense should again be a force in the league.

    What vaults them up two spots from our last NFL power rankings, though, is the addition of Brandon Marshall to the offense. That type of addition can't be understated as he's the perfect complement to the likes of Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard. Eli Manning now has his red zone target he so desperately needed last season and that should help the offense. Of course, that all hinges on him having enough time to get the ball out.

    Sep 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

    6. Green Bay Packers (5)

    There's a case to be made that the Green Bay Packers should drop more than one spot given the losses they incurred and the few additions that they made in free agency. Yes, adding Martellus Bennett to the Aaron Rodgers led offense is huge — and even an upgrade over the departing Jared Cook. However, with losses like Micah Hyde in an already shallow secondary and with T.J. Lang departing from the offensive line, there are some problem areas for the Packers.

    With that said, things aren't particularly dire for the Packers still. Hyde was most definitely a key component of the Packers secondary. While that may be the case, though, the secondary wasn't exactly stopping anyone last season. So the potential to now rebuild the defensive backfield may actually be for the better in Green Bay. Moreover, Lang has been one of the best guards in the NFL, but they have bodies behind him and are still set across the front largely.

    More than any of this, though, this is still a team booming with weapons with the likes of Ty Montgomery moving to the backfield, the addition of Bennett, and the usual suspects like Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and the emerging Davante Adams. Then there's that Rodgers guy. I hear-tell that he's pretty good at this whole quarterback thing. With him still rocking, the Packers are going to be just fine.

    Dec 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) scores a 1st quarter touchdown against the Giants and celebrates with Jason Witten (82) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

    5. Dallas Cowboys (3)

    Coming off of the NFC East-winning 13-3 campaign, the future of the Dallas Cowboys looks exceptionally bright. Obviously that begins with the duo of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. After finishing Nos. 1 and 2 in Offensive Rookie of the Year, respectively, the pair look primed to carry this offense for a long time. What's more, the vast shadow of the Tony Romo saga is no longer hanging over their head, which has to be a huge weight off of them.

    However, the offseason to this point has not been kind to the Cowboys in the slightest. Their secondary was absolutely ravaged in free agency. Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr were the Week 1 starters at cornerback last season, but will be on different teams in 2017. Moreover, they also lost both of their strong safeties from last year in Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox.

    Sure they have Byron Jones at free safety still, but relying on Jeff Heath at strong and the likes of Nolan Carroll (signed in free agency), Orlando Scandrick and upcoming second-year player Anthony Brown at corner is disconcerting. And to make matters worse, they also are now having to deal with the retirement of right tackle Doug Free. That puts a minor question mark on their biggest overall strength in their offensive line.

    With that said, the defense was held together by Scotch tape last season and they still managed the success they did. Moreover, the offense remains in-tact after re-signing Terrance Williams. So though the Boys drop a bit, they're still in a nice position looking at the draft.

    Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Houston Texans during the first quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

    4. Kansas City Chiefs (7)

    After the way that they performed last season, the Kansas City Chiefs are a viable regression candidate for the 2017 season. Last year saw players like Dee Ford and Tyreek Hill simply do things that were largely unheard of and the Chiefs obviously benefitted. What's more, they somehow survived what was largely poor offensive line play. Neither of those things are something you can wholly bank on moving forward.

    Even still, it's hard not to look at the Chiefs and see a very good team that could be just as good a year from now. Everyone likes to dog on Alex Smith as a quarterback who can only carry a team but so far. While that may be true to an extent, he's still a player that Andy Reid and Kansas City know what they have in. They aren't going to put him in positions where he has to do things he's incapable of doing

    What's more, the addition of Bennie Logan at nose tackle to replace the loss of Dontari Poe is critical. Logan may not have the ceiling of Poe, but he's still a good enough player to where the defense won't feel the effects of the loss. And that's a stout defense, to say the least.

    All of this is to say that there feels like a great deal of volatility when it comes to this Chiefs team. If they went 8-8 next season, it wouldn't be the biggest shock in the world. But I air on the side of optimism and think that their defense holds true and that offense continues to make strides forward. As such, they slot in at No. 4.

    Dec 4, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook (89) signals a first down in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Wesley/Green Bay Press Gazette via USA TODAY Sports

    3. Oakland Raiders (6)

    Some of you are probably screaming at the computer right now at this ranking. After all, the Oakland Raiders offseason hasn't exactly been rife with moves to exceptionally improve the team. In fact, their key losses this offseason outweigh what they've added. Sure, they're still connected to bringing Marshawn Lynch out of retirement (which would be huge), but that hasn't happened just yet.

    In the meantime, they lost Malcolm Smith and Perry Riley Jr. in free agency, the latter being much more critical to a weak linebacker corps. They've done nothing of consequence to address that area of the defense. Meanwhile, the Raiders also lost depth at cornerback with D.J. Hayden leaving (not necessarily a bad thing) and have also failed to address the glaring need at defensive tackle. And that's all before you get to the fact that they lost their leading rusher from last season, Latavius Murray.

    Their biggest signing, of course, was adding tight end Jared Cook, though. That's another weapon to put into the Raiders offense in front of Derek Carr, who seems to be either on or ahead of schedule in his recovery from a season-ending leg injury. Carr and the offense, though, are why this team sits at No. 3. They were lethal last season and, as a young group with a proven offensive line, they should only get better. If the defense can become more cohesive after a year of playing together following several new additions, they're a viable contender.

    Oct 26, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) congratulates defensive end Allen Bailey (97) after Bailey's sack of St. Louis Rams quarterback Austin Davis (9) (not pictured) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

    2. Atlanta Falcons (2)

    Perhaps the biggest obstacle that the Atlanta Falcons face in the upcoming season is all upstairs — meaning mental hurdles. You don't just brush off the kind of collapse that they suffered in the Super Bowl and walk away without some sort of mental scarring. It's just not possible. With that said, they're still in a nice position as their high-powered offense brings back its core and their defense has improved this offseason.

      The most notable improvement is in the middle of their defensive front. Though some may say that Dontari Poe is severely overrated, he's still an upgrade to the Falcons defense. Plus, they didn't exactly have to pay a premium to be able to land him on a one-year deal. What's more, the fact that he's on a prove-it type contract is huge as well as you know that he'll be wholly motivated to try and boost his market value for next offseason.

      There are still areas of weakness on their defense that need to be addressed, most notably at defensive end and in terms of depth in the secondary. I'm also at least slightly concerned about the departure of former offensive coordinator and now 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. With that said, this team has gotten better after having the Super Bowl all but won a few months ago. Putting them at No. 2 isn't a stretch in the slightest.

      Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) celebrates following a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second quarter of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

      1. New England Patriots (1)

      There's a good chance that the New England Patriots would be atop the pre-draft NFL Power Rankings for 2017 if they'd done nothing but re-sign all of their impending free agents. Instead, they went out and got better in numerous areas through free agency while also maintaining several core elements from last season.

      Obviously the latter part begins with re-signing Dont'a Hightower in the middle of the defense. However, also being able to retain Duron Harmon and Alan Branch is big for the defense. Staying on that side of the ball, they were also able to add Stephon Gilmore to upgrade from the departed Logan Ryan at cornerback. Then you also have their trades this offseason, starting with Kony Ealy on the defensive side of the ball to bolster their pass rushing losses. They also added Dwayne Allen as Rob Gronkowski injury insurance. And, of course, they added a viable No. 1 receiver with the Brandin Cooks trade.

      When you make those kinds of retentions and upgrades to a team that just won the Super Bowl, it's almost unfair. Then you factor in that they are also going to get a healthy Gronk to start the season and it's just absurd that the Patriots are a real thing that 31 other franchises have to contend with. Is there a way that they don't win Super Bowl LII? Always. But they're the favorites by a wide margin.