Front Office Power Rankings; pre-Draft
With the Draft just under a week away and the majority of free agency over, it’s time to revisit our Front Office power rankings! Which teams did the best job in free agency and set themselves up for a successful Draft? And which teams failed to improve, risking everything on a new class of players?
1 — New England Patriots (+2)
Bill Belichick engineered an unexpectedly aggressive offseason; nabbing marquee free agent corner Stephon Gilmore for top dollar and trading for Brandin Cooks, Dwayne Allen and Kony Ealy before stealing Mike Gillislee away from the Bills. Still has big trade chips in Malcolm Butler and Jimmy Garoppolo.
2 — Atlanta Falcons (-1)
The reigning NFC Champions retain their depth whilst general manager Thomas Dimitroff plugged the gap up front with Dontari Poe and extended top corner Desmond Trufant while bringing in pass rusher Jack Crawford.
3 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6)
GM Jason Licht bagged top deep-threat DeSean Jackson and defensive tackle Chris Baker as well as hard-hitting safety J.J. Wilcox.
4 — New York Giants (+2)
Lost defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, but Jerry Reese upgraded the receiving corps with Brandon Marshall and added D.J. Fluker for offensive line depth.
5 — Baltimore Ravens (+9)
Ozzie Newsome found a partner for Eric Weddle in safety Tony Jefferson and a partner for cornerback Jimmy Smith in Brandon Carr.
6 — Philadelphia Eagles (+5)
Howie Roseman took care of Philly’s primary need, upgrading receiving corps with Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. Defensive front better suits Jim Schwartz’s scheme with new additions Chris Long and Timmy Jernigan.
7 — Oakland Raiders (-2)
Reggie McKenzie is primed to upgrade the defense in the Draft and could add home-town hero Marshawn Lynch. Also found Derek Carr a top tight end target in Jared Cook.
8 — Denver Broncos (-4)
John Elway upgraded the offensive line with guard Ronald Leary, but lost DT Sylvester Williams and starts over with Domata Peko and Zach Kerr.
9 — Tennessee Titans (-7)
Jon Robinson found a cornerback in Logan Ryan, but failed to add a top receiver despite the resources to do so.
10 — Kansas City Chiefs (-)
John Dorsey locked up safety Eric Berry long-term and replaced inconsistent Poe with former Eagle Bennie Logan.
11 — Detroit Lions (+5)
Much improved offensive line should help both Stafford and stagnant running game. Bob Quinn took a flier on D.J. Hayden and is primed to rebuild defense through the Draft.
12 — Indianapolis Colts (+12)
Chris Ballard cleared house of Grigson’s failures and rebuilt front seven around Johnathan Hankins and Jabaal Sheard whilst re-signing top target Jack Doyle. Positioned to take DB’s in the Draft.
13 — Chicago Bears (-)
Ryan Pace replaced Cutler with Mike Glennon, but failed to adequately replace Alshon Jeffery. Secondary is much improved with cornerbacks Amukamara and Cooper and safety Demps.
14 — Cleveland Browns (+9)
Sashi Brown rebuilt the offensive line into one of the AFC’s best and locked up Jamie Collins long-term.
15 — Miami Dolphins (+7)
Chris Greer spent wisely on run-stuffer Lawrence Timmons alongside extended coverage LB Kiko Alonso. Re-signed Kenny Stills and reunited Julius Thomas with Adam Gase.
16 — Jacksonville Jaguars (+15)
Coughlin/Caldwell spent big to buy way out of AFC basement. Defense absolutely loaded with A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, and Barry Church.
17 — Minnesota Vikings (-)
Rick Spielman improved the offensive line with Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers, while Latavius Murray fits offense better than Adrian Peterson. Local hero Adam Thielen returns.
18 — Green Bay Packers (-)
Ted Thompson signed big fish Martellus Bennett and kept pass rusher Nick Perry but lost almost the entire starting secondary and two offensive line stalwarts.
19 — Pittsburgh Steelers (+1)
Kevin Colbert kept the offense intact by extending Brown and franchising Bell, but lost starting LB Timmons and didn’t upgrade secondary.
20 — San Francisco 49ers (+5)
John Lynch bought in Shanahan stalwarts Brian Hoyer and Pierre Garcon, but overpaid for Malcolm Smith and Kyle Juszyzck.
21 — Dallas Cowboys (-6)
Jerry Jones was caught between a rock and a hard place. Lack of cap space means most of the starting secondary is gone. With Romo’s retirement resolved, Dallas needs a good Draft.
22 — Carolina Panthers (-1)
Dave Gettleman re-signed Kawann Short and Mario Addison, but took the Grigson route and is relying on ageing veterans Julius Peppers and Mike Adams after trading away young talent Kony Ealy and taking a risk on Matt Kalil.
23 — Los Angeles Rams (+6)
Les Snead upgraded the offensive line with Andrew Whitworth, but the receiving corps took a sharp decline. Defense reworked to Phillips’ 3–4, with Barwin in and Hayes and Sims out.
24 — Arizona Cardinals (-12)
Steve Keim locked up pass rusher Chandler Jones, but lost most of the starting defense as a result.
25 — Los Angeles Chargers (-18)
Tom Telesco re-signed depth pieces, but lost Danny Woodhead and overpaid for OT Russell Okung.
26 — Seattle Seahawks (-18)
John Schneider needed to upgrade the line, but could only get Luke Joeckel and Oday Aboushi. Eddie Lacy comes in as long-needed replacement for Marshawn Lynch, but isn’t worth the weight.
27 — Houston Texans (-1)
Rick Smith cut ties with Osweiler, but left in a tough spot after Romo’s retirement. Did little to recoup roster losses with hands now tied to a quarterback in the Draft.
28 — Washington Redskins (+2)
McLoughlan fired before free agency as president Bruce Allen takes over. Kept Cousins, but lost two best receivers and best defensive lineman. Did bag Terrelle Pryor though.
29 — New Orleans Saints (-2)
Barring a Butler trade, Mickey Loomis did little to fix defense (again). Re-signing injury-prone Nick Fairley is a risk.
30 — Cincinnati Bengals (-11)
For second successive year, Bengals let premier talent leave. Re-signed CB Kirkpatrick still has a lot to prove.
31 — Buffalo Bills (-3)
Doug Whaley looks to be on the way out as coach Sean McDermott seems to be making personnel decisions. Gilmore should’ve been franchise tagged, while receiver cupboard is now bare for returning Tyrod Taylor.
32 — New York Jets (-)
Mike Maccagnan held a fire sale but failed to use cap space to kick-start rebuild. Roster is now worst in the league by far.
