Welcome! Log In Create A New Profile

Advanced

ESPN and Pete Prisco's Power Ratings

May 08, 2018 01:07PM
Pete Prisco's NFL Power Rankings:

[www.cbssports.com]

1 Eagles The entire summer should be about getting Carson Wentz healthy. If that happens, they could be repeat champions. -- 13-3-0
2 Patriots Forget all that dissension talk. As long as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are around, they are the team to beat in the AFC. -- 13-3-0
3 Jaguars They have few weaknesses, but that means it's all on Blake Bortles. If he plays like he did in the postseason, they could be the AFC Super Bowl team. 10-6-0
4 Vikings They signed Kirk Cousins at quarterback, which should make them a better team. But there's a lot of pressure on Cousins to be the guy who gets them to the Super Bowl. 13-3-0
5 Saints They were close last year, and I think they will be even better in 2018. The defense will take another step forward with young players growing up even more. -- 11-5-0
6 Steelers With Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell playing together, they are always a Super Bowl threat. But did they get that much better this offseason? 13-3-0
7 Packers They added some much-needed defensive help in the draft, especially on the corner, which will help Aaron Rodgers and the offense. 7-9-0
8 Rams They are all-in on this season with the moves they made this spring. I think a big issue remains: Can they rush from the edge? -- 11-5-0
9 Falcons The Falcons gave Matt Ryan a new mega-deal, so the pressure is up on this team and him to get back to the Super Bowl. The talent is there. -- 10-6-0
10 Panthers They had a good draft to upgrade in key spots, so look for them to again push for a division title. Cam Newton was given some much-needed help in the passing game in first-round receiver D.J. Moore.

===============

NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling after the draft

[www.espn.com]

1. Philadelphia Eagles
2017 record: 13-3
Post-free-agency ranking: 1

The reigning champions drafted Dallas Goedert in Dallas one spot ahead of Dallas. It was one of just five Eagles picks (and the only one in the first three rounds), but it was an effective troll job and a useful choice, as Philly likes its tight ends. No team had more receptions by tight ends last season.


2. New England Patriots
2017 record: 13-3
Post-free-agency ranking: 2

It's no surprise that the Patriots used their first pick on an offensive tackle after losing Nate Solder in free agency. What might have surprised, though, was the selection of Sony Michel at 31st overall, with an abundance of running backs already in New England. Michel is just the second back Bill Belichick has drafted in the first round with the Patriots. (Laurence Maroney was the first in 2006.)


3. Pittsburgh Steelers
2017 record: 13-3
Post-free-agency ranking: 5

Ben Roethlisberger plans to play for another three to five years, but the Steelers addressed the future with the third-round selection of Mason Rudolph. It's the earliest the Steelers have drafted a quarterback since they took Roethlisberger in the first round of the 2004 draft.


4. New Orleans Saints
2017 record: 11-5
Post-free-agency ranking: 4

The Saints had the second-most snaps from rookies in 2017 and produced one of the best classes ever with Alvin Kamara, Ryan Ramczyk, Marshon Lattimore and Marcus Williams. It'll be tough for this year's class to replicate that success, but any contributions will benefit FPI's third-best team from 2017.


5. Minnesota Vikings
2017 record: 13-3
Post-free-agency ranking: 3

After doling out $84 million guaranteed to Kirk Cousins in free agency, the Vikings opted to continue building up a defense that allowed the fewest points last season in the early rounds of the draft. Cornerback Mike Hughes (No. 30) and defensive end Jalyn Holmes (102) join a stacked unit.


6. Los Angeles Rams
2017 record: 11-5
Post-free-agency ranking: 6

The Rams didn't make a pick until the third round, but they still walked away with 11 selections and a clear strategy. After bolstering the secondary with trades, they used seven of their picks on offensive and defensive linemen. They hadn't selected seven linemen in a single draft since the 1970s.


7. Jacksonville Jaguars
2017 record: 10-6
Post-free-agency ranking: 8

The Jaguars used two of their first three selections on defenders, because finishing second in points allowed last season clearly wasn't good enough. A scary unit that featured six Pro Bowlers gets potentially scarier with the additions of defensive tackle Taven Bryan (No. 29) and safety Ronnie Harrison (93).


8. Atlanta Falcons
2017 record: 10-6
Post-free-agency ranking: 7

The Falcons drafted wide receiver Calvin Ridley in the first round. Their past two first-round receivers? Roddy White and Julio Jones, who currently sit first and second on the franchise's all-time receiving list.


9. Green Bay Packers
2017 record: 7-9
Post-free-agency ranking: 9

The Packers used their first two picks on defensive backs -- just as they did in 2015 and 2017. They also allowed the second-most passing touchdowns (30) last season, so that investment needs to start paying off.


10. Kansas City Chiefs
2017 record: 10-6
Post-free-agency ranking: 14

The Chiefs were 28th in total defense in 2017 -- their worst finish since 2009, when they went 4-12 -- which led to their becoming the first team in the common draft era (1967) to select only defensive players in a single draft.
SubjectAuthorViewsPosted

  ESPN and Pete Prisco's Power Ratings

RamBill536May 08, 2018 01:07PM

  ESPN & Prisco's Power Ratings: Rams HYPE is Fading

Anonymous User353May 08, 2018 02:39PM

  Re: ESPN & Prisco's Power Ratings: Rams HYPE is Fading

Rampage2K-124May 09, 2018 08:43AM

  Re: It's falling for their offense, too.

Billy_T190May 09, 2018 09:14AM

  Re: It's falling for their offense, too.

dzrams157May 09, 2018 09:27AM