Welcome back to Escape the Pocket! If you’re new to this blog make sure to take a look around. Anyways, with NFL training camp on the horizon I thought it would be a good time for my inaugural tiered power rankings!
Tier 1- The Elite
1. New England Patriots
The reigning champs are about to experience a gigantic influx of talent, unlike any a defending champ has ever seen. Not only did they select five rookies in the first three rounds of the draft, the Patriots also have many talented players returning from injury. First and Second round picks from 2018, Isaiah Wynn (LT) and Duke Dawson (CB), never played a snap last season after they both suffered season ending injuries. Wynn will likely take over Trent Brown’s role, and Dawson will join an already stacked group of DBs.
2. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts selected three players in the second round of this years draft, and each fills a need. Rock Ya-Sin (CB) will contribute to a somewhat lacking secondary. Ya-Sin is an expert at creating turnovers. Paris Campbell, the speedster from Ohio State, will be a great compliment to the receiving core, and should help open up the entire offense. Linebacker Ben Banogu should join a stacked front-seven rotation. Don’t forget the free agency addition of Justin Houston either. The colts went 9-1 in the last ten games last season, and will ride that momentum into a strong run in 2019.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are incredibly talented, and I expect them to make a deep playoff run this year. They had a quiet free agency, but they did resign some key defensive players. They then nailed their first two draft picks. In the first round they nabbed Jerry Tillery, a high floor with upside defensive tackle. Interior D-line was an area of need heading into the draft, and they addressed it well with that pick. In the second round, the Chargers took another stud defender in Nasir Adderley. Adderley, a safety from Delaware, will fit right into the starting line-up across from Derwin James. The Chargers will have a top offense led by Phillip Rivers and Melvin Gordon. And the defense will be scary with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram rushing, and a stacked DB core defending the pass.
4. New Orleans Saints
The Saints were one missed call away from the Superbowl last year. Some people may have this team ranked higher, but I disagree. The Saints lost Ben Watson to retirement, and Mark Ingram to free agency, in an overall quiet offseason. They then focused almost entirely on defense with their (few) draft picks. Drew Brees is forty years old, and the Saints might experience some unforeseen problems on offense this year.
5. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams had a tough offseason. They lost more than they gained in free agency. All-Pro guard Rodger Saffold left for the Titans, and All-Pro safety Lamarcus Joyner left for the Raiders. Did they try to replace them in free agency? Well, they didn’t sign any O-Lineman, but they did sign the 34-year-old veteran Eric Weddle. So now they look to the draft to fill their hole at guard in the draft, right? Wrong. They didn’t draft a single interior O-Lineman. Though they had a tough offseason, the Rams still have the talent of an elite team.
Tier 2- The Playoff Bound
6. Philadelphia Eagles
7. Dallas Cowboys
8. Kansas City Chiefs
9. Cleveland Browns
10. Chicago Bears
Tier 3- The Wildcard Competitors
11. Atlanta Falcons
12. Baltimore Ravens
13. Seattle Seahawks
14. Tennessee Titans
15. Minnesota Vikings
16. Green Bay Packers
Tier 4- The Hopefuls
17. Houston Texans
18. San Francisco 49ers
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
21. Detroit Lions
22. Buffalo Bills
Tier 5- The Longshots
23. New York Jets
24. Carolina Panthers
25. Oakland Raiders
26. Denver Broncos
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tier 6- The Still-Rebuilding
28. Washington Redskins
29. Arizona Cardinals
30. Miami Dolphins
31. New York Giants
32. Cincinnati Bengals
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