2017 Post-Draft Power Rankings

The Patriots stunned me and football fans around the globe by aggressively acquiring Brandin Cooks and Dwayne Allen to boost the Patriots offense (even more), and Stephon Gilmore to solidify the Patriots secondary as one of the most talented in the league.

The Falcons were able to retain all of their key pieces on defense, while adding more of them in the draft. The Falcons remind me so much of the 2015 Arizona Cardinals, it is frightening. I’m not ready to say with confidence that the Falcons will be a playoff team in the 2017 NFL season, but for now, they are the third best team in the NFL.

The Packers came out of their shell a little bit by signing journeyman tight end Martellus Bennett, and solidifying their offensive line with a few under-the-radar signings. The Packers offense will continue to be electric, and the Packers secondary improved in the draft with the selections of Kevin King and Josh Jones.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reloaded and ready to make a serious run in 2017. The Steelers have the devastating combination of Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown. The Steelers defense is steadily improving, and with the reinstatement of Martavis Bryant, the sky is the limit for the Steelers, and their potent offense.

The Oakland Raiders made a splash this offseason, acquiring Marshawn Lynch and Jared Cook to give the Raiders offense a major upgrade. Derek Carr has never had this many weapons at his disposal, and the Raiders may have picked a stud in Gareon Conley. The Eagles probably would’ve drafted him, if not for his criminal accusations. The NFL better watch out for the Raiders!

The Kansas City Chiefs don’t necessarily have a true superstar on their team, and the don’t have the best quarterback in the world, but they have a fantastic of a defense, that shows up every week. Starring Eric Berry, Justin Houston, Dee Ford, and Marcus Peters, the Chiefs D carries this team to the playoffs nearly every year! No doubt in my mind that will continue in 2017.

The New York Giants offense has been vastly upgraded with the additions of Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram, and the emergence of Sterling Shepard. With all of these weapons for Eli Manning to disperse to football to, along with the Giants top-10 defense, these are never a group of guys you want your team playing.

I don’t trust the Cowboys. With Dak Prescott at the helm, I just cannot do so. Sure, Dak had a magnificent, magical rookie season. But Dak reminds me too much of players like Colin Kaepernick and RGIII, who showed flashes of greatness, but now, they are flashes in the pan. I have a gut feeling that the NFL is going to figure out Dak Prescott, and he will never be an elite quarterback.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are an intriguing team. Jameis Winston is developing into a serviceable NFL quarterback, and the pesky Buccaneers defense is gaining my respect. The Bucs very well could be in the playoffs this coming season.

The Seattle Seahawks organization is on the decline, but should represent the NFC in the playoffs. The Seahawks have a loaded offense, with excellent running backs like Thomas Rawls and Eddie Lacy that compliment Russell Wilson, and the Seahawks defense is still among the league’s best. However, the Legion of Boom is gone. The Seahawks days as Super Bowl contenders, are over.