Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

There has been no shortage of movement this offseason, and now it's time to make some sense of it.

The ESPN power panel -- a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities -- evaluates how the NFL stacks up following the initial surge of free agency. (Hint: The league has shifted quite a bit since our way-too-early edition.)

Note: These are based on which teams would win head-to-head. Higher-ranked teams would be favored against lower-ranked teams. ESPN Stats & Information's John McTigue contributed the following.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPNPost-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 13-3
Way-too-early ranking: 2Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

One of the reigning champs' biggest strengths was the defensive line, which featured a league-high seven players with at least 400 snaps last season. The Eagles lost two contributors, Beau Allen and Vinny Curry, but replaced them with two players with eight combined Pro Bowls: Michael Bennett and Haloti Ngata.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 13-3
Way-too-early ranking: 1Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

One of the Patriots' biggest weaknesses last season was their front seven, allowing the second-most yards per rush and the most time to throw on passes. They've traded for Danny Shelton and signed Adrian Clayborn, who had 9.5 sacks in 2017, to bolster the defensive front.

  • Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

    Los Angeles took a risk to beef up its defensive line. Is it worth it? Plus: Tyrann Mathieu to the Texans. Dontari Poe to the Panthers. And Kirk Cousins to the Vikings. Bill Barnwell evaluates every big move of the offseason.

  • Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

    Negotiations for Aaron Rodgers' next contract extension with the Packers are a bit more complicated in the changing quarterback salary environment.

  • Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

    The 2018 market is only a week old, but with so many of the high-end players already signed, it's time to look ahead at next year's pool of potential free agents. Which defensive star could become the highest-paid non-QB?

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Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 13-3
Way-too-early ranking: 4Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The 2018 offseason will be defined by the signing of Kirk Cousins. Consider this for a moment: The Vikings have been around since 1961, and they've never had a quarterback throw at least 20 touchdowns in three consecutive seasons. Cousins has thrown at least 25 touchdowns in three consecutive seasons.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 11-5
Way-too-early ranking: 6Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

Drew Brees re-signing for two years is the best news for the Saints this offseason, but they've also added pieces to their resurgent defense. Demario Davis, Alex Okafor and Patrick Robinson all join a defense that allowed eight fewer points per game in 2017 than in 2016.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 13-3
Way-too-early ranking: 3Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The biggest question for the Steelers is whether they can work out a long-term deal with Le'Veon Bell, who was once again franchised. Bell has accounted for 75 percent of the Steelers' rushing yards over the past two seasons, the only player to surpass 70 percent.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 11-5
Way-too-early ranking: 9Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The Rams had one of the biggest offensive turnarounds in NFL history last season. This offseason the Rams are adding 12 Pro Bowls between Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib to a defense that already featured the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, Aaron Donald.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 10-6
Way-too-early ranking: 7Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The Falcons filled a big need by signing guard Brandon Fusco to bulk up the interior of the offensive line. The defensive line has taken a hit, though, with Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn both signing elsewhere. The duo played the second- and third-most snaps along Atlanta's defensive line last season.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 10-6
Way-too-early ranking: 5Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The Jaguars saw a huge turnaround in 2017 and are continuing to build on that success. No team ran more between the tackles in 2017, so they signed an All-Pro guard in Andrew Norwell to help. No team had fewer receptions at tight end last season, so they signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins to fix that.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 7-9
Way-too-early ranking: 8Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The splashy signing of Jimmy Graham will certainly shore up a tight end group that combined for two touchdowns last season, tied for fewest in the NFL. But that move didn't come without sacrifice, and how will Aaron Rodgers react without his old favorite target? Rodgers has thrown more touchdowns to Jordy Nelson in his career than any other player (65).

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 4-12
Way-too-early ranking: 15Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The Texans allowed the most points in the NFL in 2017, so plugging gaps on the defense was crucial. Tyrann Mathieu, who leads all players in interceptions when lining up as a slot corner the past five seasons, and Aaron Colvin, who was the slot corner on the Jaguars' stout defense last season, are good starts.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 6-10
Way-too-early ranking: 14Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

Only the Packers allowed a higher Total QBR on passes to wide receivers than the Niners did last season, so the addition of Richard Sherman should pay immediate dividends. With a huge defensive need addressed and Jimmy Garoppolo locked in, San Francisco is in good shape heading into the draft.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 11-5
Way-too-early ranking: 10Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The Panthers were able to mitigate the loss of defensive tackle Star Lotulelei by bringing in Dontari Poe, but the Panthers haven't done much to mitigate the loss of All-Pro guard Andrew Norwell yet. The Panthers already ranked 24th in yards per rush between the tackles last season, so losing Norwell won't help.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 9-7
Way-too-early ranking: 11Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The Seahawks ranked 13th in points allowed last season, the first time since 2011 they ranked outside the top three. With Richard Sherman, Sheldon Richardson, DeShawn Shead and Jeremy Lane all gone -- and more changes potentially coming -- it's possible Seattle could slip even further.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 10-6
Way-too-early ranking: 12Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The Chiefs made a big splash in acquiring Sammy Watkins for new starter Patrick Mahomes, but the defense has seen better days. Marcus Peters, Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, Ron Parker and Terrance Mitchell are all gone, and all have been big contributors in recent years.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 9-7
Way-too-early ranking: 16Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

It had been a relatively quiet offseason for the Chargers, but they recently swooped in to secure three-time Pro Bowler Mike Pouncey after he was released by the Dolphins. Los Angeles ranks 27th in average rushing yards before contact last season.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 9-7
Way-too-early ranking: 17Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

Former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel is now the head coach. Former Patriots running back Dion Lewis and former Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler are the highlight of Tennessee's free-agent class. We're noticing a trend here: The Titans are not sitting back idly after ending an eight-year playoff drought last season.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 9-7
Way-too-early ranking: 13Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

Ultimately franchising DeMarcus Lawrence and tendering David Irving will likely be looked back on as the biggest moves for Dallas this offseason. The duo accounted for 57 percent of the Cowboys' sacks last season, the third-highest of any pair in the NFL.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 9-7
Way-too-early ranking: 20Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The Lions ranked 27th in total defense last season but there will be a lot of new faces on Detroit's defense in 2018. Gone are Haloti Ngata, D.J. Hayden, Tahir Whitehead, and in are Sylvester Williams, DeShawn Shead and Christian Jones.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 5-11
Way-too-early ranking: 23Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The Broncos ranked 30th in team Total QBR last season, so they went out and got the quarterback who finished second among QBs in 2017. If Case Keenum can provide some stability to the position, Denver could find itself back in contention.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 7-9
Way-too-early ranking: 22Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

Kirk Cousins is on to Minnesota and Alex Smith is in for Washington. Will there be much of a difference? Over the past three seasons the duo have near identical Total QBRs -- 62 for Cousins and 61 for Smith. Cousins has thrown 20 more touchdowns, but Smith has thrown 16 fewer interceptions over the same span.

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When: April 26-28
Where: Arlington, Texas
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Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 6-10
Way-too-early ranking: 18Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

Jon Gruden and the Raiders have been keeping themselves busy this offseason, adding 14 free agents from other teams. The one Derek Carr might appreciate the most is Jordy Nelson, who has the fourth-most receiving touchdowns since 2011.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 7-9
Way-too-early ranking: 28Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The Bengals' free-agent signings have included a punter, a backup quarterback and one-year deals for linebacker Preston Smith and tight end Tyler Eifert. They did acquire offensive tackle Cordy Glenn in a trade, but otherwise it has been a quiet offseason in Cincinnati.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 9-7
Way-too-early ranking: 21Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

Tyrod Taylor helped snap a 17-year playoff drought in Buffalo, so naturally the Bills made a switch at quarterback. After trading Taylor to the Browns, the Bills signed AJ McCarron and seem intent on drafting a quarterback in the first round.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 9-7
Way-too-early ranking: 19Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

Baltimore's wide receivers made little impact last season, catching 55 percent of targets (29th), dropping 5.6 percent (29th) and recording 2.9 yards after the catch (last). The Ravens brought in Michael Crabtree and John Brown to fix that, allowing last year's top receivers -- Mike Wallace and Jeremy Maclin -- to walk.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 5-11
Way-too-early ranking: 24Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The Bucs' defense had a lot of holes last season. They finished last in total defense, last on third down, last in sacks and pressure percentage and allowed the highest completion percentage to opposing wide receivers. They've already acquired Jason Pierre-Paul, Vinny Curry and Mitch Unrein to help the pass rush, but more work needs to be done in the draft.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 5-11
Way-too-early ranking: 29Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

The Jets have allowed 60 touchdown passes the past two seasons while intercepting only 19 balls, the second-worst TD-INT ratio in the NFL over that span. They threw big money at Trumaine Johnson this offseason -- a self-described "game-changer" -- and he'll need to be to help fix the Jets' defense.

Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

2017 record: 3-13
Way-too-early ranking: 30Post-free agency NFL Power Rankings: Who's rising, falling - ESPN

Nate Solder will bring much needed stability to

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