NFL power rankings: How did 2018 draft shift balance of power? - USA TODAY

CLOSENFL power rankings: How did 2018 draft shift balance of power? - USA TODAY

SportsPulse: Now that the dust has settled from the NFL draft, Trysta Krick looks at the biggest questions facing every NFC team ahead of training camp. USA TODAY Sports

1. Eagles (1): TE Dallas Goedert was a nice draft pickup. Second-string D-line better than most top units. Now it's just down to Carson Wentz's recovery.

2. Patriots (2): They won't admit drafting for need but picked replacements for Solder, Butler, Lewis, Amendola. Now they must replace TB12's doldrums.

3. Falcons (8): GM Thomas Dimitroff managed to draft four studs onto roster that had few flaws. No team was closer to eliminating Eagles than this crew.

4. Vikings (3): NFL's top-paid QB was ranked 94th-best player by peers. Ouch. Good reminder that championship-caliber roster must adjust to Kirk Cousins.

5. Rams (4): Case to be made they won offseason after trades for Cooks, Talib and Peters plus Suh signing. Yet "offseason champs" rarely win Super Bowl.

6. Chargers (9): Combo of pass rushers, corners and first rounder Derwin James may comprise league's top nickel D. Bolts might finally be Lombardi-caliber.

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7. Saints (5): Riddle us this — if you're OK investing two first rounders into a pass rusher, why not pursue a proven player like franchised Ziggy Ansah?

8. Jaguars (6): They're going to leave a mark. A team that was already rugged only got tougher and deeper during free agency and draft. AFC outlier.

9. Steelers (7): Still look legit. But Pittsburgh hasn't been able to remotely address Ryan Shazier's absence, and Le'Veon Bell distraction drags on.

10. Packers (10): Aaron Rodgers is back (and comfortably golfing). New GM Brian Gutekunst beefed up D. But Pack must overcome league's roughest schedule.

11. Broncos (11): Bradley Chubb headlines what looks to be impact draft. New QB Case Keenum is apparently already winning over locker room. They're back.

12. Texans (13): Deshaun Watson's on way back. J.J. Watt's on way back. Houston owns league's easiest schedule. Could be a force with sufficient blocking.

13. Panthers (12): They have new offensive coordinator but no traditional lead back. Thomas Davis suspensions hurts, and secondary still a question.

14. Titans (15): Owners of second-easiest schedule, they could be nasty if receiving corps steps up and new coach Mike Vrabel has expected impact.

15. Chiefs (16): All six of their draft picks were devoted to defensive side. Only thing this squad may lack is meaningful experience for QB Pat Mahomes.

16. 49ers (14): A full season in Kyle Shanahan's system plus getting a full season out of Jimmy G fuel buzz. But do Niners have enough at skill positions?

17. Giants (29): They got best player in draft, RB Saquon Barkley, and arguably best overall rookie crop. With OBJ on mend, Big Blue primed for big boost.

18. Cardinals (21): Reminder — they were 8-8 in 2017. Don't sleep on team with sixth-ranked D that gets David Johnson back now that QB issue is solved.

19. Cowboys (17): With Zeke and ever better O-line, they're built to grind opponents. But passing game, questionable D mean trouble if they fall behind.

20. Redskins (19): Upwardly mobile? Alex Smith could make 'em quickly forget about Captain Kirk. Allen and Payne could have dramatic effect from D-line.

21. Ravens (22): With one playoff appearance since Super Bowl XLVII, it had become apparent reset was needed. Outgoing GM Ozzie Newsome evidently agreed.

22. Lions (20): "Meh" is becoming ubiquitous ... but it aptly describes Detroit, which feels 7-9-ish as team tries to adapt to rookie coach Matt Patricia.

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23. Bengals (27): They've got talent, which seems upgraded by draft class, to return to relevance quickly ... assuming Marvin Lewis can re-engineer DNA.

24. Buccaneers (26): GM Jason Licht has quietly had potentially first-rate offseason, and his club looks far tougher. Will it translate in loaded NFC South?

25. Bears (24): GM Ryan Pace has had louder first-rate offseason, upgrading around Mitchell Trubisky. But like Bucs, can Bears compete in division yet?

26. Raiders (23): Seems several of their rookies will need additional time to acclimate to NFL. Apropos since team, Gruden headed for adjustment period.

27. Seahawks (18): Didn't feel like they did enough to address pressing needs ... unless RB Rashaad Penny makes O-line shine, keeps defense off field.

28. Browns (25): Their navigation of draft board open to serious debate. That said, roster continues to rapidly improve for team that may approach 8-8.

29. Dolphins (31): Virtually everything rides on Ryan Tannehill's ability to recalibrate to league, and offense to him. Suh-less defense remains mystery. 

30. Bills (28): Quite a rankings tumble for playoff team. But Buffalo booted its quarterback, saw its O-line decimated and is unproven in several key spots.

31. Jets (30): Snagging Sam Darnold a stroke of good fortune this franchise rarely enjoys. But given state of roster, no reason to rush him into lineup.

32. Colts (32): Did Chris Ballard pick optimal players after Quenton Nelson? Is Andrew Luck any closer to throwing? Questions still far exceed answers.

Note: Previous rank noted in parentheses

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Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis

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NFL power rankings: How did 2018 draft shift balance of power? - USA TODAY31. Jets (30): Snagging Sam Darnold a stroke of good29. Dolphins (31): Virtually everything rides on Ryan27. Seahawks (18): Didn't feel like they did enough25. Bears (24): GM Ryan Pace has had louder first-rate23. Bengals (27): They've got talent, which seems upgraded21. Ravens (22): With one playoff appearance since19. Cowboys (17): With Zeke and ever-better O-line,17. Giants (29): They got best player in draft, RB15. Chiefs (16): All six of their draft picks were13. Panthers (12): They have new offensive coordinator11. Broncos (11): Bradley Chubb headlines what looks9. Steelers (7): Still look legit. But Pittsburgh hasn't7. Saints (5): Riddle us this — if you're OK investing5. Rams (4): Case to made they won offseason after3. Falcons (8): GM Thomas Dimitroff managed to draft1. Eagles (1): TE Dallas Goedert was a nice draft pickup.31. Jets (30): Snagging Sam Darnold a stroke of good29. Dolphins (31): Virtually everything rides on Ryan27. Seahawks (18): Didn't feel like they did enough25. Bears (24): GM Ryan Pace has had louder first-rate23. Bengals (27): They've got talent, which seems upgraded21. Ravens (22): With one playoff appearance since19. Cowboys (17): With Zeke and ever-better O-line,17. Giants (29): They got best player in draft, RB15. Chiefs (16): All six of their draft picks were13. Panthers (12): They have new offensive coordinator11. Broncos (11): Bradley Chubb headlines what looks9. Steelers (7): Still look legit. But Pittsburgh hasn't7. Saints (5): Riddle us this — if you're OK investing5. Rams (4): Case to made they won offseason after3. Falcons (8): GM Thomas Dimitroff managed to draft1. Eagles (1): TE Dallas Goedert was a nice draft pickup.
32. Colts (32): Did Chris Ballard pick optimal players28. Browns (25): Their navigation of draft board open24. Buccaneers (26): GM Jason Licht has quietly had20. Redskins (19): Upwardly mobile? Alex Smith could16. 49ers (14): A full season in Kyle Shanahan's system12. Texans (13): Deshaun Watson's on way back. J.J.8. Jaguars (6): They're going to leave a mark. A team4. Vikings (3): NFL's top-paid QB was ranked 94th-best32. Colts (32): Did Chris Ballard pick optimal players28. Browns (25): Their navigation of draft board open24. Buccaneers (26): GM Jason Licht has quietly had20. Redskins (19): Upwardly mobile? Alex Smith could16. 49ers (14): A full season in Kyle Shanahan's system12. Texans (13): Deshaun Watson's on way back. J.J.8. Jaguars (6): They're going to leave a mark. A team4. Vikings (3): NFL's top-paid QB was ranked 94th-best

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