The NFL calendar is weird in mid-June. Draft picks have been made, free agents have signed, veterans are skipping optional workouts, and everyone is either holding a clipboard or running through air in shorts. But there’s enough smoke coming out of OTAs and minicamps to start asking real questions about who actually improved this offseason.
The Rams made the loudest move. Trading for both Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett turned a decent defense into something that might be genuinely scary. Chris Shula gets to design pressure packages around Garrett now. And there are whispers — just whispers so far — about Aaron Donald maybe unretiring for one more run. The Rams front office has a pattern of throwing future draft picks at the present. They did it again. It worked before.
Seattle won the Super Bowl three months ago and somehow isn’t the top team in these power rankings. That’s unusual. But the Seahawks have a problem at running back with Kenneth Walker gone and Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL. Jadarian Price, a rookie, might be the Week 1 starter. Sam Darnold and the whole roster will have a target on their back opening the season with a Wednesday rematch against the team they beat in the championship game. Good luck with that schedule spot.
Denver quietly had one of the best offseasons in the league. Sean Payton got a contract extension, they traded for Jaylen Waddle, and the running back room suddenly has three guys who can carry the load. Bo Nix is reportedly healthy after the ankle injury that forced him out of last year’s AFC title game. If he stays upright, this offense could be dangerous.
New England finally solved its wide receiver problem. Drake Maye now has A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. That changes everything for a team that made a miraculous run to the Super Bowl last year before three Maye turnovers ruined the game. The Patriots proved they can win ugly. Now they might actually be able to throw the ball downfield.
The 49ers are still loaded but health is the whole story. Mike Evans, Christian McCaffrey, Ricky Pearsall, Brock Purdy — that’s four guys who missed time last season. If they stay on the field, San Francisco is a playoff team. If not, the depth chart gets thin fast.
Chicago moved on from DJ Moore, which raised some eyebrows. But the Bears have three young pass catchers in Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland, and Rome Odunze who all have real talent. Ben Johnson’s offense should feature them in ways that make Moore’s departure sting less.
Buffalo added DJ Moore — wait, the same guy Chicago moved? Yes. The Bills gave Josh Allen a legit veteran wideout who can handle 120-plus targets. That was missing last season. New head coach Joe Brady needs to lean on James Cook and let Allen cook. The Bills are too talented to fade into a retooling year.
Jacksonville won the AFC South in Liam Coen’s first season and Trevor Lawrence finally looked like a No. 1 pick. Four wide receivers on this roster could be WR1 on other teams. Travis Hunter, Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington — that’s legit depth.
Green Bay gets Tucker Kraft back from an ACL tear. Christian Watson and Jayden Reed both signed extensions. Matthew Golden is entering year two. The passing game is the story in Green Bay this year.
Mike McDaniel joining the Chargers as offensive coordinator is interesting. Ladd McConkey is going to be used a lot more than last season. Justin Herbert has the tools. The question is whether the offensive line can hold up long enough for the scheme to work.
Detroit’s offense depends on Sam LaPorta’s health and Jameson Williams being creative. The cornerback situation is messy with Terrion Arnold’s legal issues. Dan Campbell hired a new coordinator and might not give him much leash.
Cincinnati needs Joe Burrow healthy. The defense lost Trey Hendrickson to Baltimore. The pass rush now depends on Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Dexter Lawrence working together. That’s a lot of hope.
Houston is betting on David Montgomery as the lead back. C.J. Stroud is heading into year four on a downward trend. The offensive line is the best he’s had. Whether that matters depends on the coaching staff figuring out what went wrong last season.
Philadelphia traded A.J. Brown, so DeVonta Smith is the clear WR1. Rookie Makai Lemon and Dontayvion Wicks are competing for the second spot. There will be growing pains. Training camp will tell us more.
Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson had a down year. The new coaching staff has work to do. If Jackson gets back to running effectively and the receivers show up, this team could be dangerous again.
New Orleans has actual hype for the first time in years. Kellen Moore, Tyler Shough, Travis Etienne, Jordyn Tyson, Bryce Lance — there’s a lot to like. Whether it translates to wins is another question.
Carolina won the NFC South last season but needs to prove it wasn’t a fluke. Bryce Young has to take a step forward. Rookie Chris Brazzell II has a chance to be the outside guy opposite Tetairoa McMillan.
Aaron Rodgers is back for one final season in Pittsburgh. He’s reuniting with Mike McCarthy. There are a lot of questions about both of them. The Steelers didn’t have many other options.
Indianapolis signed Daniel Jones and traded Michael Pittman Jr. Philip Rivers was the starter at one point last year, which tells you how things went. If Jones stays healthy and Alec Pierce plus Josh Downs can replace Pittman’s production, the Colts could compete in the AFC South.
Kansas City missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Patrick Mahomes might be ready for Week 1 but it’s not guaranteed. Rashee Rice has legal issues. The Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory.
Dallas has a stalemate with George Pickens. Ryan Flournoy could step into a bigger role if needed. The Cowboys have bigger problems than their WR3 situation.
Atlanta’s quarterback battle between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. has no clear winner. Drake London got a big extension. Bijan Robinson is likely next. The Falcons need to show something this season.
Kyler Murray is the favorite to start in Minnesota over J.J. McCarthy. That’s fine for Justin Jefferson. The Vikings need stability at quarterback and Murray provides that better than McCarthy right now.
Tennessee hired Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll to restart the rebuild. Carnell Tate was drafted in the first round. Jeffrey Simmons re-signed. The defense has an identity now. The offense is a work in progress.
Tampa Bay is at a crossroads. Baker Mayfield’s future is uncertain and Mike Evans is gone. Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin need to step up. The NFC South is winnable but the Bucs lost some of their edge.
Las Vegas hired Klint Kubiak as head coach. He chose the Raiders. Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers, and rookie Fernando Mendoza are the core. There will be growing pains but the foundation is interesting.
Washington needs Jayden Daniels healthy. That’s the whole story. Replacing Deebo Samuel with Antonio Williams is a start. Brandon Aiyuk might still be available. The Commanders could surprise if Daniels stays upright.
Malik Nabers is uncertain for the Giants. Wan’Dale Robinson left. Isaiah Likely could be the tight end of the future. Jaxson Dart needs help.
Arizona started the Mike LaFleur era. Jacoby Brissett is unhappy. The defense lacks young building blocks. This season is about figuring out who stays for 2027.
New York Jets are already in the tank race. Aaron Glenn’s first season was a disaster. Geno Smith is a placeholder. The 2027 draft class looks exciting for teams picking at the top.
Miami is in development mode. Malik Willis offers fantasy value as a dual-threat quarterback. De’Von Achane is the only reliable offensive piece. Green Bay South Dolphins is an accurate description.
Cleveland is at the bottom. Deshaun Watson might start again. Todd Monken took a first-time head coaching job that no one else wanted. The uphill battle is steep.
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