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0 out of 32
Jeff Roberson / Associated Press
We passed another important signpost on the way to Miami and the Super Bowl LIV. Thursday with quarterback Kyler Murray of Oklahoma and the tight final Caleb Wilson, at UCLA, more than 250 young players were drafted over the weekend in Nashville, Tennessee.
Many others were then inked by the teams as undeveloped free agents.
As with free will in March, this influx of new talent has had a significant impact on the NFL workforce. And while there will be another wave of free competition after the repechage, we now have a pretty good idea of what each team will look like in 2019.
Knowing this, there is only one thing to do. Sort them, of course.
Brent Sobleski, Brad Gagnon and Gary Davenport, NFL analysts in the Bleacher Report, gathered to rank the 32 National Football League teams, belonging to an AFC East team that might not blame another. defending champion of the Super Bowl. .
Let's go.
1 of 32
Ted S. Warren / Associate Press
high: 32
Low: 32
There has been a lot of talk about the Miami Dolphins' tanks in 2019. And for good reason, most of the offseason has been spent on veteran hockey and fundraising.
It was believed that Miami's master plan involved a comeback this season in order to secure a high-flyer in next year's draft – a talented draft at the quarterback.
The Miami project would seem to confirm it. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is a talented player who meets a need, but choice number 13 is perhaps the only member of the Dolphins class to achieve a realistic impact in 2019.
However, the Dolphins may have somewhat accelerated the rebuilding when they got Josh Rosen's No. 10 pick of 2018, from the Arizona Cardinals, in exchange for a second late pick and a choice of the third day in 2020.
Rosen is not sure after a disastrous rookie season in the desert. But it was apparently part of the Top 10 for good reason, and the acquisition is essentially a safe, low-cost move for the new Miami regime.
It will take time for dolphins to return to respectability. But if the Rosen case is an indication, that new self-confidence knows what it's doing.
2 of 32
Mark Humphrey / Associated Press
high: 30
Low: 31
Well, the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, Kliff Kingsbury, had his man.
By selecting quarterback Kyler Murray of Oklahoma with the No. 1 pick in the NFL's final standings in 2019 (and being in the top 10 among the top 10 opponents for the second consecutive season), the Cardinals have made it clear that they were behind their new head coach – ready to turn the page towards a new future (and, hopefully, brighter).
However, the worst NFL team last year still faces more questions than answers. This new quarterback is undersized. The new head coach was less than .500 in the Big 12. The offensive line protecting Murray in 2019 allowed more than 50 sacks last season. The talents around Murray are not particularly great, although he is better with the addition of Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler. And a ranked 20th ranked defense in the NFL last year has a new coordinator and his own problems.
Murray's choice may have injected hope into a beleaguered fan base, but the season has long been announcing for the Sun Valley.
3 of 32
Mark Humphrey / Associated Press
high: 27
Low: 31
If anyone understands what the New York Giants do during the off season, do us a favor and help us.
The Giants have made a gesture that makes sense: overthrow Olivier Vernon in Cleveland for goalkeeper Kevin Zeitler. Even this much needed help on line O has come at a high price.
Outside of that? The Giants likely sold the NFL's top NFL receiver to Odell Beckham Jr. at a price of 40 cents a dollar, and then used the 17th overall pick of the deal to make a tackle. With the sixth overall pick, New York took a quarterback (Duke's Daniel Jones) who would likely have been there at age 17. He was a top-notch executive called "inexcusable" while he was talking with Mike Freeman of B / R.
The 2018 season was a 5-11 disaster for the giants. But if the months that have elapsed are an indication, the worst is yet to come.
"When you use one of the top 10 picks on a guy who, you'll admit, will not play any role in the years to come, you're not looking to compete immediately," Gagnon wrote. "This is clearly the case for the Giants, who are essentially trying to recruit more talent into the 2020 project after placing the Daniel Jones and Dexter Lawrence projects in the Top 20."
4 out of 32
John Minchillo / Associated Press
high: 24
Low: 30
It's a period of great change for the Cincinnati Bengals. After 16 years spent in Queen City, head coach Marvin Lewis has had the door open. It's now up to Zac Taylor, head coach for the first time, to try to get the Bengals out of the basement of North AFC.
Taylor has some work to do.
To be fair, the Bengals have talent in attack. Quarterback Andy Dalton is not a superstar, but he has had his good times in the NFL. Joe Mixon is a young growing tailback. ONE J. Green is one of the league's best wide receivers. And the Bengals have reinforced the offensive line in this year's draft with the addition of tackle Jonah Williams and guard Michael Jordan.
But the defense is a hot mess.
No NFL team has allowed more yards per game than the 413.6 draws the Bengals have surrendered in 2018. And with Vontaze Burfict gone, an already fragile linebacker's corps seems even weaker.
In a busy AFC North, the first season could be long for Taylor at Cincy.
5 out of 32
Andy Lyons / Getty Images
high: 24
Low: 29
We are about to say something that could be a harbinger of Revelation.
The Washington Redskins, adding Dwayne Haskins, the Ohio State Quarterback, and Montez Sweat, of Mississippi State, may have had the best first round of the NFL.
The addition of Haskins, coupled with the previous acquisition of Case Keenum, the veteran calling the signalman, reinforces the position of the quarterback who was thrown into chaos when Alex Smith was injured.
Sweat joined a group of seven in Washington that had already introduced Ryan Kerrigan, Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis and second-year pro Da Ron Payne. Linebacker Reuben Foster will also face no discipline in the league after the situation that led to his release last year in San Francisco.
The Redskins still have problems; specifically, the offensive skills positions around Keenum and Haskins are an imminent weakness. And Washington – on paper – remains the third best team in the East of the NFC.
But it may be internal conflicts that condemn Washington, as Sobleski explains:
"Washington's initial position reflects more than all the potential for turmoil within the in-house team." The franchise has crushed the project with the addition of quarterback Dwayne Haskins, the company's top flight, and the company's top flight. Defensive rearguard Montez Sweat, writer Terry McLaurin and running back Bryce Love, head coach Jay Gruden stands in front of the front desk and his owner, Daniel Snyder, is still at stake. good that was of value for Haskins with the 15th overall pick, it's not quite suited to the coach's offensive plan.In addition, the lines of communication seemed to break At certain times of the off season, Washington may have drafted a much better text than expected, but the same organizational problems persist. "
6 of 32
Jeff Chiu / Associated Press
high: 23
Low: 29
There were three teams that ended up with three choices in the first round of the 2019 project. The Oakland Raiders were the first of those teams. It cost them a little expensive to pick up those choices: The transactions that secured the # 24 and # 27 picks involve sending Khalil Mack and wide receiver Amari Cooper out of town.
The question of whether these transactions were worthy of treatment is quite debatable after a debatable round of new General Manager Raiders Mike Mayock.
To be honest, Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell (# 4), Alabama running back Josh Jacobs (# 24) and Mississippi goalkeeper Johnathan Abram (# 27) are all capable players and likely starters. But hindsight and safety are not priorities, and most draftniks expected Ferrell to go much later in the round.
Nevertheless, two of the analysts here at B / R placed Oakland ahead of the Broncos in AFC West.
The third (Davenport) is more skeptical.
"Are the Raiders a better team today than they were two weeks ago?" Yes, but the Silver and Black are still arguably the weakest team. from the West of the AFC – and one of the lowest in the entire NFL, "he said.
7 of 32
Julio Cortez / Associated Press
high: 23
Low: 28
Credit where he is due; The New York Jets certainly did not sit on their hands during the off season.
After a season 4 to 12 that returned Todd Bowles and ranked third in the Jets standings in 2019, the team hired an offensive-minded head coach, Adam Gase, and spent a great deal money on both sides of the balloon as a free agent. The class is starring halfback Le & # 39; Veon Bell and linebacker CJ Mosley.
The Jets also added a potential difference player in defense with this third choice in Alabama against Quinnen Williams, a player considered by many to be the best prospect in the category.
These are all movements that offer optimism for the future. But question marks remain: the most important of them is a quick pass that has very little talent to get started.
The Jets have positioned young quarterback Sam Darnold to improve in 2019, but it will take another year or two before this team has the slightest legitimate chance to play a playoff spot. .
But hey … new uniforms!
8 of 32
David Zalubowski / Associated Press
high: 21
Low: 28
The good news for the Denver Broncos in 2019 is that the first two days of the project have been benevolent for them. The Broncos found tight ground in Noah Fant, a hard-nosed offensive lineman at Dalton Risner, and fell into the quarterback that the team would have coveted when Drew Lock of Missouri entered the second round.
Denver also had a pretty good free time, acquiring a solid right tackle to Ja & Wuan James and a strong defensive veteran at Kareem Jackson.
However, the addition of Joe Flacco is at best a minor improvement to the quarterback compared to Case Keenum. A wide receiver position that was once a force is now a potential weakness aside from Emmanuel Sanders. And Denver has done nothing to become better linebacker.
This brings us to the bad news of Denver: two of the three Bleacher Report analysts ranked the Broncos last in AFC West.
And if it's there that the team finishes, the general manager John Elway could find himself in the hot seat.
9 of 32
Mark LoMoglio / Associated Press
high: 19
Low: 28
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are part of the teams that have integrated a new head coach in 2019. But while teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Brown are deploying head coaches for the first time, the Buccaneers have followed the proven path with Bruce Arians.
Despite the loss of players like DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries, the Buccaneers form a team with some offensive talent, like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and OJ Howard Arians' aggressive offensive program seems to be tailor-made for the quarterback Jameis Winston, who enters a decisive season.
But the new defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles, faces a difficult task. Rookie Devin White is a great substitute for Kwon Alexander as an internal linebacker, but pass-attacks and side-nets are a threat to a 27-year-old total defense team a year ago.
These defensive problems will probably be too difficult to overcome for Tampa Bay in 2019. In fact, he will probably be somewhat upset if the Buccaneers finish higher than fourth place in the NFC South.
10 of 32
Jeff Haynes / Associate Press
high: 16
Low: 26
The first year of the Matt Patricia era in Detroit has not been as satisfying: the Lions have got a record of 6 to 10, the fewest wins of the team since 2012.
Shortly has passed to indicate that the team will be much better in 2019.
Yes, Lions spent a lot of money freelancing on Trey Flowers. But Flowers has never recorded double-digit bag season. In fact, no one on the Detroit roster has had a double-digit bag season … ever.
The addition of narrow end T.J. Hockenson was a good player, but it can be said that Lions had greater needs in eighth place. Hawaiian linebacker Jahlani Tavai had something of a reach in the second round. Its range and coverage skills are issues of concern.
The hard truth: Lions not only have the appearance of the weakest northern team in the NFC, but they look far and away the worst team in the division.
11 of 32
Mark Zaleski / Associated Press
high: 18
Low: 24
Two years ago, the Tennessee Titans won a playoff game. A year ago, those same Titans narrowly missed Mike Vrabel's first-year playoffs as head coach.
Unfortunately, in 2019, this downward trend will most likely continue.
It's not that Titans do not have talent. Rear Derrick Henry emerged as a deadly force in 2018. Broad receiver Corey Davis began to show the ability that had placed him in the top 10. Jurrell Casey is one of the most underrated defensive extremes Match. A wide-open recruit, A.J. Brown gives the captive corps a much-needed boost.
But quarterback Marcus Mariota struggled to stay healthy and now faces potential controversy on the quarter with Ryan Tannehill in town. The Tennessee Pass Rush has been hit hard by the attrition of off-season alignment. And this larger group always has more questions than answers.
The Titans could be the best last place team in the NFL.
But it's likely to be little comfort for Titans or their fans.
12 of 32
Mike McCarn / Associate Press
high: 20
Low: 22
In the first half of the 2018 season, the Panthers were a 6-2 team that looked like a Super Bowl contender. During the second half of the season, the Panthers recorded 1 to 7 fires in a dumpster, whose only win was won in the 17th week against a team of Saints who was resting.
There was at least one major transition area for the team in 2019. After reducing the defenders (including farewell to Julius Peppers), the Panthers were extremely meager at this position. But veteran Bruce Irvin was chosen on behalf of independent players, and the Panthers used their first pick in this year's draft to add an Athletic EDGE to Brian Burns of Florida State.
The peppers were not the only aging veterinarian they let go. After the death of Thomas Davis, his stalwart pillar, there is strong pressure for Shaq Thompson to take a back seat. Mike Adams was not the player he used to occupy before, but his departure left a hole in the hind end that was not filled by a free agent or by the rough draft .
Add to Charlotte (again) a somewhat fragile cadre of wide receivers, and although Carolina has a chance to argue in 2019, it's a period with more of an important issue unresolved.
13 out of 32
Ron Jenkins / Associated Press
high: 15
Low: 22
If there were any questions before, there are none right now.
The era of power games and the Legion of Boom is over. The Seattle Seahawks are Russell Wilson's team now.
The Seahawks made it clear when they made Wilson the highest paid player in the game. But this massive contract has consequences; One of the reasons the Seahawks traded Frank Clark is probably due to the financial reality that 18% of the salary cap of the team is tied to a single player.
The Seahawks are a good football team – a playoff team a year ago. And Seattle could easily be in the mix for at least a blank card slot again this year.
But with Clark gone, the rush is now a potential problem. The wide receiver's position might as well be if the injuries compel Doug Baldwin to retire.
The Seahawks have tried to tackle both of these issues in this year's project, but choices like L.J. Collier and D.K. The Metcalf are not doing well enough, the Seahawks could be in trouble.
14 of 32
Nick Wass / Associated Press
high: 13
Low: 26
There are many disparities in the assessment of our analysts regarding the defending champions of the North AFC in 2019. The Ravens are ranked among the top 15. Another places them among the top 25.
The highest ranking could be due to Baltimore's playoff performance a year ago, to the promising rookie season Lamar Jackson and an attack that added veteran tail engineer Mark Ingram and a pair of rookie receivers in Marquise Brown, of Oklahoma, and Miles Boykin.
The lower rank can be awarded to a defense that has lost its top two forwards (Terrell Suggs and Za & Darius Smith) and linebacker (C.J. Mosley). Or the fact that in Baltimore's last two games last season, tusks seemed to be needed for Jackson and Baltimore's heavy attack.
If the Ravens can still put pressure on the quarterbacks this year despite these losses and Jackson improves as a passer, the Ravens will be a force to be reckoned with in their division.
But if the defense recedes and Jackson's development stagnates, the Ravens could also be a prime candidate to regress in 2019.
15 of 32
Jeffrey T. Barnes / Associated Press
high: 15
Low: 22
The Buffalo Bills won six games last year, which apparently is not as impressive. But this 6-10 record is better than most forecasts in 2018 in Josh Allen's first season.
And the team looks much better now.
The Bills spent a lot of money on the free attack, adding linemen like Mitch Morse and Ty Nsekhe, big receivers like John Brown and Cole Beasley and the back depth in Frank Gore. TJ Yeldon.
The Bills brought even more depth to the pitch on the second day of Devin Singletary. But it was not this selection that prompted Gagnon to say a word that Buffalo fans have not heard much about these last 20 years:
"The top picks, Ed Oliver and Cody Ford, are well positioned to have an immediate major impact on a Bills team that has already improved a lot after a solid free lance series." They have a lot of experience to support emerging quarterback Josh Allen on the offensive side of the ball, and they are well positioned to qualify for the playoffs if Allen can continue to progress in 2019. "
This seems like a good time for some classic Mora.
16 of 32
John Friends / Associated Press
high: 14
Low: 21
The 2018 season was painful for the Atlanta Falcons. The team was hit by injuries to important players on both sides of the ball, whether it was halfback Devonta Freeman, linebacker Deion Jones or safety teammate Keanu Neal.
The health of these players is more important to the Falcons in 2019 than any additions made by the team this year. Without Jones and Neal, the defense has collapsed. With attacking midfielder Tevin Coleman in San Francisco, Freeman is under much stronger pressure to lead the game down.
There was also a reshuffle of the coaches on both sides of the ball. Both coordinators were released during the off season. Head coach Dan Quinn will assume the role of defender, while Dirk Koetter will be called to put the offensive back on track.
The right side of the offensive line has been redone this year with a pair of first-round picks, but the key to getting back into the battle for these Falcons remains to stay out of the coaches table.
17 of 32
Mark Humphrey / Associated Press
high: 17
Low: 18
Here we go again.
A year ago at the same time, the San Francisco 49ers were one of the NFL's hottest teams after an extremely aggressive offseason from general manager John Lynch.
Then, the injuries eviscerated the line-up and everything collapsed, so much so that the 49ers ended up with the second choice in all in this year's repechage.
The choice was used by Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa, who joins Dee Ford, his newcomer, on a front made up of no less than three other former DeForest Buckner players, Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas . The 49ers also spent a lot of money to improve the linebacker's body with the addition of Kwon Alexander.
Lynch also attacked. Tevin Coleman was brought to the agency to reinforce the backfield. The 49ers had two Day 2 picks helping wide receiver Jalen Hurd and Deebo Samuel, who looks like the star on Day 1.
It's a talented team to compete for a playoff spot if the 49ers can stay healthy.
As we saw last year, this can be a huge "if".
18 of 32
Bruce Kluckhohn / Associated Press
high: 14
Low: 19
At the opening of the 2018 season, the Minnesota Vikings were the No. 1 ranked NFL team in Bleacher Report.
Uh … oops.
When the dust dissipated on the 2018 campaign, the Vikings held the dubious distinction of the most disappointing NFL team: a pre-season Super Bowl favorite who beat his record and recorded a record of 8-7-1.
In theory, the Vikings seem well placed to improve this record in 2019. They suffered no major defeats in free attack, Minnesota is full of talent on both sides of the ball, and the choice of the first round, Garrett Bradbury, should help consolidate an offensive line that was the team's biggest need this season off.
And yet, Davenport expects the team to miss the series once again:
"The problem in Minnesota is not hard to pin down. This is the type that will guarantee $ 56 million guaranteed over the next two years. Kirk Cousins is not necessarily a bad quarterback. But he is not particularly good either – he is a statistical dummy who has always failed in important matches and against high level opponents during his career. His contract was a $ 84 million boondoggle, but the Vikings can not do anything for the moment. "
19 of 32
Andy Lyons / Getty Images
high: 11
Low: 21
For most of the off-season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were a team in dire need of good news. After spending the entire 2018 season, the back halfback The Veon Bell is now in New York. Wide receiver Antonio Brown has completed his career with the team. He was traded to the Raiders for pennies on the dollar.
Yes, Pittsburgh still has James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster. But losing two-thirds of the Killer B was a blow. The Steelers had gaping holes at line and high school. And last year 's nine wins were the least of Pittsburgh' s since 2013.
Well, the Steelers had this good news in the first round of the 2019 project. For the first time in many years, Pittsburgh made progress in the round to select a defensive player in Michigan linebacker Devin Bush. If Bush is playing at a level close to his potential, the domestic funder will go a long way toward solving a problem that has existed since Ryan Shazier's injury.
Pittsburgh remains a dangerous team, but in a North AFC that looks like one of the toughest divisions in the league, there will not be much margin of error. Sobleski is waiting for the Steelers to be at the heart of the division race this season:
"The Steelers are not just going to fold and concede the North AFC to Baltimore Ravens and the well-upgraded Cleveland Browns … Yes, the organization has finally gone from running back Le Vein Bell to the distant receiver." Antonio Brown The choice of general manager Kevin Colbert to win 10 places in the first round and to fill the team's biggest need as an internal linebacker with Devin Bush was nothing short of stimulating. third-round turnaround Justin Layne could turn around, the Steelers will be better in defense, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will continue to play, even without Bell and Brown. "
20 of 32
Eric Christian Smith / Associated Press
high: 11
Low: 16
The Houston Texans were AFC's Southern Champions in 2018 and remain a dangerous team in many ways.
Houston has a young quarterback electrifying Deshaun Watson. One of the best receivers and defensive defensemen of the NFL in DeAndre Hopkins and J.J. Watt, respectively. And yet, none of the Bleacher Report analysts have qualified the Texans as the best AFC South team.
Houston added two defensive backs in Tashaun Gipson and Bradley Roby in an independent attack, but these players are not as good as the lost DBs to Kareem Jackson and Tyrann Mathieu. An offensive line that allowed 62 sacks to make a year ago, added some plays, but Matt Kalil's tackle missed the entire 2018 season, and the first-round pick Tytus Howard is a development prospect after playing in the tiny Alabama State.
"The Texans could, in theory, beat the Colts for the division title for the second year in a row," said Davenport. "But if this line struggles again in 2019, they could also go back and miss the playoffs, Houston had an area where he needed to improve in the offseason, and I do not know. if that was enough in this regard. "
21 out of 32
Butch Dill / Associated Press
high: 9
Low: 15
The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the toughest teams in the NFL. Last year, at that time, the Jaguars were gaining ground as Super Bowl contenders after playing the AFC Championship game the year before. But the 2018 season was a disaster: the offensive was crushed, the defense regressed and the Jags completely missed the playoffs.
The Jaguars have once again been one of the most discussed teams in the off season this year for a different reason. This time it was the acquisition of Nick Foles, the most valuable Super Bowl LII player, and quarterback Jacksonville was hoping to lead the team to the promised land.
Sobleski broke down what the Jaguars had done in the project to put them back on track:
"The Jacksonville Jaguars are at a crossroads, and the same organization that contested the AFC Championship game two seasons ago can regain its elite status or continue to crumble. after the devastating campaign of 5-11 last year. The addition of Nick Foles is certainly worth after years of Blake Bortles: the team has added the most productive railing of the class de sélection, Josh Allen, pour aider une défense déjà talentueuse, avant de trouver un avantage offensif lors des deux prochains rounds avec le plaqueur droit Jawaan Taylor et le demi-serré Josh Oliver. encore être trouvé, particulièrement au receveur large, mais les Jags semblent prêts à rivaliser à nouveau. "
22 sur 32
Charlie Riedel / Associated Press
Haute: 8
Faible: 13
Les Chiefs de Kansas City ont connu une saison magique l’année dernière. Le quart Patrick Mahomes a mené l’équipe au titre du titre de l’AFC et a remporté les honneurs du joueur le plus utile de la ligue avant que la défense ne soit finalement vaincue.
Les chefs auront la chance d’avoir à aller aussi loin en 2019.
Oui, il y a eu de nombreux ajouts à la défense comme K.C. passe à 4-3 en 2019 – sécurité Tyrann Mathieu, défensives Frank Clark et Emmanuel Ogbah et le demi de coin Bashaud Breeland. Mais il y a eu tout autant de défaites: la sécurité Eric Berry, le demi de coin Steven Nelson et les attaquants de pointe, Dee Ford et Justin Houston.
Entrer dans l'eau n'est pas une très bonne idée lorsque vous avez terminé la saison 2018 à la 31e place de la défense totale, en particulier lorsque cela a également coûté à l'équipe le 29e choix en tout dans le repêchage de cette année.
L’attaque présente également des problèmes imminents: la profondeur dans l’arrière-plan n’est pas grande, et le receveur haut large Tyreek Hill a été exclu de toutes les activités de l’équipe et pourrait faire face à une longue suspension, du moins.
Gagnon croit que l'intersaison anticlimactique des Chiefs les place derrière le ballon huit:
"Patrick Mahomes est spécial, mais il aura du pain sur la planche en 2019. Et cela va au-delà de la débâcle de Tyreek Hill. Les Chiefs ont passé la saison morte à courir sur une roue de hamster pour tenter de réparer la défense, et la décision Echanger contre Frank Clark après avoir échangé des points contre Dee Ford était tout simplement ridicule. La passe a pris un pas en arrière avec le départ de Justin Houston, et le circuit secondaire ne semble pas s'améliorer de façon spectaculaire. suite à l’échange de Clark, c’était un mois de mars / avril moche pour Kansas City. L’AFC West est la division des Chargers. "
Les partisans de l'équipe indiqueront les ajouts au receveur large, demi-arrière et demi de coin lors du repêchage de 2019, mais le choix de deuxième tour, Mecole Hardman, peut-il se rapprocher de la production de Hill?
23 sur 32
Ron Jenkins / Associated Press
Haute: 9
Faible: 12
Ce n'est pas une nouvelle de dire que les Cowboys de Dallas aspirent à jouer dans le Super Bowl cette année. Les Cowboys aspirent à jouer dans le Super Bowl chaque année.
Cette année, cependant, ces aspirations sont réalistes.
Les Cowboys disposent de l’un des meilleurs systèmes de défense de la NFL et ont pris des mesures pour que les choses restent ainsi, en signant une prolongation massive du demi-butée, Demarcus Lawrence. L'ajout du receveur large Amari Cooper au cours de la saison 2018 semble avoir valu le choix de première ronde qu'il a coûté aux Cowboys.
Mais ces aspirations sont également soumises à une pression considérable. Les Cowboys ne nagent pas vraiment dans la casquette et de grandes extensions se profilent pour Cooper, le quart Dak Prescott et le demi arrière Ezekiel Elliott. Et à l'exception d'une certaine profondeur / assurance de Connor McGovern en matière d'OL, rien n'a été fait dans le projet pour modifier de manière significative la fortune de l'équipe en 2019.
Les Cowboys formeront une bonne équipe en 2019, sans doute la meilleure de l’est de la NFC. La fenêtre de championnat de l'équipe est ouverte. La durée pendant laquelle cette fenêtre reste ouverte est une autre affaire.
Et cela laisse aux Cowboys une précieuse marge d'erreur.
24 sur 32
Mike Roemer / Presse associée
Haute: 6
Faible: 12
Les Packers de Green Bay oublieraient probablement de sitôt que la saison 2018 s'est déjà produite. Malgré la présence d'Aaron Rodgers au centre de ses 16 matches après une blessure de 2017, les Packers n'ont remporté que six matchs, soit le moins de victoires de l'équipe en une décennie.
Cette saison misérable a eu des conséquences, notamment le renvoi de Mike McCarthy, entraîneur-chef de longue date. Alors que Matt LaFleur se prépare à entraîner son premier match dans la NFL, il occupe une position enviable parmi les nouveaux entraîneurs en chef de cette année.
La profondeur au large récepteur derrière Davante Adams est un point d'interrogation, mais il y a beaucoup de talent offensif à Titletown pour un Rodgers en bonne santé à faire des dégâts. Randall Cobb est parti, mais il y a encore un jeune corps à corps qui a montré des éclairs, un vétéran dans Jimmy Graham et un jeune talentueux demi-arrière dans Aaron Jones qui pourrait même toucher le ballon maintenant.
Et comme le disait Gagnon, Green Bay a également pris la défense à la défensive durant la saison morte:
"Green Bay est entré dans la saison morte et a besoin d'une transformation défensive, et le directeur général Brian Gutekunst n'a pas déçu. Avec Za'Darius Smith, Preston Smith et Rashan Gary se joignant à la mêlée à l'avant et Adrian Amos et Darnell Savage Jr. ont ajouté secondaires, les Packers ont soudainement l'un des défenseurs les plus talentueux de la NFL. Et n'oublions pas qu'ils ont un gars du nom de Aaron Rodgers, qui n'était pas en bonne santé ni dans un bon environnement la saison dernière. Cela devrait changer en 2019. "
25 sur 32
Ron Schwane / Associated Press
Haute: 7
Faible: 9
Le directeur général des Cleveland Brown, John Dorsey, tente d’établir un record de vitesse en transformant une boîte de tomates NFL en concurrent.
Les Browns sont déjà passés de 0-16 ans à 7-8-1 lors de la première année en tant que GM de Dorsey. Puis, il a de nouveau attaqué l’alignement, réalisant une paire de transactions avec les Giants de New York qui ont amené Olivier Vernon et le receveur large Odell Beckham Jr au Northeast Ohio.
Then, despite not having a first-round pick in the 2019 draft, Dorsey was able to land a Round 1 talent when LSU cornerback Greedy Williams fell into the team's lap at No. 46.
It wasn't that long ago that the "Clowns" were an NFL punchline—one of the most hapless franchises in all of professional sports.
Now, the team is the odds-on favorite to win the AFC North, and enthusiasm has swept through the fanbase like wildfire.
Of course, that enthusiasm brings with it something else—something that's been foreign to Cleveland essentially since the team returned to the NFL two decades ago.
The expectation to win.
26 of 32
Michael Ainsworth/Associated Press
High: 7
Low: ten
It's Carson's show now.
In each of the last two years, the Philadelphia Eagles were forced to turn to backup quarterback Nick Foles after Carson Wentz suffered a season-ending injury. That won't be an option for the team in 2019—Foles will be leading the Jaguars this year.
That makes Wentz's health the biggest potential concern looming over the team. It isn't the only one; with Jordan Hicks gone, the middle linebacker spot is iffy, and the trade of Michael Bennett was a blow to the defensive line.
But the Eagles added D-line help in free agency by signing tackle Malik Jackson and bringing back Vinny Curry, and two of Philly's first three draft picks (tackle Andre Dillard and wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside) were both excellent calls.
"If Carson Wentz's health holds up," Davenport said, "the Eagles are as talented and balanced as any team in the NFL. The Eagles are also as battle-tested and well-coached as any club in the league. With that said, there's no Plan B in 2019—if Wentz goes down (again), the Eagles are toast."
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Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press
High: 4
Low: 8
The 2018 season may have ended with the most heart-wrenching double-doink in the history of the NFL, but there's no denying that the Chicago Bears had (in its totality) a good season in Matt Nagy's first year as head coach.
There's also plenty of room for optimism in 2019.
Yes, the Bears lost an important defensive contributor in safety Adrian Amos. But Chicago replaced him with a comparable talent in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix—on one of the most cost-effective contracts of the year.
The Bears also shipped tailback Jordan Howard out of town. But Iowa State tailback David Montgomery is a more well-rounded running back and quite possibly a sizable upgrade at the position.
Wide receiver Riley Ridley was another excellent get for the Bears in a draft in which Chicago had just five picks, shoring up a receiver corps that was among the team's weaker positional groups.
Now if the Bears can just get a damn kicker, they'll be in business.
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Patrick Semansky/Associated Press
High: 5
Low: 5
The Los Angeles Rams were NFC champions last year. And they remain a very dangerous team, featuring a potent offense and a talent-laden defense.
But there are a few areas of concern after the offseason so far.
The biggest is probably the interior of the offensive line, where the Rams saw the team's longest-tenured player leave in guard Rodger Saffold without taking any real steps to replace him.
It's a similar story at nose tackle. Any defensive line featuring Aaron Donald is going to be a formidable one, but the decision to allow Ndamukong Suh to walk leaves a sizable hole in the middle of L.A.'s front seven.
The Rams did at least gain a measure of insurance against Todd Gurley's arthritic knee. Late-season star C.J. Anderson is gone, but in adding Memphis tailback Darrell Henderson on Day 2 of the 2019 draft, the Rams got the most explosive ball-carrier in this draft class.
Henderson's more than just a complement to Gurley—he's a potential replacement.
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Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press
High: 3
Low: 6
The Indianapolis Colts are the best team in the NFL no one's really talking about.
After a 1-5 start to the 2018 season, the Colts peeled off nine wins in 10 games to become the third team in NFL history to make the postseason after five losses in its first six games.
The team appears set for an even better 2019. The Colts didn't suffer any major losses, and while Indy wasn't especially active in free agency despite leading the NFL in cap space, the additions it did make (wide receiver Devin Funchess and edge-rusher Justin Houston) should make an immediate and substantial impact.
As Sobleski wrote, combined with a great 2019 draft, you have a dangerous team on paper:
"Brilliant drafting by general manager Chris Ballard turned the Indianapolis Colts from a crumbling and fading roster under previous head coach Chuck Pagano into one of the league's most talented teams. This year's draft class continued to build on last year's unbelievably talented group. Top pick Rock Ya-Sin is the most physical and competitive cornerback in the class. Ben Banogu provides an explosive and productive edge-rusher. Wide receiver Parris Campbell, meanwhile, brings blazing speed to pair with T.Y. Hilton and Devin Funchess. Oh yeah, Andrew Luck is still healthy. The Colts have a chance to blossom into the league's best team."
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Jack Dempsey/Associated Press
High: 3
Low: 4
The 2019 iteration of the Los Angeles Chargers may well be the franchise's best team in a good long while. It's essentially the same team that won 12 games and a playoff game last year—and a team without any glaring weaknesses.
Yes, the Chargers lost wide receiver Tyrell Williams in free agency. But with youngster Mike Williams coming into his own last season, it was a blow the Chargers could absorb. In this year's draft, the Bolts added a ready-made replacement for Corey Liuget in Notre Dame defensive tackle Jerry Tillery and a talented young safety in Delaware's Nasir Adderley.
The Chargers have just as much offensive weaponry as the Kansas City Chiefs, but the Bolts are much more balanced. Tillery joins Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on one of the NFL's best defensive fronts, and Adderley and Derwin James form a formidable duo at safety.
The Chiefs may have been the talk of the division last year, but it's Los Angeles that is the team to beat in the AFC West in 2019.
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John Bazemore/Associated Press
High: 1
Low: 2
The offseason can be a time of great change for NFL teams. But apparently someone forgot to tell the New Orleans Saints, because the team looks essentially the same as it did at the end of the NFC Championship Game.
Yes, tailback Mark Ingram and center Max Unger are gone. But the Saints brought in Latavius Murray to fill Ingram's role and have a pair of potential replacements for Unger on hand in veteran Nick Easton and rookie second-rounder Erik McCoy.
The wide receivers behind Michael Thomas remain a concern, but the addition of tight end Jared Cook affords Drew Brees another weapon in the passing game and is a potential bargain at two years, $15 million after a Pro Bowl season in 2018.
The Saints were the NFC's No. 1 seed last year before losing the NFC title game in heartbreaking fashion to the Rams. And given how close the Saints came to Super Bowl LIII, the team appears to have adopted an offseason mantra…
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
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Mark Humphrey/Associated Press
High: 1
Low: 2
It's been far from a spotless offseason for the defending Super Bowl champions. The team lost starting left tackle Trent Brown in free agency. And its best edge-rusher, Trey Flowers. And some passing-game weapons—most notably tight end Rob Gronkowski, who called it a career after nine standout seasons.
That's a lot of attrition. But if you were expecting to see Darth Hoodie and the Beantown Bradys listed lower here, sorry to disappoint you.
Davenport ranked the Patriots atop his power rankings for one simple reason: They are the Patriots.
"We've seen this movie how many times now? Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are two of the biggest reasons the Patriots have assembled the greatest dynasty in NFL history, but so is the fact that year after year, New England has been able to compensate for talent loss. They've already addressed the losses at wide receiver by adding N'Keal Harry with the final pick in Round 1. The Patriots are easily the best team in the AFC East, and until someone knocks them off their perch, New England's my pick to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LIV."
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