Bears, Falcons Shoot Up While Surprise Teams Enter Top 5

It’s been about a week since the 2024 NFL Draft, and teams have had the chance to bolster their roster with both draft picks and undrafted free agents.

While the draft won’t shake up the top of the rankings at this point of the offseason, it can certainly cause certain teams to rise, especially if their rookies perform well during the season. This was the case for the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions last season, who got huge boosts from their rookie classes in 2023. The Chicago Bears are one of many teams hoping to make that jump in 2024.

So, as teams start to get together for the end of involuntary workouts, here is Newsweek‘s first official NFL Power Rankings of the 2024-25 season:

1. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs might not have the NFL’s most talented roster, but after becoming the first NFL team to win back-to-back Super Bowls in 20 years, they have earned their place atop the league’s rankings.

With Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, Kansas City will continue to contend, and likely remain on top of the league.

2. San Francisco 49ers

On paper, the 49ers are arguably better than the Chiefs, but they have yet to beat the Chiefs in two straight Super Bowls. The primary question for the 49ers is their defense, which disappointed under former defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and will now be led by Nick Sorenson.

3. Baltimore Ravens

Unlike in recent years, when they managed to swoop up a top name in the draft like Kyle Hamilton or Zay Flowers, the Ravens didn’t make waves during this year’s draft. They managed to replenish key positions of need like cornerback and offensive line, but nothing flashy.

Even so, the Ravens rank among the NFL’s best as they still hold one of the league’s most stacked rosters. Despite players like Gus Edwards, Morgan Moses, and Jadeveon Clowney departing, their biggest loss is likely former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who is now the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

4. Detroit Lions

The Lions are coming off their first NFC Championship game appearance in three decades. They’ll have to compete in an improved NFC North, but have boosted their secondary with the addition of rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold.

5. Houston Texans

The Texans were the Cinderella team of 2023, rising from worst to first behind star rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Along with Stroud, the Texans’ defense improved under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie Will Anderson Jr.

Since their divisional round playoff loss, Houston traded for star wide receiver Stefon Diggs and signed running back Joe Mixon, making their offense one of the best on paper. They did not have a first-round pick this year, but managed to add quality players like Calen Bullock, Blake Fisher and Kamari Lassiter in the draft.

6. Buffalo Bills

The Bills will go as far as Josh Allen takes them — which has been pretty far over the past couple years. This time, the Bills have made major roster changes as they appear to be in a semi-rebuild. After letting go of players like Tre’Davious White, Mitch Morse, Jordan Poyer, Diggs, and Gabriel Davis this offseason, the Bills are lack key veteran players, and will have to rely on youth this year.

7. Green Bay Packers

The Packers appear primed to build off their impressive late-season push in 2023 behind quarterback Jordan Love, who put together a breakout year. The NFC North is daunting with the Caleb Williams-led Bears and reigning division champion Lions, but the Packers can certainly challenge them all.

8. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have been left with questions following an unexpected early playoff exit after they were dominated by the Packers in the Wild Card round. Their draft class did not necessarily remove any doubt, with the team opting to bring back Ezekiel Elliott over drafting a running back following the departure of Tony Pollard.

9. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles bolstered the cornerback position with the additions of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the draft. Still, their late-season collapse has left a lot of questions, particularly on offense. While Saquon Barkley should spark the run game, the offense struggled toward the end of the year and failed to find consistency despite having players like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith. Will the slump continue?

10. Cleveland Browns

Like the Texans, the Browns were one of the surprise teams of 2023 as they made the playoffs. The Browns had one the NFL’s best defenses and Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, along with Comeback Player of the Year Joe Flacco. With Flacco gone, the quarterback position will face question marks. The good news is the Browns should get back running back Nick Chubb.

11. Miami Dolphins

While the Dolphins disappointed toward the end of the year, they still have some of the NFL’s best playmakers and an offensive mastermind in Mike McDaniel that can get the best out of them. The defense will also get a boost when Jaelen Phillips and Bradley Chubb return from injury.

12. Los Angeles Chargers

The Jim Harbaugh effect cannot be taken for granted heading into this season. The Chargers have shown a clear plan in building a team around quarterback Justin Herbert by establishing an offensive line, run game, and drafting three receivers. They are expected to be contenders.

13. Cincinnati Bengals

After a season-ending injury to Joe Burrow, the Bengals prioritized protecting him by drafting Amarius Mims. If Burrow can stay healthy and return to his 2021 and 2022 form, the Bengals could challenge to make the Super Bowl again.

The Bengals will also have to handle the Trey Hendickson and Tee Higgins situations, with two of their best players in jeopardy of leaving the team.

14. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams managed to rebound last season, making the playoffs after a lost 2022 season. Their defense will take a hit without Aaron Donald, but they drafted four defensive linemen this year and look to be building a strong young core.

15. Atlanta Falcons

Despite making one of the most questionable decisions of the draft in taking Michael Penix Jr. No. 8 overall when they had already signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract with $100 million guaranteed, the Falcons should be one of the best options to make the playoffs after missing them in 2023.

Last year, the Falcons were a quarterback away from contending. The roster is stacked with players like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and A.J. Terrell, and they should be in the thick of the playoff race in a weak NFC South.

16. Chicago Bears

The Bears’ fate in 2024 will likely depend on how fast Caleb Williams adjusts to the NFL — and they’ve put him in a good position to do so. With a good defense and additions to the offense like wide receivers Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen, the Bears will at the very least be a pesky foe for opponents.

17. New York Jets

The Jets’ season will depend on what Aaron Rodgers looks like one year removed from a torn achilles at the age of 40. They’ve been a quarterback away for the last couple of years with a great defense, and their window to capitalize is small.

18. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts immediately upgraded their defensive line by taking arguably the best defensive player in the draft in Laiatu Latu at No. 15 overall. If Anthony Richardson hits the next level after season-ending shoulder surgery in his second season, they will be a top candidate to rise in the rankings.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers managed to win the division last year and even get a playoff win, but their ceiling is limited without any huge splash additions. They’ll still have the benefit of playing in a weak NFC South, but the Falcons should pose a legitimate challenge now that they have a quarterback.

20. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings managed to secure their future at quarterback by drafting J.J. McCarthy. They also traded up to land a second first-round pick to select Dallas Turner. The only questions now surround wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s future in Minnesota.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars

After disappointingly missing the playoffs and falling short of expectations, the Jaguars regrouped in free agency and brought in players like Mitch Morse, Gabe Davis, and Arik Armstead. With first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars have another speedster at the receiver position to fill the loss of Calvin Ridley.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers will have a different offense this season under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. With Mike Tomlin at the helm, though, they always find a way to boast a winning record.

23. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks fell off from a 6-3 start last season to ultimately miss the playoffs. With the Rams and 49ers in the division, it’s hard to see the Seahawks staying competitive, especially when Geno Smith didn’t look like the answer toward the end of last year.

24. Washington Commanders

Like the Bears, the Commanders have secured their next franchise quarterback. While Jayden Daniels was one of the top prospects this season, the Commanders have a lot to prove, especially defensively, before they can be considered a top-20 team.

25. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals decided to stick with Kyler Murray at quarterback and he’ll be ready for a full season of play after a torn ACL limited him last year. He’ll have Marvin Harrison Jr. to throw to this season, putting the offense in a much better position.

26. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders got their wish in Antonio Pierce becoming head coach, but they are lacking the game-changing quarterback to put them higher in the rankings.

27. Denver Broncos

The Broncos are officially starting over at the quarterback position by drafting Bo Nix. Their upcoming seasons will largely depend on how Nix turns out — or if he even wins the starting job over Zach Wilson.

28. New York Giants

The Giants brought in what many believed to be a top-two wide receiver in the class in Malik Nabers. But they have major questions surrounding Daniel Jones’ ability to stay healthy, their offensive line’s ability to protect, and their run game’s ability to succeed without Saquon Barkley.

29. New Orleans Saints

The Saints plan to roll with Derek Carr for another season, which will limit their ceiling. Their aging defense doesn’t help, either.

30. Tennessee Titans

The Titans came into the draft with plenty of needs, and addressed the biggest of all by drafting J.C. Latham. Adding in Latham and wide receiver Calvin Ridley this offseason will be key pieces for helping Will Levis in his second year.

31. New England Patriots

The Patriots got their quarterback in Drake Maye and began rebuilding around him, but this appears to be a team that will need at least a few seasons to build themselves back into contention.

32. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers were easily the worst team in 2023, going just 2-15. Losing players like Bradley Bozeman, Brian Burns and not having a first-round pick will only make this season tougher.