NFL Post-Draft Power Rankings: Plus Ravens and Jets Have Their QBs

The 2023 draft has come and gone, which means a new opportunity to look at rosters from a fresh perspective. More than anything, I feel like we can judge teams in clearer-cut terms this time of year, given how few of them employ nebulous drafting strategies that don’t look to fill immediate needs.

All of these teams drafted for need in the first two rounds. Every last one. And a few of them (see: my Colts movement) saw a massive prospective improvement in terms of their 2023 ceiling. I think this rookie class was good enough to immediately impact the NFL season, more so than the wide-receiver-happy and quarterback-less class of ’22.

So, now is as good a time as any to roll out a new edition of our power rankings, which show the Eagles on the warpath post–Super Bowl loss, and the Ravens back on the rise, among other bird team updates. 

1

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles may have lost Super Bowl LVII to the Chiefs, but they currently have the stronger roster.

Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports

While the Chiefs have the best all-around player at the most important position, the Eagles appear to be the best all-around team in the NFL right now. It’s a little bit hard to continue heaping praise on Howie Roseman when Jalen Carter fell to No. 9 in the draft for a reason. Yes, there have been some incredible instances of dealing around on the part of the GM, but had Carter not been arrested and charged in March with misdemeanor reckless driving and racing in connection to a crash that killed two members of the Georgia football program, he wouldn’t have made it out of the top three. I suppose we can compliment Roseman for having the kind of veteran-laden roster that can enable him to take these types of calculated chances. The most enjoyable part of being an Eagles fan must be seeing the roster improving in waves. Carter and Nolan Smith will eventually take the place of the team’s current veterans, and every position has quality backups. 

2

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs maintained their high ranking by securing a draft class that uniquely fits their team needs. In the first round? Felix Anudike-Uzomah, a superathletic speed rusher who can help the Chiefs close out games when they force opponents into a 10-point hole. In the second round? Rashee Rice, a receiver who can slot into just about any position. As we move down each round, the Chiefs also nabbed a hybrid safety-corner for their defense and another project pass rusher. Understanding themselves so well is why they remain on top of the league. 

3

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals look to have come out of the first three rounds of the draft with two starters—cornerback DJ Turner II and safety Jordan Battle—and projects in the first and fourth rounds who may help them replace stalwarts long term when they become too expensive (Myles Murphy of Clemson on the edge and burner Charlie Jones out of Purdue). 

4

Buffalo Bills

The Bills seriously upgraded their offense on multiple fronts and added a ton of physicality. That’s not just true about the second-round pick, guard O’Cyrus Torrence, but almost every one of their offensive players has an edge. First-rounder Dalton Kincaid is a tight end–wide receiver hybrid. Justin Shorter, the wide receiver out of Florida, is also massive and is going to be a problem for smaller defensive backs. 

5

San Francisco 49ers

With their slew of mid-round picks, the 49ers took swings at positions of need. One of my favorite picks was a uniquely Kyle Shanahan–y kind of move: drafting Brayden Willis, the H-back out of Oklahoma. You mean he plays two positions really well? You don’t say. So does everyone else in that offense. 

6

New York Jets

Say hello to the Jets’ new QB1.

Tom Horak/USA TODAY Sports

I wasn’t as frustrated with the Will McDonald IV pick as some others might have been. While it seems pretty clear the Jets were leapfrogged for the last value tackle on the board, they added a lot of speed and athleticism to their roster. Israel Abanikanda is a special player out of Pitt, and reminds me a lot of the prototypical lean and fast backs the 49ers have churned out over the years. 

7

Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson is now officially coming back. Rookie receiver Zay Flowers is on board. Potentially devastating project edge rusher Tavius Robinson has been secured. With a healthy Jackson satisfied, under contract and with the best weapon set he has ever had, the Ravens have gone from a singularly powered offense to having Odell Beckham Jr. essentially as their third-best receiving option. That’s not a bad offseason turnaround, especially with new OC Todd Monken calling the plays. 

8

Detroit Lions

Did I hate the Lions’ draft overall? Yes. Can I say with a straight face that none of these players will contribute to a season that could possibly result in an NFC North crown? No. I didn’t love taking any tight end over Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, as the Lions did with Iowa’s Sam LaPorta, but who am I to tell Dan Campbell what to do at the position he played in the NFL? LaPorta has some wiggle after the catch and some George Kittle in him, too. Brian Branch, the safety out of Alabama, should not have been there at pick No. 45, but the Lions wisely pounced. 

9

Dallas Cowboys

While I think Dallas ultimately failed to secure its tight end of the future, with Luke Schoonmaker the fifth one off the board in deep class, the Cowboys became super athletic up front. Viliami Fehoko out of San Jose State is a menace, and could easily find himself working into a rotation. As for first-round DT Mazi Smith, a 6'3" human should not be able to move as quickly as he does. This defense is going to be very good in 2023, and Smith will abuse interior offensive linemen in the division. 

10

Jacksonville Jaguars

What a career renaissance it’s been for GM Trent Baalke. The Jaguars’ GM now has a roster that is young, talented and thick with depth. This class was a big one for Jacksonville, with 13 total picks and five in the sweet spot between Rounds 3 and 5, from where the critical middle-class of the roster is developed. I had them going with tight end Dalton Kincaid in my mock draft, so I was happy to see them nabbing a tight end to diversify the offense. Second-rounder Brenton Strange from Penn State comes off play-action out of the backfield well and can own the middle of the field. 

11

Indianapolis Colts

O.K., I understand your frustration and objections already. However, I don’t think a single team got better this week in the way the Colts did. No. 4 pick QB Anthony Richardson is going to be a stud in a Shane Steichen offense, and WR Josh Downs and CB Julius Brents were both potential first-round talents who fell past that. I would be wary of a bunch of great testers getting thrown into a team with a first-time head coach, but this Colts staff is deep and experienced. If the AFC South turns into a slog, I could see them making a run at the division. 

12

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers’ draft was a miss for me. I don’t see the point in betting big on another large-bodied downfield threat at a time when Cover 2 man defense is so popular. This was the kind of draft where the available weapons allowed a team to diversify some of the nonlinear parts of its offense. The Chargers went a little chalky for me in that sense. 

13

Miami Dolphins

Doubling down on speed is the only way for Miami, after seeing how truncated its offense became with a hampered Tyreek Hill later in the season. The only solution in the NFL right now, at any position, is more. Running back Devon Achane is a track star. Cam Smith also looks like an ideal Vic Fangio corner. This was a small class (only four picks), but the Dolphins certainly didn’t take any chances, believing that they are just a step away with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa. 

14

New York Giants

The Giants have been hard at work on this roster all offseason, and I think the best roster-building strategy for a Wink Martindale defense is to continually service that defense and add component parts, given how aggressive they’re asked to be. I thought the Giants might look at a hybrid corner-safety, but first-round CB Deonte Banks has a big body and 4.3 speed. It was worth a shot to draft this year’s Biletnikoff winner, receiver Jalin Hyatt. While the scheme in Tennessee limited both the QB (Hendon Hooker) and wide receivers alike, Hyatt will compete for playing time right away. Center John Michael Schmitz out of Minnesota was a slam dunk, and I’m always a fan of taking a 10-year starter in the second round. 

15

Green Bay Packers

I am so much more optimistic about Green Bay than the lay national analyst. I think this has to do with my obvious bias toward young, athletic two-tight-end sets. While I recognize there’s a limit to what Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft can do on the field together in Year 1, I do think Green Bay is going to be able to use a lot of personnel groupings to make easier looks for Jordan Love. Also, you just know the Packers, with their reputation and talented scouting department, are going to hit on a ton of those mid- to late-round picks. Receiver Jayden Reed is nightmarish with the football and should be a threat in the quick game. 

16

New England Patriots

Any time you’re Bill Belichick and you’re able to snare a kicker and a punter in the same draft, life is pretty good. But in all seriousness, New England did some work and pulled one of the best value moves of the draft: a trade back to acquire CB Christian Gonzalez that also potentially harmed the Jets’ ability to get a new left tackle. 

17

Tennessee Titans

Levis is behind Ryan Tannehill on the depth chart, but he could see time this season.

Jordan Prather/USA TODAY Sports. Illustration by Bryce Wood.

I am clearly on the Will Levis bandwagon, though I’ve been fooled by high-upside second-rounders before (see: Deshone Kizer). Levis is a better right-away scheme fit for the Titans and he could, at some point this season, work his way into the lineup. I think this process should go much more smoothly than the Malik Willis experiment. Given the smoke about the Titans possibly trading up to the No. 3 spot to get a QB, the fact that they left with a solid tackle and a first-round-caliber passer shows a solid understanding of the board. 

18

Cleveland Browns

My favorite pick of their truncated draft (seven picks, none in the first two rounds) was Siaki Ika, the nose tackle from Baylor. The Browns needed more space eaters this offseason, hence paying Dalvin Tomlinson a premium price tag in free agency. Ika might not play right away, but he could round into the kind of quintessential AFC North player the Browns have been craving over the past few years. 

19

Minnesota Vikings

We saw at the end of last season how far the Vikings are from actually contending in a ho-hum NFC. This draft spelled out the challenges of their current rebuild: having to balance the need for two elite wide receivers to run the offense, and acquiring enough cornerback help to make the defense functional. The Vikings took two swings at the defensive back position in the middle rounds in Mekhi Blackmon and Jay Ward. In the first round, Joey Porter Jr. and Deonte Banks were both on the board when the Vikings instead took a swing at their Adam Thielen replacement in receiver Jordan Addison. 

20

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are building something reminiscent of San Francisco’s offense, which means that it can function at a pretty high level even without top-five elite quarterback play. The Bijan Robinson selection put the rest of the league on notice: The Falcons are going to be a nightmare to match up against this year. 

21

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers serviced their quarterback and running game by trading up for Broderick Jones and helped the defense out by grabbing Joey Porter Jr. With Pittsburgh banking on a Kenny Pickett takeoff this year, it helps to have the QB’s blind side protected. Jones will slide next to veteran guard Isaac Seumalo, who should help ease the transition. That’s a very athletic left side for RB Najee Harris to explore. 

22

Seattle Seahawks

I’m glad the Seahawks didn’t panic on the QB front. Instead, I thought they stayed within their lanes and hit some solid shots. Pete Carroll and John Schneider, now out from underneath the Russell Wilson conundrum for a full year, have been able to better explore scheme fits. Geno Smith may be only a one-year solution in Seattle, but it’s undeniable that Jaxon Smith-Njigba gives this receiving corps a formidable depth. Landing Zach Charbonnet, a complementary back for Kenneth Walker III who can catch and run out of the backfield but also pick up yardage in a crowded box, was also a win. 

23

Carolina Panthers

Young has landed in a great spot for a rookie QB.

Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports. Illustration by Bryce Wood.

Bryce Young makes the Panthers a contending team. Perhaps this isn’t true immediately, but I don’t know a rookie quarterback who is going to be better coached, or around more brilliant quarterback minds so early in his career. Maybe it won’t be a Trevor Lawrence–speed turnaround, but Young has the sheen to come in right away and push this offense downfield. Also, throw on some Chandler Zavala tape when you have time. The guy has a huge base and can move well. The Panthers are going to need some competition at the left guard spot. 

24

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders had a solid draft, especially if TE Michael Mayer can project as a Day 1 starter with some pseudo-Gronkian abilities to impact both the run and pass game simultaneously. Mayer is used to a heavy workload. It was also smart of the Raiders to take a project swing at QB Aidan O’Connell of Purdue, who lit up the Big Ten at times. This draft included a talented group of passers, with value in the middle rounds. 

25

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams hope this will be a foundational draft for the franchise. More than a first-round pick, they needed to bring in a massive nougat center to their roster to offset its top-heaviness. Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson might have been my favorite cornerback in this draft not named Julius Brents. The Horned Frog was an analytical darling this year and, despite being 5'9" and 180 pounds, found himself constantly putting his body in the right position to swat away passes. 

26

Chicago Bears

I had Darnell Wright mocked to another team with an outside-zone running scheme, so seeing the Tennessee tackle land with the Bears made some sense. He’s sturdy but has the quickness to run with a play to the outside. Chicago did a lot with a patchwork offensive line, but as it gets closer to punching the gas behind Justin Fields, it’ll need elite-ish talent to better count on a non-QB-generated run game. 

27

New Orleans Saints

I think the Saints are kind of doomed to exist in this middle ground, especially without an extra pick after last year’s aggression in a middling class. That said, they did their best with the defensive interior and the edge; two spots that desperately needed attention to keep Dennis Allen’s lifeblood alive. Isaiah Foskey isn’t exactly the most creative edge rusher, but he is productive and has played against good talent. Bryan Bresee will get to play next to Cam Jordan, which makes anyone’s learning curve a little less steep. 

28

Denver Broncos

Marvin Mims Jr. made one of the silliest catches you’ll ever see in college, which shows the kind of dexterity one will need to make an offense with Russell Wilson work. I liked the third-round pick of CB Riley Moss. That Iowa scoring defense kept the Hawkeyes propped up last season, and Moss’s headiness and aggression were a big reason why. 

29

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

True to form for a Todd Bowles team, the Buccaneers wanted to strengthen their defensive interior and, while they were at it, help out on the offensive interior. Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea together will be formidable, especially with Bowles’s focus on shoring up the rest of the defensive front seven. 

30

Washington Commanders

I figured this was as good a chance as any for the Commanders to break out of their pragmatic approach and take a swing at a premium position. Alas, it’ll be Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett in their QB room. There is a lot to love about first-round CB Emmanuel Forbes, who gives off some serious Antonio Cromartie vibes on tape; you just wonder whether teams are going to take advantage of his slighter frame and target him with bigger receivers and tight ends. But, this team still needs a lot of help. 

31

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals had a great draft, just not necessarily one that is going to make them better in 2023. For the first time in what seems like years, we came away from a tentpole league event talking about a sensible maneuver that sets the Cardinals up for organizational health at some point down the road. BJ Ojulari should not have been on the board when Arizona came back for Round 2, handing the Cardinals a great opportunity to add some pass rusher projects to this defense. This is going to be a throw-stuff-at-the-wall year for the Cardinals while they wait for Kyler Murray to get healthy, anyway. 

32

Houston Texans

I think the Texans took their swing but missed. Perhaps this is an overreaction, but if the pick they handed the Cardinals is anywhere near the top five next year, allowing Arizona a chance to deal up for one of the two elite QB prospects (or trade out for a team looking), it will be viewed as an all-time blunder. I am also, admittedly, not a fan of sitting at No. 2 when you’re looking for a quarterback, as they were this year.