2024 NFL Power Rankings, Week 1: How the Minnesota Vikings and the Rest of the League Stack Up
We’ve officially made it.
In just a few short hours, the 2024 NFL regular season will officially begin. As you get prepared to watch the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens, here is a look at some 2024 NFL power rankings heading into Week 1.
The Cellar Dwellers
32. New England Patriots
- 2023 Result: 4-13, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting QB Drake Maye
2024 could be ugly in New England, particularly if they immediately throw rookie QB Drake Maye to the wolves. The Patriots have a very shallow receiver room, and their offensive line doesn’t offer much in terms of pass protection. Everything relies on the QB play being great, and we’ll see if Maye is up to the task.
31. Carolina Panthers
- 2023 Result: 2-15, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Trading for WR Diontae Johnson
Bryce Young isn’t as bad as the Carolina Panthers looked throughout much of the 2023 season. That group will improve in 2024 with the addition of a true X-receiver in Diontae Johnson, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the defense take a step backwards.
30. Tennessee Titans
- 2023 Result: 6-11, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting OT JC Latham
Tennessee desperately needed to improve their offensive line, and they did so with the selection of JC Latham. The Mike Vrabel firing is still a headscratcher, though, causing concern for where this team could be headed without their excellent now-former coach. Will Levis might need to put on the Super-Man cape for this team to escape the cellar.
On the Outside Looking In
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 2023 Result: 9-8, lost Divisional Round
- Best Offseason Move: Extending LT Tristan Wirfs
The Baker Mayfield experiment unequivocally worked during 2023, but how well can that be replicated in 2024 without Dave Canales and a rushing attack that likely will remain among the worst in the NFL? That remains to be seen, but extra help on the offensive line in Graham Barton will help alongside the newly-extended Tristan Wirfs.
28. New York Giants
- 2023 Result: 6-11, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting WR Malik Nabers
This feels like the “make-or-break” year for the New York Giants. Either they break through and make a run back to the playoffs, or they fail to do so and see a complete overhaul during the 2025 offseason. We’ll see if Brian Daboll and Daniel Jones have what it takes to avoid the latter.
27. New Orleans Saints
- 2023 Result: 8-9, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting Taliese Fuaga
The Saints came into the offseason with some dire needs on the offensive line if they had any hopes of figuring out this Derek Carr experiment. Taliese Fuaga will help that, but the rookie simply might not be enough. New Orleans holds an aging roster without clear plan for the future at multiple positions.
26. Las Vegas Raiders
- 2023 Result: 8-9, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Signing DT Christian Wilkins
The Raiders were a feisty team down the stretch of the 2023 season, including putting 63 points on the Los Angeles Chargers and beating the Kansas City Chiefs. They added Christian Wilkins to Antonio Pierce’s fierce defense, and while the loss of Josh Jacobs may hurt, he was not nearly as good in 2023 as he was in 2022. Las Vegas might have the pieces to surprise some folks, but we need to see it in order to believe it.
25. Seattle Seahawks
- 2023 Result: 9-8, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Extending DT Leonard Williams
Not only did the Seahawks ensure Leonard Williams will be a force in the trenches for the next few years, but they also gave him a running mate in Byron Murphy. However, the main question with Seattle revolves around whether or not Geno Smith can recapture the magic that he found in 2022, particularly without Pete Carroll leading the team anymore.
The Swing Teams
24. Minnesota Vikings
- 2023 Result: 7-10, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting QB J.J. McCarthy
It’s been an offseason of massive roster turnover at key positions for the Minnesota Vikings. It’s a good outcome for the future, but they could see some struggles, particularly early on, as they integrate new pieces.
23. Washington Commanders
- 2023 Result: 4-13, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting QB Jayden Daniels
The Commanders didn’t mess around with trading the No. 2 overall pick, and they landed their QB of the future while also being a sneaky-active team in free agency. Like New England, there will be growing pains with Daniels, but they could be far lessened in Washington.
22. Denver Broncos
- 2023 Result: 8-9, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Releasing QB Russell Wilson
At least offensively, it was time for a hard reset in Denver. The Broncos saw that by the end of the 2023 season, and they decided to release Russell Wilson and then bring in both Bo Nix and Zach Wilson. Even with the massive amounts of dead cap they endured this spring, it’s the correct move. They also traded away WR Jerry Jeudy and drafted Troy Franklin. This team likely will go through growing pains in 2024, but maybe their strong defense can keep them in games.
21. Arizona Cardinals
- 2023 Result: 4-13, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Kyler Murray is back to fully healthy, and he has a shiny new weapon to work with in Marvin Harrison. It could be a fun year in Arizona.
20. Chicago Bears
- 2023 Result: 7-10, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting QB Caleb Williams
If there is a quarterback in this draft class that immediately can lead a team to the playoffs, that man is Caleb Williams. The Bears have made a concerted effort to surround him with plenty of weapons, and their defense was much better down the stretch of the 2023 season after the addition of Montez Sweat. This team went 5-3 in their final eight games last year with their only losses coming against playoff teams.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars
- 2023 Result: 9-8, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting WR Brian Thomas Jr.
Trevor Lawrence battled through injuries in 2023, so perhaps there should be less concern regarding a down year in Jacksonville after their playoff run in 2022. They desperately needed to address their WR depth after losing a number of contributors, and Brian Thomas should help the passing offense immensely.
18. Cleveland Browns
- 2023 Result: 11-6, lost Wild Card
- Best Offseason Move: Trading for WR Jerry Jeudy
It wasn’t necessarily a splashy offseason for the Browns, but Jerry Jeudy can be a solid secondary option behind Amari Cooper. However, they still won’t have Nick Chubb at the start of the year, and it remains to be seen if Deshaun Watson can get anywhere near the level of play that he displayed in Houston.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2023 Result: 10-7, lost Wild Card
- Best Offseason Move: Trading for QB Justin Fields
Of course, the Steelers brought in Russell Wilson at a very low-risk rate for the 2024 season. However, just in case things were to go sideways with the veteran, they also traded for Justin Fields in order to give themselves some security. Under Mike Tomlin, this team is guaranteed to hold a winning record.
16. Los Angeles Chargers
- 2023 Result: 5-12, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting OT Joe Alt
The groundwork is being laid for success in Los Angeles under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. However, with some of the weaknesses at the wide receiver position as well as uncertain RB depth, it might not come overnight.
15. Dallas Cowboys
- 2023 Result: 12-5, lost Wild Card
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting OT Tyler Guyton
There certainly is a path towards another playoff run for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. However, their RB room is less than inspiring as it currently stands, and they don’t have long-term contracts in place for either Dak Prescott or CeeDee Lamb. Things could go downhill in a hurry if those situations aren’t sorted out.
14. Houston Texans
- 2023 Result: 10-7, lost Divisional Round
- Best Offseason Move: Signing OLB Danielle Hunter
The Texans saw a number of unexpected players take massive leaps in 2023, and the immediate transition of C.J. Stroud to the NFL level made Houston a formidable playoff team. With Danielle Hunter in the mix defensively, and Stefon Diggs on the offense, the team could take another step, but this schedule is daunting.
13. Los Angeles Rams
- 2023 Result: 10-7, lost Wild Card
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting OLB Jared Verse
With Aaron Donald’s NFL career officially over, the Rams needed to rethink how they shape their defensive front. Jared Verse will be an answer for that. As long as the Sean McVay offense does its thing, Los Angeles will compete, but can their defense also hold up?
12. Buffalo Bills
- 2023 Result: 11-6, lost Divisional Round
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting WR Keon Coleman
Josh Allen is awesome, but he still needs some wide receiver talent around him. Buffalo lost Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason, and they are hoping Keon Coleman can show out in the same manner that he did at Florida State.
11. Atlanta Falcons
- 2023 Result: 7-10, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Signing QB Kirk Cousins
The last time we watched Kirk Cousins play football, he reasonably could have been in the discussion for an MVP award. Of course, an Achilles tear ended his 2023 campaign prematurely, and at 36 years old, there should be questions as to whether or not he can return to that form. However, Atlanta was precisely a quarterback away from being a playoff team last year. If Cousins continues his late-career run of productive football, the Falcons will be dangerous.
10. Miami Dolphins
- 2023 Result: 11-6, lost Wild Card
- Best Offseason Move: Signing CB Kendall Fuller
We all know about the high-flying Miami Dolphins offense by now, but can their defense keep other elite AFC teams at bay? Kendall Fuller has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL over the past couple years, and he will help Miami accomplish that feat.
9. Indianapolis Colts
- 2023 Result: 9-8, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting OLB Laiatu Latu
Anthony Richardson hopefully will be able to put together a full season in 2024. Will we see drastic improvements in his game as a passer, though? Regardless, Indianapolis’ defense got even better with the selection of Laiatu Latu, and they should be a competitive
Strong Playoff Teams
8. New York Jets
- 2023 Result: 7-10, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting OT Olu Fashanu
The Jets needed to focus on improving their offensive line this spring. They did just that, bringing in multiple veterans and drafting an immediate contributor in Olu Fashanu. If Aaron Rodgers can stay intact as he inches towards his 41st birthday, the Jets can be a serious contender in 2024.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
- 2023 Result: 11-6, lost Wild Card
- Best Offseason Move: Signing LB Devin White
The Eagles completely fell apart down the stretch of the 2023 season, and it largely happened because of their defense. They spent the entire offseason rebuilding the backend of the group, including signing star linebacker Devin White. Plugging Saquon Barkley into their RB room won’t hurt, either.
6. Cincinnati Bengals
- 2023 Result: 9-8, missed playoffs
- Best Offseason Move: Signing OT Trent Brown
Cincinnati’s once ultra-powerful WR room could soon look very different if Ja’Marr Chase’s contract situation isn’t worked out. Joe Burrow also needs to be able to stay healthy for the Bengals to compete. New right tackle Trent Brown will help in that area.
Super Bowl Contenders
5. San Francisco 49ers
- 2023 Result: 12-5, lost Super Bowl
- Best Offseason Move: Extending WR Brandon Aiyuk
The 49ers needed to keep Brandon Aiyuk in the building, and that necessity became even more so after first-round pick Ricky Pearsall was shot. The 49ers could be a Super Bowl hangover team after last season’s unfortunate end, but this roster is still ultra talented on paper.
4. Green Bay Packers
- 2023 Result: 9-8, lost Divisional Round
- Best Offseason Move: Drafting OT Jordan Morgan
The Packers caught fire down the stretch of the 2023 season en route to the playoffs, and that momentum should continue in 2024. Jordan Love is getting better, and he has a whole litany of weapons around him, which includes former rushing champion Josh Jacobs. Jordan Morgan will help solidify an offensive tackle group that has been in flux.
3. Detroit Lions
- 2023 Result: 12-5, lost NFC Championship
- Best Offseason Move: Extending WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
The Detroit Lions added multiple pieces to their secondary via the draft, but the majority of the remainder of their offseason was spent retaining their own pieces. Amon-Ra St. Brown has a shiny new contract, ensuring he will remain in the Motor City for the foreseeable future.
2. Baltimore Ravens
- 2023 Result: 13-4, lost AFC Championship
- Best Offseason Move: Signing RB Derrick Henry
The Baltimore Ravens thrive in being a ground-and-pound team and being able to overwhelm opponents with physical defense. Derrick Henry is past his prime, but he remains a productive RB and a perfect fit in this Baltimore scheme.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
- 2023 Result: 11-6, Super Bowl champs
- Best Offseason Move: Signing WR Marquise Brown
At this point, how can the Chiefs not be on top? They’re the back-to-back champs, and even when things looked grim in 2023, it didn’t matter. They signed Marquise Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy to help a diminished WR room that didn’t dissuade Kansas City from winning a Super Bowl.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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