Jun 13, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA;New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) looks on as New York Giants wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches the ball during mini camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
With a majority of teams wrapping up mandatory minicamp on Thursday, let's take a look at where each team stands in the latest 2017 NFL Power Rankings.
Other than the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots, all of the other 30 teams participated in mandatory minicamp this week, which means it's time to take a look at the latest 2017 NFL Power Rankings. As for why the Cardinals and Patriots didn't participate, well let's just say they got their practices in at the beginning of June.
From the possibility of Odell Beckham Jr. showing up for the New York Giants to Jeremy Maclin finding a new home with the Baltimore Ravens, there were plenty of big headlines in the NFL from this past week. And the best part is, with mandatory minicamp officially concluded, this means the beginning of training camp at the end of next month is right around the corner.
Plenty of questions will be answered for teams from now until the start of training camp, but at least football fans can help pass some of the time by seeing where their beloved team currently stacks up against the rest of the competition in the NFL. Kicking off with a team that has been busy cleaning house in the offseason, let's kickoff the minicamp edition of the 2017 NFL Power Rankings by taking a closer look at the New York Jets.
Jun 13, 2017; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg (5) throws during mini camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
32. New York Jets
To say the New York Jets have a chance of being contenders in the AFC this season would be a huge long shot when considering the team has spent the last few months going through rebuilding mode. It was one thing to part ways with a reliable target in Brandon Marshall, but after Eric Decker was released by the team earlier in the week, it's clear the Jets are focusing more on the future instead of the present.
More from NFL Spin Zone
What makes their situation even more interesting is figuring out what New York plans on doing at the quarterback position. If the Jets wanted to continue their rebuilding ways heading into the regular season, why on earth would they bring someone like Josh McCown on board to compete for the starting job instead of seeing what other quarterbacks like Christian Hackenberg or Bryce Petty could bring to the table?
Obviously, McCown isn't going to be the long-term answer for this offense, and while he certainly brings veteran leadership to the table, it's only going to delay the development process of Hackenberg or Petty if he ends up playing. When it comes to the top quarterback battles to keep an eye on heading into training camp, the one in New York should rank near the top of the list, even if the team is highly unlikely to be contenders.
Jun 13, 2017; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) runs a drill during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
31. Cleveland Browns
Believe it or not, after only winning one game all of last year, the Cleveland Browns finally seem to be moving in the right direction when it comes working their way into becoming contenders in the AFC. Sure, it may still take another year or two before that actually happens, but gives the Browns credit for putting together one of the most impressive NFL offseasons when looking at how much they loaded up in free agency and the draft.
For months, there was plenty of speculation surrounding Cleveland using the top pick on defensive superstar Myles Garrett, and despite receiving a minor scare in minicamp with a foot injury, the team claims he's going to be just fine. Expectations are high for Garrett during his first year with the Browns' defense, and hopefully it's only a matter of time before he works his way into being a true leader for the unit.
As for which player will be running the offense, it's amazing to think after years of struggling to find a reliable quarterback, Cleveland has a few different options to work with over the next few months. Cody Kessler may be the favorite to land the starting job at the moment, but Brock Osweiler and DeShone Kizer have looked impressive so far to make this an interesting battle.
Jun 13, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Harold Jones- Quartey and Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky during mini camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
30. Chicago Bears
2017 is going to seem odd at first for the Chicago Bears since Jay Cutler (retirement following release) and Alshon Jeffery (signed with Philadelphia Eagles) are no longer in the picture. After only winning three games all of last year, the Bears wasted no time making a splash in free agency by signing Mike Glennon to a hefty deal, but the team followed the move up by trading up in the NFL Draft to select Mitch Trubisky.
Even though the organization has made it clear that Glennon will be the starter under center once Week 1 rolls around, there are plenty of NFL teams who have been in similar situation before, only to see the complete opposite happen. Remember back in 2012 when the Seattle Seahawks spent all of that money on Matt Flynn, and ended up going with Russell Wilson as the starter instead?
The chances of Trubisky turning out to be an elite quarterback like Wilson seems unlikely at the moment, but at least whoever ends up playing quarterback for Chicago will hopefully benefit from second-year running back Jordan Howard. Not even the Bears could have predicted the former fifth-round pick would finish second in the league as a rookie in rushing yards (1,313), and assuming he picks up right where he left off, Howard could turn into one of the biggest gems from the 2016 NFL Draft.
Jun 13, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) during the San Francisco 49ers minicamp at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
29. San Francisco 49ers
Thank goodness the San Francisco 49ers were wise enough to part ways with Chip Kelly after just one season as head coach, and even though early projections have the team finishing at the bottom of the NFC West, that doesn't mean they won't end up surprising a lot of people. Not only did the 49ers use this year's draft to boost up on the defensive side of the football with Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster, but bringing on Kyle Shanahan on as head coach should help show improvement with the offense.
Only time will tell when it comes to whether moving on from Colin Kaepernick at quarterback was the right choice, but at least the offense will be in good hands for the short term with veteran Brian Hoyer. Yes, Hoyer has struggled to find a consistent home over the last few years, but between working with Shanahan along with key additions at wide receiver like Pierre Garcon, San Francisco's offense should be in much better shape than a year ago.
With that being said, the one player to keep an eye on heading into training camp will be running back Carlos Hyde, who always seems to show high potential early on in the season before eventually going on to deal with some sort of injury. If the former Ohio State star can figure out a way to be consistent in the ground game, this will help take some of the pressure off Hoyer bringing out the best from the 49ers offense.
Jun 14, 2017; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) at minicamp at California Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
28. Los Angeles Rams
It's been a busy last few days for the Los Angeles Rams when looking at everything the team has been dealing with ranging from whether Aaron Donald would be in attendance for minicamp to the announcement of Thursday's trade involving Greg Robinson to the Detroit Lions. Luckily for the Rams, both situations turned out just fine since Donald was present for the team's first practice on Tuesday, although his contract situation remains a mystery.
One of the main reasons for Donald's absence during OTAs was due to the defensive superstar being unhappy with his current contract situation, and if Los Angeles were smart, they shouldn't delay this issue any longer. The previous three seasons are the perfect example of why Donald deserves to be one of the league's highest paid players, and when seeing what the Rams were willing to pay an unproven Tavon Austin, this should be a no brainer.
The organization has made it clear numerous times throughout the offseason that working out a new deal with Donald is a top priority, but with minicamp officially over, fans aren't feeling too confident about the situation. Los Angeles seems to finally be taking the necessary steps in the right direction under new head coach Sean McVay, and the last thing they want to see happen is Donald continuing to be unhappy over his contract heading into training camp.
Jun 13, 2017; Orchard Park, Buffalo, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) and quarterback Cardale Jones (7) drop to pass during mini-camp at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
27. Buffalo Bills
The good news for the Buffalo Bills is not only does the offense have one of the most talented running backs the league has to offer in LeSean McCoy, but the unit should see two extra motivated players in Tyrod Taylor and Sammy Watkins. When considering both players head into the regular season looking to prove to the Bills they deserve to be around for the long run, it's up to Taylor and Watkins to elevate their game to a whole new level on offense.
While Buffalo was able to convince Taylor to re-structure his hefty contract to avoid a possible release, the team also made the tough decision to decline the fifth-year option on the contract for Watkins. The former Clemson star has shown potential when healthy during his first three years with the Bills, but that's simply been one of the biggest issues for Watkins in the passing game.
By only appearing in 21 of 32 games over the last two years, the last thing Buffalo can afford to deal with is constantly worrying about the health status of their No. 1 wideout. But now that he's going to be playing with extra motivation for the potential of a new deal, maybe this is the situation Watkins needed to finally get the ball rolling for the Bills on offense.
May 26, 2017; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) works out as Jacksonville Jaguars strong safety James Sample (23) defends during organized team activities at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
Will this finally be the year where the Jacksonville Jaguars emerge from the bottom of the league, and finally become contenders in the AFC? This always seems to be a popular question around this time over the last few years, but with the addition of Leonard Fournette in the backfield, the Jaguars may finally live up to the hype for a change.
Blake Borltes has taken most of the heat over the last few years for Jacksonville's inability to live up to their potential on offense, but the argument can be made the quarterback deserves some benefit of the doubt for not having the proper help in the backfield. By having a workhorse to work with in Fournette, the running back's presence will hopefully take some of the pressure off Bortles while helping get the most out of the Jaguars on offense.
If his time at LSU is any indication of what to expect, a rookie running back like Fournette should have no issue with receiving around 20-25 carries per game. And if that does end up happening, maybe Jacksonville's offense will become more consistent instead of waiting until garbage time late in the second half to finally start putting up points.
Jun 13, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) looks to catch a pass during mini camp at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
25. Los Angeles Chargers
Over the last two seasons, the Los Angeles Chargers have been one of the biggest victims to the injury bug when examining how many key players they were missing on both sides of the football. But with a fresh start in a new city, the Chargers hope to put the last two seasons behind them, and finally become contenders in the AFC once again.
Philip Rivers has always proven to be one of the most competitive quarterbacks in the league throughout his career, one of the big difference makers for Los Angeles in 2016 was the bounce-back year by running back Melvin Gordon. There was plenty of concern surrounding Gordon turning out to be a bust after failing to find the end zone even once as a rookie in 2015, but luckily the former first-round pick brushed off any concerns by finding the end zone 12 total times during his sophomore campaign.
Early signs point to Rivers and Gordon making key contributions to the offense once again, but when looking at how the rest of the AFC West is expected to shape out, Los Angeles realizes it's going to be the defense that could be the major difference. Based off the production level of Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa during their first season together, the Chargers could be in much better shape than people give them credit for.
Jun 13, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) looks on during minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Ever since the Cincinnati Bengals brought the duo of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green into the picture back in 2011, the team had put together an impressive streak of playoff appearances, that is until last year. At the beginning of the season, the Bengals were expected to be one of the team's to beat in the AFC, which failed to happen after only winning six games in 2016.
There were numerous reasons as to why Cincinnati struggled throughout the regular season last year, but at the end of the day, there's no reason why this team shouldn't bounce back this year when looking at the talent they have to work with on both sides of the football. Obviously, the duo of Dalton and Green will be key to the team's success, but using their first two picks of this year's draft on John Ross and Joe Mixon will hopefully make the offense even more dangerous.
Ross was considered one of the fastest players from this year's draft class, and if he can make the type of impact Cincinnati needs in the passing game, this could open the door up even more for Green. Now, if Marvin Lewis could help this team return to the postseason, and just figure out a way to finally win his first playoff game as head coach after seven failed attempts, that would make the Bengals feel a lot better moving forward.
Jun 13, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Adrian Peterson (28) during minicamp at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
23. New Orleans Saints
For whatever reason, Brandin Cooks became unhappy with his role on offense with the New Orleans Saints, which resulted in the team shipping him off to the New England Patriots this offseason in exchange for a first-round pick. But thanks to the surprise level of impact made by Michael Thomas (92 catches for 1,137 yards with nine touchdowns) during his first NFL season, the Saints should be just fine in the long run.
As long as Drew Brees manages to stay healthy, New Orleans is always going to have the potential to have one of the most high-powered offenses in the NFL. And to help the unit build off from last year, the team brought Adrian Peterson on board to compliment Mark Ingram in the backfield.
Releasing Peterson in the offseason was no easy decision for the Minnesota Vikings when looking at everything the running back accomplished over the years, but one team's loss is another team's gain, as the Saints can't wait to use him on offense. Minnesota may have been concerned over Peterson's age, but based off the work he's put in over the last few months, the veteran seems motivated more than ever to prove to his former team they made a terrible mistake.
Jun 13, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo (74) practices during the Indianapolis Colts Minicamp at Indiana Farm Bureau Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
22. Indianapolis Colts
After failing to win the AFC South in each of the last two seasons, the pressure is on the Indianapolis Colts to come back stronger than ever this upcoming season with plenty on the line. Most head coaches in the situation Chuck Pagano finds himself in would have been fired a long time ago, and if the Colts fail to reach the playoffs for a third year in a row, it really wouldn't be a surprise if the team ended up parting ways.
Keep in mind that it wasn't too long ago when Indianapolis winning the division almost seemed like a lock at the beginning of each year, but a lot has changed this time around when looking at the progress surrounding the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans in 2016. In fact, it wouldn't be a surprise at all if the AFC South ended up being one of the toughest divisions in the NFL to play in.
How far this Indianapolis team can go will fall on the shoulders of Andrew Luck, who may not even be ready to go in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery. If that does happen to be the case, it would certainly make for a challenging start to the regular season.
Jun 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws a pass during minicamp at Redskins Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
21. Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins controlled their own playoff destiny heading into Week 17 last year before losing at home to the New York Giants, and ruining any chance of extending their season. A few months later, there's no telling what to really expect from the Redskins since Kirk Cousins lost two his top playmakers on offense in DeSean Jackson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Pierre Garcon (San Francisco 49ers).
Speaking of Cousins, it will be interesting to see how the next few months pan out for the quarterback when looking at how much time he's spent this offseason fighting for a long-term deal. Cousins has every reason in the world to feel frustrated towards the organization since the Redskins have used the franchise tag on him for two years in a row, and depending on what happens this season, it will be interesting to see what happens next year.
There's already been plenty of speculation surrounding the possibility of Cousins bolting Washington in free agency if they fail to reach a long-term deal, and if that does happen, it could set the team back even more when it comes to being contenders in the NFC. On a positive note, at least losing Jackson and Garcon will be easier to adjust to with Terrelle Pryor coming on board as the new No. 1 wideout.
May 16, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson during team OTA workouts at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
20. Arizona Cardinals
Around this time last year, the Arizona Cardinals were licking their chops at another chance for a run at the Super Bowl after they being embarrassed by the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship the season before. Instead, the Cardinals failed to overcome a disastrous start to the season, and never even had a shot at redemption after failing to even earn a spot in the postseason.
This time around, Arizona finds themselves in a similar situation since on paper, they seem to have the potential of being a serious contender in the NFC. With a high-powered offense led by Carson Palmer along with a stellar defense thanks to key playmakers like Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu, the Cardinals may have the best chance of overtaking the Seattle Seahawks to finish on top of the NFC West.
With Father Time slowly creeping up on Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona realizes their gap to making another Super Bowl run with this current squad is coming to a close, and the time to win is now. The last thing the Cardinals want to see happen is look back wondering what could have been with this talented squad that failed to live up to expectations, so let's hope the results are much better than last year for Bruce Arians and company.
Jun 13, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) during Mini Camp held at Carolina Panthers Practice Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
19. Carolina Panthers
Similar to the Arizona Cardinals, the Carolina Panthers were considered an early favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl after reaching the big game the previous season, only to fall short against the Denver Broncos. But just like the Cardinals, the Panthers turned out to be one of the biggest disappointments from the 2016 season after falling short of even earning a spot in the playoffs by only winning six games.
How far this Carolina team will go in 2017 will fall on the shoulders of Cam Newton during his recovery progress after the quarterback had rotator cuff surgery this offseason. Luckily for the Panthers, if Newton's competitive nature is any indication on where he stands entering Week 1, the former MVP will be ready to go for his team that first Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Having a healthy Luke Kuechly is going to make a huge difference for Carolina's defense, but on the other side of the football, all eyes will be on rookie running back Christian McCaffrey. Newton has developed quite the chemistry over the years with tight end Greg Olsen, but don't be surprised if the former Stanford standout quickly takes over that role since McCaffrey is capable of being a dangerous threat in multiple positions for the Panthers, whether that ends up being in the backfield or simply the slot.
Jun 13, 2017; Eden Prarie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) and quarterback Sam Bradford (8) drop back to pass at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, MN. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
18. Minnesota Vikings
Unfortunately for the Minnesota Vikings, the team was in a tough position right before Week 1 of the 2016 season after losing Teddy Bridgewater. Give the Vikings credit for pulling the trigger on surrendering a first-round in exchange for Sam Bradford to help them remain serious contenders in the NFC, and it seemed to be working out just fine until they suffered numerous key injuries on both sides of the football.
Once again, Minnesota seems capable of being one of the teams to beat in the NFC, but it's going to take some time adjusting to the team no longer having Adrian Peterson, who was released this offseason, in the picture. From a financial standpoint, it makes sense why the Vikings decided to move on from one of the most explosive running backs of all time, but at least the team addressed their need at running back through free agency and this year's draft.
Not only did Minnesota convince Latavius Murray to come on board after spending the first four years of his career as a member of the Oakland Raiders, but the Vikings hope the running back becomes the ultimate duo with Dalvin Cook in the backfield. If that does end up happening, Minnesota's offense will be in great shape heading into Week 1 against Peterson's new team, the New Orleans Saints.
May 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) speaks to the media after the organized team activities at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
17. Baltimore Ravens
A few weeks ago, there were some concerns over the offense of the Baltimore Ravens since Joe Flacco lost Steve Smith (retirement) and Dennis Pitta (injury) as two reliable weapons to work with in the passing game. But thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs making the surprise decision to release Jeremy Maclin a few weeks ago, it looks like Flacco is going to have another weapon to work with, assuming the veteran wideout can bounce back from last year's frustrating performance.
Even though Maclin seems confident there's no reason for concern over the fact he only caught 44 passes for 536 yards with two touchdowns, Baltimore hopes this low risk turns into a high reward when seeing some of his numbers from the past. Let's not forget this is the same wideout who caught 172 passes during the two previous seasons prior to 2016 while finding the end zone a total of 18 times, meaning the potential for Maclin to shine is definitely there for the Ravens.
Baltimore watched their playoff dreams get ripped away by the Pittsburgh Steelers towards the end of the 2016 season, and with an already stellar defense, it's going to be the Ravens offense that could end up being the deciding factor on this team's success. Chances are it's going to be Pittsburgh standing in the way of Baltimore making a run for the AFC North title once again, and at least with Maclin, their odds to win increase.
Jun 14, 2017; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) and wide receiver TJ Jones (13) walk off the field after practice at Lions Headquarters and Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
16. Detroit Lions
All hope seemed lost for the Detroit Lions at the start of the 2016 season following a 1-3 start, but this team managed to turn their year around by being one of the most dangerous teams to face in the fourth quarter, and eventually earned a Wild Card spot in the NFC playoffs. In fact, the Lions were in contention for winning the NFC North before letting their lead slip away to the Green Bay Packers by losing their final three regular season games.
Still, what Detroit was able to accomplish last season was simply phenomenal when consider most analysts gave them zero chance of competing since Matthew Stafford would be playing his first year without Calvin Johnson following his surprise announcement of retirement. But that's one of the great things about having a quarterback like Stafford is he's always been the type of leader who makes the players around him better.
Competing with the Packers and Minnesota Vikings for the division title may not be the easiest task in the world, but if any team is up for the challenge, it's the Lions. Last year's results were anything but a fluke for Stafford's squad, and if all goes according to plan, Detroit should be one of the playoff contenders in the NFC for the second year in a row.
Jun 13, 2017; Davie, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (left) listens to Dolphins coach Adam Gase (center) and Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (right) looks on during practice drills at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
15. Miami Dolphins
Coincidentally, the Miami Dolphins were another team that happened to overcome a poor start before earning a spot in the playoffs. The only difference when compared to the Detroit Lions is the Dolphins finished the year 10-6 following a 1-4 start, which is beyond impressive for any team to accomplish.
As impressive as this run was for Miami, one can only imagine what would have happened if Ryan Tannehill didn't suffer an injury before the end of the regular season to give them a fighting chance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round. However, the good news for the Dolphins is all signs point to Tannehill returning to his form from last year, and when seeing the type of weapons he gets to work with, there's plenty of reason for excitement when it comes to the potential surrounding this offense.
Not only did Miami convince Kenny Stills to return after testing the free agency market, but Jarvis Landry continues to see his stock on the rise when it comes to some of the top receivers in the league. For a team playing in the same division as the New England Patriots, the Dolphins will need as much help as possible on offense if this team has any intention of making another playoff run.
Jun 13, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) throws the ball during mini camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
14. Philadelphia Eagles
Talk about a turn of events last season for the Philadelphia Eagles when considering the original plan was for Carson Wentz to learn from the sidelines as a rookie before the team ended up trading Sam Bradford prior to Week 1, making him the official starter. Overall, Wentz's rookie year was pretty solid with the Eagles, but it was no secret a lack of supporting cast seemed to be holding the quarterback from hitting his true value.
Thanks to a successful offseason, Wentz's sophomore season should see much improvement after the team boosted their receiving corps by signing arguably the top wideout from free agency in Alshon Jeffery along with a reliable deep threat in Torrey Smith. And just went it seemed like Philadelphia was done, the team ended up being the surprise winner of the LeGarrette Blount sweepstakes a few weeks after the conclusion of the draft.
With all of these new weapons to work with, it's going to be tough to defend Wentz if he struggles in 2017, but based off what he's displayed over the last few months, that shouldn't be an issue. Don't look now, but the Eagles could be one of the surprise teams ready to make the leap to becoming playoff contenders in the NFC.
Jun 13, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) and linebacker Justin Houston (50) leave the field after the mini camp at University of Kansas Health System Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
13. Kansas City Chiefs
Earlier on, it was discussed how the Baltimore Ravens received an unexpected surprise this late in the offseason by landing Jeremy Maclin to a two-year deal to provide a boost to the passing game for Joe Flacco. Of course, none of this would have been able to happen if it wasn't for the Kansas City Chiefs deciding to release the veteran wideout out of the blue, especially when looking at their offensive struggles from a year ago.
Despite earning the No. 2 seed in the AFC last year thanks to having one of the best defenses in the league, it was the offense that held the Chiefs back from having a better chance at competing against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs. Think about it, most teams who prevent an opponent from scoring a single touchdown like Kansas City did against Pittsburgh should have no issue with advancing to the next round, but Andy Reid's squad did.
Moving on from Maclin will certainly open up the door for Alex Smith to use Tyreek Hill more, but only time will tell when it comes to whether this ends up being a decision the team will end up regretting. If anything, the Chiefs should have at least considered a possible discussion with Maclin about restructuring his contract.
Jun 13, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) during OTA at St Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
12. Tennessee Titans
All of a sudden, the Tennessee Titans are being considered one of the top teams to keep an eye on this season when it comes to making a huge leap by becoming serious contenders. Keep in mind the Titans nearly won the division last season before the Houston Texans would eventually go on to win the title, but that doesn't mean the team shouldn't feel confident about their current chances.
In just two seasons, Marcus Mariota has already proven to be the type of quarterback who only gets better with experience, and thanks to a revamped offense, the former Oregon star could be in for his best season yet. Not only did Tennessee benefit from landing Corey Davis thanks to an extra first-round pick from the Los Angeles Rams in this year's draft, but rookie Taywan Taylor looks like he could become one of the biggest steals from the third round as well.
Even the defense was fortunate enough to land one of this year's top cornerbacks from the draft in Adoree' Jackson as their second selection in the first round. By playing in the same division as one of the top defenses the league has to offer in the Houston Texans, the Titans defense will need to be on top of their game if they truly want to compete for the division title.
Jun 13, 2017; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) and outside linebacker Vontarrius Dora (59) walk off the field during minicamp at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
11. Denver Broncos
One year after winning the Super Bowl thanks to Von Miller helping lead one of the greatest defenses of all time, the Denver Broncos were expected to make a serious run at defending their title last season. And while everything seemed to be going well at first following a 6-2 start before the struggles of not having a reliable quarterback leading the offense would eventually catch up to the Broncos.
Trevor Siemian ended up starting 14 of 16 games for Denver in 2016, and while he wasn't all that terrible, it was obvious the quarterback still had plenty of areas in need of improvement. In fact, despite Siemian's decent case for being the quarterback of the future for this squad, the Broncos could end up with one of the most interesting battles once training camp roles around thanks to Paxton Lynch.
Whoever does end up winning the starting job, at least they will be fortunate enough to work with a dynamic duo at wide receiver in Demaryius Thomas and Emmnauel Sanders. Denver's playoff hopes may have been crushed a year ago, but the team seems to be a likely candidate for a bounce-back season in 2017 by making another playoff run.
Jun 13, 2017; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) walks back to the locker room following a minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
10. Seattle Seahawks
Richard Sherman has been quite the popular topic of discussion this offseason with the Seattle Seahawks between the trade talks and rumors swirling about him being unhappy with some of his teammates. But at the end of the day, Sherman has made it clear that none of those rumors happen to be true, and the Seahawks have no intention of shipping their cornerback off in a trade, even if he is coming off a down year.
Normally, Seattle has established a reputation for having one of the scariest defenses in the league for opponents to matchup against, but they didn't seem as fierce during the 2016 season. As bad as it sounds, there were plenty of opponents who had no problems picking apart the defense when it mattered the most, such as the Atlanta Falcons in the postseason.
However, what happened last year is the past, and there's every reason in the world to believe the Seahawks deserve consideration for being one of the teams to beat in the NFC. Plus, Seattle's odds of making a run in the conference hit a completely different level since Russell Wilson will be entering the season healthier than last year when he was dealing with numerous injuries.
Jun 14, 2017; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) huddles up with wide receiver Mike Evans (13), wide receiver DeSean Jackson (1), running back Doug Martin (22) and teammates at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
How does a team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who fell just shy of reaching the playoffs last season, get even stronger on offense during the offense? The team goes out and finds more dangerous weapons for Jamies Winston to work with on offense to increase their playoff chances, that's how.
At the start of free agency, the Buccaneers had their eyes set on landing one of the league's top deep threats in DeSean Jackson when looking at how effective he was under the Washington Redskins the last two years working with Kirk Cousins. Tampa Bay was already fortunate enough to have one of the league's toughest receivers to cover in Mike Evans due to his enormous size and strength, but throwing Jackson into the picture helps the offense even more.
To top it off, the Buccaneers made a splash in the draft as well by selecting two more effective playmakers in O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin. Tampa Bay may have been disappointed with the way their season came to an end last year after missing out on the playoffs, but if the last few months are any indication of what's in store for 2017, that shouldn't be the case this time.
May 23, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) walks with the ball during OTA practices at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
8. Houston Texans
Thank goodness the Houston Texans were able to find a trade partner for Brock Osweiler after one disastrous season in which he ended up throwing more interceptions than touchdown passes. SIgning Osweiler to that ridiculous of a contract was easily one of the biggest regrets by the Texans last offseason, but at least they no longer have to worry about him thanks to the Cleveland Browns.
As for which player will be lining up under center for Houston in 2017, Tom Savage seems to be the likely candidate over Deshaun Watson, but anything could happen over the next few months heading into training camp. Savage may have looked impressive at times during limited action at the end of last year, but the quarterback still has a long way to go when it comes to proving he has what it takes to be an effective starter at the NFL level.
Not to mention, the Texans wouldn't have traded up in the first round to land Watson in this year's draft if they didn't seem some sort of potential for developing into a franchise quarterback. At least for a team like Houston with a history of quarterback issues over the last few seasons, they have two options to consider for a change.
Jun 13, 2017; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) reacts during minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
7. Oakland Raiders
With the move to Las Vegas in sight, the Oakland Raiders would love nothing more than to give their fans in California a Super Bowl, and after seeing what happened last year, the chances of that actually happening don't seem that crazy. The Raiders offense was already loaded with talent thanks to Derek Carr having one of the league's top duos to work with in Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, but just imagine what could happen if Marshawn Lynch returns to his old ways of zipping through defenders.
It only took one year away from football for Lynch to realize how much he missed the game, but it also should be noted that one of his reasons to come out of retirement was for the fans. Lynch realizes how tough the move to Las Vegas is going to be for Oakland fans, and if he can help make the dream of bringing the city a Super Bowl come true before that happens, it would make one incredible story.
As for the rest of the Raiders offense, all eyes will be on Carr, and whether he can return to playing at the MVP level from last year before going down with a leg injury. Expectations for Oakland haven't been this high in a long time before the start of the regular season, and hopefully Carr comes through by helping the team live up to the hype.
June 6, 2016; Green Bay, WS, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the team's organized team activities. Mandatory credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK
6. Green Bay Packers
Heartbreaking doesn't even begin to describe what the Green Bay Packers must have been feeling last January when they lost to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship last January when considering many believed they were the hottest team entering the big game. At the end of the day, the Falcons offense was just too much to handle for the Packers. But that doesn't mean Aaron Rodgers and company aren't capable of making another run in 2017.
For starters, Rodgers has always been considered one of the most competitive quarterbacks in the league, and after seeing how his season ended in January, chances are he's going to be motivated more than ever to et his team back in that position. At the beginning of each season, Rodgers is always considered an early favorite to be in consideration for the MVP award, and as long as he can remain healthy, chances are that will be the case once again, as Green Bay looks to defend their NFC North title.
Of course, the one concern for the Packers could end up being the lack of support in the ground game since Eddie Lacy is now a member of the Seattle Seahawks. Ty Montgomery may seem up for the challenge of handling the responsibilities of the No. 1 running back, but until proving he can handle the duties for a full season, it's going to be a concern for Green Bay.
Jun 13, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) and wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) talk during mini camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
5. New York Giants
Despite only earning a Wild Card in the NFC playoffs, the New York Giants were the one team that gave the Dallas Cowboys all sorts of problems during the regular season, and after a successful offseason, they seem ready to give their rivals a run for the division title. Even though the offense has been the key to their success over the years, it was the Giants' defense that ended up being the difference maker for this team last season.
There's no question that New York's defense will certainly come in handy when facing the high-powered offense Dallas brings to the table, but if they're going to set themselves apart from the rest of the teams in the league, it's going to be the key additions to the offense that could end up being the deciding factor.
Eli Manning already had one of the league's most explosive receivers to work with in Odell Beckham Jr. along with another young wideout who showed potential as a rookie in Sterling Shepard, but imagine this deadly offense now that Brandon Marshall is part of the picture. At first, the thought of two hot heads in Beckham and Marshall playing together seems like a nightmare, but from a talent perspective, it's going to seem almost impossible to stop the Giants' offense at times if all goes according to plan.
Jun 13, 2017; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws on the run during minicamp at The Star at Cowboys World Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
4. Dallas Cowboys
The 2016 season was filled with plenty of surprise teams emerging out of nowhere to become serious contenders, but it's tough to top what the Dallas Cowboys managed to accomplish one year after finishing with a 4-12 record. To see the Cowboys finish with the best record in the NFC while being led by two rookies in Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott was unbelievable to witness, as these two youngsters seem to be just scratching the surface of what should be promising careers.
Dallas already knew they were getting someone special in Elliott after seeing everything he accomplished at Ohio State, but nobody expected a mid-round pick like Prescott to burst on the scene like he did while eventually convincing the team to move on from Tony Romo. Now that each of these players has a year of experience under their belts, the sky seems to be the limit for the Cowboys on offense.
Even if Dallas watched their Super Bowl dreams slip away to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last January, at least the team can use what happened as a learning experience. The NFC East may be tougher this time around when seeing how successful teams like the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles have been this offseason, but the Cowboys' offense is loaded enough with talent to be up for the challenge of defending their division title.
Jun 13, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) participates in drills during minicamp at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2016 season with so much talent on the offensive side of the football, they were expected to shatter numerous records. And even though they struggled at times throughout the regular season, the important factor is the Steelers were able to reach the AFC Championship, and would have competed better against the New England Patriots had Le'Veon Bell not left the game due to an injury.
At least for the Steelers, they seem like the one team in the AFC with the best chance of taking down the defending Super Bowl champions since the level of talent on offense just seems insane to think about. Everybody knows how effective Ben Roethlisberger is with Bell and Antonio Brown, but throw the return of Martavis Bryant along with drafting JuJu Smith-Schuster into the mix, Pittsburgh's some of those offensive records expected to be broken last year may end up being shattered.
Whether he wants to discuss it or not, Big Ben realizes his time as an effective quarterback in the NFL is nearing an end, and there's nothing his teammates would love more than to send him out as a winner. Of course, the only chances of that happening may come down to whether they can overtake the Patriots, so don't be surprised if the Steelers end up with another rematch in the AFC Championship once January rolls around.
Jun 13, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn (center) gives instructions during Minicamp at the Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
2. Atlanta Falcons
What the Atlanta Falcons experienced last February during their epic collapse against the New England Patriots will nearly be impossible to get over, that is unless they can find away to make another run at this year's Super Bowl. No team could ever imagine blowing a 28-3 lead that late in the second half like the Falcons did, but at least from a talent perspective, this team deserves strong consideration for being the early favorites in the NFC.
Matt Ryan is coming off an MVP season thanks to having one of the league's best hands in Julio Jones along with a dynamic backfield led by Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. There's a reason why this unit ranked at the top of the league during the regular season in 2016 by averaging 33.8 points per game, and the scary factor is if Ryan remains healthy, they could find a way to top those numbers this year.
It's certainly not going to be easy for Atlanta when seeing how the NFC South is shaping up to be from a competitive standpoint, but last year's Super Bowl run is the perfect example of what Dan Quinn's squad is capable of. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers may be standing in their way, but the Falcons are expected to be extra motivated this season on their quest for Super Bowl redemption.
Jun 13, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) works out during minicamp at Gillette Stadium practice field. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
1. New England Patriots
Not long after winning the Super Bowl last February following the epic collapse by the Atlanta Falcons, the New England Patriots were already considered strong favorites to repeat as champions. However, their Super Bowl odds found a way to hit a whole new level over the last few months thanks to numerous key additions on both sides of the football.
Of all the players who joined New England this offseason, nobody is expected to make as much of an impact as wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who came over in a trade from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a first-round pick. For a team already loaded with talent at wide receiver such as Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, and Rob Gronkowski, Cooks ability as a speedy deep threat will make this offense nearly impossible to contain.
What's even scarier to think about is Tom Brady is going to be 40 at the start of the regular season, and isn't showing any signs of being ready to call it a career. The future Hall of Fame quarterback has put together some amazing seasons throughout his career, but when looking at the receiving corps he gets to work with in 2017, this could be end up being Brady's best season of his fantastic career.
