ESPN has released it’s post-draft NFL power rankings with many risers and fallers. Who joined the elites in the NFL and who is still left looking for answers.
Biggest Jump:
Green Bay Packers: (New: 6/Previous: 13)
The Packers filled one of their biggest holes with safety Ha Ha Cilnton-Dix and added some wide receiver help in the later rounds. The Packers also benefit from a solid free agency period and the signing of Julius Peppers. As long as Aaron Rodgers is still the Packers quarterback and they belong in the top 10.
Atlanta Falcons: (New: 14/Previous: 26)
The Falcons get a very generous bump after their 4-12 campaign in 2013 due to the fact that many of their star players are returning from injury. The addition of Jake Matthews will keep Matt Ryan standing tall, but can the rest of the team follow suit? The Falcons still lack a adequate pass rush by the NFL's standards.
Houston Texans: (New: 26/Previous: 32)
The Texans aren't the worst team in the league after the draft and it still baffles the mind to think they had the No. 1 pick with their talent level. The Texans have a quarterback project in Tom Savage and will likely go into the season with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starter. The Texans defense should be much improved and the offense still has plenty of weapons at it's disposal.
Biggest Drop:
Carolina Panthers: (New: 11/Previous: 3)
The Panthers lost a ton of talent on both sides of the ball and don't even look like the same team at many positions. The receiver core was never anything to write home about, but the secondary and offensive line were crushed by free agency and players retiring. I am a little surprised the Panthers didn't drop further than No. 11.
Miami Dolphins: (New: 24/Previous: 18)
The Dolphins have the task of rebuilding an offensive line that has to replace five lineman who played a load of snaps in 2013. The rebuild is off and running as they signed Branden Albert and drafted Ja’Wuan James with their first pick. Keeping Ryan Tannehill on his feet has to be priority one going forward.
Kansas City Chiefs: (New: 15/Previous: 10)
The Chiefs have issues at the receiver position and also have some interior offensive line problems. The Chiefs also have the issue of signing Alex Smith to an extension, a task that apparently isn't going too well. Will the Chiefs dip into rebuild mode by letting Aaron Murray be the face of the franchise in 2015?
[ESPN]
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