Not a lot changed after the fourth week of preseason games. We saw very little of the starters, if any at all and watching teams second, third and fourth strings aren’t going to change their draft position much. So I’ll keep it short and sweet this week and give you an early look at the potential draft order for next year.
32. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have the best roster in the NFL in my opinion. Marshawn Lynch is a beast and their defense is elite. Their receiving core isn’t great, but they can make plays. The biggest question is whether Russell Wilson takes a step back now teams have tape on him.
31. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are a young, talented team that looks ready to take that next step. However, whether they take the next step is on the shoulders of Andy Dalton. Can he take the next step in his third season?
30. San Francisco 49ers
The Super Bowl runner up last year will have to play at least the beginning of the season without its number one receiver Michael Crabtree. Will teams figure Colin Kaepernick out now that they have tape on him? Will the 49ers pass defense get any better?
29. Denver Broncos
The Broncos have to survive the early part of the season without Elvis Dumervil who now resides in Baltimore and Von Miller who is suspended for six games. Peyton Manning is another year older, when will his decline begin?
28. New Orleans Saints
The Saints didn’t make the playoffs last year, but they also didn’t have Sean Payton on the sidelines. The defense is switching to a 3-4 and has to be better than last year. Rob Ryan was a very good acquisition as defensive coordinator this offseason.
27. New England Patriots
A lot of people are down on the Patriots this year, but I’m not buying it. As long as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are the quarterback and the Head Coach they are the favorites in that division.
26. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have elite skill players and an elite quarterback, but like the Packers they have a poor offensive line. They also need their pass rush to step up because their secondary has been beat a lot this preseason.
25. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans will go as far as Matt Schaub takes them. They have an elite defense and running game. They added a second receiver in DeAndre Hopkins to give Schaub more options. It’s time for Schaub to get it done.
24. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are an Aaron Rodgers injury away from picking top 5. They still have a talented group of receivers and Eddie Lacy has looked impressive, but their offensive line is still just plain not very good.
23. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are another team I almost took out of the playoffs. They have holes and question marks all over their roster. However, Andrew Luck led them to the playoffs last year and you have to think he will be better this year.
22. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have as much offensive fire power as anyone in the NFL, but Tony Romo has a way of throwing games away. On defense, they are switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3, which usually takes teams a while to completely adjust too.
21. Baltimore Ravens
I almost had the Chiefs in the playoffs over the Ravens, but gave the defending champs the benefit of the doubt. They lost a lot of players this offseason and it’s hard for a team to gel in its first season with a lot of new players.
20. St. Louis Rams (Via Washington Redskins)
The Redskins are another team that could make it into the playoffs from the NFC East. If Robert Griffin III can stay healthy, that is a very dangerous offense.
19. Chicago Bears
The Bears have a new head coach, a new offense and a new middle linebacker. If the offensive line can protect Jay Cutler, they have a dangerous offense. If not? Well, Cutler may want to find a new team next year.
18. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs might have as much talent throughout their team as anyone in the NFL. This team is going to come down to two things, staying healthy and Alex Smith. If both work out well, they can battle Denver for that division.
17. St. Louis Rams
The Rams have the misfortune of being in the same division as Seattle and San Francisco. The Rams defense is the real deal, but this is a make-or-break year for Sam Bradford. If he steps up, they could win that final wild card spot.
16. New York Giants
The Giants are a team that could end up picking a lot later if their pass rush steps up this year. The NFC East is wide open and if the Giants can get into the playoffs, we have all seen what they can do.
15. Detroit Lions
The Lions should again have a high powered offense and adding Reggie Bush can only help. However, they still don’t have a second receiver or a defensive secondary. The defensive line will have to get a lot of pressure.
14. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles offense is looking high powered, but their defense looks poor. Unless they can step up on the defensive side of the ball, they still won’t be a good team.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are still the Steelers, but they have a lot of problems on their team this year. Their offensive line is bad, their running backs are uninspiring and they have a lot of new pieces on defense.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson will try and carry the team like he did last year, but that type of season is nearly impossible to replicate. Christian Ponder will have to take a big step up this year.
11. Carolina Panthers
New year, same story forCam Newton. Steve Smith is another year older and Newton still has no second option at receiver. The defense should be better though.
10. Tennessee Titans
The Titans season falls onto the shoulders of Jake Locker. He has the offensive line, running backs and receivers to be great. Does he have the talent?
9. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have been a hot pick to unseat the Patriots in the AFC East. Unless they find a new left tackle or Jonathan Martin decides to be decent, that won’t happen.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The success of this team will depend on which Josh Freeman they get. The good Freeman means they probably battle for a playoff spot. The bad Josh Freeman, well he gets them picking eighth.
7. Buffalo Bills
E.J. Manuel is back at practice, so it looks like he will probably start week one. The Bills have talent at the skill positions if the offensive line and the defense can hold up.
6. Cleveland Browns
The Browns are a team that could be much better than this, but I’m not sold on Brandon Weeden and I think the change from a 4-3 to a 3-4 takes them a year to really get adjusted.
5. San Diego Chargers
The Chargers have a lot of problems. Their offensive line is, well offensive and their skill players don’t strike a lot of fear in anyone. Philip Rivers is a very good quarterback though and will win them some games.
4. Arizona Cardinals
The offensive line is the question here. If they can protect the statue that is Carson Palmer, they won’t be this bad. I don’t expect them to protect Palmer very well.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Another team with a bad quarterback at the top of the draft, I’m sensing a theme here. The Jaguars do at least have Maurice Jones-Drew to fall back on and some talent at receiver.
2. New York Jets
The Jets quarterback situation is not what you want to see and they have little talent at the skill positions. On defense, their front three has a lot of talent, but it will only be able to do so much.
1. Oakland Raiders
I’ve flipped on the Raiders and Jets over and over, but I believe the Raiders have a worse roster as a whole. Terrelle Pryor didn’t look good in week four, but I expect him to get the start. Unless he can be Superman, the Raiders will be really bad.