Post free agency power rankings

[CGI_Ram]

Patriots, Panthers at the top of post-free-agency Power Rankings
By ESPN.com

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15064 ... r-rankings

Free agency was fast and furious -- as usual -- and the NFL landscape saw significant change.

Just look at the defending champion Broncos. Brock Osweiler left for Houston, Mark Sanchez now appears to be Peyton Manning's successor, and two of the team's top defenders -- Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan -- also departed for free-agent riches.

Will the Texans' gamble on Osweiler pay off? Did other big spenders, such as the Giants, Jaguars and Raiders, move closer to contention?

We'll find out later in the year. For now, we can only speculate. Below is how our smaller-than-usual panel of experts (29 voters) see the NFL hierarchy now that free agency has mostly subsided.

Click here to see the post-Super Bowl edition

1. New England Patriots

2015 record: 12-4
Voting results: 898 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 2

Stats & Information's take: The Patriots struggled without Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman last season. The fix? Acquiring Martellus Bennett, Chris Hogan and Nate Washington.

2. Carolina Panthers

2015 record: 15-1
Voting results: 874 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 1

Stats & Information's take: The Panthers went 15-1 last season and made the Super Bowl, and there hasn't been much turnover this offseason. Punter Brad Nortman is the only player who has signed elsewhere.

3. Arizona Cardinals

2015 record: 13-3
Voting results: 864 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 4

Stats & Information's take: The trade for Chandler Jones will give the Cardinals a needed boost in the pass rush. Dwight Freeney led the team in sacks (8.0) last season and didn't even play until Week 6.

4. Seattle Seahawks

2015 record: 10-6
Voting results: 828 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 3

Stats & Information's take: The Seahawks lost three offensive linemen this offseason (and added one). This is either a bad thing or a good thing. Russell Wilson has been sacked 164 times in his career, second most since 2012.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

2015 record: 10-6
Voting results: 788 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 6

Stats & Information's take: Pittsburgh's biggest loss this offseason was TE Heath Miller, who retired. The Steelers replaced him with Chargers TE Ladarius Green, who has caught 67 percent of his targets the past two seasons.

6. Green Bay Packers

2015 record: 10-6
Voting results: 786 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 7

Stats & Information's take: The Packers don't do much in free agency, but signing Jared Cook gives Aaron Rodgers a big pass-catching option. Packers tight ends ranked 27th in receiving yards last season.

7. Denver Broncos

2015 record: 12-4
Voting results: 757 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 5

Stats & Information's take: The Broncos won Super Bowl 50, but the offseason has been all about departures. Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler, Malik Jackson, Danny Trevathan, Ryan Harris and Evan Mathis are all gone.

8. Cincinnati Bengals

2015 record: 12-4
Voting results: 743 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 8

Stats & Information's take: The only free agent the Bengals have signed from another team this offseason is safety Taylor Mays, who played for the Bengals from 2011-14.

9. Kansas City Chiefs

2015 record: 11-5
Voting results: 662 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 9

Stats & Information's take: Not a great offseason for Kansas City so far. The team lost two draft picks for tampering and lost two offensive linemen and CB Sean Smith in free agency. Plus, Justin Houston might miss 2016 after having ACL surgery in February.

10. Minnesota Vikings

2015 record: 11-5
Voting results: 643 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 10

Stats & Information's take: The Vikings are trying to rebuild the offensive line with the signings of Alex Boone and Andre Smith. No quarterback was pressured more often than Teddy Bridgewater last season (37 percent of dropbacks).

11. Indianapolis Colts

2015 record: 8-8
Voting results: 581 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 11

Stats & Information's take: Cornerback Patrick Robinson was the Colts' only notable signing as Indy works on a new deal for Andrew Luck. The Colts were 2-5 WITH Luck starting last season.

12. Houston Texans

2015 record: 9-7
Voting results: 560 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 14

Stats & Information's take: The Texans are hoping Brock Osweiler can go from backup to star. Just like they hoped with Ryan Mallett and Matt Schaub. It worked with Schaub. Mallett? Not so much.

13. Dallas Cowboys

2015 record: 4-12
Voting results: 525 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 13

Stats & Information's take: The signing of Alfred Morris could add some consistency and insurance to the Cowboys' running game. Darren McFadden rushed for 1,000 yards last season, but has never had consecutive seasons with 200-plus rushes.

14. Baltimore Ravens

2015 record: 5-11
Voting results: 511 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 16

Stats & Information's take: Joe Flacco is going to have an interesting group of receivers next season. The Ravens added Mike Wallace (will be 30) and Ben Watson (35), and Steve Smith and Breshad Perriman both return from injuries.

15. New York Jets

2015 record: 10-6
Voting results: 486 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 12

Stats & Information's take: Matt Forte was a nice addition, but he doesn't play quarterback. Will the Jets cave and sign Ryan Fitzpatrick, who set the franchise record for passing touchdowns last season (31)?

16. Oakland Raiders

2015 record: 7-9
Voting results: 474 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 19

Stats & Information's take: Khalil Mack got some pass-rushing help as the Raiders signed Bruce Irvin from Seattle. Mack was the only Raider with more than 4.0 sacks last season.

17. Washington Redskins

2015 record: 9-7
Voting results: 473 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 15

Stats & Information's take: The Redskins' roster will head into next season mostly unchanged as the team tries to make the playoffs for the second straight year, something it hasn't done since 1990-92.

18. Atlanta Falcons

2015 record: 8-8
Voting results: 422 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 17

Stats & Information's take: Alex Mack could be the under-the-radar signing of the offseason. The Browns averaged 4.1 yards per rush the past two seasons with Mack on the field (3.3 with him off the field).

19. New York Giants

2015 record: 6-10
Voting results: 392 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 21

Stats & Information's take: Can the Giants' spending spree fix the defense? Olivier Vernon, Janoris Jenkins and Damon Harrison cost $105 million guaranteed and will look to improve a defense that allowed the third-most points last season.

20. Philadelphia Eagles

2015 record: 7-9
Voting results: 368 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 20

Stats & Information's take: Sam Bradford is back at quarterback and Chase Daniel is now the backup. There's a good chance Daniel will play, too: Bradford has missed 33 games in his six-year career, including two last season.

21. Buffalo Bills

2015 record: 8-8
Voting results: 365 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 18

Stats & Information's take: The Bills don't have much cap space, and it shows. Their two free-agent signings -- safety Robert Blanton and TE Jim Dray -- combined to play 641 snaps last season.

22. New Orleans Saints

2015 record: 7-9
Voting results: 329 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 22

Stats & Information's take: Upcoming extensions for Asshole Face and Drew Brees are good news for the Saints. The bad news is the Saints allowed 29.8 points per game last season, worst in the NFL.

23. Miami Dolphins

2015 record: 6-10
Voting results: 292 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 24

Stats & Information's take: Wholesale changes for the Dolphins' defense this offseason: Four players who played 500-plus snaps for Miami's defense last season are gone. Five players with as many snaps for other teams are in.

24. Chicago Bears

2015 record: 6-10
Voting results: 275 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 26

Stats & Information's take: Jay Cutler had a career 76.2 completion percentage targeting Matt Forte and Martellus Bennett combined. Both players now call the AFC East home.

25. Detroit Lions

2015 record: 7-9
Voting results: 272 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 23

Stats & Information's take: Marvin Jones and Jeremy Kerley are fine wide receivers, but will they be able to fill the void left by Calvin Johnson's retirement? Jones and Kerley combined for 968 yards last season, 246 fewer than Johnson.

26. San Diego Chargers

2015 record: 4-12
Voting results: 266 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 27

Stats & Information's take: Brandon Mebane has been the only addition for the Chargers on the offensive or defensive line. San Diego ranked last in yards per rush and 30th in yards per rush allowed last season.

27. Los Angeles Rams

2015 record: 7-9
Voting results: 251 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 25

Stats & Information's take: Welcome back to Los Angeles! The Rams' gift to the fans of L.A. is Case Keenum (5-10 career) being named starting quarterback, and the loss of four defensive starters.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2015 record: 6-10
Voting results: 204 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 28

Stats & Information's take: The Buccaneers allowed opponents to complete 70 percent of their passes last season. Cornerback Brent Grimes will help lower that, but the Bucs will need to find more secondary help in the draft.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

2015 record: 5-11
Voting results: 194 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 29

Stats & Information's take: Are the Jags trying to become Denver Southeast? They've grabbed a key Broncos free agent each of the past three offseasons (Malik Jackson, Julius Thomas, Zane Beadles).

30. San Francisco 49ers

2015 record: 5-11
Voting results: 110 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 30

Stats & Information's take: Will Colin Kaepernick be on the roster come April 1, when his contract becomes guaranteed for the season?

31. Tennessee Titans

2015 record: 3-13
Voting results: 83 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 31

Stats & Information's take: Help for Marcus Mariota appears to be the priority, as the Titans acquired RB DeMarco Murray, WR Rishard Matthews and C Ben Jones.

32. Cleveland Browns

2015 record: 3-13
Voting results: 36 points
Post-Super Bowl ranking: No. 32

Stats & Information's take: The Browns signed Robert Griffin III and could select a quarterback second overall in the draft. Sounds as though Cleveland will be using its 25th starting quarterback since 1999 (and maybe 26th).

 

[gabriel18]

Wow , no faith in us . Wait and see I guess

 

[BuffaloRam]

It is a feed of horseshit

 

[CGI_Ram]

It is a feed of horseshit

Tell us how you really feel.

 

[AllGasNoBrakes]

I feel like re-signing Barron, Hayes, and Sims are underrated by others around the league. Snead and Fisher having the cajones to cut JL55 and Chris Long was also a big PLUS move for us. Not falling for the trap of giving Jenkins 12.5 mil/yr and McLeod 7.5 mil/yr were also good moves. Last, I think the Coples signing is absolutely great value. At worst he's a good depth player at multiple positions, at best he lives up to his 1st round potential in the GW scheme.

My biggest concern of the offseason is the precedent set that we can't get our players locked up before the FA period. I'm giving Snead and Fisher the benefit of the doubt with the whole moving situation but they HAVE to get guys like Brockers and Austin worked out before other teams can poach our developed talent...

 

[Loyal]

The people that make these lists have no fukking clue. Losing Chris Long and James L. is a PLUS. We'll miss McCloud and Jenkins a bit, but we have solid back ups for both. It's like they purposefully go for stupid when releasing this crap.uke:

 

[Akrasian]

Let me make sure I understand this. The Rams (based on where they are drafting) were 17th in the league last year despite having an above average schedule in terms of toughness. Now, as underwhelming as Keenum may be, he was 3-2 for the Rams last season and overall was the best QB they had - so starting him from the get go is a plus, not a minus. JL had been declining, and played most of last season one armed, so him being gone is a plus, as @LoyalRam says. Long has been injured for two years, again a plus letting him go. They have depth at safety, and did sign a promising CB - so maybe a bit of a loss, but it's not like the Rams have no replacement plans. They'll have a full season of Gurley. Their young line has a year of experience now. So with all that the Rams are going from middle of the pack to one of the worst teams in the league?

Can I get paid to spout clueless shit too?

 

[Angry Ram]

Thankfully being top in the rankings in March doesn't mean shit.

 

[fearsomefour]

There would be no reason for the Rams to move up in the rankings.
They are looking at simple pluses and minuses. Four starters lost, true....will that really impact the D? Time will tell. It is not the negative most likely it will be painted as.
But, the Rams have done nothing to warrant a jump in the rankings.
Everyone off season list is basically this: Take the team that were good last year, the top 10, and jumble one or two spots. End of article.

 

[Corbin]

 

[snackdaddy]

I believe we are better in the defensive front seven. JL was not athletic enough to prevent positive plays. It sure felt like a lot of his tackles were too far past the line of scrimmage. I think with Ogletree and Barron we're going to be much more active. Pursuing the ball will be better.

The back end is another story. Losing Jenkins might hurt a little. But we have capable replacements. So its possible we don't miss a beat there. I don't believe losing McLeod was that big a deal. I thought he benefited from the talent around him. Never thought he was all that. On the whole, I believe the defense is better than last year.

If we're ranked that low its clearly because of the offense. We do have serious deficiencies at the most critical positions. But if you want to compare to last year, the line is better. Gurley is a hundred percent from day one. Keenum is better than Foles. So overall I don't think we're any worse off than last year's team. And the offseason is far from over. There could be a deal or two to get us that coveted quarterback.

 

[FrantikRam]

Can't see how anyone could disagree with this, I think it's spot on.