NFL training camp power rankings: Eagles have competition in NFC
Nate Davis
Now that every NFL team is officially in the throes of training camp, it's as good a time as any to re-assess the league with a fresh batch of power rankings — our first since the completion of April's draft.
1. Eagles (1): On paper (games evidently aren't played there), lineup looks stronger than Super Bowl version, assuming Carson Wentz and Jason Peters are full go by Week 1 and Michael Bennett and Haloti Ngata fully assimilate.
2. Patriots (2): No team more deserves benefit of doubt. Still, concerning Pats have so many new starters on offense and so few apparent upgrades on defense.
3. Falcons (3): Your fresh reminder that no team came closer to KO'ing Eagles in playoffs. Atlanta looks sufficiently loaded to reach Super Bowl on home field.
4. Vikings (4): Don't be surprised if Dalvin Cook's return actually has more profound effect on 11th-ranked offense than Kirk Cousins' arrival.
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5. Rams (5): Early to worry (much) about Aaron Donald given last year's holdout didn't ultimately hurt. Still, lot of moving parts on revamped defense.
6. Saints (7): Any more underrated player than WR Michael Thomas? He's one key to team with plenty of motivation to overcome 2017's missed opportunity.
7. Packers (10): Aaron Rodgers' return alone should vault them back to postseason. But success of new defensive philosophy could determine Pack's course.
8. Jaguars (8): Love the LOB-esque swagger, including DL Malik Jackson's 16-0 prediction. Still, will lack of offensive balance prove their undoing?
9. Chargers (6): They're already down two starters (TE Hunter Henry, CB Jason Verrett) yet still seem to have more than enough juice for a Lombardi push.
10. Steelers (9): Is Shazier-less D good enough? How will this preseason's Le'Veon Bell distraction play out? Already, usual combo of talent and sideshows.
11. Texans (12): Offensive line is a question but perhaps only one of major significance ... assuming Watt, Watson, Mercilus et al. bounce back as expected.
12. Titans (14): Unheralded secondary emblematic of team once again flying under radar but poised to do plentiful damage in AFC South and maybe beyond.
13. Panthers (13): Cam Newton's arm has plenty of whip, but is Torrey Smith enough of a vertical threat to keep defenses from packing in against Carolina?
14. Redskins (20): If first-round 'Bama products Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne can solidify defensive line, as expected, Washington could be dark horse.
15. Broncos (11): Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders seem like key beneficiaries of Case Keenum's arrival. Run game, secondary in transition will be tested.
16. Raiders (26): Jon Gruden looks to have weapons he needs. But worth noting that re-acclimating coach had one top-10 offense during seven years in Tampa.
17. Cowboys (19): No mystery, but Ezekiel Elliott is key, both to opening up passing lanes for Dak Prescott and shortening games for defense.
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18. Ravens (21): Hard team to read. However for all the talk about quarterbacks, depth along both lines might warrant as much scrutiny as Flacco, Jackson.
19. Chiefs (15): Patrick Mahomes couldn't ask for a better arsenal around him. But will suspect defense put a young gunslinger into holes he can't climb from?
20. 49ers (16): Garoppolo buzz is great. But preseason expectations should be tempered (for now) by defense that's ranked 24th or worse last three years.
21. Cardinals (18): Why doesn't team that finished 8-8 in 2017 minus David Johnson or strong QB play for most of year get more respect? Keep an eye on 'em.
22. Bears (25): Jordan Howard doesn't move needle but may be main factor in Mitch Trubisky's arc. Only Elliott, Bell have more rushing yards since 2016.
23. Lions (22): Matthew Stafford is 40 TD passes away from overtaking Sonny Jurgensen (255) for most among quarterbacks who haven't won a playoff start.
24. Giants (17): Obscure but revealing stat from 2017 offense — it produced a league worst 1.2 points per drive. Pat Shurmur's focus can begin right there.
25. Bengals (23): CB William Jackson III is one of best young players you might not have heard of. But he can't do much if Cincy fails again to stop run.
26. Dolphins (29): WRs Danny Amendola, DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills seem like beautiful complements ... if Ryan Tannehill is ready to stand and deliver.
27. Seahawks (27): Russell Wilson has missed playoffs one time — last year — the first time he wasn't backed by top-five defense. Coincidence?
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28. Browns (28): Belichick curse? 'The Brown Way'? Their remarkable consistency counters New England's, with Cleveland finishing last 13 of past 15 years.
29. Buccaneers (24): Already unmooring from Jameis Winston? Might be best as former No. 1 pick takes third-team snaps and gives unsatisfying answers.
30. Jets (31): You won't find AB or Julio here, but Quincy Enunwa, Terrelle Pryor, Jermaine Kearse and Robby Anderson are intriguing mix of targets.
31. Colts (32): Really nice to see Andrew Luck practicing and, apparently, pain-free. Also great he's scorching defense in practice ... but he's only first who will do that this year.
32. Bills (30): LeSean McCoy doesn't want to be distraction to what seems an underpowered offense. His opening camp press conference shows he can't really avoid it for now, though.
Note: Previous rank noted in parentheses
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