Win/Loss Predictions for Every NFL Team Post-NFL Draft
With the NFL draft complete, it's time to concentrate on what really matters by trying to accurately predict (or not) how the 2015 season will unfold four months before it even begins.
The quest to obtain a Lombardi Trophy begins anew for each team, yet only a few clubs will legitimately be in the conversation to contend for the Super Bowl.
The league itself is comprised of two kinds of teams, those with legitimate starting quarterbacks and those without one.
It's not surprising to note the organizations that made the 2014 playoffs featured Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck, Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford, Tony Romo, Carson Palmer (pre-injury) and, yes, even Andy Dalton.
High-level quarterback play automatically provides an advantage each and every weekend, and the upcoming season shouldn't prove to be any different.
Quarterback is the most important position on the field. The last nonfranchise signal-caller to taste ultimate success was Brad Johnson with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII (2002 season). There is absolutely no reason to think that trend will change anytime soon.
This year's predictions reflect the league's current status.
Arizona Cardinals
1 of 32
Key Acquisitions: guard Mike Iupati, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, center A.Q. Shipley, offensive tackle D.J. Humphries, defensive linemen Cory Redding, Corey Peters
Key Departures: cornerback Antonio Cromartie, defensive end Darnell Dockett, nose tackle Dan Williams, guard Paul Fanaika, outside linebacker Sam Acho
After a blistering start to the 2014 season, the Arizona Cardinals faltered down the stretch due to Carson Palmer's season-ending knee injury.
The veteran quarterback will return to the lineup this fall, which will allow everyone to forget just how awful the Cardinals offense was in the playoffs against the Carolina Panthers. However, there are growing concerns on the defensive side of the ball.
Last season, the Cardinals were the league's most physical and aggressive defense. However, the departure of veterans Darnell Dockett, Dan Williams and Antonio Cromartie will be difficult to replace after each left via free agency. Plus, the team's defensive maestro, Todd Bowles, is now the head coach of the New York Jets.
Losing that many key pieces is more than enough reason to see the Cardinals fall behind in arguably the toughest division in football.
Record Prediction: 7-9 (3rd in the NFC West)
Atlanta Falcons
2 of 32
Key Acquisitions: defensive ends Adrian Clayborn, Vic Beasley, linebackers Justin Durant, Brooks Reed, O'Brien Schofield
Key Departures: wide receiver Harry Douglas, left guard Justin Blalock, safety Dwight Lowery, defensive end Corey Peters, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, running back Steven Jackson
The Dan Quinn era is set to begin in Atlanta.
With Quinn's hiring, a new emphasis will be placed on the defensive side of the football after finishing dead last in total defense last season. The only way to go is up, and one of the game's brightest defensive minds will help the team trend in a positive direction. The additions of an extremely talented pass-rusher in Vic Beasley as the eighth overall pick in the 2015 draft and multiple veteran linebackers will certainly help.
Plus, Matt Ryan is one of the league's best quarterbacks with Julio Jones and Roddy White still available to create mismatches in the passing attack. With the addition of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and his vaunted running attack, there is no question Atlanta will score points.
Even a minimal improvement on the defensive side will make the Falcons a much better team in 2015.
Record Prediction: 9-7 (2nd in NFC South)
Baltimore Ravens
3 of 32
Key Acquisitions: quarterback Matt Schaub, safety Kendrick Lewis, wide receiver Breshad Perriman, tight end Maxx Williams
Key Departures: outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, tight end Owen Daniels, wide receivers Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones
Each AFC North squad will be involved in numerous slugfests this fall with the hand they've been dealt by the NFL's scheduling gods. The AFC North will face both the AFC and NFC West divisions this season, plus their natural rivals, which proved to be the toughest foursome in football last year.
The ability to emerge as the winner of this division in 2015 will be a testament to a team's perseverance.
Baltimore is the franchise best suited to run the gauntlet with the No. 1 offensive line in the division, a top-10-caliber defense and, of course, Joe Flacco.
Record Prediction: 9-7 (1st in AFC North)
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Buffalo Bills
4 of 32
Key Acquisitions: quarterback Matt Cassel, running back LeSean McCoy, tight end Charles Clay, wide receiver Percy Harvin, fullback Jerome Felton, cornerback Ronald Darby
Key Departures: quarterback Kyle Orton, running back C.J. Spiller, safety Da'Norris Searcy, guard Erik Pears, tight end Lee Smith
The Buffalo Bills could own the worst roster in the league, and new head coach Rex Ryan would still believe his squad was Super Bowl-bound. And he should. This is how a coach inspires his team, and players begin to believe in him and want to play for the man.
Ryan's bravado will only take the Bills so far, though.
The Bills defense, particularly its defensive line, is one of the best units in the business. With Ryan's history of building elite defenses, Buffalo won't take a step back on that side of the ball.
But the team is placing its hopes on journeyman Matt Cassel as its starting quarterback. In order for the Bills to win at a high level, they'll need to play top-notch defense and establish a strong running attack with the team's new workhorse, LeSean McCoy.
Unfortunately, the Bills are at a constant disadvantage in the AFC East due to quarterbacks Tom Brady and now Ryan Tannehill. As a result, Ryan's new team isn't quite ready to make a playoff push.
Record Prediction: 7-9 (3rd in AFC East)
Carolina Panthers
5 of 32
Key Acquisitions: offensive tackle Michael Oher, cornerback Charles Tillman, wide receiver Jarrett Boykin, safety Kurt Coleman, linebacker Shaq Thompson, wide receiver Devin Funchess
Key Departures: running back DeAngelo Williams, defensive end Greg Hardy, offensive tackle Byron Bell
Momentum in professional sports doesn't really exist. Thus, it's impossible for the Panthers to carry their impressive play over the final fourth of the 2014 campaign into the upcoming season.
A midseason youth movement perpetuated the team's strong finish. Players such as cornerback Josh Norman, safety Tre Boston, right tackle Mike Remmers and strong-side linebacker Adarius Glanton helped the team play at a much higher level.
After the organization identified multiple options who can contribute and play at a relatively high level, the team can continue to build in a positive direction, especially with the additions of Shaq Thompson and Devin Funchess in the first two rounds of the draft.
There are still concern areas on the roster, particularly left tackle, but the Panthers' transition to a younger core makes them more athletic with a higher potential ceiling than any other team in the NFC South.
Record Prediction: 10-6 (1st in NFC South)
Chicago Bears
6 of 32
Key Acquisitions: outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, defensive end Ray McDonald, safety Antrel Rolle, linebacker Mason Foster, wide receiver Kevin White, nose tackle Eddie Goldman
Key Departures: wide receiver Brandon Marshall, center Robert Garza, safety Chris Conte, defensive tackle Stephen Paea, cornerback Charles Tillman
When a team enters a season with a new coaching staff and an upcoming quarterback competition between incumbent Jay Cutler and Jimmy Clausen, this should be cause for concern.
Cutler is clearly more talented, but can new offensive coordinator Adam Gase get the most out of the mercurial quarterback? The quarterback's success will determine exactly how successful the Bears will be overall, as they're also overhauling the entire defense under the supervision of new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Meanwhile, the Bears are in a division where the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions made the playoffs last season and the Minnesota Vikings appear to have found a franchise quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater.
It's not going to get much better in Chicago until the team finally settles on a quarterback and establishes a consistent defense.
Record Prediction: 6-10 (4th in NFC North)
Cincinnati Bengals
7 of 32
Key Acquisitions: defensive end Michael Johnson, linebacker A.J. Hawk, defensive tackle Pat Sims, wide receiver Denarius Moore, offensive tackles Cedric Ogbuehi, Jake Fisher
Key Departures: cornerback Terence Newman, safety Taylor Mays, tight end Jermaine Gresham
When will Marvin Lewis' squad finally get over the hump and accomplish something more than a first-round playoff appearance?
The Bengals are one of the deepest teams in the NFL, and they added to a solid roster this offseason by re-acquiring Michael Johnson and Pat Sims, as well as local star A.J. Hawk.
But the overriding theme in the Queen City revolves around quarterback Andy Dalton and his previous inability to elevate the play of those around him, particularly in the playoffs.
With the Bengals' ability to get out from under Dalton's contract and save $5.9 million in the process prior to the 2016 season, according to Spotrac.com, this is a make-or-break season for the quarterback.
Record Prediction: 9-7 (2nd in AFC North)
Cleveland Browns
8 of 32
Key Acquisitions: quarterback Josh McCown, cornerback Tramon Williams, defensive lineman Randy Starks, nose tackle Danny Shelton, offensive lineman Cameron Erving, wide receivers Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline
Key Departures: quarterback Brian Hoyer, tight end Jordan Cameron, outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard, defensive end Ahtyba Rubin, cornerback Buster Skrine, wide receiver Miles Austin
No matter what the Browns do to try to close the gap in the AFC North, the organization can't seem to find the right combination. Last season, the organization tasted some success after starting the season 7-4 only to falter down the stretch and finish 7-9 overall.
Poor quarterback play proved to be the primary reason behind the team's late-season collapse.
Yet, the team didn't adequately address the position this offseason. As a result, the combined powers of veteran journeyman Josh McCown and former first-round flop Johnny Manziel form arguably the worst quarterback situation in pro football.
It doesn't matter that the Browns put together two strong draft classes with plenty of talent on defense and along the offensive line. The team lacks legitimate playmakers at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end.
Unless someone surprises at those particular positions, the Browns will remain in the AFC North's cellar.
Record Prediction: 6-10 (4th in AFC North)
Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
Key Acquisitions: running back Darren McFadden, linebacker Jasper Brinkley, cornerback Byron Jones, defensive ends Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory
Key Departures: running back DeMarco Murray, wide receiver Dwayne Harris, defensive tackle Henry Melton, defensive end George Selvie, right tackle Jermey Parnell, linebackers Anthony Spencer, Justin Durant, Bruce Carter
Any running back can run behind the Cowboys' talented offensive line. After all, it's the best starting five in the NFL. Not every running back, however, is as talented as DeMarco Murray.
Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden will produce behind Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, Ronald Leary and Doug Free, but will one of them lead the NFL in rushing like Murray previously did? It's highly unlikely. Thus, quarterback Tony Romo will need to shoulder a little more of the load than he did a year ago.
The difference at the running back position should be just enough for the Cowboys to take a slight step back this fall.
Record Prediction: 11-5 (2nd in the NFC East)
Denver Broncos
10 of 32
Key Acquisitions: tight end Owen Daniels, defensive ends Shane Ray, Antonio Smith
Key Departures: tight end Julius Thomas, guard Orlando Franklin, center Manny Ramirez, nose tackle Terrance Knighton, safety Rahim Moore, linebacker Nate Irving
The Denver Broncos have at least one more year of Peyton Manning under center. After a disappointing finish each of the last three years, though, the organization decided to move on from previous head coach John Fox.
It's now up to Gary Kubiak to place Manning in position for one more Super Bowl run. Does the team still have enough talent after losing multiple key pieces during the offseason for that to even be a possibility? It's unlikely.
As good as Manning remains, cracks appeared is his pristine exterior toward the end of his 17th season. The fact that the Broncos lost a Pro Bowl tight end and a starting guard certainly won't help the quarterback's case.
The Broncos remain one of the AFC's best teams, but they're no longer at the very top.
Record Prediction: 10-6 (2nd in the AFC West)
Detroit Lions
11 of 32
Key Acquisitions: center Manny Ramirez, guard Laken Tomlinson, running back Ameer Abdullah, defensive tackles Haloti Ngata, Tyrunn Walker
Key Departures: defensive end George Johnson, running back Reggie Bush, center Dominic Raiola, guard Rob Sims, defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley
A philosophy change is apparent in Motown.
The team will no longer be one of the league's most reckless without Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley on the roster. The acquisition of former All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was a critical addition to counterbalance those losses.
Plus, the Lions decided it was important to become much bigger and more physical in the middle of their offensive line to rely less on quarterback Matthew Stafford and the passing game. Do these moves equate to the Lions finally catching the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North? No. But they're steps in the right direction.
Unfortunately for Detroit fans, the Packers are still one of the NFL's best teams, and the Minnesota Vikings are a surging organization ready to take the next step. As a result, the Lions will fall back to the pack after a rare playoff appearance.
Record Prediction: 8-8 (3rd in NFC North)
Green Bay Packers
12 of 32
Key Acquisitions: safety Damarious Randall, cornerback Quinten Rollins
Key Departures: linebacker A.J. Hawk, cornerbacks Tramon Williams, Davon House
The Green Bay Packers were the only team not to sign an outside free agent this offseason. Yet general manager Ted Thompson executed one of the league's best offseason plans.
Thompson did so by retaining homegrown free agents who decided not to chase the money. Wide receiver Randall Cobb and right tackle Bryan Bulaga were key to the team's overall plan, and both were re-signed. Thus, all 11 starters will return to the NFL's sixth-ranked offense.
After quarterback Aaron Rodgers won the NFL's MVP award, it's only natural to make him happy by keeping one of his top targets and a starting lineman.
The Packers simply don't need to "win the offseason" to be anointed one of the league's best-run organizations. They already are. As a result of strong drafting and consistent development of the talent on the roster, Green Bay is simply the best team in the NFC North. It's also one of the favorites to win Super Bowl 50.
Record Prediction: 13-3 (1st in NFC North)
Houston Texans
13 of 32
Key Acquisitions: quarterback Brian Hoyer, wide receiver Cecil Shorts III, nose tackle Vince Wilfork, cornerback Kevin Johnson, safeties Stevie Brown, Rahim Moore
Key Departures: wide receiver Andre Johnson, linebacker Brooks Reed, center Chris Myers, safety Kendrick Lewis
Which gunslinger—the statuesque Ryan Mallett or the overachieving Brian Hoyer—will emerge as the Houston Texans' starting quarterback?
The answer could determine whether the Texans are legitimate playoff contenders this fall.
Hoyer helped lead the Cleveland Browns to a 7-4 record to start last season before his play tailed off and the team crumbled. Mallett, meanwhile, showed promise as a starting quarterback in Houston before being knocked out of the lineup after only eight quarters of play due to a torn right pectoral muscle.
The Texans defense can be potentially devastating with J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork and a healthy Jadeveon Clowney, but the team currently lacks a key ingredient to place it among the AFC's elite.
Record Prediction: 9-7 (2nd in AFC South)
Indianapolis Colts
14 of 32
Key Acquisitions: running back Frank Gore, outside linebacker Trent Cole, safety Dwight Lowery, guard Todd Herremans, wide receivers Andre Johnson, Phillip Dorsett
Key Departures: wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, safety Sergio Brown, defensive ends Ricky Jean-Francois, Cory Redding
Andrew Luck must be giggling to himself every day due to the embarrassment of riches he now has at his disposal.
It's not simply about the quarterback anymore in Indianapolis. Enter wide receiver Andre Johnson and running back Frank Gore, two of the most productive players at their respective positions over the past decade.
But general manager Ryan Grigson didn't stop there. The team also added numerous veterans to fill all the glaring holes on the roster. He then spoiled Luck even more by selecting a wide receiver, Miami's Phillip Dorsett, with blazing 4.25-second 40-yard dash speed to add to a wide receiver corps that already featured T.Y. Hilton and the aforementioned Johnson.
All of this was done to improve upon an offense that already averaged 406.6 yards per game last season. Luck is the best young quarterback in the NFL, and everything around him is now better than it was a year ago.
Record Prediction: 12-4 (1st in AFC South)
Jacksonville Jaguars
15 of 32
Key Acquisitions: tight end Julius Thomas, defensive tackle Jared Odrick, cornerback Davon House, center Stefen Wisniewski, safety Sergio Brown, right tackle Jermey Parnell, defensive end Dante Fowler Jr.
Key Departures: wide receiver Cecil Shorts III, defensive end Red Bryant, cornerbacks Alan Ball, Will Blackmon
While it's been a slow burn, head coach Gus Bradley and general manager David Caldwell have the Jacksonville Jaguars moving in the right direction.
A lot of young players will need to rapidly progress for the Jaguars to make a large leap in the standings this season. It's too early to expect that type of return, though.
Quarterback Blake Bortles enters his second year, and he must display far better decision-making. The young signal-caller must also develop a rapport with multiple new or young targets within the offense.
Also, it's obviously been difficult to recreate the success Bradley had with the Seattle Seahawks as the "Legion of Boom's" first defensive coordinator. The addition of Florida's Dante Fowler Jr. with the third overall pick finally gives the unit a difference-maker.
It should continue to get better in Jacksonville, but the Jaguars are not ready to overtake the Indianapolis Colts or even the Houston Texans.
Record Prediction: 5-11 (3rd in AFC South)
Kansas City Chiefs
16 of 32
Key Acquisitions: wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, safety Tyvon Branch, cornerback Marcus Peters, center Mitch Morse, guards Ben Grubbs, Paul Fanaika
Key Departures: wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, center Rodney Hudson, right tackle Ryan Harris, guard Jeff Linkenbach, tight end Anthony Fasano
The Kansas City Chiefs took a step back in 2014 after winning 11 games a year earlier. Which team will show up this fall? The 2014 version of the team appears much closer to reality than Andy Reid's first year with the organization.
While Jeremy Maclin finally provides an explosive option at wide receiver, he won't receive much help at the position unless third-round pick Chris Conley develops at a rapid pace. The offensive line is also being rebuilt with four new projected starters. Plus, Alex Smith has his obvious limitations.
Everyone knows what to expect of certain players such as Jamaal Charles, Justin Houston (once he's officially re-signed) and Dontari Poe, but the team still lacks in certain areas and competes in a division that features the explosive Denver Broncos and the feisty San Diego Chargers.
Record Prediction: 8-8 (3rd in the AFC West)
Miami Dolphins
17 of 32
Key Acquisitions: defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, tight end Jordan Cameron, cornerback Brice McCain, wide receivers Kenny Stills, Greg Jennings, DeVante Parker
Key Departures: tight end Charles Clay, running back Knowshon Moreno, defensive tackles Jared Odrick, Randy Starks, wide receivers Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson
Another highly regarded professional athlete decided to take his talents to Miami. Welcome to South Beach, Ndamukong Suh.
After signing an exorbitant contract, the defensive tackle became the new face of the Dolphins franchise. Will his presence be enough to loosen the New England Patriots' stranglehold of the AFC East? No, but the Dolphins are a step closer after adding Suh to a defensive line that already featured Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon.
Ryan Tannehill's improvement over his first few seasons also needs to be factored into the equation. His learning curve should be expedited by the additions of wide receivers Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker, Greg Jennings and former Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron.
The Dolphins are primed to finally make a move in the AFC East.
Record Prediction: 9-7 (2nd in AFC East)
Minnesota Vikings
18 of 32
Key Acquisitions: safety Taylor Mays, linebacker Eric Kendricks, wide receiver Mike Wallace, cornerbacks Trae Waynes, Terence Newman
Key Departures: wide receiver Greg Jennings, linebacker Jasper Brinkley, fullback Jerome Felton
When a team correctly chooses a quarterback in the NFL draft, the ripple effects can be felt throughout the organization. For the Minnesota Vikings, Teddy Bridgewater brought hope to the franchise.
The first-year signal-caller played as well as any quarterback in the league over the last month of the 2014 season. The Louisville product wasn't affected by small hands or a slight frame. All of those things were blown out of proportion during the draft process and simply didn't matter.
After choosing wisely a year ago, general manager Rick Spielman now has a franchise piece at the game's most important position. Thus, Spielman was able to move to the defensive side of the ball to appease his head coach Mike Zimmer, who previously served as a defensive coordinator, in this year's draft.
The additions of Trae Waynes and Eric Kendricks will fill massive voids in a defense that already improved during Zimmer's first year. As each of these pieces come together, the Vikings will turn into one of the league's ascending teams.
Oh yeah, let's not forget that they could still enter next season with all-world running back Adrian Peterson on the roster, too.
Record Prediction: 9-7 (2nd in NFC North)
New England Patriots
19 of 32
Key Acquisitions: outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard, cornerback Bradley Fletcher, running back Travaris Cadet, wide receiver Brandon Gibson, defensive tackle Malcom Brown
Key Departures: nose tackle Vince Wilfork, linebacker Akeem Ayers, guard Dan Connolly, running back Stevan Ridley, cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner
There's not much to say about the New England Patriots at this point. After all, the organization has earned four Lombardi Trophies over the past 13 years. They're the league's best, and it's now time to prove it all over again.
In two of the previous three instances, though, the team took a step back the following year and didn't play as well. The obvious exception came when the Patriots won back-to-back titles 10 years ago.
It's far more likely, however, to see the Patriots slide slightly after yet another championship run due to the losses the team suffered, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Darrelle Revis and Vince Wilfork aren't replaceable. The team will have to get the most out of their replacements in hopes of repeating instead of suffering a Super Bowl hangover.
Record Prediction: 10-6 (1st in AFC East)
New Orleans Saints
20 of 32
Key Acquisitions: cornerback Brandon Browner, outside linebacker Anthony Spencer, running back C.J. Spiller, center Max Unger, offensive tackle Andrus Peat, inside linebacker Stephone Anthony
Key Departures: tight end Jimmy Graham, linebacker Curtis Lofton, defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker, center Jonathan Goodwin, cornerback Patrick Robinson, wide receiver Kenny Stills, running backs Pierre Thomas, Travaris Cadet
Almost everything went wrong for the New Orleans Saints in 2014, yet the team still had a chance to capture an NFC South crown on the final weekend of play. This year's team will be very different, though.
The fact that the organization decided it was in its best interests to trade away its top two targets from last season, Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham and wide receiver Kenny Stills, may prove to be massive mistakes.
The offense certainly isn't better with them out of the lineup.
Head coach Sean Payton will expect improvement to come from the defense, which was one of the worst in the league in 2014. A healthy Jairus Byrd will help, as will the additions of Brandon Browner and Stephone Anthony, but it's hard to imagine the Saints being as dangerous this fall, particularly without Graham in the lineup.
Record Prediction: 8-8 (3rd in NFC South)
New York Giants
21 of 32
Key Acquisitions: running back Shane Vereen, wide receiver Dwayne Harris, defensive end George Selvie, defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis, offensive tackle Ereck Flowers, safety Landon Collins
Key Departures: defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, defensive tackle Mike Patterson, safeties Antel Rolle, Stevie Brown
Over the past two seasons, the New York Giants own losing streaks of six and seven games. It's going to catch up with head coach Tom Coughlin sooner or later.
Well, there's no time like the present.
The Giants are one of the NFL's most stable franchises, but three straight losing seasons, even after a Super Bowl victory, might prove to be too much.
The organization always sticks to its plan. Unfortunately, the Dallas Cowboys are a better overall team, while the Philadelphia Eagles are ready to explode during Chip Kelly's third season at the helm.
As talented as Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. are, the offensive line is still in flux, and the defense didn't receive a major overhaul after being the league's fourth-worst unit. It's not a good combination.
Record Prediction: 5-11 (4th in NFC East)
New York Jets
22 of 32
Key Acquisitions: wide receiver Brandon Marshall, running back Stevan Ridley, defensive end Leonard Williams, guard James Carpenter, cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Buster Skrine
Key Departures: wide receiver Percy Harvin, defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis
Rex Ryan must be kicking himself. After being hamstrung by former general manager John Idzik's approach to free agency, Mike Maccagnan has been far more proactive in his first foray into the market and NFL draft.
Maccagnan is building the best possible cockpit for quarterback Geno Smith to eventually succeed. If the third-year signal-caller doesn't, veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick's opportunity will come quickly.
After completely rebuilding the cornerback position and adding a true defensive guru in head coach Todd Bowles, it's hard not to like what the Jets have done this offseason.
Yet, they're still behind every team in the division in at least one key area. The New England Patriots still have Tom Brady, and the Miami Dolphins own the division's second-best quarterback in Ryan Tannehill. The Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, were slightly better on defense last year and now have LeSean McCoy as their workhorse back.
It will be a tough hill to climb for Bowles and his Jets—something Ryan never successfully did.
Record Prediction: 5-11 (4th in AFC East)
Oakland Raiders
23 of 32
Key Acquisitions: center Rodney Hudson, linebacker Curtis Lofton, nose tackle Dan Williams, linebacker Malcolm Smith, wide receivers Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper
Key Departures: running back Darren McFadden, center Stefen Wisniewski, safety Tyvon Branch, defensive tackle Antonio Smith, wide receivers Denarius Moore, James Jones
A year ago, Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie added two legitimate franchise pieces via the draft in linebacker Khalil Mack and quarterback Derek Carr.
Ever since, the team has quietly gotten better, even if it's only incrementally.
McKenzie didn't sign another over-the-hill-gang free-agency class in 2015. Instead, the team's latest free-agency acquisitions are in their primes. Lofton, Williams and Smith will prove to be nice complementary pieces in a burgeoning defensive front seven.
Meanwhile, the plan on offense was always to get Carr more weapons, and the team did so by using the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft to select Cooper, who shattered Alabama school records on his way to winning the Biletnikoff Award.
There are still gaps on the Raiders roster, but they're getting fewer and further between.
Record Prediction: 5-11 (4th in AFC West)
Philadelphia Eagles
24 of 32
Key Acquisitions: quarterback Sam Bradford, wide receiver Nelson Agholor, cornerbacks Byron Maxwell, Walter Thurmond III, running backs DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews
Key Departures: quarterback Nick Foles, running back LeSean McCoy, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, outside linebacker Trent Cole, guard Todd Herremans, cornerback Cary Williams
When Chip Kelly acquired quarterback Sam Bradford in exchange for Nick Foles, the general consensus was the head coach wasn't done dealing. Certainly, he was going to make a move for his former Oregon protege Marcus Mariota, right?
Wrong.
Kelly almost certainly had visions of Bradford's success with the Oklahoma Sooners flitting through his head when presented with the opportunity to acquire the former Heisman Trophy winner.
When Bradford was at his best in Norman, he ran the fastest and most explosive offense in the nation. He spread the ball around to all of his receivers quickly and efficiently. Those two traits are what drives Kelly's quarterbacks to success. They don't need to run the zone read. It's all about tempo and proper distribution.
With a healthy Bradford—a scary proposition due to his recent history of knee injuries—Kelly's offense could reach its full potential in the NFL.
Record Prediction: 12-4 (1st in NFC East)
Pittsburgh Steelers
25 of 32
Key Acquisitions: running back DeAngelo Williams, outside linebacker Alvin "Bud" Dupree
Key Departures: cornerback Brice McCain, outside linebacker Jason Worilds, safety Troy Polamalu, cornerback Ike Taylor, defensive end Brett Keisel
New defensive coordinator Keith Butler waited a long time for his turn. After serving as the Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach for the past 11 years, Butler will now call the defensive plays for head coach Mike Tomlin.
However, the loss of one of the game's greatest defensive minds, former coordinator Dick LeBeau, can't be underestimated. LeBeau was the driving force behind the "Blitzburgh" defense. His creativity and chess-like understanding of the game was simply at another level.
Butler must follow in the massive footsteps of a Hall of Fame player and an even better coordinator. It's probably too much to ask of him to rectify the massive problems the Steelers defense developed over the past season or two.
With its core of veteran leadership stripped, it will be difficult to bring the defense up to previous standards.
When Ben Roethlisberger is behind center, though, the Steelers always have a chance, and the league's leading receiver, Antonio Brown, only makes the quarterback better. But their job won't be made any easier if the defense doesn't come to play each and every weekend.
Record Prediction: 7-9 (3rd in AFC North)
San Diego Chargers
26 of 32
Key Acquisitions: guard Orlando Franklin, cornerback Patrick Robinson, running back Melvin Gordon, linebacker Denzel Perryman, wide receivers Jacoby Jones, Stevie Johnson
Key Departures: running back Ryan Mathews, cornerback Shareece Wright, wide receiver Eddie Royal, safety Marcus Gilchrist, linebacker Dwight Freeney
After weeks of speculation leading up to the draft, veteran quarterback Philip Rivers wasn't traded and remains a part of the Chargers organization.
It was the right move.
Any time a team claims a top-10 quarterback, it should move heaven and earth to keep him happy. The NFL is made up of the haves and the have-nots. Those teams without a top quarterback certainly fall into the latter category.
Talented signal-callers always keep their teams competitive. The Chargers, for example, flirted on and off with the playoffs each of the last two years. There is clearly enough talent on the roster to not only make it to the second season, but to win the division as well.
It starts with Rivers, but the addition of Melvin Gordon as the team's new offensive focal point will make everyone on the roster better—from the quarterback to the defense that shouldn't need to be on the field quite as long.
Record Prediction: 10-6 (1st in AFC West)
San Francisco 49ers
27 of 32
Key Acquisitions: wide receiver Torrey Smith, running back Reggie Bush, cornerback Shareece Wright, defensive ends Darnell Dockett, Arik Armstead
Key Departures: guard Mike Iupati, defensive end Ray McDonald, running back Frank Gore, linebackers Patrick Willis, Chris Borland, cornerbacks Chris Culliver, Perrish Cox, wide receivers Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson
No team suffered more turnover this offseason than the San Francisco 49ers.
The organization dismissed head coach Jim Harbaugh after his first nonwinning season, and the team lost two of its top players, Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, to retirement. Veteran running back Frank Gore, guard Mike Iupati and defensive lineman Ray McDonald left the team via free agency, too.
These are aren't insignificant subtractions to the roster.
Also, stalwart defensive end Justin Smith is still contemplating his future. If Smith actually decides to return, it will be a major positive for a team in search of hope after an overhaul. The 35-year-old defender is the best chance the team has to retain some form of stability and primary leadership as it prepares for its first season under new head coach Jim Tomsula.
There is still plenty of talent on the roster. The organization will need to lean on linebacker NaVorro Bowman, left tackle Joe Staley, wide receiver Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis to be the guiding forces. Yet none of it will matter unless quarterback Colin Kaepernick can finally live up to his potential.
The overall turnover, though, is simply too much to overcome, and the 49ers are the team most likely to take a major fall in the standings during the upcoming season.
Record Prediction: 4-12 (4th in NFC West)
Seattle Seahawks
28 of 32
Key Acquisitions: tight end Jimmy Graham, defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, defensive end Frank Clark, cornerbacks Will Blackmon, Cary Williams
Key Departures: center Max Unger, guard James Carpenter, defensive tackle Kevin Williams, cornerback Byron Maxwell, linebackers Malcolm Smith, O'Brien Schofield
A healthy Michael Bennett in the second half of Super Bowl XLIX might have changed the entire outcome of the most exciting game in recent memory.
The Seahawks, though, don't have the luxury to wonder what might have been. Their season ended with one of their best players on the sidelines following an inexcusable play call that allowed the team to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Just run the damn ball next time.
But hindsight is always crystal clear. It's simply unfortunate to see a team as talented as the Seahawks falter on the biggest stage when a chance at NFL immortality hung in the balance. Should everyone expect a massive hangover after one of the worst beats in NFL history, or will the Seahawks respond and become better than ever?
The answer is probably somewhere in between, but the team certainly didn't rest on its laurels. Instead, general manager John Schneider made arguably the biggest move of the entire offseason when he traded for three-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham.
Quarterback Russell Wilson finally has a legitimate No. 1 target in the offense, and it's scary to think of the playmaking signal-caller running around like he does to extend plays only to lob it up to the 6'7" tight end.
Make no mistake: The Seahawks are a wounded animal and still very dangerous overall.
Record Prediction: 10-6 (1st in NFC West)
St. Louis Rams
29 of 32
Key Acquisitions: quarterback Nick Foles, defensive tackle Nick Fairley, linebacker Akeem Ayers, running back Todd Gurley, right tackle Rob Havenstein
Key Departures: quarterback Sam Bradford, defensive tackle Kendall Langford, center Scott Wells, offensive tackles Jake Long, Joseph Barksdale
It's been 51 years since the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" came together as the most dominant defensive line in NFL history. While it's impossible to replicate the aura created by one of history's greatest units, the Rams' current defensive front is about as scary as it gets in today's NFL.
Defensive end Robert Quinn and defensive tackle Aaron Donald are absolute terrors and two of the league's most disruptive defenders. A healthy Chris Long is a tireless and tenacious edge-rusher. Michael Brockers is the rock in the middle. And for good measure, the team decided to sign defensive tackle Nick Fairley in the offseason as well.
If the Rams can get anything from their offense this fall, they're a team primed to take the next step as an organization. The additions of quarterback Nick Foles, 10th overall pick Todd Gurley and multiple incoming rookie offensive linemen should re-energize that side of the ball.
St. Louis remained competitive in the toughest division in football over the past few seasons, yet the organization couldn't keep up with the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers or even the Arizona Cardinals last year. It's now the Rams' turn to compete for a playoff spot.
Record Prediction: 9-7 (2nd in NFC West)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30 of 32
Key Acquisitions: quarterback Jameis Winston, defensive end George Johnson, defensive tackle Henry Melton, safety Chris Conte, linebacker Bruce Carter, offensive tackle Donovan Smith
Key Departures: defensive end Michael Johnson, offensive tackle Anthony Collins, defensive end Adrian Clayborn, quarterback Josh McCown, linebacker Mason Foster
A year ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the chic pick to make the playoffs after an active free-agency period. That kind of—well, definitely—blew up in everyone's face.
In Year 2 of the Lovie Smith era, the Buccaneers will be better overall as they grow more accustomed to the offensive and defensive schemes. Plus, the team addressed its two biggest need areas with its first three selections in the draft.
Quarterback Jameis Winston, for good and bad, is now the face of the franchise after being selected No. 1 overall. There will be growing pains, but the Florida State product displayed more than enough potential during his collegiate career to eventually develop into a true franchise-changing signal-caller.
It won't happen as a rookie, but general manager Jason Licht tried to make his new quarterback as comfortable as possible with the additions of left tackle Donovan Smith and guard Ali Marpet in the subsequent rounds.
Each of these players need to quickly come into their own since the Buccaneers will be relying heavily on them. There is legitimate talent on the Buccaneers roster to turn the organization into a winner again. It will simply take some time to properly jell.
Record Prediction: 5-11 (4th in NFC South)
Tennessee Titans
31 of 32
Key Acquisitions: quarterback Marcus Mariota, outside linebacker Brian Orakpo, safety Da'Norris Searcy, cornerback Perrish Cox, offensive tackle Byron Bell, wide receivers Harry Douglas, Hakeem Nicks
Key Departures: quarterback Jake Locker, safety Bernard Pollard, wide receiver Nate Washington, linebacker Colin McCarthy
The Titans brass badly wanted Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and never seriously considered trading the second overall pick in the draft. It's a starting point and a major building block for the franchise, but the team still lacks too many pieces and owns one of the NFL's worst rosters.
The selection of Dorial Green-Beckham in the second round was a perfect example of a franchise going out of its comfort zone in an attempt to hit big on a prospect despite all of the concerns surrounding the individual.
Why did the Titans even feel the need to make such a move? Because tight end Delanie Walker led the team last season with 63 receptions and 890 receiving yards. Plus, the team's defense remains in flux as the transition continues to Ray Horton's 3-4 scheme.
It's simply going to take more time in Nashville for general manager Ruston Webster to build up the roster and place the proper pieces around Mariota for the quarterback and his team to succeed.
Record Prediction: 3-13 (4th in AFC South)
Washington Redskins
32 of 32
Key Acquisitions: cornerback Chris Culliver, nose tackle Terrance Knighton, defensive tackle Stephen Paea, defensive end Ricky Jean-Francois, offensive lineman Brandon Scherff
Key Departures: outside linebacker Brian Orakpo, defensive end Jarvis Jenkins, wide receivers Santana Moss, Leonard Hankerson, safeties Brandon Meriweather, Ryan Clark
It's time for Robert Griffin III to pick himself up and resemble the quarterback that took the field in 2013 instead of the one who appeared the following two seasons. This year will likely develop into a make-or-break season for the former Heisman Trophy winner after being called out publicly by his head coach, Jay Gruden, multiple times last year.
New general manager Scot McCloughan already put his stamp on the organization and provided help for RG3 in his first draft class.
It was evident very early in the process that McCloughan wanted the Redskins to become a bigger and more physical team overall. This became obvious once the team selected Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff with the fifth pick in the draft. The following picks also fell in line with the new philosophy.
What's the best way to protect and nurture Griffin? A strong running game and physical style of defense. After adding numerous big bodies this offseason, the Redskins are now ready to punch their opponents in the mouth and impose their will.
As a result, Washington should be more competitive overall and see at least some improvement this fall.
Record Prediction: 6-10 (3rd in NFC East)
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