NFL Power Rankings 2016: Breaking Down Preseason Look at League's Pecking Order

We're halfway through the NFL preseason, and many questions are starting to be answered as we gear up for the 2016 NFL season. 

Position battles are starting to come into focus for many teams, while other teams are finding more questions than answers. 

Not much changes in the power rankings at this stage of the season, but there are some minor adjustments to discuss based on emerging or struggling players early in the preseason process.

Here's a look at the preseason power rankings and a breakdown of a few notable teams.

Rank	Team	Projected W-L
1	Carolina Panthers	13-3
2	Arizona Cardinals	13-3
3	New England Patriots	11-5
4	Cincinnati Bengals	11-5
5	Minnesota Vikings	11-5
6	Seattle Seahawks	11-5
7	Green Bay Packers	11-5
8	Denver Broncos	10-6
9	Pittsburgh Steelers	10-6
10	Dallas Cowboys	10-6
11	New York Giants	10-6
12	Indianapolis Colts	9-7
13	Oakland Raiders	9-7
14	Kansas City Chiefs	9-7
15	New York Jets	9-7
16	Baltimore Ravens	8-8
17	Houston Texans	8-8
18	Jacksonville Jaguars	8-8
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	8-8
20	Atlanta Falcons	7-9
21	Los Angeles Rams	7-9
22	Miami Dolphins	6-10
23	Washington Redskins	6-10
24	Buffalo Bills	6-10
25	Philadelphia Eagles	6-10
26	Chicago Bears	5-11
27	New Orleans Saints	5-11
28	Tennessee Titans	4-12
29	San Diego Chargers	4-12
30	Detroit Lions	4-12
31	San Francisco 49ers	4-12
32	Cleveland Browns	3-13

5. Minnesota Vikings

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's numbers have remained remarkably consistent, although fairly modest, through his first two seasons in the league. But at some point, the Minnesota Vikings will turn him loose and see if he can carry the team. 

This could be the breakout year for Bridgewater because of the Vikings' offseason acquisitions. 

Minnesota upgraded its offensive line with the additions of free-agent linemen Alex Boone and Andre Smith. It also added another weapon with first-round pick Laquon Treadwell. 

If the offensive line additions help to give Bridgewater more time in the pocket this season, Minnesota's offense could open up and allow for more big plays down the field. 

8. Denver Broncos

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl despite mediocre quarterback play from Brock Osweiler and Peyton Manning throughout the season. So there are good reasons to believe they can contend again without a star under center. 

However, no one seems to be stepping up to the challenge of leading the defending champs in training camp. 

Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian were expected to compete for the starting job, but with neither one taking charge, first-round pick Paxton Lynch now appears to be in the mix as well. 

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, head coach Gary Kubiak recently suggested that Lynch had emerged as a candidate to start Week 1. 

The Broncos' dominant defense still deserves a place in the top 10 of the preseason power rankings, but with so much uncertainty at quarterback, it's difficult to justify placing them at an elite level. 

10. Dallas Cowboys

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

First-round pick Ezekiel Elliott was slowed by a hamstring injury early in camp but has recently returned to the field and is feeling confident, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News: 

"

Ezekiel Elliott: "I think I probably have one of the easiest jobs in America. I get to run behind the best O-line in America."

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 17, 2016"

Elliott has plenty of reasons to feel confident behind the Dallas Cowboys offensive line, which has paved the way for one of the league's most efficient rushing attacks in recent years. 

In 2015, the Cowboys ranked ninth in the NFL in rushing yards despite often playing from behind. 

With Elliott expected to take over the majority of the carries from Darren McFadden, the Cowboys should be even better suited to control the game on the ground in 2016. 

32. Cleveland Browns

Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns' barren roster makes them the heavy favorite to lock up the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL draft, but the preseason has been surprisingly encouraging for Hue Jackson's squad. 

One of the biggest storylines in Cleveland has been the emergence of Terrelle Pryor as a wide receiver. 

Pryor spent the 2015 season converting to his new position but saw minimal playing time with the Browns. This season, the conversion appears to be complete, and he's already making an impact. 

The highlight of Pryor's preseason so far is this touchdown reception in the Browns' most recent preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons:

"

.@RGIII ➡️ @TerrellePryor.
50 yards.

TOUCHDOWN!! 😱 #ATLvsCLE https://t.co/vAorjXHGVS

— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2016"

Obviously, the preseason and regular season are different beasts, but that touchdown came against Falcons starting cornerback Desmond Trufant, an encouraging sign for Pryor's ability to emerge as a legitimate weapon this season.