2011 NFL Power Rankings: Training Camp Edition

After the most hectic week in NFL history, we finally have an idea of where each NFL team is headed. 

Save Kyle Orton, there are no more big-name quarterbacks on the market, and most teams feel comfortable with who they've got under center—although that is a false sense of security for some. 

There are some clear trends that are beginning to form as well. Elite running backs are no longer carrying their respective teams to the upper echelon of the NFL, as evidenced by the downfall of the Titans and Vikings over the last year. 

Teams are also steering away from their typical behavior. The Patriots have picked up two players with character concerns, and the Panthers are on a spending spree. 

The Redskins fail to fall off their trend line, though. They are spending a lot of money, but only some in the right places. They have yet to give a player a record-breaking contract though, so we will have to wait and see if they are done making moves—which I highly doubt. 

Which teams have made the right moves, and which have descended to mediocrity? All questions will be answered in the first installment of my NFL power rankings. 

32. Buffalo Bills

Steve Johnson injected some life into the Bills' offense, and Ryan Fitzpatrick does a serviceable job at quarterback. They need to address their situation at tackle though with Erik Pears and Demetrius Bell holding down the bookends of this line. 

Defensive linemen Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus will be a handful for offensive lines, but there are a lot of holes on this defense. They have a terrible group of linebackers, and losing Paul Posluzny only makes things worse. 

Trending: Steady

31. Denver Broncos

Don't forget football fans, this team was the NFL's second-worst last season. 

They haven't improved through free agency. In fact, they have yet to sign one free agent. Von Miller is undersized to play defensive end in a 4-3 scheme at the NFL level, and the team would have been much better off drafting Patrick Peterson, the cornerback out of LSU. 

On offense, there is an uncomfortable quarterback situation right now. Whether or not they trade Kyle Orton, this offense will be average. They have a nonexistent running game, and a key cog on their offensive line, Ryan Harris, is a free agent. 

Trending: Steady

30. Washington Redskins

The Redskins' offense will, by all indications, be on the inept side in 2011—to put it lightly.

If Mike Shanahan thinks Beck is the future, then I question his plan to rebuild this team. Beck may be a decent backup,—although Joe Theismann will tell you he's future Pro Bowler—but he doesn't belong in a starting lineup on any team. 

In 2010, their defense took a big step backwards. Barry Cofield and Stephen Bowen have both been brought in and are steps in the right direction. But with little talent on offense and huge holes in their defense, this team is far from competing within the division.

Trending: Downward 

29. Cincinnati Bengals

This will be a tough season for the Bengals.

Offensively, they bid farewell to receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, and welcome rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. The success of the offense will hinge directly on Dalton's ability to quickly accept the role of leader on this young team. Their identity as a smash-mouth offense may dissipate as well with Cedric Benson's status up in the air. This team is just a shell of the squad that swept the division only two season removed. 

Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer loses star cornerback Johnathan Joseph this season, and the defense will struggle with this breakup of their cornerback tandem. Nate Clements has some left in the tank, but hasn't been nearly as productive as Joseph has. Leon Hall is now the most talented player on the defense, which will likely see a dip in performance again in 2011.

Trending: Downward 

28. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have been very inactive in free agency, re-signing only quarterback Alex Smith and defensive lineman Ray McDonald. Smith will get a final chance to run this offense. If he can't, they may look to rookie Colin Kaepernick by midseason. 

However, free agency is hurting this defense more than the offense. It's looking like defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin, the heart of the defensive line, may be walking away. Takeo Spikes has also moved on, and the release of Nate Clements means they are in search of much-needed help in the secondary. 

Trending: Downward

27. Arizona Cardinals

Acquiring a solid quarterback was necessary, but they gave up far too much for Kevin Kolb, an unproven quarterback from Philadelphia. Kolb is inconsistent, and his production precedes other available quarterbacks such as Matt Moore. While Kolb's ceiling may be higher than Moore's and others, his price was far too high and will set them back. 

The loss of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the trade for Kolb will hurt this defense more than some realize. When he was on, he was one of the best corners in the league. They clearly rushed success and will pay for it in their secondary. Cornerback Richard Marshall is a nickel-quality player at best. 

Trending: Steady

26. Tennessee Titans

The Titans hold together a strong offensive line, but lack supporting talent around running back Chris Johnson. First-round pick Jake Locker will not be a difference-maker in his rookie season, and he's a developmental prospect at this point. Matt Hasselbeck will likely maintain the starting spot at quarterback through the entire season. 

This defense loses a great pass-rusher in Jason Babin, the team's most valuable defensive lineman. Without him, this defense is mediocre and will begin the rebuilding process. 

Trending: Downward

25. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers' production slipped for the second consecutive season in 2010, as running back DeAngelo Williams, linebacker Thomas Davis and almost the entire offensive line missed time due to injury.

They look to start fresh in 2011 and have gotten off to a good start. They retained their major free agents, DeAngelo Williams and Charles Johnson, and have brought in some proven targets for rookie quarterback Cam Newton. Tight ends Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey have turned what was one of the league's worst group of tight ends into one of the best.

The defense still has a big hole in the heart of their defensive line though. Rookies Terrell McClain and Sione Fua may start in Year 1 due to lack of talent at the position, although Derek Landri showed some upside last season.

What will make the Panthers improve this season will be the coaching staff. Ron Rivera is a defensive mastermind, and Sean McDermott is a direct disciple of Jim Johnson. Whether their offense will produce under Rob Chuzinski remains to be seen though.

Trending: Upward

24. Oakland Raiders

It's not that the Raiders have done a bad job in free agency thus far; the problem is they can't do anything more. They are tied down by the salary cap, and have lost out on free agents Nnamdi Asomugha and Robert Gallery. The Raiders' offense will slow down if Zach Miller escapes as well.

While Hue Jackson and Al Saunders will get the best out of the talent that they have, Darren McFadden can only take them so far with a big hole on the offensive line left by Gallery. 

The loss of Asomugha is a huge hit for this defense, and those who try to minimize it are mistaken. He is the best cornerback in the league, and any time you lose a player like that, it will take time to recover. It remains a possibility that they target another free-agent corner though. 

Trending: Downward

23. Minnesota Vikings

Initially, it appears Donovan McNabb will seem to bring this team back to contending in the division, but without a solid group of receivers, that is not likely. The team lost Sidney Rice, and their last receiving weapon is Percy Harvin, the versatile youngster who battles migraines. 

On defense, losing Ray Edwards hurts more than anything; the team now lacks any pass-rush outside of Jared Allen. They need to sign an experienced pass-rusher soon, or else they will be even more of a disappointment than they were in 2010. 

Trending: Steady

22. Miami Dolphins

Rookie Mike Pouncey will bolster Miami's weakness on the interior offensive line. Jake Long is a perennial Pro Bowler at tackle, but the team doesn't have many weapons on offense. Injecting Reggie Bush into the offense will mean they will be exciting at times, but without a solid quarterback, no one will be able to get him the ball consistently in open space where he is most dangerous. 

Mike Nolan made a huge difference for this defense. They are a young group that will only get better as they build better chemistry and further understand his system.

The defense is not what we worry about though; the issue is that on offense, they will only go as far as Chad Henne takes them—and that is a variable that changes on a day-to-day basis. 

Trending: Steady

21. Cleveland Browns

The strength of the team is their offensive line. Led by star tackle Joe Thomas, this is a formidable, well-rounded group. I love Montario Hardesty as a complement to Peyton Hillis, and I believe in Pat Shurmur's system. He will inject some life into this offense with sophomore Colt McCoy likely taking some step forwards in his second season as the starting quarterback. 

The Browns have a lot of young talent on defense. Converting to a 4-3 will be a short setback, but they have the personnel to make the switch without much of a disruption. The secondary will survive, even if cornerback Eric Wright leaves town, but I have a lot of questions about their front seven.

Trending: Upward

20. Seattle Seahawks

Letting Matt Hasselbeck go and signing Tarvaris Jackson may be a mistake that haunts this team. Signing guard Robert Gallery will be an upgrade on a porous offensive line, and Sidney Rice will be a great target for the recently-signed Jackson. Rice and receiver Mike Williams are backed up by a group of speedy receivers that makes this a dynamic group. 

On defense, the Seahawks retained defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, which is huge. They need to upgrade their pass-rush though if they don't re-sign defensive end Raheem Brock, who provided nine sacks for the team last year. 

Trending: Steady

19. Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler will continue to launch it deep with a group of speedy receivers. However, losing Greg Olsen means he will lack checkdown options. 

The defense was very good last year and remains solid at all positions. Rookie Stephen Paea will make an impact as a run-stuffing defensive tackle, but the youngster who really needs to step up is Major Wright, who will replace Danieal Manning in the secondary.

Trending: Downward 

18. New York Giants

The Giants have yet to make much noise in free agency. Re-signing receiver Steve Smith and tight end Kevin Boss should be on their mind, but we will have to wait and see. Eli Manning is going to need his top targets in order to bounce back from an off-year. 

One move they did make was signing Mathias Kiwanuka to a long-term deal. Retaining one of their better pass-rushers was a smart move, but letting defensive line-mate Barry Cofield go was not. Cofield's presence will be missed, whether or not they realize that yet. 

Cofield's replacement is Marvin Austin, a rookie from North Carolina. He comes in with some big character concerns that only increased when he bombed his interviews at the NFL Combine. 

Trending: Steady

17. St. Louis Rams

Sam Bradford was a game away from taking this team to the playoffs in his rookie season and looks primed to do so in 2011. The team has been aggressive in free agency while also using their money intelligently. Guard Harvey Dahl and Mike Sims-Walker will be huge improvements to assist Bradford as he attempts to make the second-year leap that is very important for quarterbacks. 

Their best signing may have been on the other side of the ball though.

Safety Quintin Mikell adds veteran leadership to a subpar secondary. On the defensive line, it remains to be seen what impact rookie Robert Quinn will have, but this team already gets good pressure on the quarterback, so production out of Quinn will be just a bonus. 

Trending: Upward

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs are opting to save for the future and have refrained from offering big contracts in free agency. In 2011, they will once again have a very balanced offense led by third-year quarterback Josh Freeman and punishing running back LeGarrette Blount.

Rookies Da'Quan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn should make an impact in their rookie seasons. Both are polished players, but have had health issues. Signing a starting cornerback is the next step if the Bucs want to contend for a NFC title.

Trending: Steady 

15. Kansas City Chiefs

Adding Steve Breaston and drafting Jonathan Baldwin will add even more talent to a young group of receivers. This will be a more balanced offense, but don't expect a dip in production from star running back Jamaal Charles. Charles had one of the best seasons ever by a back in 2010, but should receive more carries this season. 

They will need to replace Ron Edwards at nose tackle, but he wasn't a difference-maker on defense. It is simply a matter of finding a capable player to step in until the Chiefs are able to draft a defensive lineman next year. 

Trending: Steady

14. New Orleans Saints

The Saints may take a step back this season. Free agency has hit them hard, as they have more free agents than any team in the league. Not to mention they did end last season on a foul note, losing to the worst playoff team in NFL history.

Losing a playmaker in Reggie Bush will be difficult to replace as well, but rookie Mark Ingram will ensure the Saints have a balanced attack next season.

Defensively, the team retains their most significant contributors. They managed to retain Roman Harper and hope that Darren Sharper will not leave for a starting job as he is the main source of depth in their secondary.  

Trending: Steady

13. Jacksonville Jaguars

There is a bit of an uncomfortable quarterback battle going on between veteran David Garrard and rookie Blaine Gabbert, but for now, the job is clearly Garrard's. 

The offense loses a red zone threat in Mike Sims-Walker, but they may have gotten a steal in fourth-round pick Cecil Shorts. I love Shorts' combination of strength and athleticism. 

Defensively, they've made three great signings in Dawan Landry, Paul Posluzny and Clint Session. They had a terrible group of linebackers, but the position is now a strength on their defense. These signings will shore up what was one of the NFL's worst defenses last season. 

Trending: Upward

12. Dallas Cowboys

Losing Tony Romo derailed the Cowboys' playoff hopes last season. He returns healthy though, and their hope rides on him fitting right back into this offense. 

The team released receiver Roy Williams, but they have two talented starters who hold this receiving corps together. Look for Romo to start where he left off and this offense to once again rank among the top 10 in the league. 

The Cowboys missed out on the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes, but they still have plenty of talent on their defense, and if anyone will get the best out of them, it will be Rob Ryan.

Trending: Upward

11. Detroit Lions

If Matthew Stafford can last through the season, this will be a very exciting team to watch. Jahvid Best is a versatile weapon, and rookie Mikel Leshoure will make an impact as a backup to Best. Calvin "Megatron" Johnson provides an attractive weapon for Stafford, and rookie Titus Young is another speedy receiver who will break into the starting lineup by season's end. 

Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley will instill fear in any offensive line, and the Lions did some patchwork behind them as well. In the secondary, Eric Wright is a huge upgrade, and linebackers Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant turn this team's weakness into a strength. This is one of the most improved defenses heading into the season. 

Trending: Upward

10. Houston Texans

Houston will retain practically their entire offense heading into 2011. The offense will be impressive with Matt Schaub at quarterback surrounded by weapons in Arian Foster and Andre Johnson. 

The real trouble with this team was the secondary. In a league dominated by the passing game, Houston seemed out of the loop on defense. They had a gaping hole in their secondary, but signing free agent Johnathan Joseph will do wonders to replace the production they lost when Dunta Robinson left in 2010. An underrated signing was that of Danieal Manning, who will help the cause in bringing this defense back to respectability.

Trending: Upward

9. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens need a back to spell Ray Rice with the departure of Willis McGahee. Rice is a very good all-around talent, but cannot handle the workload with his small frame. Losing Todd Heap, Derrick Mason and Jared Gaither may also cause a slow start to the season.

The defense will be fine this year, but time is running out on this aging team. They did take some steps toward building for the future by drafting Jimmy Smith, who was a steal at the end of the first round. I'm also confident Tom Zbikowski can replace Dawan Landry as a great run-supporter at the safety spot opposite Ed Reed.

Trending: Steady 

8. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta gave up five draft picks to trade for Julio Jones during the draft. If Jones does not pan out, that will be a move they regret. He is another playmaker on offense, but they lack production on the offensive line with the departure of Harvey Dahl and the uncertainty of Justin Blalock's future. 

Signing Ray Edwards was smart for a team in need of pass-rusher. They still have room for improvement in the secondary though, where they gave up a lot of yards in 2010. They were fourth in the league in interceptions, but need to be more consistent this season. 

Trending: Steady

7. New York Jets

The Jets' duo at receiver is officially split up. Braylon Edwards, their most productive receiver in 2010, was an afterthought with the team signing Plaxico Burress and retaining Santonio Holmes. 

If Mark Sanchez brings his playoff mentality to the regular season, the offense will move on, but if not, I see a regression.

Rex Ryan is a defensive mastermind, but after missing out on Nnamdi Asomugha, this team is in search of a solid starting cornerback. Antonio Cromartie will likely choose between New York and Oakland, but if he chooses Oakland, they may have to make a trade to acquire a player such as Philadelphia's Asante Samuel. 

Trending: Downward

6. San Diego Chargers

If I told you the top offense in the NFL would miss the playoffs before the beginning of last season, you would have doubted me.

If I told top the top defense in the NFL would miss the playoffs, you would have likely doubted me even more.

But if I told you that a team with the top offense and defense would miss the playoffs, you would have thought I was crazy. 

The Chargers were proof of the importance of special teams, and they've worked to improve theirs. Special teams coach Rich Bisaccia may be the most important newcomer on this team. 

Philip Rivers leads a very efficient offense that will look to build on the strong finish their running game had in 2010. Even if Malcom Floyd is out of town, Rivers gets the most out of whoever lines up at receiver on this team. 

Corey Liuget will make an impact on defense. With Ron Rivera taking over as head coach in Carolina, the talent on this defense will have to compensate.

Trending: Upward

5. Indianapolis Colts

Injuries killed the Colts last season; it's a wonder the team was even able to make the playoffs. I love the picks of Anthony Costanzo and Ben Ijalana to bolster what was a very bad offensive line. Peyton Manning can only hope his offense does not fall apart around him this year. 

If the defense stays healthy, Larry Coyer can finally return to the aggressive defense he tried to implement last season. They have the personnel to use his attacking philosophy, but they need their cornerbacks to play more consistently. Their big weakness is at defensive tackle, where they lack a true NFL starter. 

Trending: Upward

4. Philadelphia Eagles

It will be tough for Michael Vick to post a repeat performance of 2010, but having him under center with the first team through training camp means he will get off to just as good of a start.

That is, if they are able to get star receiver DeSean Jackson into training camp. 

Jackson is holding out for a bigger contract, and it's hard to blame him. He's arguably the most explosive player in the league and deserves a contract extension. He is being paid $565,000 this season—that's hardly superstar money. In fact, it's hardly scout team warrior money. 

Signing defensive linemen Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins, as well as cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, means this defense will be one of the NFL's most feared. Babin will be a great pass-rushing presence, and Asomugha may just be the best cornerback in the league—a title he would hold if he would simply play on both sides of the field. 

Losing Quintin Mikell does hurt this secondary, but that loss will barely be felt with Asomugha shutting down one half of the field and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie jumping routes on the other. 

Trending: Upward

3. Green Bay Packers

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers loses no weapons on this offense, and running back Ryan Grant will return. Their strong group of receivers will create mismatches all season long, and they will be in contention for another Super Bowl. 

Losing Cullen Jenkins hurts this defense, but Dom Capers will find a way to put pressure on the quarterback. Led by Clay Matthews, this group really elevated its play last year, and look for them to do so again, even with Jenkins' absence. 

Trending: Steady

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have retained their top free agents and won't suffer from a Super Bowl slump. 

Despite the James Harrison controversy, this team has better chemistry this season, and this offense will look even better with Big Ben for a full season. I believe Marcus Gilbert can step in and improve this offensive line by midseason. 

On defense, Dick LeBeau will manage a squad that has suffered from little turnover and will instill fear in offensive coordinators all season. Cameron Heyward adds depth on the defensive line, and if Crezdon Butler can step up, the team's biggest weakness (cornerback) will no longer be a liability. It was evident as ever in the Super Bowl that teams can exploit the Steelers' lack of depth at cornerback. 

Trending: Steady

1. New England Patriots

This offense missed a deep threat in the wake of Randy Moss' departure last season. Chad Ochocinco doubles as a great possession receiver and a deep threat. I have no doubts about this acquisition. Ochocinco will follow the plan in New England, and he cares more about winning than improving his image at this point.

Albert Haynesworth will make an impact whether or not he is a full-time starter. Bill Belichick will find a way to involve him in a manner that keeps him happy and helps this defense.

The worries are in the secondary though. They are inconsistent and take a lot of risks. It resulted in a lot of takeaways in 2010, but way too many yards allowed for a Super Bowl contender.

Trending: Upward