NFL Power Rankings: Teams on the Rise Heading into Draft Weekend

Before we get into the rankings, let's get one thing clear: This is how I am judging each team's roster heading into the draft. Think of it as my early predictions for the season based on the players and coaches on board already.

While last year's successes or failures have been taken into account, I'm looking forward here and ranking these teams based on how good I think they'll be this year based upon how they are currently structured.

With that in mind, a few organizations have made moves that should serve them very well. Let's highlight them as I unveil my first (ridiculously early) version of the NFL power rankings for 2012.

1. New York Giants (When you win the Super Bowl, you get the default top spot until the season begins.)

2. Houston Texans

3. New England Patriots

4. Green Bay Packers 

5. Baltimore Ravens

6. San Francisco 49ers

7. Atlanta Falcons 

8.  Cincinnati Bengals

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

10. Chicago Bears

The Bears very well may have been a playoff team last season were it not for injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, making their offense about as ferocious as Snuggles the Bear.

But with a healthy unit this year and the addition of ex-Cutler battery mate Brandon Marshall, the Bears are a squad to be reckoned with this season. And losing Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator should help as well, as will adding Jeremy Bates as the quarterbacks coach.

Still, this all hinges on whether or not everything will shake out with Matt Forte. Michael Bush is a nice backup, but Forte is the key to this offense. The Bears look like contenders, but they need a happy and productive Forte to live up to those expectations.

11. New Orleans Saints

12. Detroit Lions

13. Philadelphia Eagles

14. Kansas City Chiefs

15. Denver Broncos

You don't get worse by adding Peyton Manning, which is why it may surprise some people that I have the Broncos down at 15.

Thing is, I simply think a lot of the teams above them have more potential as we stand today. The Chiefs, for instance, made small tweaks that should help them this offseason, but they also get several prominent players back from season-ending injuries.

The Broncos are tough to predict. They'll be better, but how much better? Will Manning have immediate success, or will there be an adjustment period? Can the defense take the next step?

The Broncos are on the rise. But they are ranked 15 for now because I'm still not sure when that rise will kick in.

16. Dallas Cowboys

17. Buffalo Bills 

You add Mario Williams, you're a team on the rise. He has the opportunity to make their defensive line the best in the league and be a significant difference-maker for the Bills.

Oh, and Mark Anderson for the other defensive end position was a nice touch, too.

The Bills will be better this year. But how much better will rest squarely on the right arm of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. And that's why they are 17th on this list.

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Again, adding Carl Nicks and Vincent Jackson can only improve this offense. And with the fifth pick in the NFL draft, they are in line to draft another very talented player.

Remember, this is a young team only a year removed from a 10-6 record. There is talent here, and they bolstered it by winning the offseason.

They aren't a playoff team just yet. But they also won't finish 4-12 for a second straight year.

19. Arizona Cardinals

20. New York Jets

21. San Diego Chargers

22. Oakland Raiders

23. Seattle Seahawks

24. Carolina Panthers

25. Washington Redskins

26. Cleveland Browns

27. Tennessee Titans

28. Miami Dolphins

29. St. Louis Rams

30. Minnesota Vikings

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

32. Indianapolis Colts

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