NFL Power Rankings: Dangerous Teams on the Rise After NFL Draft

Ryan PhillipsJun 7, 2018

Thanks to the offseason and fantastic performances during the 2012 NFL draft, three teams have gotten a whole lot better.

The following three franchises have made themselves dangerous heading into the 2012 season. They may not be title contenders yet, but the moves they executed this offseason will make them dangerous in 2012.

San Diego Chargers

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The Chargers did a great job of addressing needs this offseason. They needed to get much better defensively and had to finally regain the edge they used to have on defense. By adding outside linebacker Jarret Johnson through free agency and drafting Melvin Ingram, Kendall Reyes and Brandon Taylor, San Diego did just that.

The Chargers vastly improved their front seven defensively, while Taylor should compete with free-agent addition Atari Bigby for the starting spot next to Pro Bowler Eric Weddle.

Offensively, San Diego will hope for a bounce-back season from quarterback Philip Rivers, but they added weapons around him as well. Jared Gaither and Nick Hardwick were re-signed to bolster the offensive line, and two-time Pro Bowl fullback Le'Ron McClain was added as well.

With Vincent Jackson off to Tampa Bay at the opening of free agency, the Chargers brought in Robert Meachem, Eddie Royal and Roscoe Parrish to improve their receiving corps. The sum total of the added parts is greater than what Jackson brought to the table, and it costs less as well.

Through the draft, San Diego made itself much better defensively, while adding guys like exceptionally athletic tight end Ladarius Green and Rimington Award winner David Molk will provide depth and upside at positions of need.

If Rivers can prove his early-season slump in 2011 was an aberration, the Chargers will be dangerous in 2012.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers finished 12-4 last season, but don't be fooled, they had their issues. In the draft, Pittsburgh addressed serious needs along the offensive line and got steals in Stanford guard David DeCastro and Ohio State tackle Mike Adams.

DeCastro will be one of the NFL's best guards from day one, while Adams has the potential to be special if he gets his head straight.

The Steelers also had a need at inside linebacker with James Farrior gone, and they snagged Miami 'backer Sean Spence in the third round to fill that spot. Spence is a heady, instinctive playmaker who should fit perfectly in Pittsburgh's defensive scheme.

The pick I really loved was the steal the team got when Washington nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu fell to the fourth round. I had Ta'amu with a second-round grade and think he will fit perfectly as a backup to the aging Casey Hampton before taking over when the long-time Steeler retires.

Pittsburgh got better along both lines in the draft and essentially reloaded its roster with impact players. It should be quite a dogfight for the top spot in the AFC North in 2012.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers still have to fit all of the players they have acquired onto the same field and see what the chemistry is like, but there is no doubt their roster is vastly improved.

Tampa Bay made a splash in free agency by adding receiver Vincent Jackson, guard Carl Nicks and cornerback Eric Wright. Then, during the draft, the Bucs bolstered their defense by selecting Alabama safety Mark Barron, Nebraska outside linebacker Lavonte David and West Virginia cornerback Keith Tandy. They also grabbed Tandy's teammate Najee Goode.

Offensively, Tampa Bay addressed a huge need by trading back into the first round to draft Boise State running back Doug Martin. Most expect the well-rounded Martin to step in as the starter from day one, but at the very least, he provides a lot of the abilities that current starter LeGarrette Blount lacks.

Blount is a power runner who has been injured a lot, struggled with fumbles and adds almost nothing to the passing game. Martin is durable, versatile and hangs on to the football.

Quarterback Josh Freeman will have no excuses for a down performance this year. The Bucs are a whole lot better. If the players prove that they can all fit in together and new head coach Greg Schiano gets them to buy into his system, Tampa Bay will be tough to beat.

NFL Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (15-1)

2. New England Patriots (13-3)

3. New York Giants (9-7)

4. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

5. Houston Texans (10-6)

6. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)

7. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

9. San Diego Chargers (8-8)

10. Detroit Lions (10-6)

11. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)