NFL Power Rankings: Teams Sliding Down This Offseason

With the offseason is winding down, teams have run out of options in terms of improving their rosters.

Here is a look at three teams who have been sliding down my power rankings because they have failed to improve or haven't addressed specific needs since the end of the 2011 season.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins swung and missed at adding a quarterback who could immediately upgrade the team's offense this offseason. They went after Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn, and Alex Smith but didn't get any of them. Instead, they signed David Garrard and drafted Ryan Tannehill. Neither guy will be much of an upgrade in 2012.

In free agency the Dolphins didn't add much offensively. Other than Legedu Naanee, the Dolphins did nothing to address the serious deficiency at wide receiver that was created with the trade of Brandon Marshall.

The one thing the Dolphins already had was a solid stable of running backs with Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas. However, they decided to add Lamar Miller in the draft, a guy who needs to have a ton of carries to develop. It was a pick that just didn't seem to make sense.

Miami did address a hole at right tackle by snagging Stanford's Jonathan Martin in the second round and drafting defensive end Olivier Vernon in the third round was also a solid selection.

The Dolphins just didn't make themselves much better this offseason. In fact, the hole at quarterback looks even worse now that Marshall is gone and the receiving corps is so depleted. It could be a long year for Miami fans in 2012.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints were one of the NFL's best teams in 2011, but they will be worse off in 2012 simply because Sean Payton will not be calling plays. Payton has an outstanding football mind and is an outstanding play-caller. 

New Orleans added to their defense in preparation for losing several players to suspension as a result of the bounty scandal. They signed defensive tackle Broderick Bunkley and linebackers David Hawthorne and Curtis Lofton. Those deals will certainly help pick up the defense as the offense is sure to suffer a bit from Payton's absence. 

Offensively the Saints didn't add much. After losing Carl Nicks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency, New Orleans picked up free agent guard Ben Grubbs, who is very good, but he's not the game-changing lineman Nicks is.

In addition to that, quarterback Drew Brees still does not have a long-term contract in place and he is currently sitting out offseason workouts. 

With Payton gone, Brees is the leader of the team's offense. His presence is incredibly important this offseason as he will likely be seriously involved in game planning and getting the offense on track.

The longer the Saints wait to get a deal with Brees done, the worse they will be in 2012.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars had the worst offense in the NFL last season and I really don't see how they've gotten much better this offseason. Jacksonville snagged Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon with the fifth pick in this year's draft and signed receiver Laurent Robinson. 

While both players should be solid, they don't profile as players who can elevate an offense on their own. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert has a lot of work to do on his game and during his rookie season in 2011 he showed that he's not close to being ready for the NFL.

Jacksonville's defense is solid and the addition of Clemson defensive end Andre Branch in the second round should help that side of the ball improve. 

But the key will be the team's offense and getting some semblance of a passing game. Gabbert completed just 50.8 percent of his passes for 2,214 yards, with 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2011. His passer rating of 65.4 ranked dead last in the NFL. 

The Jaguars need to figure out a way to make their franchise quarterback better or they will continue to flounder.

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)

12. New Orleans Saints (13-3)

13. Denver Broncos (8-8)

14. Chicago Bears (8-8)

15. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

16. New York Jets (8-8)

17. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)

18. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)

19. Tennessee Titans (9-7)

20. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

21. Carolina Panthers (6-10)

22. Buffalo Bills (6-10)

23. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)

25. Miami Dolphins (6-10)

26. Oakland Raiders (8-8)

27. Washington Redskins (5-11)

28. St. Louis Rams (2-14)

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)

30. Minnesota Vikings (4-12)

31. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)

32. Cleveland Browns (4-12)