Grading Every NFL Roster at the Start of Training Camps

"Every single team is better, except for the teams that I don't like."

At the moment, that's the major storyline on every talk radio station and message board in every single NFL city. "New" equals "better" in the minds of fans, because it has to in order to keep them going. Fans of bad teams need to believe they're ready to go from worst to first. Fans of good teams need to believe they will stay up there.

It's this dynamic that keeps the NFL rolling through the offseason. It's a long time period, and the absence of the game many of us love makes it seem even longer. However, the incremental bursts of seeming improvement keep fans coming back for more.

It can't all be true, though. Some teams just have to get worse, while others will stay stagnate. After all, general managers make mistakes, coaches lose the message, players come back out of shape, injuries happen and chemistry fades.

It's the NFL's own little form of entropy, and everyone fights against it. Unfortunately, not everybody wins.

Read on the find out the pre-draft and post-draft roster grades for all 32 teams as we get set to enter training camp season.

Arizona Cardinals

While all the talk in the NFC West this offseason has centered around the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks (and rightfully so), too few have pointed out the terrific work the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals have done to improve their respective rosters.

The Cardinals rebuild might not be a long-term project, however, with quarterback Carson Palmer (seen above) being 33 years old and already having retired once. Head coach Bruce Arians has also considered retirement in the past.

The strategy is clear: get as much immediate help around superstar wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald as possible before his best days are behind him.

Pre-draft Grade: D+

Post-draft Grade: C

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons were already a really good football team in 2012 before they added running back Steven Jackson this offseason (pictured above). They are a perfect example, though, of how difficult it can be to get "over the hump" through draft picks.

Rookie first-rounder Desmond Trufant and veteran Robert McClain might both be great players for Atlanta, but cornerback is a notoriously tough position to make an immediate impact at. Do not be surprised if the defensive backfield is still a minor Achilles' heel for the Falcons in 2013.

Still, the Falcons are one of the best teams, on paper, in the entire league.

Pre-draft Grade: A-

Post-draft Grade: A-

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens might be named in reference to Edgar Allen Poe, but they're channeling Mark Twain this offseason, as the reports of their death have been greatly exaggerated.

While opposing fans and media concentrate on the players they've lost this offseason, the truth is that the Ravens are a better team in 2013 than they were in 2012. That might not mean a second straight Super Bowl berth for quarterback Joe Flacco and company (it is ridiculously hard to repeat in the NFL, let alone in the tough AFC North), but they shouldn't be counted out either.

Additions like linebackers Arthur Brown, Elvis Dumervil and Daryl Smith, safeties Michael Huff and Matt Elam, as well as defensive linemen Chris Canty and Marcus Spears can contribute to a defense that struggled last season.

Pre-draft Grade: A-

Post-draft Grade: A

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills have used this offseason to show the NFL exactly what a long-term rebuild can look like without having a huge, immediate impact on 2013.

Last year, we were treated to fantastic rookie quarterback play that helped teams like the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins make the playoffs, but that still might be too much to hope for from quarterback EJ Manuel and the Bills.

Frankly, even if the wins don't come for Buffalo, it's adding a lot of team speed and excitement to the roster, which should pay dividends down the line. However, if running back C.J. Spiller is given some clear running lanes by the presence of additions like receivers Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin, the offense could be explosive sooner rather than later.

Pre-draft Grade: B-

Post-draft Grade:  B

Carolina Panthers

It's the first offseason for new general manager David Gettleman, and it was a great one if only because it solved a problem on the interior of the defensive line, which the Panthers have dealt with for years. Now that they have defensive tackles Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short, they shouldn't have any trouble keeping their linebackers and defensive ends in position to make players. 

There are still a bunch of holes on the roster. They lack long-term receiving talent, don't have a tight end who can consistently exploit matchups and will struggle to stop the long pass with their defensive backfield. But any time quarterback Cam Newton takes the field, they should be able to find ways to score points. With a better defense in 2013 and beyond, that could equate to many more wins. 

Pre-draft Grade: B-

Post-draft Grade: B

Chicago Bears

No, the Chicago Bears didn't get "worse" through the offseason process. However, in the league-wide curve that we're grading on here, it's easy to see (as long as one isn't a Bears fan) that maybe they didn't improve quite as much as their peers did

Bears fans are high on guys like offensive linemen Jermon Bushrod and Kyle Long, as well as tight end Martellus Bennett. To be honest, though, I'm not so high on those additions, and from an on-the-field perspective, it's a little crazy to think a wholesale regime and scheme change won't cause Chicago to miss a beat.

Overall, the Bears didn't do enough to shore up their defense this offseason. Their draft was lackluster and their free-agent targets were well-placed in terms of position but underwhelming. It's not enough to crack the top two in the NFC North.

Pre-draft Grade: B+

Post-draft Grade: B

Cincinnati Bengals

Overall, I had two big concerns about the Cincinnati Bengals heading into the offseason. First, could they improve their defensive backfield? Secondly, could they add some impact to their offense to aid quarterback Andy Dalton?

The answer to the first question is found in the draft selection of safety Shawn Williams, who has been impressive and may contend for a starting safety spot. However, the biggest impact was the resounding "yes" to the second question with the additions of two other rookies, tight end Tyler Eifert and running back Gio Bernard.

Those offensive weapons alongside wide receiver A.J. Green should give Dalton all he needs to manage games and come away with victories. The AFC North won't be easy, but there's little reason why the Bengals can't challenge to win it.

Pre-draft Grade: B+

Post-draft Grade: A-

Cleveland Browns

A lot of Cleveland Browns fans want to believe that the new coaching regime will be a panacea for this team. They seem to think that quarterback Brandon Weeden is just going to magically flip some switch that he couldn't find last season and that the addition of a mediocre slot receiver (Davone Bess) will help the receiving corps be that much more explosive.

The defense is also supposed to take the leap from having some good pieces to being a stout AFC North-style defense. It got a few tweaks from defensive coordinator Ray Horton and the addition of a situational pass-rusher in Barkevious Mingo and an overpaid 3-4 defensive end in Paul Kruger.

If your sarcasm meter is going off, dear reader, that's intentional. The Browns shouldn't expect a huge step forward in Year 1 of this rebuild. With two new schemes to stock and a big question mark under center, the Browns will be extremely lucky if they're not picking in the top 10 again next spring.

Pre-draft Grade: B-

Post-draft Grade: B-

Dallas Cowboys

As long as Jerry Jones is making personnel decisions for the Dallas Cowboys, they will continue to be a much better team on paper than they actually are on the field. Right now, this team isn't even that good on paper. 

Quarterback Tony Romo is not the problem. The offensive line play in front of him was horrendous last year, and there is little sign of it getting much better. Left tackle Tyron Smith could be an All-Pro on the right side, but he was overmatched last season and will continue to be in 2013. The Week 1 starting guards might be people Dallas fans have never heard of thanks to injuries and the fact that center Travis Frederick was overdrafted in order to fill a big need at the expense of other talented players on the board.

Meanwhile, the defense will put a bunch of people out of position to lean on a defensive scheme (Tampa 2) and a defensive coordinator (Monte Kiffin) that time passed by a long time ago.

Pre-draft Grade: B

Post-draft Grade: B-

Denver Broncos

It's tempting to knock the Broncos a partial letter grade for the suspension of linebacker Von Miller or even the hijinks of the front office, but that would be a knee-jerk reaction when they appear to be the best AFC West team by a wide margin.

Who cares that the defense might give up 40 points a game during Miller's suspension? Quarterback Peyton Manning's offense can still match that total with the receiving talent they've put together and the additions they've made in the running game—particularly guard Louis Vasquez and running back Montee Ball.

Even with all of the shenanigans this offseason, anything less than a Super Bowl appearance would be a disappointment for the Broncos.

Pre-draft Grade: A

Post-draft Grade:  A

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have done a good a job as anyone at getting creative with their cap issues and pushing money problems down the road. In the future, the hope is that new TV deals will increase the cap and give the Lions some relief from big-money players like quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

This offseason, the Lions also did a phenomenal job of plugging many holes on the team with talent that may be even better than last season. Rookie defensive end Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah is a perfect fit for the Lions' Wide Nine scheme, and running back Reggie Bush can provide exactly what they hoped to get from the recently released Jahvid Best for all those years.

The big question here is the offensive line and Stafford. If the line can't protect him and he wilts under the pressure, this will be a long season. No one is expecting this team to be any better than third or fourth in the NFC North, but it's a much better club than it was in January.

Pre-draft Grade: C

Post-draft Grade: B-

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers are one of the forgotten super powers in the NFL these days. The last memory most of us have of Green Bay is the trouncing that the San Francisco 49ers put on it in the playoffs last season, and that keeps them from being mentioned in the same breath as teams like San Francisco, Seattle and others as top Super Bowl contenders.

It shouldn't, though.

The addition of rookie running backs Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin should give the offense the rushing attack it needs to keep defenses from pinning their ears back against quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Meanwhile, rookie defensive lineman Datone Jones should provide the defense a much-needed breath of fresh air as they continue to get more athletic in order to stop the new breed of read-option quarterbacks that vexed them last season.

Pre-draft Grade: A-

Post-draft Grade: A

Houston Texans

I'm not high on the Houston Texans' offseason because they only brought in one true impact player (rookie wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins), and even he should take a season of acclimation to get used to the NFL.

Outside of that, the biggest thing Texans fans can hope for is the re-addition of linebacker Brian Cushing, whom the defense sorely missed in the second half of 2012.

Overall, this is a team that needs big help on the offensive line (especially the right side) and at all three levels of the defense. Defensive lineman J.J. Watt made a lot of his teammates look better last season, but he needs more help around him if the Texans are finally going to get over the proverbial hump.

Pre-draft Grade: B+

Post-draft Grade: B+

Indianapolis Colts

I'm on record calling Andrew Luck a viable MVP candidate for next season, and a big reason for that is the improved help around him through free agency and the draft.

The offensive line is better with players like offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus and guard Donald Thomas, and the addition of running back Ahmad Bradshaw should help not only the rushing attack, but also the team's pass-blocking. Furthermore, the additions on defense should give Luck shorter fields and more possessions off turnovers to work with.

The Colts will contend with the Texans for supremacy in the AFC South this season and beyond. The moves that general manager Ryan Grigson made this offseason could very easily put Indianapolis on top.

Pre-draft Grade: B

Post-draft Grade: A-

Jacksonville Jaguars

Almost everything the Jacksonville Jaguars have done this season has been a positive in my book. Yet the hole was so deep after the tenure of former general manager Gene Smith that new general manager David Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley are going to have their work cut out for them.

No matter who gets added to the defense, offensive line or the skill positions, the biggest factor for success in 2013 needs to be the improved maturation of quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Note please that "continued" represents one of the most complimentary things I've said about Gabbert since he was at Missouri. His rookie reason was atrocious, while his second year showed some promise here and there. If he can show improved pocket presence and decision-making in the upcoming year, the Jaguars could surprise.

Overall, the team is on the right track, but it's still a year or two away from viable competition. Still, the Jaguars should be more competitive and a lot more exciting to watch this season.

Pre-draft Grade: D+

Post-draft Grade: C-

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are one of my darkhorse picks for an AFC wild-card spot this year, and much of that has to do with the additions of quarterback Alex Smith, rookie right tackle Eric Fisher and head coach Andy Reid.

Seriously, if the Chiefs had only gotten adequate head coaching and quarterbacking last season, they could have won four or five more games—there's that much talent elsewhere on the team. They didn't get those things, though, and they floundered.

Now, with support from stalwarts like running back Jamaal Charles, wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, tight ends Tony Moeaki, Anthony Fasano and Travis Kelce, as well as the intriguing addition of consultant Chris Ault (father of the Pistol formation), Smith should be able to put up decent numbers and lead this team into surprising contention.

They are still years away from challenging the Denver Broncos for the AFC West title (and likely won't while Peyton Manning is playing quarterback in the Mile High City), but the Chiefs should be a much better team in 2013 and beyond.

Pre-draft Grade: D+

Post-draft Grade: C+

Miami Dolphins

This Miami Dolphins team already got their big bump in early free agency with the signing of wide receiver Mike Wallace, so that is reflected in my pre-draft grading.

Their draft, though, didn't do much to put them over the hump—especially because I consider defensive end Dion Jordan out of position with his hand in the dirt. He was great in coverage at Oregon, and they will be wasting that talent of his if they keep him as a one-dimensional rusher.

The Dolphins should be improved from last season, but it remains to be seen if this restock will help them over the long term. They overpaid for a lot of talent this offseason, and general manager Jeff Ireland had to have felt some heat from his seat to make the moves he did.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill will have a lot more skill position help than he did last season, but the offensive line in front of him is still suspect. If Tannehill can put it together and take a step forward, the Dolphins could conceivably take a shot at an AFC wild-card spot in 2013. If not, though, Ireland could be looking for new work next offseason, and Miami might be facing another disappointing season.

Pre-draft Grade: B

Post-draft Grade: B

Minnesota Vikings

We talked about the Green Bay Packers as an underrated contender, but how about the Minnesota Vikings?

This is a team that made the playoffs last season with quarterback Christian Ponder playing "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide-Your-Eyes" under center. They also did so without receiver Percy Harvin down the stretch, which is a big reason why they felt comfortable trading him to Seattle.

That trade helped the Vikings land three draft picks in April, which they used to upgrade their wide receiving and cornerback corps while also improving the defensive line rotation. Of those picks, only cornerback Xavier Rhodes should be expected to start right away, while receiver Cordarrelle Patterson and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd will be much-needed reserves.

This is a much better football team than they're given credit for, and they should be in the playoff hunt this season.

Pre-draft Grade: B

Post-draft Grade: B+

New England Patriots

It's a knee-jerk reaction to think the New England Patriots will be anything but a contender this season. Yes, the loss of tight end Aaron Hernandez to the penal system will hurt them, and yes, it's a black eye. Sure, the continued rehab of tight end Rob Gronkowski also holds a shadow over their offense. And of course, it will be important for wide receivers Aaron Dobson and Danny Amendola to step up. 

Are we really doubting quarterback Tom Brady, though?

Also, the Patriots run the football better than anyone seems to give them credit for, and the defense has steadily improved from a talent perspective over the last couple of offseasons. Meanwhile, Brady is still one of the top quarterbacks in the league and can do "less with more" better than almost anyone else.

Count them out at your own peril.

Pre-draft Grade: A-

Post-draft Grade: A-

New Orleans Saints

The Saints should be improved this season with a better defensive scheme and having their head coach back from Bountygate purgatory. Yet as mentioned previously, coaching is not a cure-all for teams. Sometimes, there are just player personnel issues that need to be improved. 

Quarterback Drew Brees was under duress last season, and the long passing game suffered because of it. Sean Payton can do some things to improve that, but not as much as better protection and better receivers might be able to do. The same can be said for the defense that still lacks plenty of talent at plenty of positions, no matter who holds the playcard on the sidelines.

Are they better than last year? Yes, but anyone expecting the Saints to immediately jump back into contention in 2013 needs to have a little patience.

Pre-draft Grade: B+

Post-draft Grade: B

New York Giants

The Giants had a good free-agency session and a decent draft, but they did nothing to put them over the top from a talent perspective in an increasingly tough NFC East and NFC overall. It's going to come down to quarterback Eli Manning and what he can do with the help around him, which should be slightly improved from last season.

The defense, too, should be slightly improved with a better linebacking corps, and the team will hopefully get more out of its defensive line rotation as well. The additions of defensive tackles Johnathan Hankins and Cullen Jenkins alongside linebackers Dan Connor and Keith Rivers should keep opponents from running up the score.

In the end, the buck still has to stop with Manning. At his best, Manning can lead this team to another Super Bowl, but anything less than his best and the playoffs could be out of sight once again.

Pre-draft Grade: B+

Post-draft Grade: B+

New York Jets

The focus may be on the quarterback battle between Geno Smith and Mark Sanchez, but the biggest improvement of the offseason might be on defense, where two rookies—defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson and cornerback Dee Milliner—should both help the unit get back on track. It was better in 2012 than people realize, and it should take a step back toward prominence in 2013, even without departed cornerback Darrelle Revis.

That said, the team isn't going anywhere with that offense. Running back additions Chris Ivory and Mike Goodson have their work cut out for them behind the right side of that offensive line, and the passing game still lacks viable weapons. That could spell doom for whoever ends up under center.

Pre-draft Grade: C

Post-draft Grade: C+

Oakland Raiders

I wholeheartedly believe the Oakland Raiders are on the right track. Like I said about the Jaguars, the Raiders fanbase needs to understand the depth to which they had fallen. No one was pulling this franchise out of the doldrums in short order, and general manager Reggie McKenzie is doing a fantastic job overhauling both sides of the ball.

Still, lots of moving parts and average talent is going to be good for this team, more in the long term than immediately, though, and some hiccups should be expected in 2013. Anything more than "worst team in the league" should be gravy, as this franchise needed to be torn down in order to be built back up.

The biggest question in camp will be at the quarterback position. Matt Flynn and Tyler Wilson both have talent, but Wilson is more athletically gifted and Flynn has more polish to his game. Whoever takes over the reins, it will be important to get the passing game going if running back Darren McFadden is going to have more success this season—even in their return to the power blocking scheme.

Pre-draft Grade: C-

Post-draft Grade:  C-

Philadelphia Eagles

Like the New York Jets, the Philadelphia Eagles are holding a highly visable quarterback competition this offseason between veteran Michael Vick, sophomore Nick Foles and rookie Matt Barkley.

Foles has reportedly thrown the ball well in workouts, but shorts and shirts workouts are incredibly useless in the overall battle for a starting position. Once the rush is on and the blitzes start firing, the real competition should heat up.

The rest of the team will be asked to fall in line under Chip Kelly's offensive tempo, just like the quarterback, and it's going to put pressure on a team that has some serious roster holes along the line and on the defense. If the wins don't come early, don't be surprised if players sour to the pressure they're being put under.

I expect Kelly to be a success in the NFL, but it's a tough division and an even tougher conference. The Eagles faithful need to be just a little more faithful this season.

Pre-draft Grade: B-

Post-draft Grade: B-

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers fans aren't huge fans of mine because I've been foretelling doom and gloom for a couple of draft classes now. So, let me take a moment to lay it out again.

The Steelers have had good drafts the past couple of seasons—no one is denying that. But right now, they're replacing foundational players with good players, and that's spelling a downward trend. Sometimes "good" isn't good enough when greatness is the goal.

Head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are enough to believe in this team as a possible playoff contender, and no one should count it out. Still, the addition of rookie linebacker Jarvis Jones is being overrated by the many who thought he should have been a higher pick (players fall for a reason), and rookie running back Le'Veon Bell is another good addition who is being hyped.

If the Steelers can get healthy, continue to be dominant on defense and get more out of their offensive line than last season, this is a playoff contender. Long term, however, the Steelers may be set up for more disappointments like 2012 down the road.

Pre-draft Grade: B

Post-draft Grade: B-

San Diego Chargers

The biggest improvement for the San Diego Chargers is the long-overdue replacements of A.J. Smith and Norv Turner at general manager and head coach, respectively. Turner was a one-trick pony with his offensive play calling and didn't adapt when injuries and a lack of talent destroyed any chance of a high-scoring vertical offense.

This season, look for the Chargers to be more balanced and for the defense to look better as well. The additions of rookies like offensive tackle D.J. Fluker, linebacker Manti Te'o and receiver Keenan Allen should all have an impact in Year 1 under new head coach Mike McCoy.

Pre-draft Grade: C+

Post-draft Grade: B-

San Francisco 49ers

The only reason the drop in letter grade is there is because the 49ers had zero question marks a few months ago other than a rough argument that maybe quarterback Colin Kaepernick would suffer a sophomore slump. 

Now, with receiver Michael Crabtree being injured and the team clearly searching for another cornerback (and not getting one after Eric Wright failed his physical), the 49ers look slightly vulnerable.

Still, this is the most talented team in the NFC, and they have second- and third-string players that could probably contend in a lesser division. Look for them to be back in the Super Bowl next winter as long as they can get through the NFC West minefield.

Pre-draft Grade: A+

Post-draft Grade: A

Seattle Seahawks

The addition of receiver Percy Harvin to an offense that already had dynamic playmakers in quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch could spell greatness for a team with one of the best young defenses in football.

Add in the great depth additions from the draft like defensive tackles Jordan Hill and Jesse Williams, and it's clear to see why the Seattle faithful are expecting big things in 2013.

The offensive line is still a big question mark, and the rest of the receiving corps will need to step up, but this is a very talented Seattle team that should be in contention all season long. It won't be easy for them, but doubting the Seahawks has proved a fool's errand the past couple of seasons.

Pre-draft Grade: B+

Post-draft Grade: A-

St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams are a good football team, even without running back Steven Jackson. 

Even typing that phrase sounds weird, but it's truer in 2013 than it would have been for the past five years, as the Rams have made serious improvements on both sides of the ball under head coach Jeff Fisher.

Wide receiver Tavon Austin is a legitimate playmaker—especially alongside a tight end like Jared Cook, who was miscast in the Tennessee Titans' run-heavy offense.

The defense has taken steps forward as well, solving the safety position with the addition of T.J. McDonald.

The Rams won't have a shot at the NFC West crown this season, but a wild-card spot isn't out of the question.

Pre-draft Grade: B

Post-draft Grade: B+

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This is a much better team on paper than I expect them to be on the field, but it's easy to see why Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans have hope for contention in 2013. The front office is finally spending money, and the name recognition they've brought in is enough to generate a lot of buzz. 

The question is: Can quarterback Josh Freeman live up to his end of the bargain?

If the answer is no, it doesn't matter how many cornerbacks and defensive linemen the Buccaneers bring in. I liked their draft—especially the selection of defensive tackle Akeem Spence. Rookie second-round pick Johnthan Banks should help the cornerback corps as well, but the expected improvement needs to show on the field before anyone outside the Tampa area starts believing in this team. 

Pre-draft Grade: C

Post-draft Grade:  B-

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans are among the teams with some of the most underrated improvements this offseason, and it's almost endearing to see them double down on the running back position with the selection of guard Chance Warmack in this year's draft. He and fellow guard addition Andy Levitre will make Chris Johnson's life that much easier this season.

Quarterback Jake Locker needs to improve, however, and in more ways than simply having a running game will allow. He's too sporadic and too unsteady to be considered a game manager, and he needs more than his physical tools to take this team to the next level.

Still, with a solid running game and an improved defense, the Titans should be a better team than they were in 2012.

Pre-draft Grade: B-

Post-draft Grade: B

Washington Redskins

This team will rise and fall with Robert Griffin III. The question is not whether he'll play in Week 1, but whether or not he'll make it through Week 16 unscathed.

The Washington Redskins have improved slightly this offseason, but they needed to add a lot of defensive backfield depth and didn't have a first-round pick this year to help them do that. That means the impact of this draft class may not be felt immediately, and the biggest addition on defense could be the return of linebacker Brian Orakpo.

The Redskins are probably the safest bet in the NFC East this season, but they're not winning the division under backup quarterback Kirk Cousins. They need RGIII to stay healthy, and at this point, nothing else matters nearly as much.

Pre-draft Grade: A-

Post-draft Grade: A-

 

Michael Schottey is the NFL national lead writer for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Find more of his stuff at The Go Route.

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