NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Improved Most During the 2015 NFL Draft?
The NFL draft has come to an end, and it's time to take stock of where teams now stack up. In the following slides, I rank NFL clubs in ascending order, from bottom-dwellers to Super Bowl contenders.
One quick methodological point: My analysis of each team pays particular attention to its draft performance, but the rankings are still meant to indicate which teams are the league's best. So while the New York Jets had a more productive draft than the New England Patriots, the latter are still far, far more likely to compete for a title. The Patriots are therefore ranked ahead of the Jets.
(Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of ESPN.com and NFL.com).
No. 32: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1 of 32
Team Needs Entering Draft: QB, OL, LB, WR
First Three Selections:
1. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
2. Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State
3. Ali Marpet, C, Hobart and William Smith
Tampa Bay behaved as predicted and took former FSU quarterback Jameis Winston with the No. 1 overall pick. Winston was widely regarded as the best quarterback available, and he remains a potential superstar. Smith was a well regarded prospect from Day 1, and Marpet (a Division-III product) turned scouts' heads.
But the Bucs had the NFL's worst record a year ago, and they're trusting a young, impressionable player with a history of troublesome off-field issues to right the ship. Winston would not be the first talented youth to allow personal issues to derail his athletic career. Marpet and Donovan could prove to be an excellent long-term duo, but the former has never played NFL-level competition, and both will require seasoning. It will take time to turn things around in Tampa Bay.
No. 31: Cleveland Browns
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Team Needs Entering Draft: WR, QB, OLB, NT
First Three Selections:
1. Danny Shelton, NT, Washington
2. Cameron Erving, C, Florida State
3. Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
On the one hand, this was a great draft for Cleveland. Shelton is an immediate-impact type of player who immediately bolsters what was the league's worst run defense last year. Erving can help on the offensive line right away and provides valuable insurance for Alex Mack. And seventh-rounder Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, a former Oregon cornerback, may have been one of the biggest steals of the draft.
But Cleveland still has too many holes on offense to contend. Josh McCown has a lot to prove, and the addition of Dwayne Bowe may not pan out the way Cleveland is hoping. Things are looking way, way up, but there's still a long way to go.
No. 30: Tennessee Titans
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Team Needs Entering Draft: QB, RT, CB, S, DL
First Three Selections:
1. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
2. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri
3. Jeremiah Poutasi, OG, Utah
A year from now, the Titans' position on this list could look both spot-on and laughably misleading. In Mariota and Green-Beckham, Tennessee selected two players with among the highest ceilings in the draft. Mariota is universally agreed to be a potential superstar, and Green-Beckham has perhaps more physical ability than any receiver available.
But at the same time, both Mariota and Green-Beckham come with very legitimate bust potential. Mariota would hardly be the first highly touted quarterback to fizzle in the pros, and Green-Beckham could similarly be the latest in a long line of talented players whose off-field issues derailed promising careers.
If nothing else, however, Titans fans should be excited to see the pair hook up on the field.
The Titans still need help on the other side of the ball, however, and two unproven-but-talented youngsters aren't enough for them to go higher on this list.
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No. 29: Jacksonville Jaguars
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Team Needs Entering Draft: CB, RB, OL, S, LB
First Three Selections:
1. Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida
2. T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama
3. A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
With the possible exception of Randy Gregory, Fowler was the best edge-rusher available in the draft. He weighs 261 pounds (something like two dozen pounds more than most OLBs) and has an absurdly quick first step. Toby Gerhart hasn't panned out for the Jags, and Yeldon could prove a wise decision. Cann, finally, is one of the best value picks of the draft and could start immediately.
Given the team's offseason acquisition of Julius Thomas, Jacksonville's season will almost certainly reflect the play of Blake Bortles. Until he proves otherwise, that leaves them well out of the playoffs.
No. 28: Washington
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Team Needs Entering Draft: CB, OL, S, LB
First Three Selections:
1. Brandon Scherff, OG, Iowa
2. Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State
3. Matt Jones, RB, Florida
This was a bizarre draft for Washington. For one thing, while Scherff may have been the best guard prospect in the draft class, he was probably not worth the No. 5 overall pick (particularly with Leonard Williams still on the board). Smith's role on the team is unclear, and Jones wasn't among the more highly regarded running backs in the draft (and running backs are notoriously hard to draft, anyway).
Washington's success in 2015 hinges almost entirely on the health of Robert Griffin III. When he was healthy, he was a stud, and the team met with success; when he got hurt, Washington struggled. But the team retains Alfred Morris and DeSean Jackson, and Scherff is an immediate boost. If Griffin's good to go, the team has a far brighter future than this list suggests.
No. 27: Oakland Raiders
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Team Needs Entering Draft: WR, CB, RB, DL
First Three Selections:
1. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
2. Mario Edwards, Jr., DT, Florida State
3. Clive Walford, TE, Miami
This draft represented a major offensive boost for Oakland. Cooper was universally regarded as one of the two best receivers available (and probably the most NFL-ready). Combine his talent with Derrick Carr's catapult of an arm, and you've got something going. And that's before you factor in Walford, one of the best tight end prospects in the draft and a player who might easily surpass expectations.
The problem is defense. Oakland was a league-average team against the pass last year, and that doesn't appear likely to improve dramatically; they were worse against the run, and if the Raiders are to improve in that area, Edwards will need to step up.
No. 26: San Francisco 49ers
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Team Needs Entering Draft: LB, CB, DL, OL, WR
First Three Selections:
1. Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
2. Jaquiski Tartt, SS, Samford
3. Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
There's no getting around it: This was a really strange draft day for San Francisco. The 49ers boasted a top-10 defense last year; their struggles came on the other side of the ball. Even if Colin Kaepernick returns to form, and even with the usual production from Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis, the team's decision to draft defensive prospects is puzzling (to say nothing of their selection of a punter in later rounds).
Armstead will bolster what was already a very good defense. But San Fran needs to figure out how to put points on the board.
No. 25: New York Giants
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Team Needs Entering Draft: FS, LB, DL, OL
First Three Selections:
1. Ereck Flowers, OG, Miami
2. Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
3. Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
Our second straight strange draft. On paper, the Giants addressed several needs: Collins has All-Pro potential, and a first-round guard selection like Flowers would seem likely to shore up Eli Manning's protection. But Flowers was probably not worth the No. 9 overall pick, Odighizuwa has significant health issues and one good safety prospect does not fix what was one of the league's four worst defenses last year.
These moves seem like they come with flash-in-the-pan potential: They might help the Giants win a few more games in 2015, but the team still can't win a Super Bowl, and their selections in this draft may look regrettable a few years down the road.
No. 24: New Orleans Saints
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Team Needs Entering Draft: OG, WR, TE, QB
First Three Selections:
1. Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
2. Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson
3. Hau'oli Kikaha, OLB, Washington
On the one hand, the Saints got former Seattle center Max Unger in the Jimmy Graham deal, and the Peat-Unger combination should give New Orleans an imposing O-line. Not only will that help newly acquired RB C.J. Spiller, but it should give the aging Drew Brees some needed protection. Plus, Anthony and Kikaha (particularly if the latter's ACL concerns prove groundless) will provide a boost of depth to an anemic defense. The addition of Brandon Browner will help, too.
But did New Orleans really see dramatic improvement? It doesn't appear so, particularly with the loss of Saints stalwart Graham. None of the Saints' draft picks are transformative, and their defense remains porous.
No. 23: Chicago Bears
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Team Needs Entering Draft: NT, OLB, OL, WR, S
First Three Selections:
1. Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
2. Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
3. Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon
Kevin White has perhaps the highest ceiling of any receiver prospect, and he immediately becomes a go-to option for Jay Cutler. He's fast, strong and big-play-minded, and he could develop into a superstar. Goldman is huge (6'4" and 336 pounds) and will add much-needed bulk to Chicago's defensive line; Grasu, meanwhile, was a four-year starter at Oregon.
Here's the thing: Offense wasn't what crippled Chicago last year. The team allowed the third-most points in the league and the third-most passing yards per game. Eddie Goldman alone doesn't fix that defense (he certainly doesn't fix the secondary), and White will take time to develop. That leaves the Bears well out of contention.
No. 22: New York Jets
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Team Needs Entering Draft: QB, OLB, OL, WR, RB
First Three Selections:
1. Leonard Williams, DE, USC
2. Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
3. Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB, Louisville
Nobody can fault the Jets for taking Williams, whom many regarded as the best overall player in the draft. But there's really no story here: Entering the draft, the Jets needed a quarterback, receivers, a running back and help on the offensive line.
Even if Smith, one of the most highly touted receiving prospects available, becomes a star, there simply isn't enough offensive firepower for the Jets to compete.
No. 21: Atlanta Falcons
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Team Needs Entering Draft: LB, TE, OL, RB
First Three Selections:
1. Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
2. Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
3. Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
There's a lot to like about this group. Beasley projects as an immediate difference-maker, as one of the premier edge-rushers in the draft. He's a no-brainer, terrific selection for the Falcons. Collins, despite his off-field issues, was regarded as one of the best secondary players in the draft. Atlanta now boasts a terrific trio of cornerbacks, as Collins combines with Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford. The Falcons defense should improve dramatically from last year.
If Coleman can help what was the league's 24th-best rushing attack, the Falcons could overachieve next year. The Falcons just got a lot better.
No. 20: St. Louis Rams
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Team Needs Entering Draft: G, WR, CB, OT, S
First Three Selections:
1. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
2. Rob Havenstein, OT, Wisconsin
3. Jamon Brown, OT, Louisville
Well, the Rams' plan seems pretty evident at this point. Despite his injury history, the Rams selected Gurley at No. 10 overall and appear set on bolstering their ground-and-pound attack. Havenstein is an absolute behemoth, standing 6'7" and weighing 321 pounds. And Brown is similarly huge (6'4", 323). If Nick Foles is ready to go, he may find himself with an easier task than he expected, and the St. Louis offense should take a major leap forward.
It's too early to tell how good this team can be, however, because so much is up in the air. Gurley's health, Foles' ability to lead an offense and Havenstein's immediate impact are all very much uncertain, and the Rams' success lies with those questions.
No. 19: Miami Dolphins
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Team Needs Entering Draft: WR, G, DT, CB, RB
First Three Selections:
1. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
2. Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma
3. Jamil Douglas, OG, Arizona St.
Parker was widely considered the third-best receiver available, after West Virginia's White and Alabama's Cooper. Nabbing him in the first round solidified an already strong receiving corps. He figures to start from day one.
Phillips, meanwhile, fell farther than anyone expected (to No. 52 overall) and represents a terrific value pick. He'll provide depth behind prized offseason acquisition Ndamukong Suh, and Miami should expect leaps and bounds from what was already a top-15 defense last year.
The Dolphins still face questions along the offensive line, but Ryan Tannehill appears close to a breakthrough. If that happens, New England should be wary.
No. 18: Minnesota Vikings
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Team Needs Entering Draft: OT, LB, CB, G, Dt
First Four Selections:
1. Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
2. Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
3. Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU
4. T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
This is another intriguing draft class. I included four picks here to account for Clemmings, who fell farther than most expected and was a steal for Minnesota, which desperately needs help along the offensive line. Trae Waynes is probably the best corner drafted this year, and he will be expected to shoulder a heavy load almost immediately. Kendricks, meanwhile, adds some muscle to the team's linebacking corps.
Hunter is one of the most interesting selections out there. He's a physical freak of a defensive end: He's 6'5", weighs more than 250 pounds and ran a 4.57 40-yard dash (which, for the record, is ridiculous). Hunter is a classic boom-or-bust pick: Either he's an All-Pro in a few years, or we've forgotten about him.
Either way, we're in the middle tier of NFL teams now, and the separation becomes minuscule. If Teddy Bridgewater plays well, this team is playoff-bound.
No. 17: Buffalo Bills
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Team Needs Entering Draft: QB, G, LB, DT, TE
First Three Selections:
1. Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State
2. John Miller, OG, Louisville
3. Karlos Williams, RB, Florida State
There's not much to say here, other than the Bills weren't riding the draft this year. Buffalo's offseason additions (running back LeSean McCoy, receiver Percy Harvin and coach Rex Ryan) will determine the team's success, not their draft class. Darby was an odd pick for a team stacked at corner, and Williams faces substantial off-field issues, but Bills fans will be far more focused on other new faces.
No. 16: Philadelphia Eagles
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Team Needs Entering Draft: CB, S, WR, OLB, G
First Three Selections:
1. Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
2. Eric Rowe, DB, Utah
3. Jordan Hicks, ILB, Texas
There's little doubt that Rowe was an excellent pick. He could easily have gone as a late first-rounder, and he certainly could've been snagged before No. 47 overall. Combined with newly acquired Byron Maxwell, Rowe should help bolster what was the league's second-worst pass defense last year. Agholor, meanwhile, could become a game-changer for a team that figures to start Sam Bradford at quarterback; he has immense physical gifts and no notable off-field issues.
But Hicks was an odd pick for a team stacked at linebacker, and it's unclear how Chip Kelly plans to replace the production he lost with LeSean McCoy's departure.
No. 15: Carolina Panthers
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Team Needs Entering Draft: LT, WR, DB, RB, DE
First Three Selections:
1. Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
2. Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
3. Daryl Williams, OG, Oklahoma
Two main points here. One, Carolina should have a terrific linebacker corps. Thompson was almost always considered a first-round pick (his stock fell after a poor combine performance), and he should mesh well with the tough combination of Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis.
But two, none of this probably matters, because no team in the NFC South appears ready to challenge the Panthers. Thompson bolsters an already good linebacker group, Funchess is 6'4" and adds an attractive target for Cam Newton and Williams could well become a serviceable pass protector. Carolina's focus, however, should be on staying healthy and preparing specifically for some of the NFC's tougher teams.
No. 14: San Diego Chargers
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Team Needs Entering Draft: OL, LB, RB, DL, WR
First Three Selections:
1. Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
2. Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami
3. Crag Mager, CB, Texas St.
Gordon was generally seen as the No. 2 overall running back in the draft, and the Chargers are hoping he can provide a crucial boost in their backfield. He comes without the injury history of Todd Gurley, and he clearly has NFL potential. Perryman, meanwhile, is 5'11" but weighs 246 pounds and projects as a much-needed run-stopper. Mager, finally, is an unfinished product-type pick, someone with NFL talent but without the polish and coaching.
Like the other teams in this echelon, the Chargers can beat anyone if things go well. This was a solid draft, but a lot rests on Gordon.
No. 13: Houston Texans
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Team Needs Entering Draft: WR, LB, CB, G
First Three Selections:
1. Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
2. Bernardrick McKinney, OLB, Mississippi State
3. Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
First of all, Strong gets my vote as this year's top value pick. He was considered easily one of the 10 best receivers available, but was the 11th to be drafted. The Texans got a steal. McKinney is a low-ceiling, low-risk type player. He figures to start on day one, however, and if Strong performs, all three players above should prove to be quality picks. McKinney and Johnson, along with offseason pickup Vince Wilfork, will all help the Houston D.
Second, however, Houston lost erstwhile receiver Andre Johnson to the Colts. Those are big shoes for Strong (or anyone else) to fill. The real questions for Houston now lie at quarterback and receiver: Not only must Brian Hoyer prove he can lead a division-winning offense, but receiver DeAndre Hopkins must exceed expectations if the Texans are looking to progress through the playoffs.
No 12: Baltimore Ravens
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Team Needs Entering Draft: WR, OLB, RB, S
First Three Selections:
1. Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
2. Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
3. Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
Baltimore's job in the draft was to get Joe Flacco some targets. Perriman has size and speed in boatloads, but he's an unfinished product who has a reputation for dropping passes. Williams, like all tight end prospects, is big, strong, has good hands and is unpredictable; but he was probably the best tight end in the draft and will help fill the gap left by Dennis Pitta, whose hip injury last year leaves him in a still-uncertain position.
The reality? Baltimore is going to compete next year, just as they have for the past several years. If Perriman can pick up the pro game quickly, he'll be the difference-maker.
No. 11: Cincinnati Bengals
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Team Needs Entering Draft: NT, WR, OT, LB, TE
First Three Selections:
1. Cedric Ogbuehi, OL, Texas A&M
2. Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
3. Tyler Kroft, TE, Rutgers
The first two guys above were potentially brilliant value picks. Ogbuehi was regarded as a top-10 pick before tearing his ACL in the Sugar Bowl. Of course, that may come back to haunt the Bengals, but more and more athletes are recovering from that particular injury, and Ogbuehi could become an All-Pro lineman. Similarly, Fisher was regarded as a first-round talent.
The problem is that neither projects to be a difference-maker this year, and the Bengals could have used some immediate help. Cincinnati has a talented quarterback and a strong receiving corps, but their running game could use some better protection up front. What's more, the Bengals defense was below average last year, and the draft didn't address that concern.
This was another strong draft for the Bengals, but it's unclear if their offseason moves will take them to the next level.
No. 10: Detroit Lions
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Team Needs Entering Draft: DT, CB, OL, RB, WR
First Three Selections:
1. Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke
2. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
3. Alex Carter, CB, Stanford
Detroit's defense was superb last year, but their offense was below league average. Laken Tomlinson will help. He's both smart (he wants to be a doctor post-NFL) and huge (6'5", 320 pounds). Detroit's offensive line will almost certainly improve in 2015, and Tomlinson figures to start immediately (perhaps at left guard).
Abdullah, meanwhile, is an intriguing prospect who appears likely to fit well in Jim Caldwell's offense, and Carter figures to add bonus depth to an already excellent Lions defense.
The real question here is whether or not Abdullah, along with the sturdy Joique Bell, can take some pressure off of Matthew Stafford. The Lions have been a fairly pass-heavy offensive team in recent years; to contend for a Super Bowl, they may need to achieve more balance (a goal toward which both Abdullah and Tomlinson are likely to help).
No. 9: Kansas City Chiefs
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Team Needs Entering Draft: OL, DT, WR, CB, LB
First Three Selections:
1. Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
2. Mitch Morse, OL, Missouri
3. Chris Conley, WR, Georgia
Peters and Morse were both terrific selections. The Chiefs have a good pass rush, and they can afford to let Peters get his feet wet with some significant playing time; he figures to start from day one. Morse, meanwhile, could prove invaluable where running back Jamaal Charles is concerned. When healthy, Charles is among the league's top five backs; if the offensive line can make life easier for him, the Chiefs will be a tough nut to crack in 2015.
The biggest question surrounds the team's receiving corps. Jeremy Maclin, an offseason pickup, will help mitigate the loss of Dwayne Bowe, and tight end Travis Kelce came on strong toward the end of last season. Conley is unlikely to make much of a splash, but every little bit helps where Alex Smith is concerned.
No. 8: Denver Broncos
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Team Needs Entering Draft: OL, TE, DL, OLB
First Three Selections:
1. Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
2. Ty Sambrailo, OL, Colorado St.
3. Jeff Heuerman, TE, Ohio State
Ray came with marijuana-related off-field issues, but it's tough to fault Denver for picking such a talented player where they did. He should provide welcome additional depth, supplementing DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller in an already-stacked Denver defense. Sambrailo is a durable lineman with starter potential who might be a fixture on Denver's O-line for years. And Heuerman has eye-catching physical gifts: He stands 6'5", weighs 254 pounds and ran a 4.8 40-yard dash.
Frankly, if Peyton Manning comes back healthy, the Broncos will be far higher than No. 8 by season's end. There isn't a lot more to say.
No. 7: Dallas Cowboys
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Team Needs Entering Draft: CB, RB, DT, OL, LB
First Three Selections:
1. Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
2. Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
3. Chaz Green, OT, Florida
Jones has the physical tools to be a star in the secondary; he's 6'1" and weighs 199 pounds, and he comes with no off-field issues (in fact, many draft previews noted his maturity). Gregory, meanwhile, was considered a top-10 talent before off-field issues sent his draft stock tumbling. If the Cowboys can prevent those problems from derailing Gregory's on-field production, he will be one of this year's best value selections.
However, the obvious question facing Dallas this year is at running back: How can they replace the production of DeMarco Murray? It would help a lot if Darren McFadden, himself a highly touted recruit out of college, can become a productive starting back. Tony Romo still has Jason Witten and Dez Bryant; if Green can help the rest of Dallas' already excellent offensive line, things will go well for the 'Boys.
No. 6: Indianapolis Colts
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Team Needs Entering Draft: SS, RT, RB, LB
First Three Selections:
1. Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami
2. D'Joun Smith, CB, Florida Atlantic
3. Henry Anderson, DE, Stanford
Dorsett was a perplexing pick. The Colts acquired former Houston icon Andre Johnson in the offseason, and T.Y. Hilton is one of the league's premier targets. Plus, tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen are both productive offensive weapons. So it's not quite clear how Dorsett fits in.
But Anderson and Smith figure to help add muscle to the Colts defense, and to be candid, the Colts' major moves came in free agency (particularly the Johnson acquisition).
Indianapolis was in the mix for contention last year. Andrew Luck is still on the upslope of his career, and he now has two of the league's top receivers. As with so many teams with great quarterbacks, a lot will ride on the Colts offensive line—which wasn't altered much by the draft.
No. 5: Pittsburgh Steelers
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Team Needs Entering Draft: CB, S, OLB, TE, OL
First Three Selections:
1. Alvin Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
2. Senquez Golson, CB, Mississippi
3. Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
Dupree was discussed as a top-10 talent, and selecting him at No. 22 was a gem of a pick for Pittsburgh. He's an incredible athlete, he's crazy fast, he should start immediately and Pittsburgh was lucky to nab him so late.
Golson is a bit more questionable. On the one hand, he's got terrific ball skills, and he could (if nothing else) be immensely useful in nickel formations. On the other hand, some scouts think Golson could have gone at least one round later. Pittsburgh will have to wait and see with Golson and the rest of their picks, but Dupree was a no-brainer.
As far as their title hopes in 2015, we've reached the top five. All of these teams have legitimate title hopes. Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell had superb seasons last year, and Big Ben Roethlisberger remains Big Ben. The Steelers will need big production from their secondary, but they figure to be right in the thick of things come playoff time.
No. 4: Arizona Cardinals
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Team Needs Entering Draft: LB, DT, RB, Cb
First Three Selections:
1. D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida
2. Markus Golden, LB, Missouri
3. David Johnson, RB, Northern Iowa
This was a good draft for Arizona, one which should keep them atop the NFC West. Humphries is big (6'5", 307 pounds) and should compete for the starting right tackle job. It would be huge for Arizona if Humphries can provide a jolt on the offensive line, making life easier for running back Andre Ellington and quarterback Carson Palmer. Golden is a sturdy (260 pounds) and athletic linebacker, a major position of need for Arizona last year, and while Johnson is unlikely to make waves immediately, he'll provide valuable backfield depth.
The biggest question is Palmer. It's always been difficult to gauge Palmer's status as an NFL quarterback; he always seems to be pretty good, but he's sometimes terrible and never great. Larry Fitzgerald is no longer young (he's 31), but he remains among the best receivers in the world, and he just signed a new contract. Ellington is a solid back, and Arizona's defense allowed fewer than 19 points per game last year. If Palmer performs, this team can win the Super Bowl.
No. 3: Seattle Seahawks
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Team Needs Entering Draft: WR, G, OT, DT, CB
First Four Selections:
1. Frank Clark, DE, Michigan
2. Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State
3. Terry Poole, OT/OG, San Diego State
4. Mark Glowinski, OL, West Virginia
All things considered, this wasn't a great draft for Seattle. The Seahawks lost last year's starting center, Max Unger, in the Jimmy Graham deal, and neither Poole nor Glowinski figure to fill that gap (at least not immediately). Clark was an extremely dubious selection, character issues aside. Bleacher Report's Ty Schalter went to so far as to say the Seahawks "wasted their second-rounder."
Lockett, however, starred at Kansas State and is scorchingly fast. The 'Hawks traded up to get him. And the bottom line for Seahawks fans is that the team still has Russell Wilson, it still has Richard Sherman and it still has Pete Carroll. They'll be in the mix come January.
No. 2: Green Bay Packers
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Team Needs Entering Draft: OL, TE, DL, ILB, CB
First Three Selections:
1. Demarious Randall, CB, Arizona State
2. Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami
3. Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford
The Packers really didn't have any major holes to fill, and their draft class reflects it. Randall and Rollins offer basically two shots at getting a good corner; both have speed, but Rollins is more of a bruiser-type corner. Randall was a safety at Arizona State, but he would have started at cornerback had his team not needed him elsewhere. He should compete with Sam Shields and Casey Hayward for the starting gig, but he will probably come off the bench.
The real questions for Green Bay are:
A) Can the offensive line stay healthy, and repeat its 2014 performance?
and
B) Can the defense make the leap to the next level?
The Packers were by some measures a league-average defense last year. If Randall and Rollins can provide a boost in the secondary, and if Aaron Rodgers maintains last year's protection, all will be well in Green Bay.
No. 1: New England Patriots
32 of 32
Team Needs Entering Draft: G, WR, DT, DB, DE
First Three Selections:
1. Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
2. Jordan Richards, CB, Stanford
3. Geneo Grissam, DL, Oklahoma
Brown and Richards are somewhat opposite picks here. The ironically named Malcolm Brown is almost universally considered a steal, a classic Belichick selection which fits the Patriots' needs and didn't cost the team anything other than its allotted draft spot. It's remarkable that Brown was still available. Richards, however, has perplexed pundits, many of whom saw him as a third- or fourth-rounder.
If any questions exist in Foxborough, they exist in the secondary, which saw stars Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner depart. But at this point, two things ought to be pretty clear: First, when Belichick lets a player go, he's decided it's not worth it to bring him back. So perhaps losing Browner and Revis (and re-signing Devin McCourty) was part of yet more Belichickian brilliance.
And second, when Belichick and Brady are on the sideline, the Patriots will win the AFC East and compete for a title.
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