NFL Division-by-Division Rankings Amid 2025 OTAs

The NFL offseason can change the balance of power within conferences and divisions. Teams take swings for marquee veterans in free agency and draft high-upside rookies who can make an immediate impact on playoff races and seeding.

So, which divisions will be most competitive in the upcoming season? Will there be shakeups across the league as players and coaches settle in with new teams?

Amid organized team activities (OTAs), we have ranked each division based on the strengths of its teams. Top-heavy divisions are favored between ranks. Though in the absence of multiple Super Bowl contenders between groups, one division can rank ahead of another based on competitive depth.

Above all, these rankings emphasize projections for the upcoming season over previous track records, taking free-agent and draft additions into consideration. Still, we factored in recent trends.

8. AFC South

AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith

Texans QB C.J. Stroud (left) and HC DeMeco Ryans (right)

The AFC South finished with the worst cumulative record among all divisions last year. Its best team, the Houston Texans, reconstructed its offensive line, which leaves questions about C.J. Stroud's pass protection.

The Texans signed ninth-year veteran Cam Robinson and drafted Aireontae Ersery in the second round after trading five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders.

Tytus Howard could line up at guard or tackle, depending on how second-year pro Blake Fisher progresses at right tackle. Third-year pros Jarrett Patterson and Juice Scruggs are trying to establish themselves as full-time starters on the interior.

Despite the changes and unknowns along the Texans' offensive line, they're still leaps and bounds ahead of their rivals, which speaks to how weak the AFC South could be in 2025.

The Indianapolis Colts have an uninspiring quarterback battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. The Jacksonville Jaguars have a new coaching staff led by first-time lead skipper Liam Coen. The Tennessee Titans hope No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward can lead this franchise out of the gutter.

If Coen helps Trevor Lawrence in a similar way he did with Baker Mayfield, who registered career highs in passing yards and passing touchdowns last year, the Jaguars will be a surprise contender in the AFC South, but they're a long-shot playoff team coming off a 4-13 campaign.

The AFC South has one high-end playoff club that must sort out uncertainties within a key position group.

7. NFC South

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.

The Atlanta Falcons' upside with second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. boosts the NFC South one spot above the AFC South.

The Falcons averaged 22.9 points per game for the 2024 season, but that rate went up to 32 points per contest with Penix in the lineup for the final three weeks of the campaign.

His development could give the Falcons the push they need to get into the playoffs. If he struggles, Atlanta will remain around .500, though its improved pass rush with the addition of Leonard Floyd and rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. should help this club win games when the offense has rough outings.

The Falcons have finished one or two wins short of .500 for four consecutive campaigns. With a more potent passing attack and a stingier defense, they should be over the .500 mark and equipped to challenge the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South title.

Baker Mayfield will have a new offensive coordinator for the third consecutive term, so the Tampa Bay passing attack could see some regression. Also, unless rookies Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish take on prominent roles, the Bucs' pass defense, which allowed the fourth-most yards last year, could be susceptible to big plays over the top.

They signed edge-rusher Haason Reddick, but the defensive backs—with or without All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. on the field—must do a better job in coverage.

The Carolina Panthers are the wild-card team in the division with quarterback Bryce Young entering his third season. In a make-or-break year, he could post career numbers with rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan as his go-to target. However, their defense looks like a work in progress. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown is still recovering from knee surgery. Cornerback Jaycee Horn must show he can stay healthy.

Without Derek Carr, the New Orleans Saints are set up to finish last in the division and at the bottom of the overall standings this year. Second-round rookie Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener have a tough task in stabilizing an offense that finished 24th in scoring last year. First-time head coach Kellen Moore will also find it difficult to establish a foundation on that side of the ball without a respectable passing attack.

The NFC South may have two playoff teams, though both clubs could be hovering around .500. Its two bottom teams may have top-10 draft picks in 2026.

6. AFC East

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

Patriots QB Drake Maye

The AFC East ranks one spot above the NFC South because of the New England Patriots' potential leap in the standings.

Though the Buffalo Bills remain the front-runners to win the division, the Patriots, under new head coach Mike Vrabel and his 54.5 percent winning percentage, can close the gap after finishing 4-13 last year.

Moreover, second-year quarterback Drake Maye showed glimpses of his upside last season. He threw for 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 66.6 percent completion rate and also ran for 421 yards and two touchdowns.

With newcomers Morgan Moses and rookie first-rounder Will Campbell at tackle, Drake will have plenty of time to throw darts from the pocket.

New England also signed four probable defensive starters: edge-rusher Harold Landry III, defensive tackle Milton Williams, cornerback Carlton Davis III and linebacker Robert Spillane.

If the Patriots don't pose the biggest threat to the Bills' five-year AFC East title reign, the Miami Dolphins could be their top division challenger because of their offense, which can be explosive. On the flip side, the Dolphins have major question marks in the secondary with two new starting safeties and star cornerback Jalen Ramsey reportedly (h/t NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe) on the way out of Miami.

The New York Jets could bring a surprise element to this division. Defensive-minded head coach Aaron Glenn can get the best out of a unit that ranked third or fourth in yards allowed for three consecutive campaigns. If offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand can unlock quarterback Justin Fields' full potential, Gang Green should be a playoff contender.

Unlike the AFC South and NFC South, the AFC East doesn't have projected bottom-feeders within its division.

5. AFC North

AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar

Bengals QB Joe Burrow (left) and Ja'Marr Chase

In 2024, the AFC North was one of three divisions with three teams over .500. So, you can make a case that it's ranked one spot too low.

However, the AFC North has signs of regression.

While the Baltimore Ravens are still a viable Super Bowl contender, the Pittsburgh Steelers currently have Mason Rudolph atop their quarterback depth chart. In seven years, he hasn't started more than eight games in a season. He's a low-end starter or high-end backup. At 41, Aaron Rodgers isn't a savior, but he would bolster the aerial attack if he signs with the team.

The Cincinnati Bengals will field a high-powered offense with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown, though the pass rush is unsettled amid OTAs.

The Bengals are still at odds with All-Pro edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson over a contract dispute, and rookie first-rounder Shemar Stewart hasn't joined the team because of a contractual disagreement (h/t Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz).

Without a viable pass rush, Cincinnati may sit in a holding pattern around .500.

The Cleveland Browns could trot out 40-year-old Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett or one of their rookie signal-callers, Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders, as their starting quarterback.

Regardless of who starts under center, their passing offense will have a low ceiling because of a lack of efficiency, experience or explosive plays. Remember, Flacco completed 60.3 percent of his passes when he started for Cleveland in five of the last six games of the 2023 term.

The AFC North ranks higher than the AFC East because it has a much stronger recent track record. The AFC East has one Super Bowl contender (the Buffalo Bills) and three teams that finished below .500 last season.

4. NFC West

AP Photo/Ryan Sun

Rams QB Matthew Stafford (left) and HC Sean McVay

The NFC West has one perennial contender you can almost count on to make the playoffs in the Los Angeles Rams.

Head coach Sean McVay has led that team to the postseason in six out of eight years. They signed quarterback Matthew Stafford to an extension, and though they cut Cooper Kupp, Davante Adams is an upgrade at wide receiver who is far more reliable in availability.

Jared Verse won the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year award as a standout for a developing unit that also features Poona Ford, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske across a strong front seven.

Behind the Rams, the NFC West has solid possible playoff contenders.

Under head coach Kyle Shanahan, the San Francisco 49ers can rebound from a down year with key injuries. They haven't had back-to-back losing campaigns since his first two years between 2017 and 2018.

That said, the 49ers went through significant roster turnover, and they have older players like Trent Williams and Christian McCaffrey, who may be susceptible to injuries with the snap mileage on their resumes. On top of that, lead wideout Brandon Aiyuk will miss time while he recovers from a torn ACL and MCL.

The Seattle Seahawks finished with the best record among non-playoff teams last year. They traded quarterback Geno Smith, per his request, and signed Sam Darnold.

Before we assume the Seahawks take another step in the right direction in Year 2 under head coach Mike Macdonald, Darnold must show that his 2024 Pro Bowl campaign wasn't a fluke. He has a less stable offensive line in Seattle than Minnesota had last season, which may impact his pocket performance.

The Arizona Cardinals have a good chance to finish second in the division as the 49ers and Seahawks work through roster changes. Quarterback Kyler Murray, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride could lead a top-10 passing offense.

Arizona bolstered its defense. The club signed edge-rusher Josh Sweat, defensive lineman Calais Campbell and nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and drafted cornerback Will Johnson in the second round.

The NFC West won't have any teams well below .500 if key players on those clubs stay healthy, but it's missing the upside of the divisions in the top three spots.

3. NFC East

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (left) and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts

The Washington Commanders' rapid turnaround has changed the complexion of this division.

Remember, the previous NFC Championship Game featured two teams from the East division. The Philadelphia Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl, and the Commanders were the league's biggest surprise team when you consider their playoff run.

The Eagles and Commanders are ascending and have open Super Bowl windows. Besides, these teams could be the top clubs within the conference for back-to-back years, which is why the NFC East gets the nod over the NFC West.

If Dak Prescott stays healthy, the Dallas Cowboys can bounce back from a 7-10 finish. They won 12 games in three consecutive terms under former head coach Mike McCarthy before struggling through a sub-.500 campaign mostly without Prescott.

Lead skipper Brian Schottenheimer wasn't an inspiring hire, but he has the playmakers to lead this team to the postseason, with established play-caller Matt Eberflus coaching up the defense.

On one hand, the New York Giants will be a better team than last year's 3-14 squad with Russell Wilson under center. Yet Big Blue's 2025 outlook drops the NFC East below the top two divisions.

The Giants have a tough schedule with games against the NFC North and AFC West, the two divisions that featured three playoff teams last year.

Wilson, who's past his prime and has played for three clubs over the last three years, isn't good enough to lead Big Blue to more than a handful of wins with their schedule.

The NFC East is top heavy, though its worst team will likely finish at the bottom of the overall standings in consecutive years, which is why it falls behind the top two divisions.

2. NFC North

AP Photo/Derik Hamilton

Packers HC Matt LaFleur (left) and QB Jordan Love (right)

In 2024, the NFC North finished with the best cumulative record among the divisions. It was one of two divisions that featured three double-digit win teams.

This year, the NFC North will be even more competitive. The Chicago Bears hired first-time head coach Ben Johnson, who fielded a top-five scoring offense for three consecutive seasons as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator.

As a rookie, quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions with a 62.5 percent completion rate. In his second year, he could become the Bears' first quarterback to throw for 4,000-plus yards, and Chicago will also field a potent ground attack with its revamped offensive line.

However, the NFC North isn't the league's best division because of probable regression for the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.

Detroit will deal with the adverse effects of losing Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. On top of that, this club has a difficult schedule that features seven opponents outside its division that made the playoffs last year.

The Vikings allowed quarterback Sam Darnold to walk in free agency, and they're going to prepare J.J. McCarthy to be their starter for the upcoming season. According to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, he underwent multiple surgeries to repair a torn meniscus. He sat out his entire rookie term.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has worked well with veteran quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Darnold, but he has a much tougher challenge in getting a first-time starter coming off injury up to speed on a playoff team.

The Lions and Vikings could struggle to make the playoffs this year.

1. AFC West

AP Photo/John Locher

Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh (left) and QB Justin Herbert

The AFC West's top teams have more continuity than the NFC North's premier squads, which makes it more likely that the division features three playoff teams in consecutive years.

While it will be difficult for the Chiefs to match their 15-2 record from the previous season, they're averaging nearly 13 wins per year with Patrick Mahomes as their starting quarterback.

Even though tight end Travis Kelce has shown signs of decline, the receiver trio of Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown will keep defenders on their heels. Also, Kansas City may have finally found its long-term starting left tackle in rookie Josh Simmons, who's pushing for the starting job less than a year removed from a torn patellar tendon.

The Los Angeles Chargers added to a foundation-setting first year under head coach Jim Harbaugh. They signed guard Mekhi Becton (6'7", 363 lbs) and drafted running back Omarion Hampton (6'0", 220 lbs) and wide receiver Tre Harris (6'3", 210 lbs) to super-size their physical offensive attack. Wideout Mike Williams is also back in the fold, with four years of experience playing with quarterback Justin Herbert.

The Denver Broncos added three playmakers to strengthen the supporting cast around second-year quarterback Bo Nix. They signed tight end Evan Engram and drafted RJ Harvey, whom they want to feature in the passing game, and Pat Bryant. Head coach Sean Payton told reporters that Bryant resembles two-time All-Pro wideout Michael Thomas.

Early in the offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders made a splash on the trade market, acquiring Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks. Because of its significant upgrade at quarterback, the Silver and Black could optimize talent at the skill positions, particularly with All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty in Chip Kelly's offense.

The Raiders' quarterback and coaching upgrades should allow them to finish closer to .500 following a 4-13 season.

Every team in the AFC West looks significantly improved or at least steady, so it takes the No. 1 spot over the NFC North, a division with some question marks at quarterback and key coordinator positions for two of its playoff teams from last season.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.