NFL Preseason: Which Teams Are Soaring to the Top This Preseason?

This NFL season could be one of the most exciting in some time because there is a chance for some serious movers and shakers in the league.

We've become accustomed in the last few years to the usual teams being at the top of the standings come the end of the season. The New England Patriots. The New York Jets. The Pittsburgh Steelers. The New Orleans Saints. The Indianapolis Colts. The Chicago Bears. Yada, yada, yada, etc., etc.

However there are some serious signals this preseason, from the offseason to exhibition play, that could see several teams rise from mediocrity in 2011.

Here are my six biggest risers of 2011.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Yeah, I know the Eagles won the NFC East last season and made the postseason, but when you have the kind of offseason the Eagles had, you rise to having a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl, and that's worth the No. 1 spot.

The Eagles picked up one of the top cornerbacks in the league in Nnamdi Asomugha, traded for Pro Bowl corner Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, grabbed defensive ends Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin, picked up former New York Giants receiver Steve Smith, found a nice backup to Michael Vick in Vince Young, signed running back Ronnie Brown and bolstered the offensive line.

It's exhausting even talking about all the players the Eagles added. You add the fact that Vick had a sensational year in 2010, it's hard not to be excited about the Eagles this year.

2. Houston Texans

I love the Texans this year. They've never had problems on offense, particularly last season when running back Arian Foster burst onto the scene and Matt Schaub came into his own. But their defense has always been their undoing.

Not this year. The Texans added one of the best cornerbacks in the league in former Cincinnati Bengal Johnathan Joseph, signed former Chicago Bears safety Danieal Manning and had a very good draft, grabbing defensive end J.J. Watt, linebacker Brooks Reed and cornerback Brandon Harris.

What's not to like? I see the Texans finally capturing the AFC South this season and the Colts falling.

3. Detroit Lions

The Lions are on many people's sleeper lists, and for good reason. They won their last four games last season, have 2009 No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford coming back from injury, re-signed rising cornerback Chris Houston and bolstered their linebacking corps and secondary with the acquisitions of Stephen Tulloch. They also got a potential steal in this year's draft with former Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley at No. 13 overall.

If the Lions aren't a .500 team this season, I'd be shocked.

4. St. Louis Rams

Young quarterback Sam Bradford appeared to be better than advertised last season as a rookie. Despite having virtually no one to throw the ball to, he still had a very productive season for a rookie, and came a game away from leading the Rams to the playoffs.

This season, Bradford has Mike Sims-Walker to throw the ball to, as well as a spanking new guard in Harvey Dahl. He also has some depth in the backfield with Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood, two backs who should provide a spark as the backups to Steven Jackson.

The signing of former Eagles safety Quintin Mikell also can't be overstated, a physical player who should be a big addition for their rush defense in particular.

The Rams will win the NFC West this season.

5. Cleveland Browns

The Browns didn't do a lot to inspire me this offseason, but they did draft defensive tackle Phil Taylor, who could be very good, and still have one of the best young offensive lines in football.

But the main reason I'm projecting the Browns to rise from their 5-11 record last season is young QB Colt McCoy. McCoy showed glimpses of being the Browns' quarterback of the future in 2010. He's looked very good. in training camp and in the preseason. In two games, he's completed 67 percent of his throws and four touchdowns to zero interceptions.

The Browns didn't give McCoy much to work with in the receiving department, but they'll likely be a run-heavy team anyway and not ask him to drop back all the time. I think McCoy is set for a breakout campaign.

6. San Diego Chargers

It's weird having the Chargers as one of my risers because before 2010, they had won the AFC West in three straight years with head coach Norv Turner in charge, and had disappointed in every one of those years in the postseason.

But in 2011, after losing the division to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chargers were legitimately being called the underdogs. Well, until this offseason.

The Chargers made a big move in re-signing safety Eric Weddle, who has been impressive thus far, inserted former San Francisco 49ers linebackers Takeo Spikes and Travis LaBoy and drafted former Illinois defensive lineman Corey Liuget, who looks like a good fit in the 3-4 scheme as a defensive end.

On top of that, the Chiefs were largely complacent in the offseason and I think they're headed for second place in the AFC West.