North: The Lions will again win this division but that isn’t good enough for HC Dan Campbell and crew because their aspirations are for the Super Bowl. QB Jared Goff is still there with the running back duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs plus a receiving core of WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and TE Sam LaPorta.
The only difference is they lost their offensive coordinator to Ben Johnson their rival Chicago and lost two key offensive linemen like Fran Ragnow. They also lost their defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to the Jets but get a full healthy season from DE Adrian Hutchinson leading the defense with S Kerby Jospeh and CB DJ Reed.
The Packers will be back to being a playoff team but with more wins with a healthy QB Jordan Love behind center and another season of RB Josh Jacobs. The issue is WR Christian Watson might miss most of the season after getting hurt towards the end of last season; but they drafted a WR for the first time ever in the 1st round to pair with the stable of young ones they already have of Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and TE Tucker Kraft.
Their flaws will be the reshuffling of the offensive line and might need to add to their pass rush as their defensive line is still lead by NT Kenny Clark and DE Rashan Gary plus CB Xavier McKinney in the secondary.
The Bears will finally get out of the basement due to another season of QB Caleb Williams and the fact he has an offensive head coach in Ben Johnson from the Lions. He also made sure to beef up the offensive line adding Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman and also drafted a TE and WR with their first two picks.
It might seem like overkill since they have WR DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and TE Cole Kmet already plus RB D’Andre Swift. They added DT Grady Jarrett and DE Dayo Odeyingbo to a unit that already had CB Jaylon Johnson, DE Montez Sweat, LB Tremaine Edmunds and FS Kevin Byard.
The Vikings are always that middle of the pack team with just solid players on all of their units with a good head coach and this offseason most experts graded their draft and offseason moves as also solid not great or bad. They let both veteran QBs go like Sam Darnold and are going to go with JJ McCarthy coming off a lost rookie season with injuries. HC Kevin O’Connell still has WR Justin Jefferson and TE TJ Hockenson but Jordan Addison can’t stay out of trouble and RB Aaron Jones is a solid.
They offensive line is also solid adding Ryan Kelly and Will Fries to add the core. Brian Flores is still one of the best defensive coordinators as he can rely on FS Harrison Smith, CB Byron Murphy, LB Andrew Van Ginkel and added NT Javon Hargrave and DE Jonathan Allen.
East: The Eagles finally broke through when it came to the Chiefs by winning the Super Bowl handily. They bring back almost all the core as some were given contract extensions like RB Saquon Barkley and OT Lane Johnson.
Johnson is a part of the best offensive line led by him, Landon Dickerson, Jordan Mailata and Cam Jurgens. QB Jalen Hurts who won the Superbowl MVP is still there throwing passes to WRs AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith and TE Dallas Goedert but have a new offensive coordinator. Their defense coached by Vic Fangio still has LB Zack Baun, CB Cooper DeJean, DT Jalen Carter and added CB Adoree Jackson plus used their first five picks on defense.
Washington went from the bottom to the conference championship losing to their divisional rivals Philly. QB Jaden Daniels will only get better with another training camp with OC Kliff Kingsbury and gets to throw to WR Deebo Samuel who they traded for to pair with Terry McLaurin and TE Zach Ertz plus RBs Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler.
The other big move was bold by giving up multiple draft picks to get OT Laremy Tunsil to lead an already up and coming offensive line. Head coach Dan Quinn should like the idea of LB Bobby Wagner returning to lead with CB Marshon Lattimore, LB Frankie Luvu, NT Daron Payne and signed DT Javon Kinlaw and LB Von Miller.
The Cowboys will keep sliding further down no matter the health of QB Dak Prescott as having him is the only difference from being in last and being third.
Their offensive line lost Zach Martin to retirement further weakening them, fired their head coach then promoted from within no fan fare. They also let RB Rico Dowdle leave but replaced him with guys coming off bad seasons Miles Sanders/Javonte Williams. They did add WR George Pickens to pair with WR CeeDee Lamb but their best defensive player LB Micah Parsons wants to be traded which would leave them with only CBs Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.
We all do not know what the New York Giants are doing as they cut Daniel Jones mid season, drafted Jaxson Dart and signed veteran QBS Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. When drafting a QB it restarts the clock on HC Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen but they traded up for Dart when they signed two veterans or could have drafted Shedeur Sanders. ‘
They should have used their draft picks to help out one of the worst offensive lines even with OT Andrew Thomas leading it or a subpar skill player group despite having WR Malik Nabers. Drafting DE Abdul Carter to help LBs Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux was the right move and they still have DT Dexter Lawrence.
South: The Buccaneers are the only good team in this division because they have the only solidified QB position in Baker Mayfield. He also gets to throw the ball to WRs Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and TE Cade Otton plus a top ten offensive line led by OT Tristian Wirfs.
They added LB Hasson Reddick to a defense led by Lavonte David, DT Vita Vea and S Antoine Winfield. The only question will be how does Mayfield handle a new offensive coordinator two seasons in a row?
Atlanta is going forward with QB Michael Penix but kept Kirk Cousins and his huge contract which was a head scratcher. The Falcons still have talented skill players like WRs Drake London, Darnell Mooney, TE Kyle Pitts, RBs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier which will help Pennix develop.
They also have a top ten offensive line and one of the best kickers in Younghoe Koo. Their defense was a weakness last year but added DE Leonard Floyd and drafted two edges in the first round so the hope is those moves make a difference.
The Panthers might not be that bad next season due to the other bad team being really bad as QB Bryce Young showed some improvements last season under HC Dave Canales.
They drafted a WR to help Young and WR Adam Thielen but didn’t fix the TE position. They did add RB Rico Dowdle but that was after they extended Chuba Hubbard, drafted a RB and still have Jonathon Brooks if healthy. Their offensive line went from worst to now close to top ten which will also help Young and extended CB Jaycee Horn/drafted a few guys but is still their weakness.
The Saints finally fired HC Dennis Allen and hired an offensive minded HC in Kellen Moore(a former QB) but QB Derek Carr decided to retire. They did use a first round pick on an offensive lineman like they have three straight years which will help whomever is the QB between Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and Tyler Shough.
The skill players are still RB Alvin Kamara, WR Chris Olave, TE Juwan Johnson/Taysom Hill and added WR Brandin Cooks. Even with an offensive HC they still have DE Cam Jordan leading this defense that also has S Justin Reid, DE Chase Young and LB DeMario Davis.
West: The Rams tied for the division to end the season but the shakeup in this division will have them sliding to the playoffs if they stay healthy. QB Matthew Stafford decided to stay and they kept their offensive line tack to keep him upright.
They extended RB Kyren Williams to keep him healthy and signed WR Davante Adams to pair with WR Puka Nacua. They did let franchise stalwart Cooper Kupp leave but still have TE Tyler Higbee and resigned WR Tutu Atwell. The thing that will hold them back is how young their defensive unit is which is led by Rookie of the Year LB Jared Verse.
The 49ers had a bad season due to injuries but with the hope of a healthy team led by QB Brock Purdy who got paid, RB Christian McCaffrey and TE George Kittle things will go back to normal. They also get WRs Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall back plus have good offensive line led by OT Trent Williams.
Yes they traded WR Debo Samuel but it was time to move on like they did with five players on defensive players. Their defense still has DE Nick Bosa and LB Fred Warner leading the way plus drafted six defensive players in the draft to be coached by Robert Saleh who is back.
The Seahawks surprised many by finishing with a tie for the division but this season will be different due to some key changes to the team. QB Geno Smith was traded away and signed Sam Darnold; cut WR Tyler Lockette and traded DK Metcalf but brought in WR Cooper Kupp.
That leaves WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba as their #1 and if RB Kenneth Walker stays healthy it might work out but they have one of the worst offensive lines. Like their HC Mike McDonald they have some good players on defense like CB Devon Witherspoon, S Julian Love, CB Shaquill Griffin, DEs Leonard Williams and signed DeMarcus Lawrence.
The Cardinals have one of the more talented QB-WR duo of Kyler Murray–Marvin Harrison Jr but the roster is incomplete.
TE Trey McBride was extended and they still have RB James Conner but have a middle of the pack offensive line. Their defense which is HC Jonathan Gannon’s expertise has not been great so they went all in on the drafting that weakness. They do have veterans DE Calais Campbell and S Budda Baker plus added LB Josh Sweat.
North: The Ravens have two-time MVP QB Lamar Jackson with RB Derrick Henry for another season which is a scary thought because they are almost unstoppable.
They added WR DeAndre Hopkins to the pass catching options of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and TEs Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Their defense also has some really good players in CB Marlon Humphrey, S Kyle Hamilton, LBs Kyle Van Noy, Roquan Smith and signed CB Jaire Alexander besides from a huge draft on that side of the ball. The only real questions for Jon Harbaugh is the middle of the pack offensive line and using a rookie kicker after Justin Tucker was cut for off the field issues.
The Bengals could compete for a Super Bowl almost every season but either the Chiefs stop them or QB Joe Burrow doesn’t stay healthy.
They extended both WRs in JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins plus added TE Noah Fant to pair with Mike Gesicki. Their offensive line is still a work in progress which is probably why Burrow cannot stay healthy and mostly drafted on defense. They do have DEs Trey Hendrickson and BJ Hill but not much after so the new defensive coordinator has a lot of work to do.
The Steelers and HC Mike Tomlin will be in for another odd season as last season they took advantage of the Bengals down season to make the playoffs but this year might not happen for them. Both QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields left but they signed Aaron Rodgers; traded for WR DK Metcalf but traded away George Pickens/let Najee Harris leave as well.
Adding TE Jonnu Smith and WR Robert Woods are nice secondary pieces for Rodgers plus still have TE Pat Freiermuth but can Jaylen Warren be a lead back? The young offensive line is still improving but not quick enough for non mobile/old QB. The other head scratching move was trading Minkah Fitzpatrick back to Miami for CB Jalen Ramsey. The defense still has LB TJ Watt, DT Cameron Heyward, CB Joey Porter Jr, S Miles Killebrew, LB Patrick Queen, drafted defense heavily and signed CB Darius Slay.
The Browns are still a mess with or without QB Deshaun Watson who will probably not play all season so they traded for QB Kenny Pickett, signed QB Joe Flacco and drafted two rookie QBs Dillion Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Instead of trying to rebuild they extended DE Myles Garrett, did nothing to improve the terrible offensive line, and didn’t improve the RB room by letting Nick Chubb go. They did add WR Diontae Johnson to help WR Jerry Juedy and TE David Njoku but should look to start trading veterans. On defense besides Garrett they still have CB Denzel Ward, LB Devin Bush and CB Greg Newsome.
East: Nothing has changed and will probably stay the same as long QB Josh Allen is in Buffalo this will be their division for years which obviously isn’t their goal that is to make/win the Super Bowl.
The Bills just locked up Allen and RB James Cook so watch out and also extended WR Khalil Shakir plus still have TE’s Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid. They have a top five offensive line and still have CB Tre’Davious White, LB Matt Milano, DT Ed Oliver, S Damar Hamlin, LB Shaq Thompson and added DE Joey Bosa.
The Dolphins always have talent but when QB Tua Tagovailoa is injured it didn’t matter who was the QB they looked terrible. So they signed QB Zach Wilson that might help it might not but they still have one of the best WR duos in the league in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
RB is set with De’Von Achane but trading away Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey leaves them thin at both those positions. Getting S Minkah Fitzpatrick was a good move it helps LB Bradley Chubb but hope the draft helps out their defense but same could be said for the offensive line.
The Jets booted QB Aaron Rodgers, HC Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas so they signed QB Justin Fields and hired Aaron Glenn from Detroit. Positives for Fields are RB Breece Hall and WR Garrett Wilson plus a solid offensive line but have holes at TE/WR depth.
Their defense is led by DT Quinnen Williams, LBs Jermaine Johnson, Quincy Williams and CB Sauce Gardner for Johnson.
For the Patriots it should be about QB Drake Maye’s development but two head coaches in two years means two offensive coordinators for him as Josh McDaniels is the new OC for new HC Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel was the best coach on the market and they added DE Milton Williams, LBs Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, CB Carlton Davis, OT Morgan Moses but most importantly adding Stefon Diggs for Maye. Maye still has TE’s Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry and RB Rhamondre Stevenson.
South: The Texans despite QB CJ Stroud taking a step back they made it to the second round of the playoffs and this division is still not on their level. They do have the worst offensive line so it didn’t help trading Laremy Tunsil and cutting Shaq Mason.
Stroud does now have three good RBs in Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb and Dameon Pierce; has Tank Dell, Nico Collins and Christian Kirk at WR plus TE Dalton Schultz. The defense which is HC De’Meco Ryans strength still has DEs Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter, CB Derek Stingley and S Jimmie Ward plus kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn.
The Jaguars and QB Trevor Lawrence are starting over again with a new head coach in Liam Coen.
They still have RB Travis Etienne and WR Brian Thomas but drafted two-way player Travis Hunter to play both WR and CB. It cost them some draft picks but he is a once in a generation talent who will help DE Josh Hines-Allen and Arik Armstead on defense. Their offense line is still bad so they hope the draft will help but also have a hole at TE.
The Colts do not know what they have in QB Anthony Richardson due to injuries and benching him.
Instead of Joe Flacco it is now QB Daniel Jones unsure how much that will motivate him to be better. They still have a top RB in Jonathan Taylor and have Michael Pittman but still need WR/TE help. Despite losing key offensive lineman they have a top five line and have CB Kenny Moore and DT DeForest Buckner on defense plus added CB Charvarius Ward.
The Titans had the 1st overall pick so they took QB Cameron Ward due to QB Will Levis getting hurt/not turning out.
He will have WRs Calvin Ridley, Van Jefferson and Tyler Lockett to throw to and RB Tony Pollard to hand off too but inherits one of the bottom tier offensive lines. Their defense is led by S Quandre Diggs, S Amani Hooker and CB L’Jarius Sneed but is hoping on the draft to fill some needs.
West: The Chiefs lost again when everyone thought they would win but will still be the favorite to win it all again because they have still have HC Andy Reid, QB Patrick Mahomes and TE Travis Kelce plus DE Chris Jones.
They also will hopefully get a full season of WRs Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, RBs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. On defense Jones, CB Trent McDuffie and LB Nick Bolton lead this unit plus they added CB Kristian Fulton. They had some weaknesses on their offensive line so they drafted one with their first pick which is what a team should do without major weakness.
The Chargers got back to the playoffs because QB Justin Herbert was healthy but HC Jim Harbaugh always takes his teams to the playoffs in the first season. They also still have a good offensive line but losing OT Rashawn Slater for the year will hurt them a bit.
Signing RB Najee Harris is a good move but WR Keenan Allen isn’t the same player and their WR corp is weak. LB Khalil Mack is back to help LB Denzel Perryman and S Derwin James plus added LB Bud Dupree. They drafted positions of weakness like the defensive line and some depth at WR/RB.
The Broncos turned it around with QB Bo Nix and HC Sean Payton as Payton did his magic with the QB he wanted. Nix has new a RB in JK Dobbins who when healthy is good and TE Evan Engram but didn’t improve the WR corp.
They have one of the best offensive lines and have the reigning defensive player of the year in CB Pat Surtain. The defense got better with LB Dre Greenlaw, S Talanoa Hufanga, re-signed DT DJ Jones and used their first pick on the defense.
The Raiders have started over again with a high profile head coach in Pete Carroll and traded for QB Geno Smith. Smith will have Chip Kelly as his new OC, TE Brock Bowers to throw to and their first pick to hand off to in RB Ashton Jenaty.
They added G Alex Cappa to help improve the offensive line and gave DE Maxx Crosby some help on defense with S Jeremy Chinn, DE Malcolm Koonce, LB Devin White and keeping DTAdam Butler.