To project which NFL franchises are in the best shape for the next three seasons, we asked our panel of experts -- Jeremy Fowler, Louis Riddick, Seth Walder and Field Yates -- to rate each team's quarterback, remaining (non-QB) roster, draft, front office and coaching using this scale:
100: A+ (Elite)
90: A (Great)
80: B (Very good)
70: C (Average)
60: D (Very bad)
50 and below: F (Disastrous)
After averaging the results from the panelists, each of the five categories was weighted to create the overall score -- roster (30%), quarterback (20%), draft (15%), front office (15%) and coaching (20%). The result is a comprehensive ranking based on how well each team is positioned for the future.
Read through the full ranking from Nos. 1 through 32, or jump to your favorite team using the quick links below:
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Note: Overall scores are rounded to the nearest tenth of a point.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Overall score: 89.4
Why they're here: Lamar Jackson didn't need long to put himself in the conversation for the most dynamic player ever, as he became the league's second unanimous MVP pick in just his first season as a starter. But GM Eric Decosta has also built up a defense ready to hold up its end of the bargain going forward, led by a particularly fearsome secondary. -- Yates
Biggest worry: This team is loaded. The thing that can derail what is clearly an organization with a lot of positive momentum is the health of its young superstar QB. He must be protected at all costs, which means not "changing" who he is as a player, but being more selective and judicious as to when he purposely puts himself in harm's way. -- Riddick
Looking ahead: Get a big-bodied receiving target for Jackson early in the draft -- think Mark Andrews with more speed, someone with catch radius to complement Marquise Brown's speed. Matthew Judon could walk after this year, so investing in a pass-rusher via free agency or the draft is a prudent move. -- Fowler
Top stat to know: When the Ravens find an edge, they exploit it as well as any team. That's what they did with motion at the snap, which they ran at an off-the-chart rate relative to other teams last year. They ran play-action at a higher rate per dropback than any other team, too. Here's one more: The Ravens ran Cover 0 last season 12% of the time -- that's more than anyone, and well above the league average of 2% -- to tremendous success. Offenses averaged minus-0.77 expected points added on those plays, which is roughly half the cost of an average sack. -- Walder