It’s only July, but NFL fans never really stop speculating. The draft dust has settled, free agency moves have made waves, and training camps are underway.
Why wait until September?
Here’s my way-too-early NFL power rankings: a brutally honest look at where every team stands right now, from bottom feeders to Super Bowl contenders.
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Some placements might surprise you, others will feel inevitable, but one thing’s for sure: the NFL landscape is shifting, and this list lays out who’s rising, falling, and barely holding on.
32. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are just really bad. Don’t be shocked if they surprise a couple of teams the first few weeks, only to crumble after Week 5. This team is gentleman’s tanking for their destined Manning love child.
31. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have been in purgatory since the Watson deal. The only reason why they’re not dead last is because the Saints exist.
30. Tennessee Titans
They may finally have the quarterback, and if they can piece together a defense and find something to build off of, they could climb. But right now? Bottom of the barrel.
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29. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence is the only reason they’re not 32. He’s better than the other quarterbacks alone. That’s it.
28. Denver Broncos
Bo Nix might turn out okay, but besides Patrick Surtain II, there isn’t anything on this team that wows me.
27. New England Patriots
Even with the upgrades like Stefon Diggs, and Carlton Davis, I’m not impressed. This is not what a Mike Vrabel-style team looks like.
26. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have made a lot of excellent moves for a defense that was one of the worst in the league last year. They also drafted a franchise-wide receiver. They could be better than this… but probably not by much.
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25. New York Giants
Yeah, they have Jaxson Dart, but this team isn’t good. This will be another year of looking for a new head coach and hitting rock bottom again.
24. Indianapolis Colts
I’ve been wrong before, but I don’t see what everyone else sees in the Colts’ 2-53 that says they’re just a quarterback away.
23. Seattle Seahawks
I don’t believe the hype. I don’t see Mike Macdonald being this guru with Sam Darnold like Kevin O’Connell was with far less talent. The moves don’t make sense.
22. Minnesota Vikings
This will be the first season the Vikings won’t be as formidable as they’ve been in recent years. I could be wrong because we haven’t seen J.J. McCarthy take a snap yet. But this defense doesn’t scare anyone.
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21. Las Vegas Raiders
Pete Carroll knows the mission: stabilize a team and make it ready for the right coach down the road. They have some pieces Carroll can make work.
20. Green Bay Packers
This is a young team that had high expectations last year. This offseason wasn’t a good one for them. They’re still talented but definitely overhyped.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
This team looks like the Brett Favre Vikings teams. And if it sounds like a duck and looks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.
18. Miami Dolphins
I believe this franchise is toxic. And with Tua’s health always in question, this team is dangerously close to being a bottom-feeder.
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17. New York Jets
This team has a very good defense, but this offense can still lose games.
16. Atlanta Falcons
They drafted better this year, and with how weak the NFC South is, they should contend for the division title alongside the Bucs.
15. Chicago Bears
Ben Johnson has got Chicago excited. They’re doing all the right things. The only domino that has to fall in the right direction is Caleb Williams.
14. Houston Texans
They’ve lost some key pieces, and I’m not fully sold on CJ Stroud yet. If he produces again this year, he and this team can move way up.
13. Dallas Cowboys
I believe this team is going to be more competitive this year. They lost their heart last season, but if they can piece this defense back together, they could win some shootouts.
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12. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona has made a lot of good moves, and this is not the same terrible team. If this squad is healthy, they could be tough.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs think they’re contenders, but they’ve been playing with fire trying to run it back with Baker Mayfield. They’re just good enough to disappoint their fans.
10. Los Angeles Chargers
This team is getting better. The defense is very good. We knew it would be. If they can get the passing game right, this squad could move way up.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
This team is channeling their own inner Peyton Manning Colts era. They have the offense. But if they want to hang with the contenders, they can’t keep playing contract games with their best players. At the end of the day, they won’t be hurting; you will.
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8. San Francisco 49ers
Still one of the best rosters in football. Still a Super Bowl contender. But they feel like a team that is the definition of a glass cannon. At some point, Brock Purdy’s magic slipper cracks.
7. Washington Commanders
They’re young, fearless, and talented. If Jayden Daniels makes the leap people expect, this is the most dangerous team in football, but this year might not be that year just yet.
6. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen keeps them relevant every year, but this version of the Bills isn’t the same. They’ve lost key pieces. This looks more like a team trying to survive than a team trying to finally win it all.
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5. Los Angeles Rams
A healthy Matthew Stafford, a motivated Sean McVay, and a team that looks reloaded quicker than anyone thought. They’ve got Super Bowl potential again.
4. Detroit Lions
They’re legit. They proved they belong. But now the target is on them, not the other way around. Let’s see if they’re ready for that spotlight.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
They’re a top-three team until proven otherwise, but this team looked more tired than dangerous most of last year. Mahomes can only save them so long if Kelce falls off and the receivers don’t step up.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
Still one of the most talented rosters in the league. This team feels like it’s trying to hold on to the limelight. They’re too good not to be near the top.
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1. Baltimore Ravens
Regular season monsters. January nevermore. This might finally be that year. This roster looks like the most complete team in football. The Ravens don’t need any more excuses; it’s time.
Preseason football kicks off on July 31 in the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, and we won’t have to wait long to start seeing answers. Some teams will rise. Others will fall. Until then, this is how the NFL stacks up heading into the 2025 season.