We’re officially one week away from the start of the NFL Draft, a three-day extravaganza where contenders will look to find players who can help keep them atop the mountain, while most teams are searching for the players to help bring them there.
Right now, everyone is chasing the Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles, who, unsurprisingly, still have the best roster in the NFL according to my projection model.
But where do all of the other teams rank? You’re about to find out.
My model ranked all 32 rosters from best to worst ahead of the draft. To do this, the model takes various metrics and assigns a “value” to each player that shows their impact on a single game. Of course, positional value is vital in football, which means superstar running back Saquon Barkley is not going to be as valuable as elite edge rusher Myles Garrett, even though they’re the best players at their respective positions. After summing up the values of each roster, we can rank each team 1-32.
So let’s get to it:
1. Philadelphia Eagles
They may have lost some pieces this offseason, most notably along the defensive line, but they’ve done an incredible job in recent years of acquiring talent through the draft to backfill those pieces, all while being strategic with the salary cap to maximize their spending.
So, just how good is this roster? Of the 11 position groups, the Eagles rank inside the top 10 in eight of them. The Detroit Lions are the only other team that can boast that type of widespread talent. The Eagles are a little thin at edge rusher, but I expect them to address that in the draft. And if they do, there really isn’t a weak point on this roster.
2. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are still trying to get over the hump in the AFC, and this could be their year to do it. They are strong at the skill positions, particularly the further you get away from the line of scrimmage. They boast top-10 positional rankings at quarterback, running back, tight end, linebacker, cornerback and safety. Sure, they should probably add some wide receiver help for MVP QB Lamar Jackson, but their primary focus in the draft should be in the trenches on both sides of the ball. They rate around average on the offensive and defensive line heading into the 2025 season.
3. Detroit Lions
Trying to replace a pair of top-tier coordinators in Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn isn’t ideal, but the Lions have built a roster that should be able to withstand their losses. They went 15-2 and were the top seed in the NFC last season, even while suffering through a flurry of injuries to their defense. The return of star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson and newly acquired cornerback D.J. Reed should help shore up some of Detroit’s inefficiencies. The only real question I have for the Lions: Do they have enough elite talent on defense to get them to the Super Bowl? The answer will be yes if they can find another standout or two in the draft.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
Anyone who watched the Super Bowl knows where the Chiefs need the most help, and that’s at offensive tackle. Odds are good that’s the position they’re going to address with their first pick (No. 31) in the draft. However, that’s not the only deficiency on their roster, as the team makeup has become a stars-and-scrubs build at this point. They have stars at quarterback, tight end, interior offensive and defensive line and cornerback. However, the rest of the positions leave a lot to be desired. Along with bolstering the offensive line, the Chiefs could use another pass rusher and some more skill position help for QB Patrick Mahomes.
5. Buffalo Bills
The Bills have been one of the AFC’s best teams for a handful of years now, so it’s no surprise to find them in the top five. However, what will it take for them to finally usurp the Chiefs, the team that has bounced them from the playoffs four of the past five years? Well, they could start with some defensive help. Signing Joey Bosa in free agency was a high-risk, high-reward move; he could be great — if he can stay healthy long enough to make an impact. But even with their bet on Bosa, the Bills could still use another pass rusher and more help in the secondary.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay has the third-best roster in the NFC? This is the first true surprise of the list. The Bucs are looking to build on a successful 2024 season; they won the NFC South and were the last team to beat the Eagles. Their offensive roster is set, though they’re replacing their offensive coordinator for the third consecutive season, which could be a challenge. However, my system still expects them to produce at a high clip again this year. The defense, however, needs some work. My projections have most of their defensive position groups rated around average. If they want to compete with the best in the NFC, they should be looking to add defensive players at a premier position with their first few picks in the draft.
7. Green Bay Packers
If there were a true WR1 on the roster, the Packers could be pushing for a spot in the top five on this list. The same could be said if they boasted an elite pass rusher. The offense is good to go outside of that go-to pass catcher, so if they think there is one in the draft, they should draft him. However, the defense is further behind than the offense at this point, and an edge rusher or cornerback might make too much sense to pass up early on.
8. Los Angeles Rams
Out goes Cooper Kupp and in comes Davante Adams to keep the Rams set at the offensive skill positions. The offensive line is average, so that’s not an immediate need, though a dominant offensive tackle could go a long way to helping this offense take another step toward elite. For as much progress as the defense made last season, it still needs some work. The defensive line made strides last year with rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, but they’re still lacking playmakers on that side of the ball, especially at linebacker where they project to have one of the worst units in the league.
9. Washington Commanders
Full transparency: My model had the Commanders as the worst roster in the league heading into the draft last season. Oops. Frankly, I stand by the assessment that the roster isn’t all that great, especially on defense, but QB Jayden Daniels was just that good last year. And now they’ve added a star left tackle in Laremy Tunsil and an interesting No. 2 WR in Deebo Samuel Jr. on offense. Still, the defense projects as a bottom-five unit in the league with major holes along the defensive line and in the secondary. If they find some legitimate defensive talent in the draft, watch out.
10. San Francisco 49ers
Yes, the 49ers have lost a ton of talent this offseason, but I don’t think the sky is necessarily falling for coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad. Assuming star receiver Brandon Aiyuk — coming off a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus — and running back Christian McCaffrey (PCL) can stay healthy for a majority of the 2025 season, the offense should still be able to move the ball. The defense, however, has definitely taken some steps back, and the 49ers will need to restock the cupboard along the defensive line and at cornerback. But if this team can avoid the injury bug (big if!), the roster is too talented not to rank in the top half of the league.
11. Denver Broncos
Skill talent. That’s what the Broncos need to add in the draft. The Broncos have a top-five offensive line and one of the better defenses in the league, so there’s no need to invest a ton of resources there. I still have reservations about quarterback Bo Nix, but coach Sean Payton remains a great play caller, and playing behind that offensive line makes life much easier for Nix. If the Broncos can find playmakers at wide receiver and running back in the draft, Denver could be a sleeper in the AFC this year.
12. Cincinnati Bengals
No need to overthink this one. Cincinnati’s terrible defense is holding the Bengals back from being considered a true contender in the AFC. And when you consider these ranking factors in edge rusher Trey Hendrickson suiting up for the Bengals in 2025, it’s even more vital that they infuse this unit with talent. If you remove Hendrickson from the roster, they’d rank in the bottom five at edge rusher, interior defensive line, cornerback and safety. So please, Bengals, please find some defensive talent to support QB Joe Burrow and what should be an excellent offense.
13. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have one of the best rosters in football … outside of the quarterback position. They rank inside the top 10 at every offensive position except interior offensive line, which is now average after they added guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly in free agency. On defense, they’re not quite as good, but they still rank above average up front and inside the top five at cornerback. Their linebacker and safety groups could use upgrades, too, but if QB J.J. McCarthy can provide anything close to what Sam Darnold produced last season, the Vikings will again be among the NFC’s best.
14. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers delivered a big turnaround in coach Jim Harbaugh’s first season, but the roster still has major holes. They rank in the bottom third of the league at running back, tight end, interior offensive and defensive line and cornerback. Heading into the draft, the Chargers are likely best served targeting the best player available rather than trying to force a pick to fill a need.
15. Dallas Cowboys
I’d never recommend drafting a ball carrier in the first round, but Dallas’ running back room ranks dead last in the NFL, so the position definitely needs to be addressed at some point in the draft. In the first round, however, they’re better off selecting a wide receiver or an offensive tackle because both of their groups currently rank in the bottom five in the NFL. Suffice it to say, they desperately need to add some talent around quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, because they can’t carry the Cowboys offense by themselves.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is the first team on this list that doesn’t have a plan in place at quarterback heading into the draft. That obviously needs to be taken care of. Outside of QB, the defense is mostly set with a strong defensive line, though their stars are getting up there in age. They could use some cornerback help, as they rank in the bottom third of the league. On offense, trading for DK Metcalf has put the skill positions, outside of running back, in a solid spot, but the offensive tackles are a bottom-five group. Finding a quarterback and some OT help are a must if they want to squeeze anything out of this good but aging defense.
17. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins roster is set up to succeed as a 7-on-7 squad. The quarterback and skill positions are in a good spot, but their trench play is one of the worst in the league. Their offensive line and interior defensive line rank among the bottom three in the NFL. Upgrading up front must be their priority during the draft, though this team also needs help at cornerback, especially if Miami plans to trade Jalen Ramsey.
18. Atlanta Falcons
Much of Atlanta’s success will depend on the development of second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. While he looked solid in limited action last year, the jury is still out. The rest of the offense, however, is in good shape. The area in desperate need of improvement is the defense. Atlanta has just one group that ranks above average (safeties) and three that rank in the bottom third of the league (edge, interior defensive line and linebacker). Coach Raheem Morris needs to solidify his defense if the Falcons plan on contending anytime soon.
19. Houston Texans
The lowest playoff team on this year’s list, there is some work to do in Houston. After fielding maybe the worst offensive line in the league in 2024, the Texans shipped star left tackle Laremy Tunsil to Washington, so you can probably guess where they need the most help. Outside of the offensive line, they could stand to boost the interior defensive line and linebacking group, which each rank in the bottom third of the league.
20. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals made a big splash in free agency by acquiring edge rusher Josh Sweat from the Eagles. Even with Sweat there, though, they still could benefit from making additional reinforcements along the defensive line. The Cardinals also have a bottom-five receiving group and rank in the bottom third at cornerback, so look for them to address those needs next week.
21. Indianapolis Colts
You can’t look at the Colts roster and not start at the quarterback position. Anthony Richardson has shown some bright spots but hasn’t done it consistently enough to solidify himself as a longtime starter. But even outside of the quarterback position, the Colts have a ton of holes. Tight end, edge rusher and linebacker all rate out in the bottom third of the league.
22. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle just needs to draft the best player available. That’s a nice way of saying it has holes everywhere. The Seahawks highest ranked position group is their running back room, which is followed by their edge rushers — both of those units rank inside the top 10. However, outside of those two, no other position group ranks in the top half of the league, and their interior offensive line rates as the worst in the league. I’m not sure who will be available when they’re on the clock at No. 18, but they need talent to fill a lot of holes.
23. Carolina Panthers
The second-half surge of quarterback Bryce Young has the Panthers in a far better position than they would have been if he hadn’t recovered after being benched early last season. Carolina has a good offensive line protecting its young signal caller, but really needs an impact pass catcher to help boost wide receiver and tight end groups that rank 26th and 32nd respectively. On defense, the Panthers are an edge rusher away from being solid across the board, as that’s the only group that rates below 19th.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
If the Jaguars hope to make it back to the playoffs, they’ll first need quarterback Trevor Lawrence to bounce back after an injury-riddled season. But he’s going to need help to do it. Outside of Lawrence and the interior offensive line, the Jaguars don’t have a position group on offense that ranks higher than 20th. And even then, Lawrence and the interior rank barely above average. On defense, there is more of a ceiling with some younger players but a lower floor as the interior defensive line ranks in the bottom three.
25. New York Giants
The Giants seem likely to add one of Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick, and getting one of the truly elite prospects in this class will go a long way to stabilizing a roster that lacks star power. While Hunter seems destined for Cleveland, he’d be a better fit than Carter for a squad that could use help at wide receiver and cornerback. Still, there shouldn’t be any complaining from Giants fans if their team scoops up Carter. While the defensive line is already solid, there’s nothing wrong with building on a strength.
26. Chicago Bears
This is probably lower than most Bears fans expected to find their team. Why are they all the way down here? Let’s just say quarterback Caleb Williams has a lot to prove his sophomore season. And if they get a jump in production from second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze, that will really help flip the script for this offense. New coach Ben Johnson should get more out of this group than the last regime did. On defense, I’m still concerned with the line, as it’s projected in the bottom half of the league.
27. Cleveland Browns
The good news? The defense should be good. The problem is that you have to score points to win football games, and the Browns have very little talent on offense. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett or a rookie will be suiting up at quarterback while the running back and wide receiver rooms boast little talent. Oh, it gets worse: The Browns’ offensive tackles rate among the bottom 10. This roster has a long way to go.
28. New England Patriots
Similarly to Cleveland, the defense should be solid. The offense, on the other hand, time will tell. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye’s development will dictate much of this offense’s success, but every position group on that side of the ball projects as below average except for tight end. They appear to be keyed in on an offensive tackle with the No. 4 pick, and that makes sense. Still, even with an improved offensive line, I’ll be tempering my expectations for coach Mike Vrabel’s first year in New England.
29. New Orleans Saints
This is where the Saints rank if Derek Carr plays quarterback for them this season. If he isn’t, the Saints would fall to the bottom of this list with Spencer Rattler behind center. But maybe that’s not such a bad idea? Turn the keys over to Rattler and see if he can do anything. If he can’t, you accumulate more draft capital and can finally reset the salary cap and roster during a rebuild. Otherwise, this team isn’t winning anything any time soon.
30. Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby signed an extension this offseason, which helps keep the Raiders firmly inside the top 10 when it comes to pass rushers. However, the rest of the defense is in pretty poor shape. The interior defensive line is the next best and it ranks 26th. If the Raiders want to contend in the stacked AFC West, they’ll need to find some talent on defense to help out Geno Smith, Brock Bowers and an intriguing offense.
31. New York Jets
The Aaron Rodgers era was nothing short of a disaster, as the Jets’ offense heads into the 2025 season as one of the worst in the NFL. Outside of the interior offensive line, there isn’t a position group that rates higher than 27th. And while the defense should again outpace the offense, I’m not sure they’re destined to be one of the league’s best units any more, as their defensive line projects as below average.
32. Tennessee Titans
It’s fitting that the team with the worst roster heading into the NFL Draft is also the team with the No. 1 pick. And while that pick is likely going to be spent on a franchise quarterback, the Titans have a lot of work to do to rebuild this roster around their presumed pick of Cam Ward. The wide receivers, offensive tackles, edge rushers and corners all rate in the bottom five of the league. That’s essentially the opposite of what the Eagles have built to win a Super Bowl.
(Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; photos of Ben Johnson, Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson: David Banks / Imagn Images, Gregory Shamus and Luke Hales / Getty Images