2023 Post-Draft NFL Power Rankings: Chiefs, Eagles remain on top

With the 2023 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time for the first Bears Talk 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

A lot can still change for these teams. Free agency isn’t quite over yet, and injuries always impact rosters during training camp. But now that the NFL Draft is over, we have a pretty good idea of what the depth charts around the league should look like.

It’s early, but here’s my first swing at 2023 power rankings.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

The reigning champs stay at the top of the rankings, that’s just my rule.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles had one of the best draft classes we’ve ever seen, filling several holes left by departed free agents. They are by far the favorites to win the NFC again.

3. New York Jets

The Jets had, by all accounts, a playoff-ready roster last year, but their quarterback situation was a mess. Adding a future first-ballot Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers immediately puts them in contender status.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

As long as Joe Burrow is throwing to Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals have as good a shot as anyone in the AFC of making it to the Super Bowl.

5. Buffalo Bills

Giving Josh Allen another weapon in rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid should unlock a new level to the Bills’ offense. Assuming they stay healthy this year, they will be dangerous.

6. Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson is back, Odell Beckham Jr. has joined the squad, and the Ravens drafted arguably the best route runner in the 2023 class in Zay Flowers. This offense is going to be explosive.

7. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers might have the most talented team at every position group except quarterback. Conventional wisdom says to pivot back to Trey Lance once he’s healthy, but don’t rule out Brock Purdy later in the season. That’s a huge mistake, in my opinion. Still, they have enough talent everywhere else to make a deep playoff run, regardless of whether they try to run it back with Purdy.

8. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are a team stuffed to the gills with talent that disappears in the postseason. Expect another double-digit win season from Dallas, but don’t get your hopes up in January.

9. Los Angeles Chargers

Hiring Kellen Moore as their new offensive coordinator should do wonders for Justin Herbert and his offense. Adding Quentin Johnston was smart, ensuring that Herbert has plenty of talented pass catchers at his side.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars’ 2023 draft class is about as boring as it gets, but they will have wide receiver Calvin Ridley this year now that his suspension has been served. If Trevor Lawrence continues to improve as a passer, they should be running their division for the foreseeable future.

11. Miami Dolphins

Whether the Dolphins are a playoff team depends entirely on the health of Tua Tagovailoa. After some scary head injuries in 2022, he’ll be back under center for Miami with enough talent to make a deep playoff run, but only if his offensive line keeps him upright.

12. Los Angeles Rams

Injuries to their three best players derailed the Rams’ title defense season. Assuming they stay healthy, Matt Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald can still carry the Rams to a playoff berth in a weak conference and perhaps push for one more title before that Super Bowl window gets shut.

13. Seattle Seahawks

I would have the Seahawks higher, but I do not believe Geno Smith can replicate his dominant performance from last season. They’ve got some great talent at every level, but quarterback remains a question mark for me.

14. Detroit Lions

The Lions missed out on an opportunity for a homerun draft class, but they did add some talented players. They’ve got a fighter’s chance of making the playoffs, but only if Goff continues his hot streak last year.

15. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are stuck in neutral, it seems. They only had five draft picks and spent their only selection in the Top 100 on a player to replace Adam Thielen. So they haven’t gotten worse, nor have they really improved. Don’t expect them to go 8-0 in one-score games again.

16. New York Giants

The Giants had one of the better draft classes in the league, adding top-shelf talent at positions of need. If Saquon Barkley stays healthy and Daniel Jones continues to be efficient with the ball, they could once again play in a Wild Card game, but being in a loaded division hurts them.

17. Chicago Bears

Ryan Poles was maligned for his roster management last offseason, but what a difference a year makes. He’s done a masterful job of surrounding Justin Fields with talent and patching holes on the defense. If Fields takes the next step in his game, there’s no reason they shouldn’t have the kind of playoff run the Jaguars or Bengals experienced recently.

18. New Orleans Saints

Derek Carr is a big addition for the Saints, but there could be some growing pains as he adjusts to his new team. However, the NFC South is weak overall, so this may be a chance for the Saints to win the division crown.

19. Indianapolis Colts

Drafting Anthony Richardson gives this franchise a desperately needed shot in the arm. He may struggle as a rookie, which will lead to several losses, but once things start to click for him, Indianapolis could be right back to contending for titles.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers’ draft class was second only to Philly, as they picked up blue-chip talent on the offensive line and in the secondary, two major areas of need for them. If Kenny Pickett builds on the flashes we saw in his rookie year, the Steelers could be a surprisingly tough team.

21. Green Bay Packers

I don’t believe Jordan Love is a franchise quarterback. I think he’ll have some good games and complete some near-impossible throws, but his decision-making and accuracy are still troubling. As Love goes, so goes the Packers. The fans in Green Bay may find themselves in “QB Purgatory” for a while.

22. New England Patriots

Patriots fans may have to come to grips with being not very good for a while. The Jets, Bills, and Dolphins all have better quarterbacks and more complete rosters.

23. Denver Broncos

I’m in the camp that believes much of the fault for the Broncos’ disastrous 2022 campaign lay with Nathaniel Hackett, who has since been replaced with Super Bowl champion Sean Payton. I expect a revenge season from the Broncos, but until we see some wins, they have to stay in the bottom ten.

24. Atlanta Falcons

Like the 2022 Bears, the 2023 Falcons should be a bad team that’s fun to watch, thanks to their playmakers on offense. They’ll have their fair share of shootouts, but I’m not expecting many wins.

25. Tennessee Titans

The Titans seem stuck in limbo, but adding rookie quarterback Will Levis provides hope for the franchise. Hot take: despite being QB3 on the depth chart, Levis will be the starting quarterback in Week 1.

26. Carolina Panthers

Maybe rookie quarterback Bryce Young defies all expectations and carries the Panthers to a winning season, but with a dearth of playmakers on offense and a coach recently fired for squandering a much more talented Colts team, I wouldn’t hold my breath. It will be a tough rookie season full of hard lessons for Young and the Panthers.

27. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders had a pretty nice draft, but they couldn’t win games even with Derek Carr, Darren Waller, and Davantae Adams, so my expectations are low.

28. Washington Commanders

The Commanders’ draft class doesn’t move the needle for me, and they’re going into the season with Sam Howell as QB1. Best of luck to the man. He’s going to need it.

29. Cleveland Browns

I have no faith whatsoever in this franchise and its quarterback. They’ll struggle to win more than a handful of games in 2023.

30. Houston Texans

The Texans are trending in the right direction, but they still have a long way to go with the roster. Still, the future is bright.

31. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are in for a horrific season. The betting odds have them with the first two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft thanks to their trade with the Texans last week, which could potentially net them quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. That’s a franchise-altering haul.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The post-Brady Bucs are in for a bad time when Baker Mayfield is their starting quarterback. Will Tampa Bay win the Caleb Williams sweepstakes in 2023?