The 2025 NFL Draft has concluded, so it’s time for updated power rankings. Offensive and defensive rankings per Fox Sports.
The defending Super Bowl champions return strong. Outside of a few pieces, all the boys are back in town. If the team finds suitable replacements, quarterback Jaylen Hurts and running back Saquan Barkley are in line to repeat.
The Bills’ offense was dangerous at 30.9 PPG, trailing only the Lions. Their underrated defense finished 11th overall, and they look to improve this offseason. Their MVP quarterback, Josh Allen, will lead the team’s mission of defeating Kansas City in the playoffs.
Failing to win a playoff game last season, the Lions left with a bad taste in their mouths. Detroit dominated the regular season, but injuries decimated the defense. The Lions will come back hungry and healthy.
The Ravens boasted the best overall offense last season, but their pass defense was embarrassing. Even averaging 30.5 PPG, the defense cost them numerous games. The offense should be similar, and Baltimore focused on defense in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Kansas City was one win away from a third consecutive Super Bowl. The team was relatively balanced and took the same approach in the draft. Head coach Andy Reid plus quarterback Patrick Mahomes equals always in the hunt.
The Commanders and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels announced their competitive arrival last season. Ahead of schedule, he led the team on a playoff run, including beating the first-ranked Lions. Per Over The Cap, the organization has just under 23 million in space for the 2025 season.
The Rams’ offense flashed moments of dominance but paired it with inconsistency last season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford gets an upgrade at wide receiver, with the team losing Cooper Kupp and gaining Davante Adams. Their young defense struggled early but found a way to grow over the year.
The Vikings enter this season in a similar situation. Can the team strike gold with another quarterback? Regardless, they have smart coaches and arguably the best receiver in the game, Justin Jefferson.
If the Texans had a competent offensive line last year, they could have gone all the way. Unfortunately, the O-line was abysmal. The team will look to improve the line to pair with their sixth-ranked overall defense.
The Packers finished the season with the fifth-ranked overall offense and defense, which makes them relevant. They were in the most dominant conference in football last season, with three of four teams making the playoffs. Green Bay drafted a receiver in the first round and looks to continue the growth of their young offense.
It’s early May, and fans are unsure who their starting quarterback is, but haven’t they been interchangeable since Ben Roethlisberger? They had an elite defense last year, which got tired from being on the field so much. The Steelers acquired wide receiver D.K. Metcalf to pair with George Pickens, so the starter has the most dangerous offensive weapons in Pittsburgh for years.
The team played hard under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. He coached them to the best scoring defense in the NFL while playing within their means on offense. With the team’s natural progression combined with the offensive players they drafted, the Chargers will be in the playoff picture.
The Broncos are another team with an elite defense that went on a run with a young offense. Denver finished the year as the third-ranked overall defense but failed to find a way to drive the ball downfield efficiently. Their rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, was a pleasant surprise, and there will be natural growth with their youth.
Last year, the Bengals’ offense averaged 27.8 PPG, and quarterback Joe Burrow played at an elite level. The embarrassing thing is their defense, and they have no room to fix it. If the defense can upgrade to competent and reduce the 25.5 PPG, they should move up the power rankings.
Tampa Bay finished the year in third for overall offense, but their pass defense let them down. They drafted two wide receivers for quarterback Baker Mayfield and two cornerbacks for their debilitating pass defense.
The 49ers battled injuries during public contract negotiations and unnecessary drama last year. The team made it to two Super Bowls and two conference finals in the five prior seasons. There is one glaring hole in their receiver depth, but if the team stays healthy, they will be a tough out.
With the sixth overall offense last year, they need to address their defense in the offseason. Atlanta plans on improving via the draft, with their first four picks being on defense. They gave too much leash to quarterback Kirk Cousins last season, with the offense coming together led by Michael Penix Jr.
The Jets’ defense was formidable last season, finishing third overall. The offense led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers was disastrous. The team will start Justin Fields and drafted players to support him.
Considering the turnover, is it fair to include Seattle on this list? The Seahawks will be a wait-and-see team. Fans expect an average defense and hope for new quarterback Sam Darnold to click with everyone, including wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
Has anybody outside of running back James Connor taken football seriously in Arizona? They have potential on paper but fail to translate it into success. Their middle-of-the-pack offense and defense have them simply there in the power rankings.
Things were rough in Dallas last season, including dealing with owner and general manager Jerry Jones and losing quarterback Dak Prescott for the year. The Cowboys are better than their record last year and are closer to the 12-5 team from the three previous. There are pieces on offense, but they will work on defense and run game.
The Dolphins are in a sticky situation. Their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, is a walking concussion risk, and the team has no depth. The team has a reliable defense that finished fourth overall, but the offense averaged 20.3 PPG. There is nothing in the offseason or draft to indicate a quick turnaround.
The Patriots may shoot up this list with their many beneficial acquisitions. While perfect first steps, they have some proving to do, finishing the last two seasons at 4-13. The organization emphasized offense in the draft, and now needs results.
The Bears get hype each offseason for making improvements, yet continue spinning tires in the mud. Their porous O-line made it difficult to judge their rookie quarterback. Chicago has made moves to address it, but the franchise that has seen the playoffs twice in 14 years will need to prove it.
The ranking is harsh to some, considering their 8-9 record last year, but they play in the soft AFC South. The 29th-ranked overall defense and 17th-scoring offense are not good enough, and they did not draft an instant game-changer. Things are bleak when Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson are the team’s quarterbacks.
The Raiders find themselves in the AFC West, which has the Chiefs’ dynasty, along with the Chargers and Broncos, who made the playoffs last year. They have a new quarterback in Geno Smith and a running back in rookie Ashton Jeanty. This is not enough to lift them much above last year’s 27th overall-ranked offense.
The Titans wasted the second-best overall defense last year. Tennesee drafted quarterback Cam Ward with the first pick to improve the offense. Will he immediately help the team’s offense, or should fans expect growing pains?
After two years of promising growth, the Jaguars regressed to their mean. They have no names on offense that instill fear, as indicated by their 18.8 ppg last year. That said, the offense isn’t even the main concern with their 31st overall defense.
Quarterback Bryce Young grew in his second season, working well with top receiver Adam Thieland. If that is WR1, the team never had a chance. The team has not had a winning season since 2017, and finishing with the league’s worst defense and the 30th-ranked offense isn’t helping. Hopefully, the receiver they drafted in the first round will have an instant impact.
The Saints ranked 30th in overall defense and 24th in scoring offense last season. Derek Carr is QB1, and none of their acquisitions will shoot them up the leaderboards. Expect New Orleans to finish last in the NFC South again this year.
The Giants would be last if not for their acquisitions. Veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston signed to address the short-term need for a quarterback. Jaxson Dart was drafted in hopes of a long-term solution.
The Browns are the worst organization in football and can only blame themselves. They wait for hand-cuffing contracts to expire before becoming relevant. Cleveland drafted quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, but it will take a miracle to shoot up from the bottom.
Several teams have the potential to climb the ranks, while others have given no hope to their fanbase. Rookies regularly miss the expectations of the hype, while others become breakout stars. Only time will tell how the 2025 crop will grow.
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