Post-draft rank: 32

The state of the Panthers right now is that people are still making Bryce Young height jokes. They would not be doing that if he had played well as a rookie. (Well, to a lesser extent, anyway.) Owner David Tepper is presiding over a dumpster fire rebuild he has probably earned.

Post-draft rank: 31

Even if Bo Nix surprises and shines right away as a rookie quarterback, it’s difficult to find much hope with this Broncos roster. Denver is rife with inexperience, and outside of select names like Patrick Surtain II, there aren’t many true field-tilters on the team. Godspeed, Sean Payton. You’re going to need all the help you can get.

Post-draft rank: 26

In an alternate reality, I could envision the Titans being competitive in 2024. Tony Pollard, DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd form a solid skill group on paper. And a front seven led by Jeffery Simmons could be emboldened by the addition of No. 1 corner L’Jarius Sneed on the back end. But a quarterback and offensive line either lift or sink all boats and Will Levis and the Tennessee OL are likely already taking on water.

Post-draft rank: 30

The Commanders’ big-ticket offseason acquisitions were Jayden Daniels, Austin Ekeler, and Bobby Wagner. Daniels is a former fifth-year starter who took until that fifth year to blossom. Ekeler is potentially an over-the-hill multipurpose running back. Wagner is likely an over-the-hill linebacker. I know a new quarterback inspires newfound hope in an NFL team, but I just don’t see the vision in our nation’s capital.

Post-draft rank: 28

J.J. McCarthy is the face of the Vikings’ retool (a.k.a., half a rebuild). But even he is set to take a likely step back to perennial journeyman Sam Darnold, who is blessed with riches in weapons like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Minnesota should be more competitive than most people think, but 2024 will ultimately resemble more of a gap year before McCarthy takes the full reins.

Post-draft rank: 29

It’s so classic Patriots to luck into a rookie quarterback who would likely be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft with the third slot. Drake Maye remains a work in progress, but Jerod Mayo and Co. clearly understand what it means to properly bring him along based on their initial developmental steps. Now, if only they could give good soldier Matt Judon a little more deserved financial security.

Post-draft rank: 27

Joe Schoen’s turn on Hard Knocks wasn’t flattering — it made the Giants general manager seem incompetent. But I have a hard time believing any NFL executive would’ve looked shrewd under that documentary spotlight. The fact is that Schoen bolstered the Giants’ defensive trenches with Brian Burns, fortified his interior offensive line with guard Jon Runyan, and added a potential top-flight playmaker in Malik Nabers. Until Daniel Jones is gone, Big Blue is mostly stuck in neutral, but at least there’s a solid foundation.

Post-draft rank: 25

Jim Harbaugh has promised the Chargers will be a more physical team. That’s right, baby, the Bolts aren’t going to be pushed around anymore! So, what are the Chargers gonna do? They’re going to run … Justin Herbert more? Oh, good lord, Harbaugh and his good pal Greg Roman just can’t help themselves.

Post-draft rank: 24

Call me crazy, but I actually like Jonathan Gannon’s plan for Arizona, even if he sometimes appears to be a vacuum of charisma. Marvin Harrison Jr. is poised to be Kyler Murray’s BFF for years, while the Cardinals invested in a bunch of fill-in dependable veterans and developmental prospects on defense who all have tangible promise. These red desert birds are a long way from championship contention, but they’re not going to be an easy out this fall.

Post-draft rank: 22

Aaron Rodgers probably won’t make an appearance this preseason while still recovering from his Achilles tear. Imagine that. Contrary to segments of last season’s news cycle, the 40-year-old who suffered a debilitating injury that usually takes a long time to recover from is … still recovering. The Jets selling their souls for the ex-Green Bay Packer looks worse every day.

Post-draft rank: 23

The Raiders’ rebuild under Antonio Pierce is going swimmingly. Sure, they don’t have a quarterback (and that’s a big caveat), but the Silver and Black seem to have a real identity — something most NFL teams cannot say they possess. Plus, seriously, grizzly bear tight end Brock Bowers was born to be a Raider. What a terrific fit. One critical note, though: I would not advise playing around with Kermit puppets that look like Patrick Mahomes while being recorded on camera. That’s just asking for trouble.

Post-draft rank: 20

More than most, the Seahawks are banking on internal development. They think another year for pieces like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a measured step back for Geno Smith is enough to turn Seattle into a playoff-caliber team again. Well, that and new head coach Mike Macdonald’s complicated but effective defensive scheme with an elite secondary on paper should also pay off with tremendous dividends.

Post-draft rank: 21

Yay, another season for Dennis Allen’s Saints! The wide-open NFC South is there for the taking! Wait, Derek Carr is still the quarterback? Oof, another season for Dennis Allen’s Saints. The wide-open NFC South is not there for the taking.

Post-draft rank: 19

A year ago at this time, the Jaguars looked like the Next Big Thing. Trevor Lawrence was poised to join that Mahomes/Allen/Jackson/Burrow tier of quarterbacks. And Jacksonville would own the AFC South for years. Years! Then C.J. Stroud’s Texans broke the door down, and the Jaguars were forced to reevaluate everything. We’ll see if they learned any valuable lessons this time around.

Post-draft rank: 15

If Mike Tomlin could get a three-headed Cerberus of Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph to 10 wins, what’s stopping him from making the playoffs with late-stage Russell Wilson and reclamation project Justin Fields? Consider this my petition to get Tomlin’s gold jacket ready for Canton years before he’s inevitably inducted on the first ballot.

Post-draft rank: 17

The Falcons boosted their vibes by adding Kirk Cousins, a veritable top-10 quarterback on paper, who (probably) won’t waste their talented skill players. They ruined those vibes by drafting older quarterback prospect Michael Penix Jr. in the top 10 instead of an immediate impact defender in a win-now season. As a result, I have no idea what to make of the Falcons other than that they will likely be one of the fascinating roller coasters in the NFL. Again.

Post-draft rank: 14

We are severely underrating what a healthy Anthony Richardson can do for the Colts. Shane Steichen had Indianapolis’ offense humming and was on the verge of the playoffs with Gardner Minshew. Now they’re reinserting a cyborg with a right-armed bazooka attached to his torso. Beware of the Colts.

Post-draft rank: 18

The magnetic Caleb Williams has reinvigorated the NFL’s once-dormant charter franchise. Still, until Williams fully matures as a quarterback, Chicago will be on the outside looking in when it comes to pro football’s upper crust. But Williams’ ascension to greatness feels like it could happen sooner rather than later for this chic Bears team that suddenly has a blinding spotlight shining on it.

Post-draft rank: 13

The Browns are hoping Deshaun Watson, who once faced more than 20 allegations of sexual assault in what the NFL would later characterize as “predatory behavior,” will elevate a team that is otherwise extremely ready to compete for a Super Bowl. Watson hasn’t even been competent since the turn of the decade soooooo … poor Myles Garrett.

Post-draft rank: 12

Mike Evans took the hometown “discount” to help the Buccaneers build on their surprising success from last year. That hinges on Baker Mayfield not turning back into a pumpkin. With maestro Dave Canales gone to Carolina and rookie offensive coordinator Liam Coen now calling the shots, I have my doubts Mayfield keeps the good times rolling.

Post-draft rank: 16

Josh Allen is expected to elevate a Bills receiving core with Curtis Samuel and Keon Coleman as his top playmakers. Well, at least second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid might be a star and Von Miller is supposedly back with a vengeance. Things are not all bleak in Buffalo, but they’re not particularly inspiring, either.

Post-draft rank: 10

Over the last two years, the Dolphins have faded in the second half of the season like me without coffee past 9 p.m.: Sad, slowly deflating, moving around on borrowed time. Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel are poised to show more staying power in 2024, but I’m not sure what’s different enough about Miami on a fundamental level to expect anything different. McDaniel does run a gimmicky offense. Tagovailoa does have glaring limitations as a quarterback. The Dolphins really aren’t exceedingly physical. Until further notice, everything they say about Miami is true.

Post-draft rank: 11

Jerry Jones sure doesn’t sound like he wants to pay Dak Prescott. Which makes sense, considering Prescott is one of the most productive NFL quarterbacks over the last decade. Hey, wait a minute. Anyway, Dallas will be competitive again and should probably qualify for the playoffs. But offensive line and backfield turnover, along with Prescott’s strange contract situation while still being coached by Mike McCarthy for some reason, makes more Dallas disappointment likely.

Post-draft rank: 7

Jordan Love, the $55 million man, is on a mission to show he wasn’t just a half-year wonder. Fortunately, few organizations understand what it means to bring a quarterback along properly, quite like the Packers. New star running back Josh Jacobs should provide a great change of pace for Love, while a young receiving corps led by Christian Watson and Jayden Reed is poised to shine with another year of experience under its belt. When factoring in an already stout defense loaded with former first-round draft picks, Green Bay isn’t a top-tier Super Bowl contender right now but that could change by season’s end.

Post-draft rank: 8

(Boromir meme voice): You don’t simply replace Aaron Donald. You try and mimic his production on the aggregate, like the Rams are doing. Kobie Turner and Jared Verse are one of the promising young pass-rush duos in the game and cornerback Darious Williams should once again thrive under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. I talk mainly about the defense because the Rams, with a revitalized late-stage Matthew Stafford and an elite receiving corps, are liable to set the league on fire.

Post-draft rank: 9

By golly, Howie Roseman is still somehow getting away with it. Despite a dominant start on paper, the 2023 Eagles were actually paper tigers. Roseman turned around and overhauled his secondary with top draft picks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. With new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in the fold, also expect Philadelphia to have a less predictable offense more predicated on using Jalen Hurts’ athleticism to keep defenses on their toes. Oh, it doesn’t hurt to have an all-around weapon like Saquon Barkley, either. Don’t be surprised to see Philly back at the top of the NFC heap come playoff time.

Post-draft rank: 6

The hype surrounding C.J. Stroud’s sophomore season is almost suffocating at this point. To be fair, it’s not unwarranted. Stroud’s rookie year was so exceptional that the Texans banked on him being a likely Super Bowl-caliber starting quarterback with an expensive offseason spending spree. Let’s just put it this way: headline additions Stefon Diggs and Danielle Hunter didn’t come to Houston to lose in the Divisional Round.

Post-draft rank: 3

By their standards, the defending NFC champions find themselves in flux this summer. All-Pros Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk aren’t practicing as they seek well-deserved monster contract extensions. Meanwhile, star linebacker Dre Greenlaw still has no concrete timetable for his return from an Achilles tear suffered in Super Bowl 58. If there’s any consolation, Kyle Shanahan is still the coach, Brock Purdy might be a legit franchise quarterback, and this 49ers roster remains one of the finest in the game. But that doesn’t have the same luster it used to.

Post-draft rank: 5

After a devastating loss in last year’s AFC title game, the Ravens decided to run it back. And why not? This was the NFL’s top regular-season team in 2023, a well-disciplined group with an MVP quarterback rife with depth on both sides of the ball. It remains to be seen how Mack Truck Derrick Henry will fit into the Baltimore offense. I have a good hunch he and Lamar Jackson are an option match made in heaven.

Post-draft rank: 4

Joe Burrow’s poor, “retro” hairstyle choices aside, the Bengals are geared up for another deep run into February. The “Last Dance” vibe has not faded in Cincinnati, with star No. 2 receiver Tee Higgins almost certainly playing his last season wearing the black and orange helmet. Make no mistake. A re-fortified offensive line and secondary does make the Bengals the top contender to the hated Chiefs’ crown in the AFC. It will be considered a massive failure if they fall short.

Post-draft rank: 2

Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes deserve so much credit for one of the more successful NFL builds in recent memory. Once a laughingstock, the Lions are a powerhouse now, constructed the right way from the inside out with dominant trenches on both sides of the ball. Jared Goff’s second act has been a revelation and offensive genius Ben Johnson will once again be one of the top head coaching candidates this upcoming cycle. Detroit is the NFC Super Bowl favorite. It’s time to accept reality.

Post-draft rank: 1

Kansas City enters its three-peat campaign with no significant questions. Those shoddy receivers from a year ago? Enter speedsters Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown. Oh no, L’Jarius Sneed is gone? Trent McDuffie might be a top-five cornerback already. The only real obstacle standing in Patrick Mahomes’ way of yet another championship is a stacked AFC from top to bottom. Fortunately, it’s not like that gauntlet has stopped the Chiefs before.