Lucy Penn’s Way Too Early 2022 NFL Power Rankings
With this year’s NFL Draft and the craziest period of free agency behind us, we are moving ever closer to the start of the much-anticipated 2022 regular season.
There is still time for teams to adjust the finer details of their rosters heading into training camps come mid-July. But by now, most will have completed their biggest changes. With that, we can begin to depict a more accurate picture of which teams will become true Super Bowl challengers, and also consider those teams who might struggle.
Following this, here is my rather early rankings, a survey of 32 teams which encapsulates every move of this rather ludicrous offseason.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(PFF Rank: 2)
I know what you’re thinking, how can we rank the Bucs above the likes of the Bills, Rams and even the Chiefs? The answer is simply Tom Brady.
Let’s be real, would Brady come out of retirement if he believed he could not win one more Super Bowl? After being first in both passing yards (5,316) and touchdowns (43) last year there seems to be no evidence of him slowing, making the Bucs an immediate Super Bowl contender.
Additionally, Brady’s unretirement enticed many key players to resign with the Bucs (RB Fournette, DE Gholston, OL Johnson, etc,), and they were also able to patch up their remaining weaknesses in the draft (e.g., DE Logan Hall, G Goedeke, TE Otton).
2. Los Angeles Rams
(PFF Rank: 3)
The defending Superbowl champions appear ever ready to defend their position. If last season showed us anything at all, it’s that the Rams have the best QB-WR duo in the whole league with Stafford and Kupp.
Despite losing crucial parts of their winning team (WR Robert Woods, ED Von Miller, DL Sebastian Joseph-Day) and a clouding uncertainty surrounding star WR Odell Beckham Jr; they have made moves to mitigate these losses, signing WR Allen Robinson and LB Bobby Wagner to bolster an already stacked roster.
3. Buffalo Bills
(PFF Rank: 1)
Tipped as the favourites in the majority of power rankings, the Bills arguably boast the best overall roster coming into the 2022 season. Despite not even making it to the AFC Championship last season (losing in the last 13 seconds of the divisional), QB Josh Allen and his offense have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Having also added 2x Super Bowl winning ED Von Miller, it seems likely that this could be the year the Bills win their first-ever Lombardi Trophy.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
(PFF Rank: 8)
Whilst being close losers of last-year’s Super Bowl, it seems that many people do not believe that the Bengals will experience this kind of success coming into 2022, with a considerable number of rankings placing them just inside of the top-10.
Yes, I agree that this team did beat expectations last year, with many considering their run a miracle, but didn’t this just show us the dominance of QB Burrow and his offense? Furthermore, they seem to have addressed the weaknesses of their roster this offseason, so who’s to say that they won’t come back stronger than last year and win the Super Bowl?
5. Kansas City Chiefs
(PFF Rank: 4)
With the rest of the AFC accumulating vast offensive capital to compete, the Chiefs made a decision to trade away their star WR Tyreek Hill. They appear to have taken a gamble and look to replace him with multiple receivers such as Juju Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Sky Moore.
Whether this will mitigate the loss of Hill is a matter of time. Nevertheless, there is something magical about Patrick Mahomes. Having him on your team makes you an automatic Super Bowl contender.
6. Baltimore Ravens
(PFF Ranking: 11)
Unless you are a Ravens fan, you will more than likely think this placing is too high for a team that failed to make the postseason last year.
However, we must take into account that last season. The Ravens experienced an obscene number of injuries. Having drafted excellently, with Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum and David Ojabo all joining, a healthy Ravens team should be poised to contend against any team in the NFL.
7. Green Bay Packers
(PFF Ranking: 6)
Aaron Rodgers is enough of a reason to believe that the Packers can win the Super Bowl. But on a serious note, I would have ranked them higher if they had not traded away their best receiver in Davante Adams.
And let’s not forget, the Packers ability to choke deep into their playoff runs.
8. Las Vegas Raiders
(PFF Ranking: 16)
Some might think that a different AFC West team should be ranked here (Chargers, Broncos). But the Raiders seem ready to seriously contend for the Super Bowl this year. Facing a stacked AFC West, the Raiders have acquired a new general manager, head coach and have traded for one of the best receivers in the game in Davante Adams.
Likewise, the addition of Chandler Jones will ignite the Raiders pass rush. It may be a long shot to call them Super Bowl contenders. But they are definitely one of my dark horses.
9. Dallas Cowboys
(PFF Ranking: 12)
The Cowboys have had a sideways offseason. Whilst other teams around them have improved, the Cowboys lost key players, such as WR Amari Coper, WR Cedrick Wilson and ED Randy Gregory.
Despite this, they still have a bunch of star quality embedded in key playmakers such as WR CeeDee Lamb and RB Ezekiel Elliott.
With QB Dak Prescott putting up over 4,400 passing yards and 37 touchdowns in the 2021 season, the Cowboys are still positioned well to be postseason contender coming into 2022.
10. Tennessee Titans
(PFF Ranking: 17)
Losing A.J. Brown during draft-night was a trade that stunned everyone, including Brown himself, who was willing to stay in Tennessee for the right money. In a highly competitive AFC, this is bad news for the Titans.
However, this team does possess a very special weapon in RB Derick Henry, who is already being tipped to be the 2022 regular season MVP. We can’t overlook the fact that a playmaker as magical as Henry might just carry the Titans well into the postseason.
Will Malik Willis get a chance over Ryan Tannehill? Who knows. But it will be interesting to see how the Titans perform this year.
11. Denver Broncos
(PFF Ranking: 7)
Do we need to say much more than Russell Wilson?
This is the first time since Peyton Manning that this team possesses a champion QB who has real Super Bowl potential. It’s now on the Broncos offensive team to see if they can get the most out of this blockbuster trade.
12. Los Angeles Chargers
(PFF Ranking: 5)
In his first two NFL seasons, QB Justin Herbert has shown he is nothing short of elite.
Facing an already stacked AFC West, the Chargers have acquired some star-talent such as Kahlil Mack and J.C. Jackson to ensure they have the best possible standing to compete in this division. Furthermore, drafting guard Zion Johnson should help to bolster an already strong O-line.
If the Chargers can make it out of the AFC West, they are positioned well to have a good run in the postseason.
13. Miami Dolphins
(PFF Ranking: 19)
Having experienced one of the craziest off-season’s in franchise history, the Dolphins will be accepting nothing less than the postseason come 2022.
Having retained some key players (TE Mike Gesicki, DE Emmanuel Ogbah) and added some superstar talent (WR Tyreek Hill, T Terron Armstead, RB Raheem Mostert), it seems the team have given Tua Tagovailoa the best opportunity to breakout in 2022.
Led by new head coach Mike McDaniel, the future looks exciting in Miami.
14. Arizona Cardinals
(PFF Ranking: 14)
There is no doubt that QB Kyler Murray is magic. However, the Cardinals have had a somewhat underwhelming offseason.
Despite acquiring WR Marquise Brown during the 2022 draft, the Cardinals will have to open the season without their star WR DeAndre Hopkins, who is serving a six-game suspension. They also lost key players such as Chandler Jones and Christian Kirk.
15. Indianapolis Colts
(PFF Ranking: 15)
Trading for QB Matt Ryan seems like a solid trade for the Colts. Having just missed out on the 2021 playoffs after a disastrous showing against the bottom ranked team (Jacksonville Jaguars), the Colts have upgraded the QB position to give an already strong roster a better chance at a postseason run.
16. Philadelphia Eagles
(PFF Ranking: 13)
The Eagles are another team who have had a fabulous offseason, positioning themselves as real postseason contenders. Landing WR A.J. Brown in a draft-day trade gives that Eagles offense some quality to go alongside rising star DeVonta Smith.
Likewise, acquiring linebacker Nakobe Dean in the third round could prove to be one of the best steals in the 2022 draft. If QB Jalen Hurts can get going, the Eagles could be an NFC team feared by many.
17. New Orleans Saints
(PFF Ranking: 20)
It’s fair to say that the Saints have had a decent offseason. Having had a successful first-round draft day, landing themselves WR Chris Olave to go beside the returning star WR Michael Thomas, and finding a replacement for T Terron Armstead in T Trevor Penning, the Saints roster remains strong.
New Orleans also signed former All-Pro S Tyrann Mathieu and five-time Pro-Bowler WR Jarvis Landry. Much of the potential 2022 success will rest on the shoulders of QB Jameis Winston. He is considered to be the most volatile quarterback in the league.
18. Cleveland Browns
(PFF Ranking: 10)
Cleveland’s 2022 season depends on the availability of newly acquired QB Deshaun Watson. Watson faces his 23rd lawsuit for alleged sexual assault, with the NFL undecided on any potential sanctions as of yet.
Despite this, they still have QB Baker Mayfield, and a quality roster that should be pushing for playoff football.
19. Minnesota Vikings
(PFF Ranking: 22)
It’s fair to say that the Vikings had a questionable first round in the 2022 NFL draft. They traded out of their No.12 pick, passing on one of the best prospects in the draft Kyle Hamilton. Instead, they landed themselves another safety in Lewis Cine at No.32.
However, it’s hard to look past the fact that the Vikings still have one of the best upcoming players in the NFL in WR Justin Jefferson. If Kirk Cousins can perform, this team still has a good chance to make the 2022 postseason.
20. New England Patriots
(PFF Ranking: 18)
Is Bill Belicheck a draft genius? Or is picking G Cole Strange in the first round just a bit too ‘strange’ for us to accept as a good move? Moving past this, New England have made modest moves in the offseason.
A lot of New England’s success depends on whether QB Mac Jones will continue to make big steps forward coming into his second season.
21. San Francisco 49ers
(PFF Ranking: 9)
It’s been a strange offseason in San Francisco. Deebo Samuel rumours continue to circulate and there have been plenty of other comings and goings on the West Coast.
Many might be outraged by this placing. The majority of power rankings placing the 49ers in the top 10. Yes, they did only narrowly lose the NFC Championship game last season. But I do not see them repeating anything close to this success come 2022.
They have not addressed their biggest need at the quarterback position. They may again look to be running with Jimmy Garoppolo. Going into a season where many teams around them have vastly improved this offseason, I feel the 49ers will underperform regarding many people’s expectations.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
(PFF Ranking: 21)
Following the retirement of QB Ben Roethlisberger, who played 18 seasons for the Steelers, Pittsburgh look set for a rebuild season. The Steelers will be running with both former 2017 first rounder QB Mitch Trubisky and 2022 first rounder QB Kenny Pickett to see if they can compete in a talent crowded AFC.
23. Washington Commanders
(PFF Ranking: 23)
Here we have another team playing roulette with QB Carson Wentz. Wentz ranked 18th for passing yards last year (3,563) and 10th for touchdown passes (27), whether or not he does better is a complete unknown, but the Commanders will be hoping to return to the postseason, following last season’s optimistic run.
24. Detroit Lions
(PFF Ranking: 24)
Many people are very quick to overlook QB Jared Goff, who has proven to be a good quarterback in the right team. The Lions drafted well, picking up star Wolverine Aidan Hutchinson, who will look to provide an instant impact.
Furthermore, they traded up to get Goff a weapon, grabbing WR Jameson Williams, who has the potential to light up the NFL once he has recovered from his ACL surgery.
25. New York Giants
(PFF Ranking: 26)
The Giants have a new HC Brian Daboll could be the person to bring out the best of struggling QB Daniel Jones (who New York have just declined the fifth-year option for).
Likewise, in the first round of the 2022 draft, the Giants acquired two exceptional talents in DE Kayvon Thibodeaux and OT Evan Neal. Nevertheless, despite the future looking promising, it seems unlikely that this team will be a postseason contender.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
(PFF Ranking: 27)
The Jaguars have spent big this offseason, trying to give second-year QB Trevor Lawrence a change to succeed coming into his second season.
However, the decision to grab DE Travon Walker with their 2022 first-round first pick is a risk. The rebuild in Jacksonville is certainly happening. It will be intriguing to see how new head coach Doug Pederson will handle this team come 2022.
27. Carolina Panthers
(PFF Ranking: 29)
Maybe some fresh competition for new draftee QB Matt Corral might encourage Sam Darnold to step up to the plate, but this remains a mystery. However, this team did well in fixing another weakness of theirs, acquiring tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who certainly has all-pro potential.
28. New York Jets
(PFF Ranking: 25)
There is no doubt the Jets have had a good offseason, especially during the first round, and second rounds of the NFL draft, acquiring CB Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, WR Garrett Wilson, DE Jermaine Johnson II and RB Breece Hall.
All that we can say now is that it is up to second year QB Zach Wilson to see if he can turn this organisation around, in an already ultra-competitive AFC East.
29. Seattle Seahawks
(PFF Ranking: 32)
The Seahawks lost their diamond QB Russel Wilson. Moreover, they are left with a quarterback room of Drew Lock and Geno Smith, arguably the worst pair in the whole NFL.
Despite their recent past, it’s clear that this team will not be contenders, and are looking ahead to many years of rebuilding.
30. Atlanta Falcons
(PFF Ranking: 30)
Here we have another team who lost their franchise quarterback during the 2022 offseason. A miss-shot for QB Deshaun Watson led this franchise into taking QB Marcus Mariota, who let’s just say is rather average. This team had a good draft; however, I don’t think we will be seeing anything special from the Falcons in 2022.
31. Houston Texans
(PFF Ranking: 28)
Last season rookie QB Davis Mills showed some good potential, and it seems Houston will be rolling the dice again with him come 2022.
Now this organisation is rid of QB Deshaun Watson, the Texans can start a proper rebuild, which we saw glimpses of in the 2022 draft, acquiring potential stars in CB Derek Stingley Jr. and OL Kenyon Green.
32. Chicago Bears
(PFF Ranking: 31)
QB Justin Fields has not had the best start to his career, but how much of an opportunity is he really getting to perform well?
No first-round pick and trading away their best WR Allen Robinson, the Bears have not left much for fields to work with. It’s likely that it will be a very painful season for Chicago. They are in full rebuild mode.
