Steve Dugas ranks the league for Week 1 of the 2024 season, with movement, records, statistics, and his candid weekly analysis.
The Brothers come into 2024 off the stinging Super Bowl loss and remain loaded despite not making a draft pick until the 51st pick. Richardson will press Goff for a starting spot and has QB1 overall upside.
Somehow this core the Buddies built from 2016-18 is still intact and doing damage. The Buddies aren't quite as deep as they've been, so they'll need their new draft picks to contribute if they are to make the playoffs. As far as starting lineups go this is still one of the best and gets them the #2 spot in these rankings to start.
The Merry Men closed out 2023 on a heater and open the 2024 season just flat out loaded. They looked like the depth was good and then everything broke their way during the draft as they got 3 of the top 6 players on their board. Nabers and Bowers immediately slot in as starters and getting Worthy at 11 was straight up theft. This team has what it takes to break a 13 year title drought.
CJ Stroud, Breece Hall, and Justin Jefferson are as good a triplets as any team in the league. I think this team could win a division title this year if they were in any other division.
The Dragons will go as far as Trevor Lawrence will take them. If they get the Lawrence that we saw towards the end of last season the Dragons will be in the mix to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
A year after everything went right and the 'Tangs won the title they return with what might be an even better team. The 'Tangs will battle it out all season with the Refugees but have better depth and will ultimately take the division.
The Refugees are a solid team and a worthy playoff contender but are starting to get long in the tooth. I'd like to have seen a draft that would have paid more immediate dividends while they have Prime Josh Allen.
If the Beans can finally stay healthy I think they can be a real thorn in the Brothers sides this year. Burrow is going to have a MVP caliber season and Jonathan Brooks has stud potential.
Darkhorse AFC super bowl representatives.
Could they miss the playoffs for just the 6th time this century??
This team seems sneaky strong. Full of RB2's and WR2's but if they play to their potential and it matches up with the inevitable 200 point season Justin Herbert will have at some point they will steal a title.
In no mans land for right now. Not a terrible team and not a good team. Best to probably suck for a year and spring back up the power rankings next year.
I still can't believe Chris went all QB at the draft. It worked for Mike collecting QBs. Hope it can work for Chris too.
Masserati Marv!!
Loved the effort to come back into the first round for Odunze. Almost pulled it off.
Does drafting Drake Maye mean Lamar Jackson is available??