2021 NFL Power Rankings: Pre-Training Camp 2.0
In part 2 of my 2021 Pre-Training Camp NFL Power Rankings, I will break down teams that are trending in the right direction but are still a year or two away from challenging for a Super Bowl. Let’s take a look at who these teams are in my 2021 NFL Power Rankings: Pre-Training Camp 2.0.
Tier: Trending in the right Direction
28. New York Jets — 6.5 (O +112 / U -136)
The best thing to happen to the Jets in the Adam Gase era was GM Joe Douglas. Douglas is building up the Jets from the trenches, emphasizing the offensive line. He spent top 15 picks on LT Mekhi Becton and LG Alijah Vera-Tucker in consecutive years in the NFL Draft. He also stole RT Morgan Moses a few weeks back following his surprising release from Washington. All of a sudden, the Jets’ line could take a big jump in 2021, which bodes well for rookie signal-caller Zach Wilson.
OC Mike LaFleur could asp prove to be a wise hire, especially if he is anything like his brother Matt, the head coach of the Packers. Perhaps the best Douglas hire will be HC Robert Saleh. Saleh is tough and his defense will play for him even if the talent isn’t there yet. It looks like the Jets are finally getting it right. Let’s see how it all comes together.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars — 6.5 (O +118 / U -143)
I’m buying the Jaguars as a team that is going in the right direction. Even if Urban Meyer flops, QB Trevor Lawrence and company will give Jaguars faithful something to look forward to for the future. I can’t say the same about the Jags’ defense at the moment. They are a work in progress.
The Jaguars will be a team that I watch for 2022. If the Jaguars are a tough out and really pop late in the year, it will show me that they are ready for a jump in 2022. I’m anxious to see how it all comes together and if Lawrence truly is the second coming.
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26. Carolina Panthers — 7.5 (O +110 / U -134)
The Panthers are another one of those teams with talent all over the place. They also have an upside coach. They are young in many spots. However, Carolina is also another one of those teams hitching their season to a junk quarterback.
Just because QB Sam Darnold is no longer tied to Adam Gase doesn’t mean he is going to pull a Ryan Tannehill and pop. Tannehill at least flashed for the first four years of his career before succumbing to injury. Darnold flashed for a few games at best. The Panthers 2021 campaign is dead in the water, but they are a quarterback away from competing in 2022.
25. Denver Broncos — 8.5 (O -134 / U +110)
I would have a lot of positive aspirations for the Broncos if they had a quarterback. They don’t. It seems like they are waiting for Aaron Rodgers or Deshaun Watson to become available, even if it means waiting until next offseason.
If Denver’s defense can remain healthy, HC Vic Fangio will right the ship. However, Denver’s downfall will be Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater. All those pretty offensive skill position players are for naught when those are your top quarterback options.
24. Atlanta Falcons — 7.5 (O -110 / U -110)
Atlanta made the right move by moving off Dan Quinn last season. They made an even better move by hiring Arthur Smith as their new head coach. The Falcons are a team in salary cap hell, a big reason why they traded WR Julio Jones. Despite the Jones loss, the Falcons could still be in good shape as they selected TE Kyle Pitts and still can lean on WR Calvin Ridley, a former early first round in his own right.
QB Matt Ryan could also flourish in the new system. However, Atlanta’s offense has never really been the issue. Their defense will be, though. They were bad last year. They will be bad again this year. Atlanta is a year or two away from competing.
23. Cincinnati Bengals — 6.5 (O +118 / U -143)
When it comes to teams trending in the right direction, the Bengals are in the dialogue. QB Joe Burrow had not reported setbacks and should be good to go coming off his knee injury. While I will always wonder why the Bengals drafted WR Ja’Marr Chase over LT Penei Sewell, perhaps I will have my answer if the rookie wideout pops as the real deal.
Cincy’s defense could also take a step forward. DE Trey Hendrickson was one of the best pass rushers on the market. They also bolstered their secondary, adding CB Chidobe Awuzie, CB Mike Hilton, CB Eli Apple, and CB Ricardo Allen. Although I do see a scenario in which the Bengals get over the hump and play winning football, they play in the AFC North, one of the toughest divisions in the league, especially since the Browns are no longer a train wreck.
22. Chicago Bears — 7.5 (O +103 / U -125)
The Bears gave their fans something to be happy about by drafting QB Justin Fields. However, as of now, QB Andy Dalton is slated to open the season as the starter. Chicago’s offense will be better than what we’ve seen in recent memory. However, their defense is another story. Not only did the Bears move off CB Kyle Fuller, but they are getting older in some spots. Their defense didn’t quite look the same last season, a trend that will continue in 2021.
21. New York Giants — 7 (O -143 / U +118)
2021 is a make-or-break season for the Giants and QB Daniel Jones. I will give Jones a mulligan considering the factors he was up against in 2020, but he has no more excuses. The Giants will get RB Saquon Barkley back from injury. They also signed WR Kenny Golladay.
Golladay will serve as the first alpha WR1 Jones has had in his tenure in the NFL. New York didn’t stop at Golladay when it comes to getting Jones enough weapons to succeed. They also picked up TE Kyle Rudolph and drafted WR Kadarius Toney in the first round. If Jones doesn’t get it done, the Giants will be looking for a new quarterback sooner rather than later and as soon as the 2022 offseason.
What will save the Giants is their defense. Deceptively, the Giants’ defense ended 2020 ranked 9th in PPG surrendered (22.3). The addition of CB Adoree’ Jackson will only help their cause as well. I’d peg the Giants as a fringe playoff team.
Thanks for reading Part 2 of my 2021 Pre-Training Camp NFL Power Rankings. Stay tuned for Part 3.
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