NFL Power Rankings
This was a fun exercise to think about how to rank teams in the NFL in terms of their fantasy football prowess. This means, how good they are at the important fantasy football positions. Those positions are quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. Each team was analyzed and ranked in a general order. Then, I went about ranking them according to the importance of each position and how the offensive scheme is for fantasy football. Thus, if a team has a bad quarterback or an unfriendly fantasy scheme, then they were ranked lower. This is despite the fact that they might be a very good team in the NFL. I also viewed them as if they were a fantasy team. Thus, the Chiefs’ starting lineup would be Patrick Mahomes, Isiah Pacheco, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, and Travis Kelce. Then, you look at how fantasy-friendly their team and offense is. Such as how Andy Reid’s offenses are always near the top of the fantasy football leaderboard when it comes to yards, touchdowns, and receptions. Meanwhile, since Tom Brady left, Bill Belichek’s offenses have been routinely near the bottom in those very same categories despite the fact the Patriots have made the playoffs in one of those years.
So, be sure to let me know on social media why I ranked your team too low, but let’s get started. All these teams are ranked in a PPR league format with one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, and a tight end. It’s boring, but it gets the job done and allowed for each team to fill out their roster. Having a poor offensive line wasn’t considered or used to lower a team except in cases of ties, but if your team has an elite offensive line like the Eagles, it certainly did help.
The Fantasy Football NFL Power Rankings
32. Houston Texans: The Texans were ranked dead last because they can’t even fill out a full lineup. At quarterback is a rookie in CJ Stroud. He’s a fine quarterback and should be good in the NFL. However, he isn’t in a good system or have decent players around him. Dameon Pierce is an RB2 in fantasy and is the team’s truly only notable fantasy player. Devin Singletary, Robert Woods, and John Metchie all likely will be drafted extremely late in drafts. Dalton Schultz has name power, but in this offense, he’s likely to be the only pass-catcher of note. There just aren’t any great players to write home about on this roster on the offensive side.
31. Washington Commanders: Besides Terry McLaurin, tell me one player on the Commanders you are actually excited to draft in your fantasy league. I doubt there is one. The running game is split so neither Brian Robinson Jr. or Antonio Gibson have a shot at being more than an RB3. Their new quarterback, Sam Howell could be really good or really bad. One start isn’t enough to tell. Jahan Dotson has some enticing skills, but he needs a strong quarterback who can get him the ball. And then there’s their tight end. Cole Turner or Logan Thomas aren’t fantasy names to know at all.
30. New England Patriots: The Patriots haven’t been able to develop quarterback Mac Jones. They have finally given him some weapons, but they are lackluster. Juju Smith-Schuster, Mike Gesicki, and Ezekiel Elliott aren’t anyone’s ideas of a great skill group to help their quarterback blossom. Due to that and the fact that the Patriots run the ball so often, the fantasy upside is severely lacking. In fact, the only reason the Patriots aren’t last is due to Rhamondre Stevenson. The likely RB1-tier player is an elite back capable of doing everything. He’s the workhorse of the offense both in the NFL and in fantasy football.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers have some elite skill players like Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. However, they are this low due to the coaching scheme and quarterback play. Should Baker Mayfield be the QB1 of this team, this team will not be putting up any fantasy-friendly numbers. In fact, the team could very well be in contention for the number one overall pick. Cade Otten is a developing tight end not worth anything in fantasy football. Rachaad White and Sean Tucker are both developing running backs. White struggled in his rookie year. Plus, the coaching scheme is very run-oriented this year so, the team won’t be in contention for any fantasy crowns this season.
28. Tennessee Titans: The Titans are saved by two players, Derrick Henry and DeAndre Hopkins. That’s all their offense has. Treylon Burks is hurt and still trying to find his way in the NFL. Ryan Tannehill is no one’s idea of a QB1 at this stage of his career. The Titans don’t have any solid running back depth. Chig Okownko is a solid player, but he’s still learning the tight end position and isn’t a fantasy-friendly tight end yet. The Titans also believe in running a ton. That’s why King Henry is so successful. Hopkins will lift the passing game some, but this team is in trouble for fantasy owners this year.
27. Green Bay Packers: This is one team that I might be too low on. They could skyrocket up this list should new quarterback Jordan Love play well. However, he’s just a question mark. In the games he’s played, he hasn’t been impressive. The Packers still lack a genuine WR1. They’ve got two new rookie tight ends. Their only great fantasy position group is at running back where Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon will continue to be top-30 options. Jones is a rock-solid RB1 and the only reason they aren’t lower. This team could fall flat, but if Love proves worthy and their wide receivers develop, this team has the makings of a top-20 fantasy offense.
26. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are a fantasy-friendly offense thanks to how rush-happy they will be and the fact that they are rebuilding. That will mean a lot of pass attempts. However, their skill group needs work. Josh Downs could develop into a really good receiver, but it’s unsure right now. Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor are top-tier fantasy players. However, Taylor hasn’t even practiced yet and the Colts have an inaccurate rookie quarterback. Neither situation helps your fantasy team. The one saving grace could be their quarterback, Anthony Richardson. He has QB1 upside if he can use his legs often. Think of Justin Fields. While they figure out his arm, Richardson could be a QB1 just off his legs. That aids in their rise up this leaderboard.
25. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers are going to live and die by their rookie quarterback Bryce Young. They have a solid skill group around him in Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Miles Sanders, and Hayden Hurst. Those four vets will provide a stable landing platform for Young to develop his throws. Sanders is likely an RB1 this year which adds to their appeal. This team has a lot of bright spots and a new offensive system that can thrive. The Colts had excellent fantasy performances under Frank Reich. So will the Panthers.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers are probably too low, but their offensive system is worrisome. Matt Canada hasn’t proven to be an NFL-caliber offensive coordinator. This team has a ton of talent, but they seem to struggle every year. Plus, their offensive line still struggles to develop and protect a developing quarterback in Kenny Pickett. Diontae Johnson and George Pickens will be quality WR2/3s. Pat Friermuth is a TE1. Najee Harris is an RB1 thanks to the amount of work he will get. But, this team isn’t proven enough to put higher. Until we see this offense do well long-term or see a dramatic increase in Kenny Pickett’s ability, this feels like the right spot for them.
23. Denver Broncos: The Broncos are an enigma right now. Will Russell Wilson be good with a new coach in Sean Payton? Can Javonte Williams prove his knee is healthy and get back on track? Will Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton stay healthy and actually perform? There are many questions on this offense with zero answers. I can see the upside enough to rank them here, but they could easily fall apart like last year. Buyers beware.
22. Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals have a lot of talent, but the first half of the season is going to be rough. Without Kyler Murray, this team won’t be able to do much on offense, though James Conner and Marquise Brown will still be utilized enough to provide plenty of fantasy points. Once Kyler Murray returns, he’s a QB1 thanks to his elite arm and rushing prowess. However, this offense will struggle in the interim with Conner and Brown doing much of the heavy lifting.
21. New Orleans Saints: The Saints have a new quarterback in Derek Carr. This is great news for you fantasy fans. Now, Alvin Kamara (once he’s back from his suspension), Chris Olave, and Michael Thomas (for however long he’s healthy) will have a strong arm throwing to them. This raises the overall fantasy outputs of everyone on the team. The Saints are slowly climbing the ranks, but until we see them healthy and productive, this team can’t sustain being higher than this.
20. Los Angeles Rams: What a fall from grace the Rams have gone through. They went from winning the Super Bowl to about to be entering a rebuild in one year. This team still has some fantasy players that are elite like Cooper Kupp, but there aren’t many. Tyler Higbee, Cam Akers, and Van Jefferson are just bench guys. Matthew Stafford could be healthy, but who knows? Truly, the only reason they rank this high is due to the prolific passing offense they run and the fact that Cooper Kupp is healthy and a top-three wide receiver in fantasy.
19. Chicago Bears: The Bears are ranked this high due to Justin Fields’ legs and DJ Moore. DJ Moore gives them the WR1 they’ve needed for years. Fields now have a reliable target he can trust and throw to often. That’s going to lead to a lot more fantasy points for your team. The Bears will continue to run the ball a ton, but this offense will live and die by Fields’ legs. In a year from now, this offense could be in the top ten quite easily should Fields’ arm develop.
18. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons should be far higher up this list, but they have a head coach in Arthur Smith who hates throwing the ball. That decimates the fantasy football value of Kyle Pitts and Drake London. Two players who have top-tier talent but can’t get enough passes thrown their way. Perhaps that changes this year, but considering the team just took elite running back Bijan Robinson eighth overall, I doubt it. Bijan is a top-ten player in fantasy football this year. He’s that good. If quarterback Desmond Ridder can improve in his sophomore year, maybe this team can have three top-twelve seasons in fantasy football. For now, Pitts is a strong tight end due to the lack of depth at tight end and Bijan is a first-round player.
17. Cleveland Browns: With a full off-season and training camp, there are no excuses for how Deshaun Watson does this year. If he struggles like he did last year, then the Browns tumble down these rankings. They do have some enticing and strong players beyond Watson like Nick Chubb and Amari Cooper. Both should have a top-12 season at running back and wide receiver respectively. David Njoku is a potential breakout tight end. The same is true for Elijah Moore at wide receiver. The Browns have a lot of maybes. That’s not the best thing to chase in fantasy. Too many unknowns to rank higher but too many strong floors to put lower.
16. Detroit Lions: The Lions have a ton of potential and this could prove to be a far too low ranking for them come season’s end. However, I just can’t rank them higher because they have a lot of talented rookies or new players. The only established fantasy players are Jared Goff, David Montgomery, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. ARSB is an elite WR1 that you should do whatever it takes to get on your team. Montgomery is a strong RB2 that could prove to be just as valuable as Jamaal Williams was last year. Goff is a high-end QB2 that can cover your bye week really well. However, Jameson Williams is missing at least six games due to suspension, and is unknown as to how he’ll do. Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs are rookies. Gibbs looks to have the makings of an RB1 finish this year, but you can’t guarantee it. LaPorta is a tight end that could take a year to develop. If Gibbs and Williams both show out and establish themselves as dynamic and amazing players then the Lions rise up these ranks. Otherwise, they truly just have one truly elite player.
15. Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders have a mediocre NFL offense, but their having two elite top-five players at wide receiver and running back raises them up here. Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs (so long as he stays on the team) are two talents that took many fantasy teams to championship wins last year. While Jimmy Garapppolo and Jakobi Meyers are average fantasy talents, they have high floors. This allowed me to slot them here as you know you’re definitely getting an elite season from at least two of the guys on this Raiders team.
14. New York Giants: The Giants still have a top-tier running back in Saquon Barkley and a high-end quarterback in Daniel Jones. They added on an elite tight end in Darren Waller and continued to rebuild their wide receivers. That’s what hurts them as the Brian Daboll offense could easily put them in the top ten, but not having a wide receiver ranked in the top-36 puts them here. That’s just an asset you can’t ignore, unlike tight end. But, the Giants will still have two extremely valuable assets that you should seek out this year in fantasy. And, a potential breakout player in Parris Campbell if he stays healthy.
13. New York Jets: The Jets added a premier quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and a solid running back in Dalvin Cook. There isn’t a better running back duo in the NFL than Cook and Breece Hall. They are both potential RB1s. Rodgers has the ability to be a QB1. Rookie of the Year winner Garrett Wilson is a WR1, especially with Rodgers in tow. Allen Lazard is a solid WR3. Their tight end needs help, but if Rodgers performs well, this team and players are going to be scary to face in the NFL and in fantasy.
12. Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys take a hit with the loss of OC Kellen Moore, Ezekiel Elliott, and Dalton Schultz. They still have three strong performers around quarterback Dak Prescott in running back Tony Pollard and wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. Lamb and Pollard are each top-five players at their respective positions. Prescott is a QB1. Those three do enough to raise their offense here while we still wait to see how the Cowboys’ new offense works in Week 1.
11. Seattle Seahawks: Seattle has elite talent, but it has two large issues. Head Coach Pete Carroll wants to run the ball a lot more. That’s great news if you draft Kenneth Walker III or Zach Charbonnet but not good news if you want to have Metcalf, Lockett, or Smith-Njigba on your squad. The other question mark is whether quarterback Geno Smith can repeat last year. If he can, then there are a lot of fantasy points to be had, albeit it’s limited upside due to the rushing attack. If he proves to be a one-year wonder then this team could quickly bust.
10. Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens are here because they have some elite players and a new offense geared more toward passing. Lamar Jackson is back and will team up with OBJ and Mark Andrews to have a strong trio in fantasy. Zay Flowers looks like a stud. That’s two elite fantasy weapons and two high-upside players. If J.K. Dobbins can stay healthy and get back to his 2021 form, this offense might just have three top-12 finishers at their respective positions.
9: Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings lost Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen. However, their replacements will do just fine. Jordan Addison could be a WR1 on another team but is the WR2 behind the best wide receiver in fantasy football, Justin Jefferson. Alexander Mattinson will be a solid RB2. TJ Hockenson proved that he was a top-five tight end last year with the Vikings. Plus, Kirk Cousins is back once again to lead them to the playoffs. He’s a QB1 albeit, a low-end one. Still, that’s five guys with legit top-24 potential at each position.
8. Buffalo Bills: The Bills still have two elite superstar players on offense in Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen. That put them up here. However, they are limited in how much higher they can rise. That’s due to the fact that Gabriel Davis hasn’t panned out. He’s an okay WR3, but the Bills are using him as a WR2. He’s the definition of a boom-bust fantasy player. Then, they have a rookie tight end in Dalton Kincaid who could break out in year one, but tight ends usually take a while to develop. James Cook has some upside but no guarantee he can handle full-time RB1 duties.
7. Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins are overloaded with talent. They have three insanely fast running backs, two elite wide receivers, and a strong quarterback, when healthy. Their offense is built to gain a ton of yards and for deep throws. Those are very positive attributes through a fantasy lens. They dip a bit because they have no one of note at tight end and because none of their running backs are elite. The system is what makes them so strong. However, the talent of Tua, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle more than makeup for their lack at other spots. This offense is one you definitely want a bite of for your fantasy team this year.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars broke out in a big way last year with four premium fantasy assets in Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, and Evan Engram. Now, they add on a WR1 in Calvin Ridley and this offense could easily be a top-five unit. Coach Pederson proved that his offensive system is a good one for fantasy points. With Ridley now there, that just makes them have two top-20 wide receivers and a mid-tier QB1, and a high-end RB2. Plus, Engram is still a TE1 and should be viewed as the TE8 or so overall. That’s a lot of fantasy firepower that you need a piece of.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: It was tempting to put the Chiefs higher. Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are literal cheat codes in the NFL and in fantasy football. However, the rest of the offense is not very good. Yes, Mahomes and the Chiefs are built to score a ton of points and rack up a ton of yardage. However, due to the lack of a WR1 or RB1, the ball is just spread around too much. So, while they have two #1s at their respective positions, the lack of clear order at their other positions puts them here.
4. San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers a fantasy powerhouse. It was tough to put them fourth, but due to the uncertainty at quarterback, that put them here. Brock Purdy could be a great quarterback, he has the talent. However, I still need to see him do it a full season before anointing him as a QB1. Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle are the best four-some in fantasy football. CMC is the RB1, two top-20 wide receivers, and a top-three tight end. You can’t beat that so get them all on your fantasy team.
3. Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers have a top-five quarterback, the RB2, two top-20 wide receivers, and a strong group at tight end this year in a new offensive system designed to score fantasy points. Justin Herbert and Austin Ekeler are two fantasy players that are tough to beat. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams form up to be a dynamic duo at wide receiver. Either can win you weeks. This group just has too much talent to put lower than three. The only reason they’re above the 49ers though is because of Herbert.
2. Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals narrowly missed being in the top spot. Truly, the only reason they missed is because of their offensive line. Could it protect Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon better, they would be the number one team. However, the Bengals still boast a top-10 quarterback in Burrow and a running back in Mixon. They have a top-two wide receiver in Ja’Marr Chase and a top-20 in Tee Higgins. The only area they lack is at the tight end. Irv Smith Jr. could have a breakout year, but he’s a mystery. If the Bengals unlock him, then this team has an elite option in fantasy at every single spot.
1. Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles’ offense is overloaded. They’ve got a top-five player at quarterback (Jalen Hurts), tight end (Dallas Goedert), and wide receiver (AJ Brown). Plus, they have a top-twelve option at wide receiver besides Brown in Devonta Smith. Their running game has some question marks due to the uncertain health of D’Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny. However, their offensive line is what pushed them above the Bengals. Thanks to knowing that Jalen Hurts will routinely have a clean pocket to work from, you can rest easy knowing that the Eagles will put up a ton of fantasy points.
