NFL roster rankings are more than a little unscientific. Bound to be polarizing. Likely to incite hatred based on where I have your favorite team placed. This marks the third year in a row I've gone through this exercise. Waited a little longer for the 2024 edition, as certain injuries and training camp news have impacted how I'd stack up each roster across professional football. My
favorite bit from 2023 was getting into an argument with a random Giants fan on X/Twitter about the merits of having the G-Men ranked 26th despite their surprise trip to the playoffs the previous year. This troll was relentless about how Adoree' Jackson was the X-factor who'd lift New York's defense to another level. I insisted Jackson was too often injured and shouldn't be expected to be a high-end CB1.
Jackson proceeded to rank 117th out of 127 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus' cornerback player grades, the Giants missed the playoffs by a mile at 6-11, and all those angry Twitter replies to me were mysteriously deleted. I will say I had the Houston Texans ranked 31st, struggling to see how CJ Stroud would elevate that franchise. Oops. So I'm not acting like I'm perfect. It's amazing what an elite quarterback and coach like DeMeco Ryans can do for your organization. Anyway, these rankings are skewed toward the following factors that I deem most important in the modern NFL: quality of the QB position, overall roster depth, and offensive weaponry.
32. New England Patriots The Matthew Judon trade cemented New England's status as having the NFL's worst roster for 2024. No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye was already a project QB. He's in such an awful situation. But hey, I won't rule anything out. Like I just said, we saw a rookie Stroud and first-year head coach Ryans lead the Texans to the playoffs in '23. Could Maye and ex-Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo pull off a similar trick? Well, lightning don't strike twice, IMHO. https://twitter.com/NBCSBoston/status/1823917296349229288
31. Minnesota Vikings TJ Hockenson is still sidelined while recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. Going from Kirk Cousins to Sam Darnold as your starting quarterback is a massive downgrade. I don't love Minnesota's defensive line, and their secondary is shaky outside of aging vet Harrison Smith. Justin Jefferson headlines the Vikings' core, but until JJ McCarthy returns in 2025 from a torn meniscus, even with the best coaching from Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores, it'll be an uphill slog for these Vikings in the NFC North. https://twitter.com/SharpFootball/status/1823807813938024497
30. Carolina Panthers Do you trust anyone in the Panthers' cornerback group? The only guy whose upside I have faith in is Jaycee Horn. Problem: Horn has played in only 22 of 51 possible games since entering the NFL. Bryce Young is learning a new offense in his second year as a pro. The Panthers upgraded their o-line and receiving corps across free agency and the draft. I still think they're multiple pieces away — including, in all likelihood, the quarterback — from fielding a roster that's top-half of the league.
29. Denver Broncos Unless Bo Nix, the QB who was drafted sixth in this year's class flourishes under Sean Payton, you can't convince me the Broncos are "close." Many in the media thought Nix was the clear-cut starter after Denver's preseason opener. The film told a different story. Nix is skittish in the pocket for somebody with, what, 61 college starts? Maybe it was first NFL action jitters. IDK. Saw some of that dismaying footwork at Oregon. Denver's roster is fine across the board. I just struggle to get hyped about anyone other than cornerback Pat Surtain II, left tackle Garett Bolles, and guard Quinn Meinerz. If you're asking, "Who?" on those last two, that's my point exactly. https://twitter.com/theqbschool/status/1823057196386861103
28. Arizona Cardinals So many draftniks loved what the Cardinals did. Other than the Marvin Harrison Jr. pick, I wasn't super impressed, or at least I didn't think Arizona's 2024 rookie class was going to spark some giant leap forward in the next year or two. I'd wager most casual NFL fans could only name the same four players on the Cards' roster: Harrison, Kyler Murray, James Conner, and Budda Baker. Tight end Trey McBride and tackle Paris Johnson Jr. should have bright futures, too. Not much else I'm super jazzed about in the desert as of now.
27. New York Giants The G-Men could be cooking up something sinister on defense with pass-rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux crashing in off the edge and Dexter Lawrence clogging the middle. New York was proactive in upgrading its atrocious offensive trenches of yesteryear, which was nice to see. I just question the ceiling of the offense as whole with Daniel Jones under center and so much hope pinned on rookie wideout Malik Nabers' shoulders. Saquon Barkley's exit to the Eagles is a flat-out bummer. Who else scares opponents among that Giants skill group? Nary a soul. https://twitter.com/TheDougRush/status/1820940501748510953
26. Tennessee Titans For a team with seemingly so little hope for the immediate future, the Titans sure didn't approach the offseason that way. They took bold swings with offensive tackle JC Latham — 18 penalties the last two seasons for Alabama — and mammoth nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat, who told teams at pre-draft interviews he put aside his partying ways, only to then
get hit a DWI . Tennessee spent big on free-agent receiver Calvin Ridley as well. Will Levis is a cannon-armed QB, but I question his pocket presence, overall accuracy and ability to stay healthy. Although Chiefs corner
L'Jarius Sneed was a huge get , this roster doesn't exactly scream "playoff contention" to me.
25. New Orleans Saints Yet another new system for Derek Carr to learn this year. While I think he's gotten undue criticism throughout his career, he's not good enough at off-schedule plays to overcome what should be another porous offensive line in front of him. The Saints have kicked the salary cap can down the road for many years. They're old, lacking in prime weaponry other than Chris Olave, and the only thing they can hang their hat on is their defensive back seven. Not looking so good anywhere else. https://twitter.com/TheScottArmand/status/1824130283114991843
24. Las Vegas Raiders You can't deny the studs at the top of Las Vegas' roster. Davante Adams. Maxx Crosby. Christian Wilkins. Kolton Miller. Jack Jones. In due time, first-year tight end Brock Bowers should be in that caliber of company, too. I just can't get around the Raiders' two-deep QB depth chart. Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew. Barring some miracle, they can't elevate this top-heavy roster higher than the NFL's bottom quarter or so.
23. Washington Commanders Assuming Jayden Daniels is a major hit — early indications are, he will be — the Commanders should vault up the NFL roster rankings in short order. I just need to see him be smarter about protecting himself from injury, because at least in college, Daniels was rather reckless with his body. The rest of Washington's draft was a little perplexing, too, seemingly prioritizing long-term depth over short-term needs and gains. I have major questions about the Commanders' starting five tasked with protecting Daniels. Furthermore, Washington has a suspect pass rush that will need new coach Dan Quinn to manufacture pressure with exotic schemes. https://twitter.com/ChaseDaniel/status/1824112141080895504
22. Indianapolis Colts In my previous deep-dive longform NFL piece, I ranked
Anthony Richardson with the third-strongest arm in the NFL . He happens to be more accurate than anyone wants to believe despite his inexperience. His elite rushing ability is not in question. My qualm with the Colts lies in their cornerback group. Beyond JuJu Brents and nickelback Kenny Moore II, they might have the worst group in the game. If Indy suffers one single injury to that position, or at safety, they're screwed. The good news? They're stacked on the front seven, with rookie pass-rushing specialist Laiatu Latu lurking as an X-factor. Monster years from Richardson and Latu could vault the Colts way up in 2025. https://twitter.com/_bcmedia/status/1824075927753478301
21. Jacksonville Jaguars The left side of the o-line is shaky, which makes me nervous for Trevor Lawrence. The Jags couldn't run block to save their lives last year. Not sure what they did to address that other than signing ex-Bills center Mitch Morse in free agency. Is he really a game-changer in that regard, though? Combine those factors with another bizarre Trent Baalke draft, and it's going to take a major resurgence by Lawrence to get the Jags back in the AFC hunt. https://twitter.com/HaydenWinks/status/1822730449850085644
20. Pittsburgh Steelers Look anywhere on the Steelers defense and let me know if you see any troubling position. They're stacked on that side of the ball everywhere. That much is undeniable. So too is the tenuousness of their quarterback situation between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. I like how Pittsburgh bolstered their blocking with center Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu in the draft. I just can't get behind any of their weapons beyond the backfield. George Pickens is a headcase of a receiver who has effort and consistency issues littered throughout his game tape. A suboptimal QB depth chart likely won't help.
19. Los Angeles Chargers Although
the Chargers had my favorite 2024 draft class , and I believe Jim Harbaugh will have them in playoff contention sooner rather than later, there's a difference between on-field results and actual talent. Harbaugh is notorious for getting his teams to overachieve. Therefore, Bolts Nation, don't freak out that I have your guys this low despite the presence of Justin Herbert, whose nagging foot injury admittedly factors in some here. Just be grateful you got Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt with the fifth pick and Ladd McConkey in Round 2. https://twitter.com/scoutdnfl/status/1777529486034051280
18. Cleveland Browns Mad respect for Myles Garrett. Less than zero for Deshaun Watson. The Browns are still awaiting Nick Chubb's return from a catastrophic knee injury. Their offense is so different without him at running back. Other than Amari Cooper and David Njoku, nobody's sweating Cleveland's other pass-catchers, never mind Watson as he comes off major shoulder surgery. Early reviews of camp suggest Watson isn't exactly lighting it up. Can't put the Browns much higher than 18th as a result. https://twitter.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1824167542719459774
17. Atlanta Falcons Shipping a third-round pick to New England for Matthew Judon takes some of the edge off passing up a pass-rusher with the eighth overall pick in favor of QB of the future Michael Penix Jr., who'll sit behind Kirk Cousins for at least one year, maybe two. Acquiring four-time, second-team All-Pro safety Justin Simmons to pair with Jessie Bates has me bullish on the Falcons' defensive ceiling, even though I thought their draft class overall was rather abysmal.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers This is a weird one. I feel like I'm disrespecting the reigning NFC South champs. Baker Mayfield is better than he gets credit for. He has Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Trey Palmer to throw to among others. First-round pick Graham Barton should help the Bucs' DFL rushing attack fare better and open things up for Baker a little more in 2024. The defense has studs at every level: Vita Veta up front. Lavonte David and KJ Britt at linebacker. Antoine Winfield at safety. Jamel Dean at corner. As I wrote this, the Bucs vaulted up four spots. Could still be too low! https://twitter.com/PFF_Buccaneers/status/1823409465078489433 https://twitter.com/HaydenWinks/status/1822730449850085644
15. New York Jets The
nonsensical Haason Reddick holdout , Aaron Rodgers' advanced age, an offensive line held together by a thread, and dubious receiving talent other than Garrett Wilson give me pause about this iteration of the Jets. For now, I'll give the Jets the benefit of the doubt that they can still be top half of the league roster-wise — and choose to believe Rodgers still have some spunk left. Defensive standouts like Quinnen and Quincy Williams, on top of the Sauce Gardner-DJ Reed cornerback duo, give Gang Green a leg up on some of their top-flight competition. https://twitter.com/BoyGreen25/status/1824138423688671432
14. Buffalo Bills Bills Mafia came for my head in '23 when I had them with the league's seventh-best roster. Would hate to see how in their feelings they'd be about this. As of this writing, All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano is down again with a torn biceps. Buffalo already lost mainstays like Stefon Diggs, Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, and Mitch Morse. Von Miller is a shell of himself. Obviously Josh Allen accounts for holding the Bills in this high esteem, as does their o-line continuity. They have several other underrated players I really like, too, such as pass-rusher Greg Rousseau, tailback James Cook and tight end Dalton Kincaid.
13. Seattle Seahawks Could I interest you in my favorite sleeper team of the year? DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba form an overlooked receiver triumvirate. Free-agent additions Laken Tomlinson and Connor Williams, along with rookie Christian Haynes, should really bolster Seattle's porous interior offensive line. I believe Geno Smith will benefit a lot from that. Additionally, there are ballers at every level of this Seahawks defense. I love the secondary in particular, starring the likes of Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, and Julian Love. Don't forget about freakish rookie d-lineman Byron Murphy, not to mention Leonard Williams up front. Look out, y'all. Be sleepless on Seattle. https://twitter.com/gbellseattle/status/1824151436860740078
12. Baltimore Ravens Losing Patrick Queen on the front seven stings, especially since he went to the rival Steelers. I really don't love the line that's protecting Lamar Jackson. Not sure it'll be of much consequence since Derrick Henry can take pressure off the two-time MVP with his devastating downhill running. Lamar could still use some help at wide receiver. Good thing he has tight ends like Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely at his disposal. I'm skeptical about Baltimore's EDGE group. I'd fade 33-year-old Kyle Van Noy emulating his nine-sack output from last year for one thing. Quite close to a top 10 roster all the same.
11. Chicago Bears Gonna have some folks wanting to jump down my throat for this. Think of it this way: Is Matt Eberflus an elite head coach? Is Justin Fields an elite QB? Both answers are "no" from what we know so far. That said, the Bears still won seven games last year. They replaced Fields with
ultra-gifted No. 1 pick Caleb Williams , and added ninth pick Rome Odunze and 100+ catch veteran Keenan Allen to the receiving corps. I see very few glaring holes on Chicago's defense. Much of this is a projection of how good Williams will be in my eyes. Can't wait to find out how good the 2024 Bears can be, or if I'm simping too much. https://twitter.com/CSimmsQB/status/1822966788356706669
10. Green Bay Packers Perpetual puzzling underachievement by the Packers' defense has me reticent about moving them up any further. What's undeniable is Jordan Love's ascent to MVP-caliber superstardom and how absolutely stacked Green Bay's entire offensive unit is. Excellent o-line. Three-deep running back group. Maybe the most loaded young receiver room going right now. Youth and the sort of "sophomore slump" potential for this core coming off their collective breakout 2023 is another reason I hesitate to place the Packers any higher. The top 10 is still a sign of massive respect.
9. Dallas Cowboys Surprised I had America's Team this high. Micah Parsons' greatness is part of that. Assuming CeeDee Lamb eventually gets his contract or just caves and reports to the Cowboys, this should still be a top-10 roster. For all the deserved heat Dak Prescott takes for his playoff shortcomings, he
was the MVP runner-up this past season. I also think Dallas' o-line is better than advertised. Rookie first-rounder Tyler Guyton has torn it up at left tackle (see below). Bear in mind, too, that Trevon Diggs returns at cornerback after missing all of 2023 to start opposite
pick-six king Da'Ron Bland . https://twitter.com/NFL_DougFarrar/status/1823719499641803001 https://twitter.com/geoffschwartz/status/1823848262291611944
8. Houston Texans The offensive line is just OK outside of Laremy Tunsil. The interior d-line is very meh. Don't think it matters. CJ Stroud has proven he can elevate an entire team. Plus, speaking of Diggs, he's in Houston now alongside Nico Collins and ascending second-year wideout Tank Dell. That trio along with Dalton Schultz gives Stroud some of the best pass-catchers in the game. If rookie Kamari Lassiter pops at cornerback, this Houston roster could climb into the top five next year.
7. Philadelphia Eagles Eagles GM Howie Roseman is celebrated for his bold trades. What I think he deserves more credit for is his forward-looking draft style. He's not afraid to build on a roster strong point behind clear starters, as opposed to straining and reaching for needier positions. Thus, Jason Kelce's retirement shouldn't be as devastating as it'd seem. Adding Saquon Barkley to an offense that already stars Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith is a big boost on its own. Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio are sage, savvy coordinators who should be able to show off Philly's immense roster talent far better than the 2023 team did. Side note: Look out for
my No. 7 overall prospect Quinyon Mitchell making a splash at corner. https://twitter.com/thomasrp93/status/1824123418398073213
6. Los Angeles Rams So much for that whole "f**k them picks" paradigm that's dominated the Rams organization. They've knocked the draft out of the park the past two years. I'm expecting big things from ex-Florida State teammates
Jared Verse and Braden Fiske on the defensive front to help make up for Aaron Donald's retirement. Year 2 Puka Nacua and a less banged-up Cooper Kupp is gonna be a problem for opposing defenses. Matthew Stafford is one of the best pure passers of my lifetime. LA paid big for guards Jonah Jackson and Kevin Dotson to protect the wily veteran gunslinger and pave the way for the Kyren Williams-Blake Corum backfield duo. Don't be shocked if these young, feisty Rams knock the 49ers off their perch as NFC West champs.
5. San Francisco 49ers This ranking might as well have an asterisk by it. Star wideout Brandon Aiyuk could be traded any day now. Christian McCaffrey has dealt with a calf injury in camp. God-tier left tackle Trent Williams is still holding out. I really don't like the back end of San Francisco's defense. IDK man. The Super Bowl loss hangover could be very really this year. https://twitter.com/JBaileyNFL/status/1823812004399997328
4. Cincinnati Bengals My beloved Bengals. Call me a homer, but if Joe Burrow is healthy, the sky's the limit. This team might legitimately be six-deep at wide receiver, led by Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Tough roster cut calls incoming at that position. Poaching studly free safety Geno Stone from Baltimore could be the steal of all free agency. My worry is the loss of defensive tackle DJ Reader to Detroit. That position could be a major issue for Cincinnati. Otherwise, outside of depth on the EDGE, I see very few problem spots for the 2024 Bengals.
3. Miami Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa got paid the big bucks , and deservedly so. Seemingly everyone outside of the Dolphins locker room is ready to jump ship on the reigning NFL passing champion because he lost his first playoff start on the road in historically cold temperatures to Patrick Mahomes. This Mike McDaniel-masterminded offense is just stupidly speedy. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr., Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane, and rookie Jaylen Wright are the receivers and backs I can rattle off without looking anything up. Then on defense, Miami has pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips cleared to return from his Achilles injury, the ageless Calais Campbell to stabilize the trenches, and a stupendous secondary starring Jalen Ramsey. PS, if you were wondering who Jaylen Wright was, peep this: https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1822469241985184211
2. Kansas City Chiefs Like the o-line outside of left tackle and Jawaan Taylor's uncalled false start penalties, which hey, if they're uncalled, more power to him. The receiver group can't help but be improved from the past two years, when the Chiefs won the Super Bowl anyway. Travis Kelce is still an elite pass-catching tight end. You can put anyone around Chris Jones on the d-line and it'll basically work. KC's linebacker trio of Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton and Leo Chenal might be the most underrated in the sport. Trent McDuffie is holding it down on the back end. Oh yeah, that Patrick Mahomes guy is pretty good, and almost elevates the Chiefs this high on his own.
1. Detroit Lions What a job by Lions GM Brad Holmes to get to No. 1! This roster was a dumpster fire a few short years ago. Now they have the best offensive line, a historically great second-year tight end in Sam LaPorta, perhaps the best running back duo other than Miami's with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, a superstar pass-rusher in Aidan Hutchinson, and a defensive backfield that should see a major, quick impact from first-round pick Terrion Arnold. They also got Carlton Davis to defect from Tampa Bay and stole DJ Reader from the Bengals. I expect Jameson Williams to really pop as a WR1-caliber playmaker to complement high-volume possession target Amon-Ra St. Brown in the Lions' Jared Goff-led passing attack. If Nick Wright wasn't such a Chiefs homer, he'd agree with me on this ranking. https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1823821756001349895
Local News
