10. Green Bay Packers
“They need another receiver in the Draft. They lost right tackle Bryan Bulaga and an active linebacker I liked Blake Martinez. Aaron Rodgers regressed last year with a progressive new coach, and right now I don’t see the Packers as being formidable enough to win a Super Bowl.
9. Denver Broncos
“Denver is my dark horse team in the NFL. They won 4 out of their last 5 games when Drew Lock was the starter and I think they find their guy. Bradley Chubb missed 12 games and they’ll have him back. They added Melvin Gordon, defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, and cornerback AJ Bouye. Denver is a playoff team going forward.”
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
“They were 7-9 last year with 35 turnovers at the quarterback position. They were going to be better with Teddy Bridgewater or Tom Brady. Their defense was excellent down the stretch and I think Todd Bowles is one of the smartest defensive coordinators out there. I think Tampa ends up being a Wild Card team next year.”
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
“They’ll get Ben Roethlisberger back and added a tight end I like, Eric Ebron. Don’t forget that this team was 8-5 at one point last year with a quarterback named ‘Duck’. They did an unbelievable patchwork job and the reason they were able to compete was because they were first in the NFL in takeaways and sacks. It’s a young defense and they are talented and getting better.”
6. Seattle Seahawks
“They added veteran tight end Greg Olsen, right tackle Brandon Shell, and they picked up a very talented corner Quinton Dunbar. They can still keep Jadeveon Clowney. Russell Wilson is in his prime and they will have their running backs healthy.”
5. Philadelphia Eagles
“They need to draft more than one receiver, but they added an excellent corner Darius Slay. Carson Wentz really came of age late in the season. The reason I don’t have them higher is because they’re getting a little up there with injuries and age on the offensive line.”
4. New Orleans Saints
“I wasn’t as high on them last year but they proved me wrong. They added two players I really like. Malcolm Jenkins – a super smart veteran safety with leadership qualities, and Emmanuel Sanders, to go with Michael Thomas, Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, and Jared Cook.
3. San Francisco 49ers
“They do lose Deforest Buckner, the defensive lineman, but they get a first round pick for him. They still have the best defensive line in football, their receivers are young and getting better, and I think they’re going to pick up a great player at pick 13 and keep it rolling. Kyle Shanahan is the best young coach in football.”
2. Kansas City Chiefs
“Not a lot of moves but I love where they’re going. I think their division will be tougher. Denver is going to be a lot better, the Raiders have improved, and I think the Chargers get a quarterback. The Chiefs are going to be good but they could lose two more games next year just because the division is tougher.”
1. Baltimore Ravens
“Baltimore is going to be scary. Their defense was good last year and now they add Calais Campbell, Marlon Humphrey, and Michael Brockers. You don’t want any part of Baltimore’s defensive line. They have by far the best secondary in the NFL. I think Lamar Jackson makes another jump in year 3.”