NFL Power Rankings: Bucs, Browns on the upswing after 2017 draft

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Mitch Sanderson, Arun Srinivasan, and Dan Wilkins.

1. New England Patriots

The Patriots may have won the 2017 NFL Draft before it even started, turning the last picks of the first and second round into Brandin Cooks and Kony Ealy, yet they still came away with a few late-round goodies to confirm their status as the league's best club. - Sanderson

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers had a promising draft, including picks of T.J. Watt and JuJu Smith-Schuster in the opening two rounds, but their ceiling depends on the return of a certain wide receiver. Martavis Bryant could make this offense unstoppable. - Wilkins

3. Dallas Cowboys

For a team picking in the last few spots of each round, the Cowboys were very productive, restocking the shelves in the secondary, grabbing a pass-rusher, and getting deeper at receiver. - Sanderson

4. Atlanta Falcons

Get your 28-3 jokes off while you can. The NFL's highest-scoring offense will be back with a vengeance, with a young, talented defense looking to erase memories of Super Bowl LI at all costs. - Srinivasan

5. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders took a big risk by selecting Gareon Conley in the first round. If he's exonerated, however, he's the perfect fit for the Raiders' defense and great value at 24th overall. Plus, some retired running back joined Oakland. He might be pretty good too. - Browne

6. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks didn't upgrade their offensive line, but this year's class was shallow. Instead, Seattle traded down to load up on picks - ending up with 11 total selections - to improve the depth of its roster, and still snagged a first-round talent, Malik McDowell, in the second. - Browne

7. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay followed up a productive free-agent period with its best draft in years. Don't be surprised if this club is right back in Super Bowl contention next season. - Wilkins

8. New York Giants

While the Giants failed to address their biggest need (offensive line), first-rounder Evan Engram adds a new dimension to the offense, and the team still looks ready to compete for the division crown. - Sanderson

9. Kansas City Chiefs

The Alex Smith era in KC is officially nearing its end thanks to the dramatic first-round trade up to get Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs could afford to do it because their roster is one of the most complete, but it does limit this draft's immediate upgrade. - Browne

10. Denver Broncos

The Broncos had a fairly uneventful draft day. First-rounder Garett Bolles strengthens their weakest unit, and tight end Jake Butt could end up being the steal of the draft in the fifth. While Denver isn't significantly better, its roster remains one of the league's best. - Browne

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jameis Winston may be the biggest winner of the offseason. Tampa Bay added DeSean Jackson, O.J. Howard, and Chris Godwin to a passing game that already included Mike Evans. Let the fireworks begin! - Srinivasan

12. Baltimore Ravens

An already stout Ravens defense loaded up on additional talent in the early portion of this draft. While questions remain on the offensive side, that may not matter much if opposing teams can't put points on the board. - Wilkins

13. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals fooled everyone with talk of interest in several of the top quarterback prospects. Arizona opted not to take Carson Palmer's successor, doubling down on what may be the veteran passer's last year by adding players like linebacker Haason Reddick and safety Budda Baker who can help the team win now. - Browne

14. Houston Texans

Deshaun Watson will compete for the starting quarterback spot, J.J. Watt returns to a unit that finished first in total defense, and the Texans appear poised to do damage while sneaking under the national radar. - Srinivasan

15. Tennessee Titans

Fifteen months ago, the Titans seemed dead in the water. Now, they appear poised to contend for the AFC South title with Corey Davis and Adoree' Jackson aboard. - Srinivasan

16. Detroit Lions

Detroit made massive upgrades to the offensive line in free agency, and Jarrad Davis and Teez Tabor take care of significant needs at linebacker and in the secondary, respectively. There are pieces in place. - Wilkins

17. Indianapolis Colts

What a difference a year makes. Chris Ballard's imprint was all over Indianapolis' draft this year, gaining excellent value in every round. The Colts finally appear ready to maximize their potential during the Andrew Luck era. - Srinivasan

18. Carolina Panthers

Carolina's disappointing 2016 campaign appears to be a one-off, and with Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel adding new dimensions to the offense, few would be surprised if the Panthers regain their 2015 form. - Srinivasan

19. New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees is indefatigable, but the Saints need to either commit to being a genuine Super Bowl contender, or blow the roster to smithereens. In the meantime, they're in no man's land. - Srinivasan

20. Miami Dolphins

Miami had one of the more boring 2017 drafts, adding some good talents but nothing too exciting. After a similarly dull free-agent period, Adam Gase has to keep up the good work to convince Dolphins fans last season wasn't a fluke. - Sanderson

21. Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia deserves a round of applause for a very well-hosted draft - but the Eagles' draft class is still very debatable, led by Derek Barnett, who reinforces a strength rather than fills a need, and Sidney Jones, who may not play until his second season. - Sanderson

22. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers quietly executed one of the best drafts in the league. Mike Williams may have been a slight reach, but Philip Rivers needs more help. Adding two starting offensive linemen in rounds two and three is the icing on the cake. Rivers and the Chargers could steal the L.A. limelight in 2017. - Browne

23. Buffalo Bills

While the 2017 draft was better than most in the team's recent history, moving on from Doug Whaley was Buffalo's best move of the offseason. These are Sean McDermott's Bills now. - Sanderson

24. Washington Redskins

Washington got very good value on several of its picks - including all of the first four - but without a general manager in place, it's hard to avoid asking whether the franchise has a real team-building strategy. - Sanderson

25. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati appears to be hoping that an infusion of skill-position talent can mask the now-pressing issues on the offensive line. It doesn't always work that way. - Wilkins

26. Minnesota Vikings

Dalvin Cook could be a big-time playmaker, but have the Vikings done enough to upgrade the offensive line in front of him? - Wilkins

27. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville chose its running back of the future in Leonard Fournette, but until the club can actualize its immense talent, it remains near the bottom of the power rankings. - Srinivasan

28. Chicago Bears

The Bears gave up a bunch of draft picks to move up one slot and select a quarterback who will be sitting behind the career backup they paid to land in free agency. This could be a long rebuild. - Wilkins

29. San Francisco 49ers

Let's not crown John Lynch just yet, but the rookie GM did knock his first draft out of the park. The 49ers got their top two players, Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster, at No. 3 and 31, respectively, after a masterful trade with the Bears. The only questionable decision was taking C.J. Beathard in the third round. - Browne

30. Cleveland Browns

The Browns are slowly heading in the right direction. Coming away with a trio of first-rounders, and then a potential franchise quarterback in DeShone Kizer with a second-round pick, is an incredible haul that could finally lead to some results in the win column. - Wilkins

31. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams had the most Rams draft of all time: low on star power with few steals, and thoroughly underwhelming. Tight end Gerald Everett is likely the only player from the class who'll have an impact in 2017. - Browne

32. New York Jets

Congratulations to the New York Jets on becoming the new Cleveland Browns. Good luck getting that one win next season. - Sanderson