The NFL sure knows how to put on a show, eh? Even more than a month removed from any actual football action, it still took centre stage for most of March as it ushered in a new league year with a series of blockbuster transactions on the trade and free agency market that drastically altered the NFL landscape.
With that in mind, it's time to take an updated look at our NFL Power Rankings to see just how this flurry of moves is shaping the landscape right now. To mark the final day of the wildest month in the off-season calendar, we're highlighting every team's most notable move so far.
1. Los Angeles Rams
Under the bright lights of L.A. and on the receiving end of passes from Matthew Stafford, former Bear Allen Robinson should blossom. He steps into the void left by Robert Woods, and is an excellent addition alongside the elite Cooper Kupp. (ES)
2. Buffalo Bills
Signing two-time Super Bowl champ Von Miller is a flashy, statement move but perhaps a more impactful transaction will turn out to be the addition of guard Rodger Saffold III from Tennessee. (MJ)
3. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers’ dynamic offence remains intact with the clutch re-signing of receiver Mike Williams, but it’s the defence that earned the biggest headlines here. Cornerback J.C. Jackson is a huge upgrade for Brandon Staley’s secondary, and the addition of a healthy Khalil Mack to the defensive line, playing alongside Joey Bosa? That’s just downright scary. (ES)
4. Kansas City Chiefs
Trading Tyreek Hill to Miami immediately changes the tempo and identity of this office, and shifts our collective gaze to not just contending today but for many years to come. Bringing in JuJu Smith-Schuster might ease the pain a little this season, but can you ever really replace a talent like Hill? (ES)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Suffice it to say, Tom Brady ending his “retirement” is kind of a big deal for the Bucs. Tampa also acquired Brady’s old right guard Shaq Mason from New England in an excellent, low-cost trade. Todd Bowles replacing Bruce Arians was also an unexpected twist. MJ)
6. Green Bay Packers
Just three days after finally putting an end to speculation and extending the Aaron Rodgers era, the Packers went and traded his best weapon to Las Vegas for a series of picks. Turns out, for Davante Adams, it really was the last dance in Green Bay. (ES)
7. Denver Broncos
Unable to solve their long-standing QB woes in the draft, the Broncos landed a proven veteran star in Russell Wilson, immediately stirring up talk of contention and raising the stakes in the elite AFC West. (ES)
8. Baltimore Ravens
The signing of former Saint Marcus Williams to a five-year, $70-million deal gives the Ravens the closest thing they’ve had to Ed Reed since the legendary defender left nearly a decade ago. But it’s the signing they haven’t yet made that’s currently drumming up the most interest… will Lamar Jackson really enter the 2022 season without an extension? (ES)
9. Cincinnati Bengals
Here’s a scary thought for the rest of the league: Joe Burrow, but with an actual offensive line. The Super Bowl runners up made a trio of superb signings in bodyguards Alex Cappa, Ted Karras, and La’el Collins. Cappa and Karras, in particular, bring with them plenty of winning experience – their resumes include keeping Tom Brady upright in Tampa Bay and New England, respectively. (ES)
10. San Francisco 49ers
The biggest move in San Francisco was the one they didn’t make. Jimmy Garropolo is still a 49er – and an expensive one at that. So, what’s the plan, Shanahan? (ES)
11. Las Vegas Raiders
Just when we thought the Raiders might get left behind in the AFC West’s frenzied series of star-studded transactions, they went and pulled off one of the most surprising trades in the whole league by acquiring Davante Adams from the Packers. Adams instantly becomes Derek Carr’s go-to guy – a role he’s familiar with, considering the two played college ball together and are great friends. (ES)
12. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has mostly focused on re-signing their own players but no move made bigger headlines for the Cowboys than trading wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Browns. (MJ)
13. Cleveland Browns
The Browns just invested essentially the entire fate of the franchise in Deshaun Watson, sending a massive pile of picks to Houston before signing their new starting quarterback to a $230-million deal. All this, as Watson faces 22 ongoing civil lawsuits for sexual assault. There are far more questions than answers in Cleveland, and the most important ones aren’t actually about football at all. (ES)
14. Tennessee Titans
Replacing Julio Jones with Robert Woods, acquired in a trade with the Rams, was a nifty move for the Titans. Stylistically he’s a great fit for Todd Downing’s offence. (MJ)
15. Indianapolis Colts
Trading for Matt Ryan keeps the Colts in win-now mode. He’s a former league MVP and will finally be playing behind a top-end offensive line for the first time in years. (MJ)
16. Miami Dolphins
Adding an elite left tackle like Terron Armstead, an x-factor like Tyreek Hill plus a handful of other skilled weapons means there’s no more excuses for Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami offence. The Dolphins also added Teddy Bridgewater as insurance under centre. (MJ)
17. Arizona Cardinals
“Confusing” is the word that comes to mind here, and we’re not just referring to Kyler Murray’s decision to strip his Instagram of all things Cardinals – or his attempts to then gaslight those who try to read anything into it. For a team that emerged as one of the best in the league last season before self-destructing in the playoffs, they’ve been remarkably inactive, watching free agents like Chandler Jones and Christian Kirk walk out the door. (ES)
18. New England Patriots
We’re not prepared to doubt Bill Belichick’s plan but so far New England’s moves have been underwhelming – on paper, at least. They traded guard Shaq Mason and lost defensive back J.C. Jackson in free agency, two of their best players. (MJ)
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
Is there a more perfect union to come out of free agency than that between Myles Jack and the Steelers? Jack, who has spent the past six years as a cornerstone defender in Jacksonville before being released unexpectedly, should fit in seamlessly beside fellow linebacker Devin Bush as the defensive club carries on its tradition of great linebacker play. Mike Tomlin’s out here making recruiting look easy. (ES)
20. Minnesota Vikings
Feels like déjà vu all over again for the Vikings, who look poised to remain stuck in the middle and just handed Kirk Cousins the keys yet again with another extension. A pair of smart linebackers in former Cardinal Jordan Hicks and ex-Packer Za’Darius Smith bring a good upgrade, though, so there’s reason for optimism in Minnesota. (ES)
21. Philadelphia Eagles
NFC East quarterbacks beware: The Birds brought back D-linemen Fletcher Cox and Derek Barnett while adding Haason Reddick who’s coming off an 11-sack season with the Panthers. (MJ)
22. New Orleans Saints
Re-signing Jameis Winston and adding Andy Dalton as a reliable backup should keep New Orleans in the playoff discussion this season. Winston was 5-2 with a 14:3 TD:INT ratio before his season-ending knee injury. His unassailable off-season workout regimen should strike fear into the 31 other franchises. (MJ)
23. Washington Commanders
In addition to a new team name and logo, Washington also has a new starting quarterback after trading a pair of draft picks for Carson Wentz. (MJ)
24. New York Giants
Bringing in veteran QB Tyrod Taylor should hopefully help Daniel Jones in his development. The Giants are in a tough spot cap-wise this off-season, so things likely won’t pick up until the draft. (MJ)
25. New York Jets
The Jets haven’t been messing around this off-season. They improved the secondary with safety Jordan Whitehead and corner D.J. Reed. They also signed standout guard Laken Tomlinson as they attempt to strengthen what’s surrounding sophomore QB Zach Wilson. (MJ)
26. Carolina Panthers
Carolina’s most notable off-season move ended up being a non-move. They were deep in Deshaun Watson negotiations but missed out on the Pro Bowl QB and are currently twiddling their thumbs. (MJ)
27. Chicago Bears
The Bears must build around second-year quarterback Justin Fields if he is to live up to his potential, but so far Chicago’s new regime has done more tearing down than building up. This month saw the departure of some pretty major names in Allen Robinson, Khalil Mack, and Eddie Goldman, among others. (ES)
28. Detroit Lions
The Lions were a lot like the rest of us this month – just sitting back and watching the frenzy of signings and trades. Detroit’s approach is clearly to solidify the foundation from within ahead of what needs to be a slam-dunk draft. The departure of Trey Flowers is a notable loss that clears up a ton of cap space as the rebuild churns on. (ES)
29. Seattle Seahawks
Trading Russell Wilson to Denver ends many months of wondering where this club is headed. It’s time for a full-on rebuild, and the tear-down is well underway. (ES)
30. Atlanta Falcons
The Matt Ryan era is over after 15 up-and-down seasons, some MVP hardware and an almost-Super Bowl ring. Arthur Smith getting reunited with new starting QB Marcus Mariota is an interesting stopgap experiment as Atlanta officially begins its rebuild. (MJ)
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags signing Christian Kirk to a four-year, $84-million deal was a head-scratcher to say the least. (MJ)
32. Houston Texans
Let’s see if this franchise can turn the haul they received for Deshaun Watson (first-round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024, a 2023 third 2024 fourth) into anything meaningful as Houston embarks on yet another uphill climb. (MJ)
