NFC Rankings 1 to 16: Gains, Losses & Where 'Elite' Cowboys Stack Up
With NFL training camps approaching and the Dallas Cowboys wanting a seat at the "big dog table'' in an NFC where "elite'' seems hard to come by, here's our conference power rankings with key additions, key departures, and a synopsis for each team heading into the 2023 launching of preseason and more ...
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Key Additions: Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith
Key Departures: Javon Hargrave, Isaac Seumalo, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Teams that lose the Super Bowl often endure a bit of a hangover, but while the Eagles did lose Hargrave and Gardner-Johnson in free agency, the Jalen Hurts-led franchise retooled in a big way in the 2023 NFL Draft. Along with landing Carter, the top defensive tackle prospect in this year's class, they snagged two of his Georgia teammates in Smith and cornerback Kelee Ringo along with Illinois safety Sydney Brown, quickly replenishing those areas with young, high-upside talent. With most of their stars returning from last year's squad, health permitting, they should be primed for another deep playoff run.
Read more SI on the Eagles here.
Dallas vs. Hurts
2. San Francisco 49ers
Key Additions: Javon Hargrave
Key Departures: Mike McGlinchey, Jimmy Garappolo, Samson Ebukam
Away from the quarterback position, the 49ers once again should have one of the best all-around rosters in the NFL led by a stingy defense headlined by star pass rusher Nick Bosa, linebacker Fred Warner, and ascending star safety Talanoa Hufanga. The addition of Hargrave, who produced 11 sacks for the Eagles last season, will make an already dominant defensive line even better. But even with a bevy of skill talent on offense, how far this team goes will be determined by the health of Brock Purdy, who is returning from elbow surgery.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Key Additions: Brandin Cooks, Mazi Smith
Key Departures: Ezekiel Elliott, Dalton Schultz, Connor McGovern
While the Cowboys lost some big names, Elliott had fallen out of favor behind Tony Pollard in the backfield and the team promptly replaced Schultz at tight end by investing a second-round pick in Michigan's Luke Schoonmaker. Overall, the Dak Prescott-led offense should be better-equipped with the arrival of Cooks, who will be a fun complement alongside Ceedee Lamb and Michael Gallup, giving Dak Prescott a great trio of wideouts. The defense should remain an elite unit with Micah Parsons terrorizing quarterbacks and Trevon Diggs picking off passes in the secondary.
Read more SI on the Cowboys here.
Micah and Diggs
4. Seattle Seahawks
Key Additions: Devon Witherspoon, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Dre'Mont Jones
Key Departures: Poona Ford, Shelby Harris
Finishing in the top-10 in scoring last year behind Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith, the Seahawks should be even more potent on offense with Smith-Njigba and running back Zach Charbonnet further bolstering a loaded skill position group featuring DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Ken Walker III. But while Witherspoon joining Tariq Woolen, Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, and Julian Love gives Seattle a dynamic secondary, even after Jones signing a three-year deal in free agency, the defensive line remains a big question mark that could lower the team's ceiling.
Read more SI on the Seahawks here.
5. Detroit Lions
Key Additions: Jahmyr Gibbs, Cameron Sutton, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Key Departures: Jamaal Williams, Jeff Okudah
After narrowly missing the playoffs last season, the Lions suffered few notable departures this offseason and added several playmakers on defense, including Gardner-Johnson, who was integral to the Eagles' defensive success in 2022. A gambling suspension for receiver Jameson Williams may put a damper on the offense's ceiling early, but a resurgent Jared Goff behind a strong offensive line coupled with Gibbs' explosiveness out of the backfield should make this a fun team to watch on Sundays.
6. Los Angeles Rams
Key Additions: Steve Avila, Puka Nacua
Key Departures: Jalen Ramsey, Bobby Wagner, Leonard Floyd
Given the exodus of veteran stars on defense, the Rams have quickly been dismissed following an ugly five-win season coming off a Super Bowl victory. But if quarterback Matthew Stafford, receiver Cooper Kupp, and defensive tackle Aaron Donald bounce back from injuries and a large draft class yields several contributors for a motivated Sean McVay on the sidelines, this team has a good chance return to contention for a playoff spot amid low expectations.
Read more SI on the Rams here.
7. Minnesota Vikings
Key Additions: Jordan Addison, Byron Murphy, Marcus Davenport
Key Departures: Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Tomlinson
Moving on from several high-priced veterans on offense, including recently releasing Cook, the Vikings may endure a few growing pains acclimating new pieces such as Addison into the lineup. Can Justin Jefferson carry the offense? The additions of Murphy and Davenport should help a defense that faltered down the stretch for the Vikings, but ultimately, that side of the ball still remains the biggest concern in the short-term for a team that could be on the hunt for a new quarterback to replace Kirk Cousins as early as next year.
Jefferson
© Jeffrey Becker, USA TODAY
8. New Orleans Saints
Key Additions: Derek Carr, Jamaal Williams, Bryan Bresee
Key Departures: David Onyemata, Marcus Davenport, Shy Tuttle
Even if he isn't an elite quarterback, Carr should be a massive upgrade over Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton under center and the Saints could have a top-10 offense if receiver Michael Thomas can stay healthy pairing up with Chris Olave. Defensively, New Orleans will need immediate contributions from Bresee and second-round pick Isaiah Foskey to mitigate several notable veteran losses on the defensive line for this team to win the NFC South and return to the playoffs.
9. New York Giants
Key Additions: Darren Waller, Bobby Okereke, Deonte Banks
Key Departures: Nick Gates, Julian Love
Providing a seam-stretching weapon for quarterback Daniel Jones, Waller should be a transformative addition for an offense that stumbled at times despite returning to the playoffs last season. Okereke will fill a big hole in the middle of the defense as an ascending talent at linebacker and Banks may be the missing piece for the secondary to round into form as an unexpected strength for the Giants. Playing in a tough division won't do this team any favors with the offense still being suspect in some regards.
10. Carolina Panthers
Key Additions: Bryce Young, Miles Sanders, Adam Thielen
Key Departures: D.J. Moore
Bringing a former Heisman Trophy winner in Young to town has energized the fan base in Charlotte and for good reason. Likely a day one starter, the Panthers have assembled a fun cast of veterans around him, including Sanders as the new bellcow back and Thielen and DJ Chark solidifying the receiving corps. If the offense finds traction early to go with an underrated defense, this team could be a sneaky contender in the NFC in no time.
11. Green Bay Packers
Key Additions: Luke Musgrave, Jayden Reed, Lukas Van Ness
Key Departures: Aaron Rodgers, Allen Lazard, Jarran Reed
It's a new era at Lambeau Field as the Packers break in a new starting quarterback in Jordan Love, replacing Rodgers after the future Hall of Famer was dealt to the Jets this offseason. Few expect Green Bay to contend in the aftermath of that seismic move, but there's still plenty of talent on this roster, including cornerback Jaire Alexander and budding star receiver Christian Watson, so if Love can play competent ball under center, this team may be a surprise to watch in the NFC North.
12. Chicago Bears
Key Additions: D.J. Moore, Darnell Wright, Tremaine Edmunds
Key Departures: David Montgomery
Finally giving quarterback Justin Fields much-needed protection and weapons at the skill positions, the Bears traded down from the first overall pick to acquire a true No. 1 receiver in Moore, snagged Wright with the 10th overall pick, and added former Titans guard Nate Davis in free agency. Questions remain on both sides of the ball, but the addition of Edmunds should be a stabilizing force for a defense that was dearth of leadership a year ago and if Fields takes off with his upgraded supporting cast, the playoffs may be in reach.
13. Washington Commanders
Key Additions: Andrew Wylie, Cody Barton, Emmanuel Forbes
Key Departures: Carson Wentz
Starting over at quarterback once again, the Commanders hopes of being competitive in a loaded NFC East now fall on ex-North Carolina standout Sam Howell, who will benefit from having a quality receiving corps featuring Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Jahan Dotson. A rebound year from pass rusher Chase Young would work wonders for a defense that underachieved last season, but there are still concerns in the back seven that may not have been addressed enough this offseason to contend.
Read more SI on the Commanders here.
Dak vs. Howell
14. Atlanta Falcons
Key Additions: Bijan Robinson, David Onyemata, Jessie Bates
Key Departures: Isaiah Oliver
Coming off another sub-.500 season, the Falcons have some intriguing weapons on offense with the dynamic Robinson joining receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts as a potential three-headed monster. The key will be first-year starting quarterback Desmond Ridder taking advantage of his playmakers and being positioned to succeed by the coaching staff. Bringing Bates and former first-round pick Jeff Okudah on board should improve a secondary that struggled a year ago. This team feels a year away from truly contending.
Read more SI on the Falcons here.
15. Arizona Cardinals
Key Additions: Paris Johnson Jr., Kyzir White, BJ Ojulari
Key Departures: DeAndre Hopkins, Zach Allen, Byron Murphy
Set to embark on a rebuild with a new coach in Jonathan Gannon and a new front office, the Cardinals have a few pieces in place to be better than expected if quarterback Kyler Murray makes a strong recovery from a torn ACL. The former No. 1 pick will still have Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, and Zach Ertz to throw to. The defense, however, will have to replace a ton of talent with J.J. Watt's retirement and Allen and Murphy bolting in free agency, which could make 2023 a tough season.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key Additions: Baker Mayfield, Cody Mauch, Calijah Kancey
Key Departures: Tom Brady, Donovan Smith
Going from the G.O.A.T. in Brady to a journeyman starter in Mayfield likely signals a transition year at best, though having a core of skill players featuring Mike Evans and Chris Godwin could allow the former Oklahoma star to experience a bit of a rebirth if all the dominos fall just right. But that's assuming he will be protected, which could be a major issue behind a mostly unproven offensive line, and the defense has enough holes at this point that this squad could be competing for the No. 1 pick next April.
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