NFL power rankings: Rams, Saints remain atop NFC

With a week to go before we hit the 2019 NFL Draft, it is time to take a peek at where all the NFC teams in the stack up after free agency has largely concluded. Here’s the NFL power rankings for the NFC at this juncture.

16. Arizona Cardinals

This could change depending on how the draft plays out for the Cardinals. Obviously, Kyler Murray could be coming to the desert.

15. New York Giants

This has to be the worst-run team in the league right now. It’s comical for how poorly this offseason has played out in Gotham.

14. Detroit Lions

The Lions made a lot of moves this offseason, but are they really any closer to a playoff spot?

13. Washington Redskins

If Alex Smith were around, there would be playoff potential. Not so much with Case Keenum.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There’s real optimism with Bruce Arians, but the defense needs a complete makeover and the division is very tough. Measure progress is Jameis Winston’s performance.

11. San Francisco 49ers

If Jimmy Garoppolo can stay healthy and general manager John Lynch fixes the secondary, San Francisco could be sneaky in 2019.

10. Carolina Panthers

It’s tough to find the strength of the Panthers. They need help on both lines, the wide receivers aren’t special and the secondary is average at best. Just a mediocre team.

9. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks lost Earl Thomas and did little to replace him. Last year, Seattle defied logic and won 10 games. Can Russell Wilson and Co. do that again?

8. Minnesota Vikings

The roster should have the Vikings in the playoffs, but there are real questions about Kirk Cousins and whether Minnesota can take that next step.

7. Dallas Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott and a terrific defense should be enough to stay in contention for a playoff spot, and perhaps secure one.

6. Green Bay Packers

This is a pivotal year for both the Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. If they can’t put something together under new head coach Matt LaFleur, it’s bad news in the short and long term.

5. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons were racked with injuries last year. With a good draft, the bones of a contender are there.

4. Chicago Bears

The only question is about Mitchell Trubisky. If he takes one more step forward, this team can win the Super Bowl.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

Carson Wentz needs to be healthy, but the Eagles are loaded with him under center. There aren’t too many rosters more complete than this one.

2. Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles gets downgraded to No. 2 because it lost some pieces off the lines, but the Rams are still fantastic. They’ll be there deep into January.

1. New Orleans Saints

The Saints should have been in the Super Bowl last year. If they play to their capabilities, they’ll be going this time around.