In the few short weeks since the conclusion of Super Bowl 55, the NFL landscape has changed drastically, with many teams taking entirely new forms. PlayerProfiler is a one-stop shop for all major moves, power rankings, and honest expectations for all 32 NFL teams heading into the NFL Draft and training camp.
Glossary
Each team will be broken down as follows:
- -Overall Power Ranking and Tier – the team’s Power Ranking relative to all 32 NFL teams
- -Notable Additions – new additions that move the needle
- -Notable Losses – lost talent that matters
- -Summary
- -Expectation – the minimum we should expect in 2021 to consider the season a success
- -Expected Wins – based on a 17-game season
- -Fantasy Implication – a broad spectrum look into each team’s seasonal fantasy value
Dallas Cowboys
Overall Ranking and Tier: No. 15 (Average, Upper)
Notable Additions: Extended QB Dak Prescott, LB Keanu Neal, DB Damontae Kazee, eight total defensive players in FA, DC Dan Quinn
Notable Losses: IDL Tyrone Crawford, LB Sean Lee, LG Cameron Erving, EDGE Aldon Smith
Summary
The annual dance of The Cowboys looking great on paper only to disappoint in the season begins now. At No. 15 overall, this team sits atop the NFC East by a thin margin. This rank reflects Dallas having the best quarterback in the division with a high flying offense. However, this team projects to have a middling season and miss expectations yet again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReIbqDY_Mi8
Dak Prescott is coming off serious injury and mentally may need time before he can reach 100-percent, thus a slow start wouldn’t be surprising. Tyron Smith struggled to finish his last few seasons; expect a weak finish if the offensive line falls apart. The addition of Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator is a low-upside effort to improve the defense. Quinn’s legacy in Atlanta includes an abundance of blown leads and losses in close games. Adding eight new defensive free agents will not fix this defense. Dallas will struggle to break .500 in 2021.
Expectation: Make the Playoffs
Projected Wins: 7-9
Fantasy Implication: Even with a slow start, this offense will be potent or fantasy in all formats.
New York Giants
Overall Ranking and Tier: No. 17 (Average, Lower)
Notable Additions: WR Kenny Golladay, WR John Ross, TE Kyle Rudolph, OG Zach Fulton, Re-signed DE Leonard Williams, CB Adoree’ Jackson
Notable Losses: OG Kevin Zeitler, WR Golden Tate
Summary
The Giants are my favorite dark horse to make a jump and win their division in 2021. Daniel Jones enters his third year with the best weapons of his career. The defense was disciplined in 2020 and gets stronger with some big free agent signings.
Can the New York Giants dethrone Washington and win the NFC East in 2021? ? pic.twitter.com/kbJirPhJJL
— RotoUnderworld (@rotounderworld) March 26, 2021
The coaching staff enters its second year with their scheme and they return all significant starters. The chemistry is building and Jones is ready for a Year 3 leap. He has shown signs of strong playmaking ability and was held back by a weak supporting cast last season. The Giants will win the NFC East if Jones, Saquon Barkley and Kenny Golladay all stay healthy.
Expectation: Compete for Division
Projected Wins: 7-10
Fantasy Implication: Golladay and Barkley are the real deal, otherwise use caution drafting from this ball-control unit.
Washington Football Team
Overall Ranking and Tier: No. 20 (Average, Lower)
Notable Additions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Curtis Samuel, WR Adam Humphries, Re-signed OT David Sharpe and OG Brandon Scherff, LB David Mayo, CB William Jackson III
Notable Losses: CB Kyle Fuller, QB Alex Smith
Summary
The Washington Football Team has earned their name this offseason by compiling a true football team. This team has talent at every major position group and the coaching seems to be up to par. Ron Rivera and company are fine after the luckiest 7-9 playoff run in league history. The offense is loaded with weapons for Ryan Fitzpatrick to utilize in his magic performances each Sunday.
Will Washington repeat as NFC East Champions in 2021? ? pic.twitter.com/eBI30Efo4J
— RotoUnderworld (@rotounderworld) March 18, 2021
This team will be fun offensively and stout defensively. Yet, it doesn’t translate to wins. Defense alone does not win in the NFL like it used to. Fitzpatrick is great, but is not known for high win totals. An 11-win season with a playoff run would be fun to watch, but a near .500 finish is more likely.
Expectation: Compete for Division
Projected Wins: 7-10
Fantasy Implication: Terry McLaurin is a no-doubter, Antonio Gibson has high upside, and Curtis Samuel will have positive returns in Best Ball.
Philadelphia Eagles
Overall Ranking and Tier: No. 27 (Below Average)
Notable Additions: QB Joe Flacco, HC Nick Sirianni, OC Shane Steichen (LAC OC), DC Jonathan Gannon (Indy DB)
Notable Losses: S Jalen Mills, WR DeSean Jackson, DE Vinny Curry, DT Malik Jackson, LB Nate Gerry
Summary
The Philadelphia Eagles will win few games in 2021. Jalen Hurts is fun with high upside for fantasy, but the 2018 Super Bowl team is long gone. The Eagles hit the reset button the moment 2020 ended. The coaching staff was stripped down and fully replaced. Most veteran free agents did not get new contracts to stay in town. Most notably, their recently signed franchise quarterback was traded away. Regardless of Hurts being on the roster, these are the clear signs of a rebuild. The organization seems to be in the right direction, but do not expect more than five wins during the first year of a rebuild.
Expectation: Tank
Projected Wins: 4-7
Fantasy Implication: Some good upside darts here but mostly staying away. Dallas Goedert is primed for a big workload.
Conclusion
The NFC East are the Average Joes of the NFL. These teams are average across the board and mostly in contest with each other when it comes to birthing a playoff run. One or more teams here will break out beyond fan expectations. These teams will play two balanced divisions (AFC West and NFC South), further assisting their journey to near .500 records.
