Power Rankings

Edition #693

Good morning! ☕

Last year I tried to remember and often forgot to post a round-up of the power rankings doing the NFL media rounds. I’m going to try my best to remember to include those going forward and I’m starting with the pre-season power rankings today.

I apologies that this is later than usual. It was my daughters first day at school today and then I went straight from dropping her off to working the Japan/China World Cup qualifying game, so finding time to squeeze in the newsletter was tough this morning.

Power Rankings tend to come out every Tuesday so I’m going to try and get them out each Wednesday morning and track them as the season progresses. As I’m sure you don’t want to be reading all of them, I’ve selected four that I’ll continue to track throughout the season. NFL, USA Today, PFF and ESPN.

NFL.com - 12th

"With Aaron Rodgers back and operating behind an improved offensive line, I've decided the Jets deserve a spot this high to start the year. I had them even higher to start last season (No. 10), and we know how that went. But it's not all on Rodgers. I think running back Breece Hall -- another year removed from ACL surgery -- is going to have a big season. And I believe in Gang Green's O-line, mostly because of its depth. Of course, yes, Rodgers gives me hope. I know history says that it's tough to have a great defense two years in a row, but there's enough back on that side of the ball to make me moderately confident the Jets' D will be pretty darned solid, at the very least. This is also the year for New York to take advantage of Buffalo and Miami shedding salary in the offseason, while the Patriots go through another QB change. But will it happen? That's another matter altogether."

USA Today - 6th

"A third-ranked defense, RB Breece Hall and HC Robert Saleh probably don't get sufficient credit for keeping a team that played with one hand tied behind its back relevant for so long in 2023. QB Aaron Rodgers need not win a fifth MVP for this talent-laden team to break its Super Bowl hex – he mostly just needs to stay upright and available enough to stabilize the franchise's decades-long, well, positional Achilles. The Jets are so loaded, the absence of holdout OLB Haason Reddick might be more of a champagne problem than a front-burner one."

ESPN - 15th

“In three years under Saleh, the Jets have no playoff appearances and an 18-33 record, second worst in the AFC. He got a mulligan for last season after losing quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a season-ending injury on the fourth snap, but owner Woody Johnson won't be as forgiving if this season goes south. To be fair, Saleh has been saddled with subpar quarterback play since he got the job (a league-low 32.6 QBR), but he knows that alibi doesn't last forever in the NFL.”

PFF - 14th

“The New York Jets enter the 2024 season with the best defense in the NFL, led by elite cornerback Sauce Gardner and interior defender Quinnen Williams. However, they'll need more from their offensive line, which was a major weakness in 2023. The team's success hinges on quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who returns from an Achilles injury. If he can play to his ceiling, this team instantly vaults into the top 10.

Rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley is expected to make an immediate impact. With additions like offensive tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses and wide receiver Mike Williams, along with their formidable defense, the Jets are a dark-horse Super Bowl contender, provided their offensive line improves and Rodgers stays healthy.”

Running Backs vs Linebackers