NFL Power Rankings, Preseason: Only these 3 teams can prevent a historic Chiefs’ Super Bowl three-peat

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Post-draft rank: 32

The state of the Panthers right now is that people are still making Bryce Young height jokes. They would not be doing that if he had played well as a rookie. (Well, to a lesser extent, anyway.) Owner David Tepper is presiding over a dumpster fire rebuild he has probably earned.

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Post-draft rank: 31

Even if Bo Nix surprises and shines right away as a rookie quarterback, it’s difficult to find much hope with this Broncos roster. Denver is rife with inexperience, and outside of select names like Patrick Surtain II, there aren’t many true field-tilters on the team. Godspeed, Sean Payton. You’re going to need all the help you can get.

Denny Simmons /The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK

Post-draft rank: 26

In an alternate reality, I could envision the Titans being competitive in 2024. Tony Pollard, DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd form a solid skill group on paper. And a front seven led by Jeffery Simmons could be emboldened by the addition of No. 1 corner L’Jarius Sneed on the back end. But a quarterback and offensive line either lift or sink all boats and Will Levis and the Tennessee OL are likely already taking on water.

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Post-draft rank: 30

The Commanders’ big-ticket offseason acquisitions were Jayden Daniels, Austin Ekeler, and Bobby Wagner. Daniels is a former fifth-year starter who took until that fifth year to blossom. Ekeler is potentially an over-the-hill multipurpose running back. Wagner is likely an over-the-hill linebacker. I know a new quarterback inspires newfound hope in an NFL team, but I just don’t see the vision in our nation’s capital.

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Post-draft rank: 28

J.J. McCarthy is the face of the Vikings’ retool (a.k.a., half a rebuild). But even he is set to take a likely step back to perennial journeyman Sam Darnold, who is blessed with riches in weapons like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Minnesota should be more competitive than most people think, but 2024 will ultimately resemble more of a gap year before McCarthy takes the full reins.

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Post-draft rank: 29

It’s so classic Patriots to luck into a rookie quarterback who would likely be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft with the third slot. Drake Maye remains a work in progress, but Jerod Mayo and Co. clearly understand what it means to properly bring him along based on their initial developmental steps. Now, if only they could give good soldier Matt Judon a little more deserved financial security.

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Post-draft rank: 27

Joe Schoen’s turn on Hard Knocks wasn’t flattering — it made the Giants general manager seem incompetent. But I have a hard time believing any NFL executive would’ve looked shrewd under that documentary spotlight. The fact is that Schoen bolstered the Giants’ defensive trenches with Brian Burns, fortified his interior offensive line with guard Jon Runyan, and added a potential top-flight playmaker in Malik Nabers. Until Daniel Jones is gone, Big Blue is mostly stuck in neutral, but at least there’s a solid foundation.

Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Post-draft rank: 25

Jim Harbaugh has promised the Chargers will be a more physical team. That’s right, baby, the Bolts aren’t going to be pushed around anymore! So, what are the Chargers gonna do? They’re going to run … Justin Herbert more? Oh, good lord, Harbaugh and his good pal Greg Roman just can’t help themselves.

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Post-draft rank: 24

Call me crazy, but I actually like Jonathan Gannon’s plan for Arizona, even if he sometimes appears to be a vacuum of charisma. Marvin Harrison Jr. is poised to be Kyler Murray’s BFF for years, while the Cardinals invested in a bunch of fill-in dependable veterans and developmental prospects on defense who all have tangible promise. These red desert birds are a long way from championship contention, but they’re not going to be an easy out this fall.

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Post-draft rank: 22

Aaron Rodgers probably won’t make an appearance this preseason while still recovering from his Achilles tear. Imagine that. Contrary to segments of last season’s news cycle, the 40-year-old who suffered a debilitating injury that usually takes a long time to recover from is … still recovering. The Jets selling their souls for the ex-Green Bay Packer looks worse every day.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Post-draft rank: 23

The Raiders’ rebuild under Antonio Pierce is going swimmingly. Sure, they don’t have a quarterback (and that’s a big caveat), but the Silver and Black seem to have a real identity — something most NFL teams cannot say they possess. Plus, seriously, grizzly bear tight end Brock Bowers was born to be a Raider. What a terrific fit. One critical note, though: I would not advise playing around with Kermit puppets that look like Patrick Mahomes while being recorded on camera. That’s just asking for trouble.

Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Post-draft rank: 20

More than most, the Seahawks are banking on internal development. They think another year for pieces like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a measured step back for Geno Smith is enough to turn Seattle into a playoff-caliber team again. Well, that and new head coach Mike Macdonald’s complicated but effective defensive scheme with an elite secondary on paper should also pay off with tremendous dividends.

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Post-draft rank: 21

Yay, another season for Dennis Allen’s Saints! The wide-open NFC South is there for the taking! Wait, Derek Carr is still the quarterback? Oof, another season for Dennis Allen’s Saints. The wide-open NFC South is not there for the taking.

Bob Self/Florida Times-Union /USA TODAY NETWORK

Post-draft rank: 19

A year ago at this time, the Jaguars looked like the Next Big Thing. Trevor Lawrence was poised to join that Mahomes/Allen/Jackson/Burrow tier of quarterbacks. And Jacksonville would own the AFC South for years. Years! Then C.J. Stroud’s Texans broke the door down, and the Jaguars were forced to reevaluate everything. We’ll see if they learned any valuable lessons this time around.

Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports

Post-draft rank: 15

If Mike Tomlin could get a three-headed Cerberus of Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph to 10 wins, what’s stopping him from making the playoffs with late-stage Russell Wilson and reclamation project Justin Fields? Consider this my petition to get Tomlin’s gold jacket ready for Canton years before he’s inevitably inducted on the first ballot.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Post-draft rank: 17

The Falcons boosted their vibes by adding Kirk Cousins, a veritable top-10 quarterback on paper, who (probably) won’t waste their talented skill players. They ruined those vibes by drafting older quarterback prospect Michael Penix Jr. in the top 10 instead of an immediate impact defender in a win-now season. As a result, I have no idea what to make of the Falcons other than that they will likely be one of the fascinating roller coasters in the NFL. Again.

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Post-draft rank: 14

We are severely underrating what a healthy Anthony Richardson can do for the Colts. Shane Steichen had Indianapolis’ offense humming and was on the verge of the playoffs with Gardner Minshew. Now they’re reinserting a cyborg with a right-armed bazooka attached to his torso. Beware of the Colts.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Post-draft rank: 18

The magnetic Caleb Williams has reinvigorated the NFL’s once-dormant charter franchise. Still, until Williams fully matures as a quarterback, Chicago will be on the outside looking in when it comes to pro football’s upper crust. But Williams’ ascension to greatness feels like it could happen sooner rather than later for this chic Bears team that suddenly has a blinding spotlight shining on it.

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Post-draft rank: 13

The Browns are hoping Deshaun Watson, who once faced more than 20 allegations of sexual assault in what the NFL would later characterize as “predatory behavior,” will elevate a team that is otherwise extremely ready to compete for a Super Bowl. Watson hasn’t even been competent since the turn of the decade soooooo … poor Myles Garrett.

Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Post-draft rank: 12

Mike Evans took the hometown “discount” to help the Buccaneers build on their surprising success from last year. That hinges on Baker Mayfield not turning back into a pumpkin. With maestro Dave Canales gone to Carolina and rookie offensive coordinator Liam Coen now calling the shots, I have my doubts Mayfield keeps the good times rolling.

Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle /USA TODAY NETWORK

Post-draft rank: 16

Josh Allen is expected to elevate a Bills receiving core with Curtis Samuel and Keon Coleman as his top playmakers. Well, at least second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid might be a star and Von Miller is supposedly back with a vengeance. Things are not all bleak in Buffalo, but they’re not particularly inspiring, eithe