The 2025 NFL season is just around the corner, and with it, the time to assess expectations for all 32 teams. Preseason training concludes on August 23rd, and cut day is August 27th, marking this as the last edition of Power Rankings before the official start. Alofoke Deportes reporters have designated a coach, player, or executive on each team who will face the most pressure this season. Let’s start with the current Super Bowl champions. Our panel of over 30 writers and editors evaluates NFL teams, ranking them from 1 to 32.
NFL Power Rankings – 2025 Preseason
1. Philadelphia EaglesPost-Draft Ranking: 2Who is under the most pressure: Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo The Eagles, after winning the Super Bowl, are in a consolidated position. However, there was a significant change in the offensive coordinator position, where Patullo replaced Kellen Moore and will assume the role of play-caller full-time for the first time in his career. Patullo has been coach Nick Sirianni’s right-hand man since 2021, and the offense is not expected to change much, which will facilitate the transition. But with so much offensive talent, expectations are high, and Patullo could face criticism if things don’t work as expected.2. Kansas City ChiefsPost-Draft Ranking: 1
Who is under the most pressure: Wide receiver Rashee Rice Although he is no longer expected to be suspended for the first four games of the season, Rice will need to prove that he can be the number 1 receiver again. In training camp, Rice showed his explosiveness and ability to gain yards after the catch. If he excels in September, the Chiefs could get off to another good start. If Rice struggles, Kansas City will have to place much of the aerial attack on the shoulders of Travis Kelce, 35.3. Buffalo BillsPost-Draft Ranking: 3Who is under the most pressure: Defensive end Joey Bosa This is an important season for the pass rusher, who signed a one-year, $12.6 million contract with the Bills in the offseason, after spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Chargers. Bosa, 30, has a contract that must prove his worth after missing a considerable amount of time in the last three seasons due to injuries. If he manages to stay healthy and have a solid season, he could expect a significant contract.4. Baltimore RavensPost-Draft Ranking: 5
Who is under the most pressure: Tight end Mark Andrews Andrews enters the final season of his four-year, $56 million contract after dropping a critical two-point conversion in the 27-25 divisional round loss against Buffalo. Andrews led all tight ends with 11 touchdowns last season, but averaged 39.6 receiving yards per game in 2024, his worst total since his rookie season in 2018.5. Detroit LionsPost-Draft Ranking: 4Who is under the most pressure: Quarterback Jared GoffIt seems like every season is “make or break” for Goff if he doesn’t lead this team to the Super Bowl. He had an MVP-worthy season in 2024, but the Lions fell short in the NFC divisional round against Washington, when Goff struggled and ended up with four turnovers. Goff and the Lions will try to put last year’s playoff fiasco behind them. As the face of the team, the veteran quarterback once again has high expectations to maintain momentum.
6. Washington CommandersPost-Draft Ranking: 6Who is under the most pressure: Cornerback Marshon Lattimore Washington traded multiple picks for him at last season’s deadline, and a hamstring injury limited Lattimore to two regular season games (and three in the postseason). He has only played in 26 games in the last three combined seasons. Lattimore has looked better this offseason, but he needs to be durable and productive to earn a contract extension.7. Green Bay PackersPost-Draft Ranking: 8Who is under the most pressure: Cornerback Keisean Nixon After last season, he said he wanted to be the No. 1 cornerback. Now that Jaire Alexander is gone, Nixon could get that opportunity. Sure, the Packers signed Nate Hobbs in free agency, and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley plays a lot of zone coverage, but Nixon is expected to shut down opposing receivers. The question now is, can he pull it off?
Post-Draft Ranking: 7
Who is under the most pressure: Cornerback Darious Williams Williams has two seasons left on his three-year, $22.5 million contract that he signed in 2024. The veteran cornerback, in his second stint in Los Angeles, is scheduled to count $8.6 million against the salary cap in 2026, but has no guaranteed money after this season. The Rams have a young cornerback room and could opt to save money at that position after 2025.9. Cincinnati BengalsPost-Draft Ranking: 10
Who is under the most pressure: Coach Zac Taylor The Bengals didn’t make the playoffs last season, despite the career years of quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, and defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Taylor has proven to be a coach capable of leading the Bengals to the Super Bowl. It’s time for Cincinnati to show that potential once more.10. Minnesota VikingsPost-Draft Ranking: 9Who is under the most pressure: Vikings draft process After signing general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell to contract extensions and assembling a roster of proven veterans, the team has no one prominent on the “hot seat.” But it might need to review its draft process in 2026 if it doesn’t see more production from recent picks. Wide receiver Jordan Addison was the only starter last season who was drafted between 2022 and 2024. The Vikings need big contributions from quarterback J.J. McCarthy (2024), linebacker Dallas Turner (2024) and guard Donovan Jackson (2025), at least, to validate their current process.11. Denver BroncosPost-Draft Ranking: 14Who is under the most pressure: Coach Sean Payton He has solid job security, a group of deep-pocketed owners supporting him, and a proven personnel department to build a roster. But Payton has been the most vocal during training camp about his team’s worthiness for the Super Bowl. He believes the Broncos are good enough, if they do the work, to play for the Lombardi Trophy. This is good for conversation now, but could be at risk if the Broncos stumble or have a significant injury in 2025.12. Houston TexansPost-Draft Ranking: 13Who is under the most pressure: Linebacker Christian Harris Entering the final year of his rookie contract and showing good potential, he proved it when he scored a pick-six in the 2023 wild-card victory over the Browns. But Harris hasn’t been able to stay healthy, and he hasn’t practiced at training camp either. If that continues, he could be out by 2026.13. Tampa Bay BuccaneersPost-Draft Ranking: 12Who is under the most pressure: Cornerback Jamel Dean Counts $15 million against the salary cap in 2025 and almost $16 million in 2026. The Bucs drafted two cornerbacks in 2025. Dean has struggled to stay on the field due to injuries, missing 18 games in six seasons, including nine in the last two seasons.14. Los Angeles ChargersPost-Draft Ranking: 11Who is under the most pressure: Offensive coordinator Greg Roman Roman is known for designing some of the most creative and dominant ground offenses in league history, but his critics have questioned his play calling and passing concepts. Roman’s offense did not look promising last season. The Chargers faltered constantly in the second half, and ultimately ended the 2024 season in the first round of the playoffs. With improvements across the Los Angeles offense, all eyes will be on Roman’s offense to produce in 2025.15. San Francisco 49ersPost-Draft Ranking: 15Who is under the most pressure: Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk The trade rumors surrounding Aiyuk began more than two years ago and never seem to dissipate, despite him signing a large contract extension in 2024. Aiyuk is expected to return from his knee injury at some point this season, and his future in San Francisco will likely be determined by how he performs from then on. The Niners would have to take on a significant amount of money with little return to part ways with him during or after this season, but if he can’t regain health and productivity, they might decide it’s time to move on and reallocate resources.16. Pittsburgh SteelersPost-Draft Ranking: 17Who is under the most pressure: Coach Mike Tomlin For the second consecutive season, Tomlin was the driving force behind bringing in a veteran quarterback to lead the franchise. This time, he courted Aaron Rodgers. Tomlin is relying on Rodgers and the rest of his offense so they can speed up the adaptation process and produce early in 2025. Realistically, Tomlin, under contract through the 2027 season, isn’t going anywhere, regardless of the outcome of this season. But the fanbase will undoubtedly become restless if another season passes without a playoff win.17. Seattle SeahawksPost-Draft Ranking: 16Who is under the most pressure: Running back Kenneth Walker III He is among the six starters from the Seahawks’ 2022 draft class who are playing for a new contract in 2025, and like many of them, he still has something to prove. When healthy, he is a tough runner. But Walker has missed 10 games in three seasons and parts of this offseason due to ankle and foot injuries. The always reliable Zach Charbonnet has impressed the Seahawks in his absence, giving the organization a pivot if Walker can’t stay healthy and produce in 2025.18. Dallas CowboysPost-Draft Ranking: 19Who is under the most pressure: Coach Brian Schottenheimer This doesn’t mean the coach will only be there for one season. It’s just that there’s a lot a first-time coach has to deal with in any job, but especially with the Cowboys. Schottenheimer is getting the players to believe in his message for the moment, but what if they lose a few games in a row? Will they still believe? They play in the same division as the two NFC finalists (Eagles and Commanders). They have a difficult schedule to close out the season. All of this makes a good start a must.
Post-Draft Ranking: 20
Who is under the most pressure: Coach Mike McDaniel The fourth-year coach has reached the playoffs in two of his first three seasons, but Miami still hasn’t won a playoff game in a quarter of a century. Owner Stephen Ross said last season that he was not satisfied with the status quo, and the locker room underwent a self-proclaimed cultural reset this offseason. But with a roster selected for its coach, the responsibility will fall on McDaniel to succeed.21. Chicago BearsPost-Draft Ranking: 21Who is under the most pressure: Quarterback Caleb Williams It’s hard to believe that a second-year quarterback learning a new offense is under the most pressure, but Williams needs to perform well while advancing weekly in mastering coach Ben Johnson’s scheme. The No. 1 pick of 2024 will likely experience growing pains, but for a franchise that might have the answer at quarterback after decades of searching, the pressure is on Williams to prove the team right.22. Arizona CardinalsPost-Draft Ranking: 22Who is under the most pressure: General Manager Monti Ossenfort Entering his third season with the Cardinals, Ossenfort completed his three-year roster rebuild. Now, it’s time for that roster to win. He rebuilt the defensive line but barely touched the offense, a move that could be risky. If the defense doesn’t meet expectations or the offense has holes he could have addressed, Ossenfort’s seat will begin to heat up.23. New England PatriotsPost-Draft Ranking: 23Who is under the most pressure: Left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson The rookies are the projected starters. According to ESPN Research and Elias, the Patriots will become the second team in the last 25 years to have two rookie starters on the left side of the offensive line (the 2016 Ravens are the other team).24. Jacksonville JaguarsPost-Draft Ranking: 25Who is under the most pressure: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence Entering its fifth season with its third coach. Lawrence still hasn’t played consistently well for a full season, and injuries have marred his last two seasons. New coach Liam Coen is changing his footwork, and the Jaguars improved the interior offensive line and added a playmaker in wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. Lawrence has the players to help him emerge, and the hope is that Coen will do for Lawrence what he did for Baker Mayfield last season.25. Las Vegas RaidersPost-Draft Ranking: 26Who is under the most pressure: Defensive end Tyree Wilson The 2023 first-round pick made progress last season with 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble, but it’s time for him to be an integral player in the trenches. With Christian Wilkins no longer on the team, Wilson’s versatility to play on the defensive line and as a pass rusher allows him to do so.26. Indianapolis ColtsPost-Draft Ranking: 24Who is under the most pressure: General Manager Chris Ballard Entering his ninth season and has only two playoff appearances and one postseason win. The Colts have never won the AFC South under his direction. Much of Ballard’s tenure was disrupted by the sudden retirement of franchise quarterback Andrew Luck in 2019, but failed quarterback moves after Luck’s departure have hurt the franchise. Is it playoffs or bust for Ballard?27. Carolina PanthersPost-Draft Ranking: 27Who is under the most pressure: Quarterback Bryce Young The first selection of the 2023 draft has to build on the last three games of last season and produce wins. The Panthers selected elite receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the first round to help Young take the next step, and they didn’t lose any starting offensive linemen in the offseason. Young has to prove that the organization didn’t make a mistake when it made that memorable trade with Chicago for the number 1 pick in 2023. Young has a 6-22 record, and that won’t be enough.28. New York JetsPost-Draft Ranking: 30Who is under the most pressure: Quarterback Justin Fields This
