1 EAGLES
Why they're here: The Eagles not only have arguably the best long-term plan at quarterback in the NFL in Carson Wentz, but also there is short-term security with Nick Foles. Oh, by the way, a significant core of this roster is locked up for the foreseeable future thanks to the aggressive mindset of executive vice president of football operations/GM Howie Roseman: Wentz, Alshon Jeffery, Zach Ertz, Lane Johnson, Malcolm Jenkins, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Fletcher Cox, Derek Barnett and Rodney McLeod are among those signed through 2020. -- Yates
Biggest worry: There isn't much that I don't like about the long-term future of this team. The consequences of success are what concerns me the most, particularly when it comes to coaches leaving for bigger roles and more responsibility with other teams. We saw it happen this offseason with OC Frank Reich becoming a head coach, and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo becoming the OC in Minnesota. Having a succession plan will be critical in cases such as this in order to maintain what is a championship culture. -- Riddick
What could change for the better: The Eagles ranked in the NFL's top three across every category, so it might be unrealistic for Philly to exceed expectations. But what if 2017 second-round pick Sidney Jones became a shutdown corner after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon? The talent would seem to be there. If it happened, the Eagles could get massive value from a position where all their top players are playing on lower-priced rookie deals. -- Sando
2 PATS
Why they're here: In a league that is set up to mitigate competitive advantages through a hard salary cap, extensive roster turnover and other dynamics, the Patriots have been the model of organizational success in team sports for close to 20 years. Unified vision and direction permeate the organization, with an emphasis on development -- not just player development, either. Bill Belichick takes immense pride in developing his coaches and the (underrated) front office, which is orchestrated by Nick Caserio. -- Yates
Biggest worry: It's all about timing when it comes to what worries me and everyone else about the Patriots' outlook. When will Tom Brady's skills start to diminish, and when will Belichick say he has had enough and is unwilling to commit to the work necessary to win at the level he has won at for 17 years in a row? While I believe the Patriot Way is its own self-sustaining thing now, and is something that will last long after Bill and Tom are gone, their eventual departure will cause major uncertainty when the time actually comes. Until then, it will be business as usual. -- Riddick
What could change for the better: The Patriots' projection is surprisingly optimistic, at least in my opinion, given the uncertainty over how long Belichick and Tom Brady will remain together in New England. The draft is one area in which the Patriots could improve in order to beat the already lofty expectations this analysis carries for them. -- Sando
3 SAINTS
Why they're here: A decade-plus of offensive success has become the identity of the Saints franchise, with Drew Brees and Sean Payton at the epicenter of it all. But in the latest bit of evidence that one offseason can change an outlook dramatically, the Saints had what could go down as a historically good draft class in 2017, landing blue-chip talent in Marshon Lattimore, Alvin Kamara, Ryan Ramczyk and Marcus Williams. That grand slam pivoted the franchise's fortunes. -- Yates
Biggest worry: We are in a golden age of QB play in the NFL, and Brees has been as good as any other passer in the history of this great game. Ever. But the fact remains that he won't play forever, and there are rumblings seemingly every year that coach Sean Payton could be looking to move on. I love this roster and how it is put together, but the departure of either one of these two men could throw what looks like a franchise built for long-term success into a tailspin. -- Riddick
What could change for the better: There's very good young talent on the roster thanks largely to the Saints' sensational 2017 draft. The Saints can outperform our expectations if they can hit another home run or two in the draft. That will be tougher to do after the team traded away its 2019 first-round pick to move up to select Marcus Davenport. -- Sando
4 VIKINGS
Why they're here: There are elusive positions on an NFL defense, led by pass-rushers and cornerbacks. The Vikings -- guided by GM Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer -- have done an impressive job of identifying those positions through both the draft and free agency. Cornerstone players are in place on all levels of the defense, with a home-grown nucleus that includes Xavier Rhodes, Harrison Smith, Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen. -- Yates
Biggest worry: This one is easy. Kirk Cousins. Is he or isn't he worth the investment that the Vikings made in him, because as I see it, he must be the difference between being a contender and winning it all. I'm not a believer, and maybe I am not giving him enough credit for his play in Washington, but we will know very soon on this one. -- Riddick
What could change for the better: Some think Cousins is an average or slightly better than average starting quarterback. While Minnesota has the talent to contend even if Cousins is near average, the Vikings need their $84 million man to be an upper-tier quarterback to beat our projection for the future (we ranked the Vikings among the top five in every category but quarterback, where we had them 17th). -- Sando
5 STEELERS
Why they're here: Organizational stability counts when projecting forward, with the Steelers representing one of the steadiest franchises in all of sports, counting just one losing season this millennium. The team has also employed just three head coaches since 1969, showing a dedication to its sideline leaders that has yielded plenty of wins. While the future of Ben Roethlisberger could be year-to-year (he has changed his tune on the possibility of retirement on a few occasions), the organization is set up to sustain success. -- Yates
Biggest worry: The coaching changes were made on offense, but what about the defense? That's the side of the ball that concerns me most. The Steelers are vulnerable up the middle against the run, and they still cannot be trusted to prevent big plays in the passing game when they need it the most. Guys like Joe Haden and Artie Burns must be better, and surprise first-round pick Terrell Edmunds needs to come up big right away. It is defense that has kept this team from knocking the Patriots off the top of the AFC mountain, and I am concerned that that will continue to be the case. -- Riddick
What could change for the better: Mason Rudolph could emerge during the next couple of preseasons as a viable successor for Roethlisberger. That would certainly improve the Steelers' long-term outlook, although Roethlisberger is still among the NFL's best at age 36. -- Sando
6 FALCONS
Why they're here: While the NFL is an ever-evolving league, the Falcons have what many would consider a very modern collection of talent on their roster: linebackers with exceptional speed, depth along the defensive front, a two-headed backfield, a versatile corps of receivers, depth in the secondary and, of course, a blue-chip quarterback. GM Thomas Dimitroff and his experienced front office have landed coups in recent drafts (Deion Jones, Grady Jarrett, Vic Beasley, Takk McKinley and Keanu Neal among them) to balance a roster full of veterans in their prime. -- Yates
Biggest worry: I still have concerns about the offensive side of the ball in terms of the Falcons' ability to consistently find that championship chemistry and rhythm that needs to exist between the playcaller and the quarterback and offense as a whole. Now that Matt Ryan has his money, Julio Jones wants his too, and keeping the wideout happy and dialed-in has to be a concern for the organization going forward, especially if it does not intend to rework his contract that still has three years remaining on it. -- Riddick
What could change for the better: Continued development of the coaching staff is one variable that could determine whether a well-constructed Falcons team reaches its potential. Coach Dan Quinn has gone all-in with coordinators Steve Sarkisian and Marquand Manuel. Staff development is obviously important to him. Will Atlanta realize the payoff? -- Sando
7 RAMS
Why they're here: When your quarterback is an established player but still on a rookie contract, it's time to strike. The Rams have done exactly that, acquiring a litany of Pro Bowl-caliber talent this offseason to augment a roster already filled with dominant players such as Aaron Donald and Todd Gurley. Coach Sean McVay will soon establish himself as one of the league's best (he's rapidly on the track), which matters in a major way, as finding a way to fit all of the top-tier talent under the salary cap will be a chore for L.A. -- Yates
Biggest worry: Rarely do all-in approaches to unrestricted free agency turn out the way you plan them when it comes to professional football. Having personally been through this kind of thing, I speak from experience. McVay will have to be the best version of himself in order to handle a roster that has some of the most "explosive" personalities in the NFL on it, particularly on defense, and I don't mean that in a universally good way. If the Rams win early and often, all will be well. If they start to lose and expectations are not met, this could turn very ugly in a hurry. -- Riddick
What could change for the better: It's hard to envision the Rams being better in actuality than they appear on paper after collecting high-profile veterans such as Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, Ndamukong Suh and Brandin Cooks. But if the Rams are to outperform already high expectations, it'll likely be because quarterback Jared Goff takes another giant step forward in his development. Goff does seem to have the talent to make that happen. -- Sando
8 PACKERS
Why they're here: The Packers had to experience life without Aaron Rodgers for much of the 2017 season, a humbling reminder of some of the roster limitations Green Bay had on defense. But with Rodgers healthy, there is no more valuable roster piece in the league for the next three seasons -- period -- especially when a pen goes to paper for a presumptive extension to the current deal he has that lasts for two more years. -- Yates
Biggest worry: It's all about the coaching going forward with this team, specifically at the coordinator level. Joe Philbin will oversee the offense, and Mike Pettine will now oversee the defense. Both coaches have some significant assets to work with, with TE Jimmy Graham added to an already explosive offense, and cornerbacks being drafted in the first two rounds to help Pettine play the style of defense he wants to play. Development and utilization are what will make or break this team over the next three years. The pressure is on Philbin and Pettine. -- Riddick
What could change for the better: If new GM Brian Gutekunst can draft well enough to restock a defense that ranked last in ESPN's efficiency metric last season, the Packers can achieve the balance they need to maximize their championship window with Rodgers. Green Bay ranked 20th in drafting by our analysis, its lowest ranking in any category. -- Sando
9 CHARGERS
Why they're here: The art of "not quite" has been an all-too-familiar theme for the Chargers. The roster has had talent in key pieces that persist today: a quarterback, dynamic pass-rush duo and exceptional secondary. But effective execution on the field in clutch moments has been elusive. That said, a strong 2018 -- starting with a postseason appearance -- will go a long way in Los Angeles, as the Chargers feel like a team ready to make a leap on this list, despite the fact that Philip Rivers is 36. He has shown no signs of regression. -- Yates
Biggest worry: Although RB Melvin Gordon had his best year as a pro in 2017 in terms of total rushing yards as well as receptions and reception yards, he still averaged just 3.9 yards per carry. As a team, the Chargers have been in the bottom quarter of the league in rushing yards per game and per-carry average for years now, and they need to get this corrected so they can play a more balanced style of football when necessary and win the close games. If the investments that they have made along the offensive line via the draft and free agency do not pan out, it will be more unmet expectations for this team. If they do, this will be the new beast in the AFC West. -- Riddick
What could change for the better: Is Anthony Lynn a first-rate head coach? Will he grow into one? There's not enough information to answer in the affirmative, which is why the Chargers ranked 21st in that area, the team's lowest ranking in any category. That variable and Rivers' staying power as an upper-tier quarterback could boost a Chargers team that otherwise appears close to contending. -- Sando
10 SEAHAWKS
Why they're here: There was a time when Seattle ranked much higher on this list, catalyzed by a balanced roster. Now, there are questions on both sides of the ball, with a suspect offensive line and a less recognizable secondary than the Legion of Boom. However, quarterback Russell Wilson profiles as a perennial MVP candidate, and there's a lot to believe in from a front office infrastructure standpoint. GM John Schneider is well regarded as a top evaluator of talent. -- Yates
Biggest worry: It is a total reboot in Seattle starting right beneath head coach Pete Carroll. New coordinators on both sides of the ball, the Legion of Boom is no more, the pass rush that carried this team to championship heights is not even close to being the same, and the offense is hoping that Rashaad Penny is something close to what the Seahawks had on the field with "Beast Mode" Marshawn Lynch. Reboots like this take time, and in a division loaded with teams that continue to improve, I am worried that Seattle is going to be passed by the competition. -- Riddick
What could change for the better: This all comes down to whether the Seahawks can recapture some of their past form when it comes to drafting and developing players. No team was better in that area over the first several years of this decade. Coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider must do it again to compensate for the fact they are now paying top dollar for their previously inexpensive quarterback. -- Sando
