NFL divisional rankings post-free agency and draft: AFC North remains supreme; NFC North takes huge leap

Predict which division will be the best in the NFL Going into the season is a tall order, but it was clear that the best division last season was the AFC North. The only division where every team has finished above .500 since 1935 NFL West, the AFC North rotated on the field in 2023.

Will this be the case in 2024? The AFC North still has two powerhouse teams in the league, the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals (who actually finished last in the division last season). Other divisions are slowly catching up to the AFC North based on moves made in free agency and the draft, making the race for NFL best division even more intriguing in 2024.

Who are the biggest challengers in the AFC North? Which divisions are not expected to be good this season?

1. AFC North

• 2023 combined record: 43-25

This division is still the best in football, based on just three teams making the playoffs and the only division with three teams with 10+ wins. The Ravens lost some key players on the defensive side of the ball (Geno Stone, Jadeveon Clowney, Patrick Queen), but added Derrick Henry to a roster that won 13 games.

The Bengals got Joe Burrow back, the Browns have most of their roster intact and the Steelers revamped their roster with Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Patrick Queen and Donte Jackson in free agency. Pittsburgh also had an impressive draft class, revamping the offensive line with Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier as the first two picks and adding linebacker Payton Wilson in the third round.

The AFC North will be a battle all season long as the division winner remains one of the league’s biggest wildcards.

2. NFC North

• 2023 combined record: 35-33

The rise of the Lions and Packers certainly boasted this division last season, with Detroit reaching the NFC Championship Game and Green Bay becoming the first No. 7 seed to beat a No. 2 seed in the postseason. Detroit added Carlton Davis, Marcus Davenport and DJ Reader in free agency while restocking at cornerback in the draft (Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw Jr.). Green Bay restocked at safety with Xavier McKinney (free agency) and Javon Bullard (draft) by signing Josh Jacobs.

The Bears and Vikings have rookie quarterbacks in Caleb Williams and JJ McCarthy, but they are positioned to make a leap forward in 2024. Chicago added D’Andre Swift and Keenan Allen in free agency and then selected Rome Odunze in the top 10 first in the draft to pair with Williams. McCarthy has a skill position group that has Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at wide receiver, TJ Hockenson at tight end and free agent Aaron Jones at running back.

The NFC North could compete with the AFC North for the best division. It depends on how the Bears and Vikings progress.

3. AFC South

• 2023 combined record: 34-34

The fact that the Texans were the surprise winners of the division certainly increased the prestige of the AFC South. It doesn’t hurt that they have a franchise quarterback in CJ Stroud and have added offensive weapons for him in Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon. Signing Danielle Hunter and Azeez Al-Shaair in defense also helped.

The Jaguars are trying to avenge last season’s collapse and get Trevor Lawrence to take the next step, adding Brian Thomas Jr. in the draft and Gabe Davis in free agency as part of the wide receiver overhaul. The Colts get Anthony Richardson back after missing the playoffs, adding Adonai Mitchell to pair with Michael Pittman at wide receiver. Laiatu Latu could also be the best pass rusher in the draft. The Titans should be better after an active free agency period with the additions of Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Tony Pollard and Lloyd Cushenberry.

Houston will be challenged in this division, but it will be interesting to see how Jacksonville responds after last season’s collapse. This was one of three divisions where three teams had 9+ wins last season.

4. AFC East

• 2023 combined record: 33-35

The strength of this division comes down to the health of Aaron Rodgers, as the Jets were clearly impacted just four plays into the season when Rodgers was lost that year with a torn Achilles tendon. New York continued the “all-in” mentality with its offseason additions, namely Mike Williams, Tyron Smith, Haason Reddick and Javon Kinlaw. OT Olu Fashanu, WR Malachi Corley and RB Braelon Allen are also intriguing draft picks.

The Bills are the more intriguing team based on their off-season departures, but Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel will be under the microscope as pass catchers for Josh Allen (still one of the best quarterbacks in the game). The Dolphins still have their explosive offense (now with Odell Beckham Jr.) and have added Jaylen Wright with De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert at running back.

The Patriots are rebuilding with Drake Maye and a new head coach in Jerod Mayo, so this division could be affected. The Jets could counter that.

5. NFC West

• 2023 combined record: 35-33

The division that houses the NFC champions was competitive last season, with the 49ers and Rams winning more than 10 games each. The NFC West was the only division in the NFC that was home to three teams with winning records. The 49ers should still be excellent with Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk – while also adding Ricky Pearsall to their strong roster of offensive playmakers. Adding Leonard Floyd in free agency was a nice addition to a strong pass rush.

The Rams lost Aaron Donald to retirement but added Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and Blake Corum to the draft. His success also depends on Matthew Stafford remaining standing for the majority of the season. The Seahawks have a new coach, Mike Macdonald, and it will be interesting to see if he can improve a 9-8 first-year team with his defensive scheme (added Byron Murphy II in the draft). The Cardinals are still rebuilding, but Marvin Harrison Jr. was arguably the best player in the draft. EDGE Darius Robinson and CB Max Melton should also help significantly on defense.

Let’s see where this division stands at the end of the year.

6. NFC East

• 2023 combined record: 33-35

The division hasn’t had a repeat winner in 19 years, so that’s not good news for the Cowboys. Dallas didn’t add much in free agency, bringing back Ezekiel Elliott and Eric Kendricks. Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe help on the offensive line.

The Eagles were active in free agency and the draft, adding RB Saquon Barkley, EDGE Bryce Huff and S CJ Gardner-Johnson in March while selecting CBs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean with their first two picks in the draft. The Commanders are rebuilding with QB Jayden Daniels and altering their defense with free agent signings like LB Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner, EDGE Dorance Armstrong and S and Jeremy Chinn. They also added DL Jer’Zhan Newton and CB Mike Sainristil in the draft.

Meanwhile, the Giants are deciding their future with Daniel Jones. New York also added Brian Burns via trade and revamped the offensive line with Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor. Malik Nabers should be a stud at wide receiver right away.

The NFC East appears to be on the rise. The progress of the Commanders and Giants will determine whether this division can once again become one of the best in the world. NFL.

7. AFC West

• 2023 combined record: 32-36

The Chiefs are the two defenders Super Bowl champions and the class of the NFL. As for the rest of the division, well, it’s rebuilding.

Kansas City added Marquise Brown in free agency and Xavier Worthy in the draft, improving pass-catchers for Patrick Mahomes. The Raiders still have a quarterback situation to address, but they added Brock Bowers in the draft to pair with Davante Adams as pass-catchers. Christian Wilkins will be a great addition to free Maxx Crosby from the cap.

The Broncos may have the worst quarterback situation in the NFL as they rebuild, while the Chargers look to get back to the playoffs with Jim Harbaugh as their head coach. JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards are the new running backs, while Joe Alt (first-round pick) will protect Justin Herbert.

All three non-Chiefs teams are essentially hitting the reset button. The AFC West has undergone a lot of changes, while the Chiefs remain at the top.

8. NFC South

• 2023 combined record: 27-41

The NFC South was the only division that did not have a 10-win champion, although the Buccaneers did reach the divisional round of the playoffs. Tampa Bay kept the core of Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans together, kept Lavonte David and Antoine Winfield Jr. and brought back Jordan Whitehead. They should be a repeat threat in a bad division.

The Falcons’ improvement significantly helps the NFC South, starting with the addition of Kirk Cousins ​​at quarterback. Cousins ​​also has additions in Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore. Atlanta should score points with its offensive line protecting Cousins ​​and Bijan Robinson carrying the ball.

The Saints always seem to be in a state of limbo, although OT Taliese Fuaga and CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, as their top two draft picks, should help. LB Willie Gay Jr. is an underrated free agent signing. The Panthers were the worst team in the league last season, so they are counting on new coach Dave Canales to fix Bryce Young. Adding Diontae Johnson in free agency and Xavier Legette in the draft should help Young in the passing game.

This division could improve based on the Falcons’ performance. In fact, it should be competitive.