NFL Draft Blitz

The preseason is almost in the bag and the real games are only a week away. Here is an updated look and our first official NFL Power Rankings.

32. San Francisco 49ers

- The 49ers looked horrible in the preseason and the untimely death of teammate Thomas Herrion will linger with them. They are only in the beginning of this long rebuilding phase. Record: 0-0

31. Cleveland Browns

- The Browns have the nucleus to build a good team, but their offensive and defensive lines are too weak to win now. They need a few more years of high draft picks and free agent signings. Record: 0-0

30. Washington Redskins

- The Redskins have looked awful in the preseason and are facing a very tough divisional schedule. Can Joe Gibbs work his magic here and turn these underachieving duds into playoff contenders? Record: 0-0

29. Tennessee Titans

- The Titans have the firepower at the skill positions to do well, but their defense is young and raw and their offensive line will take a beating. Record: 0-0

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

- Depending on the starting combination at QB/RB, this could be a much-improved team in 2005. The defense is still old and losing its speed, but there is hope around the corner with Carnell Williams and Michael Clayton. Record: 0-0

27. Miami Dolphins

- With Gus Frerotte and AJ Feeley both expected to see playing time, the Dolphins will struggle offensively. Thankfully they have a very aggressive, effective defense to hold opponents under 20 points. Record: 0-0

26. Denver Broncos

- The Broncos troubles are upfront on defense and behind center on offense. They are going to get tons of yards, but turnovers and bonehead plays are going to keep them from wins. Record: 0-0

25. Chicago Bears

- With three rookies expected to see significant playing time, the youth movement on offense is in full-stride for the Bears. Their defense will be tough to move the ball on, but they might not be able to break 10 points on offense until the unit has time to jell. Record: 0-0

24. New Orleans Saints

- With the devastation to the greater New Orleans area, it could be some time before the Saints return to the Superdome. That aside, this team isn't going to be anything special this year with question marks along the offensive line and at linebacker and cornerback. Record: 0-0

23. Green Bay Packers

- They say the preseason doesn't mean anything and that is what Packers fans are hoping for. The team has looked awful so far and the fears about the defense are being realized as truths. Record: 0-0

22. New York Giants

- The Giants may still be a year away from competing for a playoff birth, but they are good enough to steal some wins and be in the mix for a .500 season. How well they play upfront on offense will make or break this season. Record: 0-0

21. Oakland Raiders

- The Raiders are going to score by the bunches, but their defense scares us away from them. They are destined for shootouts every week, and in the powerful AFC West, that is not a good way to play. Record: 0-0

20. Houston Texans

- Until they figure out their problems on the offensive line, the Texans will not be able to compete for a wildcard birth. They have added some quality players on defense, but they also let team leader Jamie Sharper go and will miss his presence. Record: 0-0

19. Detroit Lions

- The Lions are going to be amazing on offense this season and their defense is improved enough to compete. They are right on the brink of the playoffs, but their schedule is unfriendly and their defense will still struggle against top offenses. Record: 0-0

18. Seattle Seahawks

- Seattle was a sexy pick to win the NFC last year and they fell on their faces. They spent millions of dollars this off-season to lock up star players on offense and key defensive players, but will it be enough compete with the rising Cardinals and the dangerous Rams? Record: 0-0

17. Arizona Cardinals

- Their offense is loaded and their defense will come up and hit you in the mouth, but their offensive line may not be good enough to keep Kurt Warner up right and healthy. If the line plays up to their potential, this can be a playoff team. Record: 0-0

16. Cincinnati Bengals

- The Bengals are another team with a great offense, but a lackluster defense. The additions of rookie linebackers Odell Thurman and David Pollack will help, but the Bengals secondary mostly got lucky last season and teams will attack their inconsistent corners this year. Expect big things from Carson Palmer and co. on offense though. Record: 0-0

15. Jacksonville Jaguars

- The Jaguars promise to open up the offense more this year, but star running back Fred Taylor must stay healthy for this team to challenge for a wildcard birth. The defensive line is among the league's best, but their insufficiencies at cornerback and linebacker will haunt them. Record: 0-0

14. Buffalo Bills

- JP Losman steps into an uncomfortable role as the city and team is expecting a playoff season. Losman has some exciting receivers and backs to work with, but the offensive line is average and Losman will be starting for the first time. This will be one of the best defenses in the league again and should cause problems for their AFC East counterparts. Record: 0-0

13. St. Louis Rams

- The Rams offensive firepower is going to be hard to stop, especially for NFC West defenses. Marc Bulger is in mid-season form already and sensational running back Steven Jackson is ready to challenge for the NFC rushing title. Their defense, well there isn't much worth talking about. Record: 0-0

12. Atlanta Falcons

- As long as Mike Vick is on the field, they will win. He somehow produces wins and makes this entire team better, even if his stats don't prove it. Their defense is stout and will be tough to move the ball on. The offense is lacking and with no real passing game, they can be shutdown. Record: 0-0

11. Dallas Cowboys

- The 3-4 defense is looking beautiful in Dallas and they have a legit rookie of the year candidate in LB DeMarcus Ware. The offense needs more playmakers on the outside, but looks great on the inside with Julius Jones running the ball and tight end Jason Witten catching it. Record: 0-0

10. San Diego Chargers

- The Chargers rode a Cinderella season into the playoffs last year and should have won against the Jets. Their kicking woes are behind them though and a healthy LaDainian Tomlinson is vowing to break the single season rushing record. Record: 0-0

9. Kansas City Chiefs

- A top 5 offense and a much-improved defense have the state of Missouri talking about the Chiefs this year. The rest of the league is waiting for the Show Me State to do just that, show up and stop someone first. Record: 0-0

8. New York Jets

- If Chad Pennington's shoulder is as healthy as the team says, this team could cause problems for the Patriots and the rest of the AFC. With Laveranues Coles back in NYC, the Jets have their speedy playmaker that they needed so badly last year. The addition of CB Ty Law makes this defense scary. Record: 0-0

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

- Both starting running backs are hurt, second year star Ben Roethlisberger lost his favorite target in Plaxico Burress and the defense did little to improve their secondary. Bill Cowher is still one fine coach and rookie tight end Heath Miller could be a Pro Bowler in this offense. Record: 0-0

6. Indianapolis Colts

- Much like the Chiefs, once the Colts learn to stop opposing offenses they have a chance at going undefeated in the regular season. But then the playoffs will come and Manning will lose, but you'll never hear about it in the popular media. Record: 0-0

5. Baltimore Ravens

- Jamal Lewis apparently worked out 12 hours a day in prison this summer. That may or may not be true, but either way, this man is hungry to be on the field again and that should terrify AFC defenses. Oh, the Baltimore defense just might be better than the 2002 version that set records for lowest points allowed. Record: 0-0

4. Minnesota Vikings

- Randy Moss, gone. Onterrio Smith, suspended. Adding Napoleon Harris, Fred Smoot, Pat Williams and Erasmus James, priceless. This is a Super Bowl caliber team. Record: 0-0

3. Carolina Panthers

- Last year was a fluke and one of the most injury plagued seasons in NFL team history. The Panthers are close to being back at full strength and boast a plethora of options on offense and the league's best defense on paper. But, that is why they play the games. Record: 0-0

2. Philadelphia Eagles

- TO is back and boy did he look good. I can't bet against the Eagles yet, and neither should you. This is going to be one amazing offense, even if they only run the ball 10 times a game. No one in the league can cover Owens, and if they do McNabb will just run the ball. Record: 0-0

1. New England Patriots