2022 Ravens can still contend in crowded AFC – Orange County Register

After an injury-marred 8-9 season, the Ravens ended 2021 farther from the Super Bowl than they’ve been since quarterback Lamar Jackson debuted. That doesn’t mean they won’t be contenders in 2022.

Jackson will again headline a talented offense looking to lead the Ravens back to the postseason. He’ll need defensive help, too, in an AFC teeming with elite quarterbacks. Coach John Harbaugh’s staff already had to deal with Patrick Mahomes in the AFC West and Josh Allen in the AFC East. Now the Ravens must fend off Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North.

Here’s a way-too-early look at where the Ravens and the NFL’s 31 other teams stack up entering next season. Regular-season unit rankings (as rated by Football Outsiders) and notable pending unrestricted free agents are included.

1. Buffalo Bills

How 2021 ended: 11-6, AFC divisional-round loss

Unit rankings: No. 10 offense, No. 1 defense

Notable free agents: DE Jerry Hughes, DL Harrison Phillips, CB Levi Wallace, G Ike Boettger, WR Isaiah McKenzie

Preview: If not for a three-play, 13-second, 44-yard field-goal drive in Kansas City, city officials in Buffalo might already have started plans on a Josh Allen statue outside Highmark Stadium. Allen, unstoppable in the playoffs, will lead an explosive attack in 2022. Tre’Davious White’s return from a torn ACL should bolster an elite secondary. All that’s missing is a postseason breakthrough.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

How 2021 ended: 12-5, AFC championship game loss

Unit rankings: No. 3 offense, No. 24 defense

Notable free agents: LT Orlando Brown Jr., S Tyrann Mathieu, OLB Melvin Ingram III, CB Charvarius Ward, CB Mike Hughes

Preview: As long as the Chiefs have Andy Reid calling plays, Patrick Mahomes dropping back, and Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce catching passes, Kansas City’s offense should be in good shape. If Brown returns, as Chiefs officials expect him to, the offensive line should be elite again. The concern, as always, is on defense. Mathieu has already indicated that he won’t return, and salary cap space is tight.

3. Los Angeles Rams

How 2021 ended: 12-5, Super Bowl champions

Unit rankings: No. 8 offense, No. 5 defense

Notable free agents: OLB Von Miller, WR Odell Beckham Jr., CB Darious Williams, G Austin Corbett, C Brian Allen, DL Sebastian Joseph-Day, RB Sony Michel

Preview: The Rams’ star-centric approach to team building got them a Super Bowl title, and they’ll have enough firepower to contend in 2022. But investments in players like Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey have come at a cost: little financial flexibility and few draft picks. While Robert Woods’ return can’t be overlooked, the offensive line could be headed for an overhaul.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

How 2021 ended: 10-7, Super Bowl loss

Unit rankings: No. 18 offense, No. 19 defense

Notable free agents: S Jessie Bates III, RT Riley Reiff, TE C.J. Uzomah, LG Quinton Spain, CB Eli Apple, DL B.J. Hill

Preview: With an upgraded offensive line, Joe Burrow could enter next season in command of the NFL’s most talented attack. The Bengals have the kind of young offensive nucleus every front office dreams of. Cincinnati’s challenge will be avoiding the kind of pratfalls that doomed them in losses last season to the Cleveland Browns and the Mike White-led New York Jets. A Super Bowl run won’t fix all of the team’s problems.

5. San Francisco 49ers

How 2021 ended: 10-7, NFC championship game loss

Unit rankings: No. 5 offense, No. 7 defense

Notable free agents: S Jaquiski Tartt, CB Jason Verrett, CB K’Waun Williams, DL D.J. Jones, LG Laken Tomlinson

Preview: Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t a free agent yet, but with San Francisco staring down his $24.2 million salary next season and Trey Lance waiting in the wings, he’s almost certainly played his last game for the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan’s offense could be equally fun and frustrating in 2022, but if the defense can patch up its cornerback room, San Francisco should have one of the NFL’s most balanced and talented rosters.

6. Green Bay Packers

How 2021 ended: 13-4, NFC divisional-round loss

Unit rankings: No. 2 offense, No. 22 defense

Notable free agents: WR Davante Adams, LB De’Vondre Campbell, TE Robert Tonyan, WR Allen Lazard, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, CB Kevin King, CB Rasul Douglas

Preview: If Aaron Rodgers comes back to Green Bay, the Packers could be NFC favorites once again. If he doesn’t, well, there’s always Jordan Love. Rodgers’ massive contract has the franchise in salary cap hell this offseason, but the Packers won 13 games in 2021 despite injuries to All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari (one game played) and All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander (five). Surround Rodgers with enough stars, especially Adams, and they should be fine.

7. Dallas Cowboys

How 2021 ended: 12-5, NFC wild-card-round loss

Unit rankings: No. 6 offense, No. 2 defense

Notable free agents: DE Randy Gregory, WR Michael Gallup, TE Dalton Schultz, G Connor Williams, S Jayron Kearse, LB Leighton Vander Esch, WR Cedrick Wilson

Preview: The Cowboys finished the regular season as the NFL’s most efficient team, according to Football Outsiders. They didn’t look like it in the playoffs, though, and some financial belt-tightening this offseason could knock them down another peg — 10 pending free agents were regular starters last year. But if Dak Prescott can stay healthy, and Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs can build on their 2021 form, Dallas should return to the playoffs.

8. Ravens

How 2021 ended: 8-9

Unit rankings: No. 17 offense, No. 28 defense

Notable free agents: DL Calais Campbell, DL Brandon Williams, C Bradley Bozeman, S DeShon Elliott, CB Jimmy Smith, OLB Justin Houston, WR Sammy Watkins, FB Patrick Ricard

Preview: As uncertainty swirls around Lamar Jackson’s future in Baltimore, the Ravens can at least take comfort in the offensive talent at his disposal next season. Mark Andrews is maybe the NFL’s best tight end. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, when healthy, are a fearsome one-two punch at running back. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Rashod Bateman can be a dynamic receiving duo. If the Ravens can solidify their offensive line, withstand a defensive exodus this offseason and maintain their special teams excellence, they should challenge for the AFC North title.

9. Los Angeles Chargers

How 2021 ended: 9-8

Unit rankings: No. 4 offense, No. 26 defense

Notable free agents: WR Mike Williams, DL Linval Joseph, CB Chris Harris Jr., TE Jared Cook, OLB Uchenna Nwosu, LB Kyzir White

Preview: Justin Herbert hasn’t appeared in a playoff game yet, but it’s hard to blame the offense for how his first two years ended. The Chargers’ special teams have been a disaster, and their dinged-up defense took a big step back last season. This offseason could mark a new direction for the team, though. With ample salary cap space and a boatload of draft picks, the Chargers could enter next season ready to challenge the Chiefs for the AFC West crown.

10. New England Patriots

How 2021 ended: 10-7, AFC wild-card-round loss

Unit rankings: No. 9 offense, No. 4 defense

Notable free agents: CB J.C. Jackson, LB Dont’a Hightower, S Devin McCourty, C Ted Karras, RT Trent Brown, LB Ja’Whaun Bentley

Preview: Mac Jones had an Offensive Rookie of the Year-worthy season, but the Patriots lack playmakers on offense and face an overhaul on defense. Jackson, an All-Pro in 2021, could be the next star cornerback to leave New England, which traded away Stephon Gilmore last season. With just over $7 million in salary cap space, Bill Belichick and the Patriots will need some hits in the draft to keep pace in the AFC.

11. Tennessee Titans

How 2021 ended: 12-5, AFC divisional-round loss

Unit rankings: No. 20 offense, No. 12 defense

Notable free agents: C Ben Jones, OLB Harold Landry, LB Rashaan Evans, TE Geoff Swaim, RT David Quessenberry

Preview: Along with Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown and Julio Jones return for what they hope will be a healthier 2022 season. Henry and Jones played less than 34% of the Titans’ offensive snaps in 2021, while Brown played just over half. The Titans still earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but they’ll need to bolster their offensive line and improve their pass rush if they want to remain in contention for a first-round bye.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

How 2021 ended: 13-4, NFC divisional-round loss

Unit rankings: No. 1 offense, No. 9 defense

Notable free agents: WR Chris Godwin, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, C Ryan Jensen, TE Rob Gronkowski, RB Leonard Fournette, S Jordan Whitehead, CB Carlton Davis, G Alex Cappa, TE O.J. Howard

Preview: The Buccaneers had all the pieces for a Super Bowl repeat last season. Then injuries hit hard, and Tom Brady’s retirement ushered in what will be a transformative offseason in Tampa Bay. Bruce Arians has seven Pro Bowl players under contract for next season, but it won’t matter much if the team can’t find an adequate replacement at quarterback. Rob Gronkowski, who’s expected to retire, would be another big loss.

13. Indianapolis Colts

How 2021 ended: 9-8

Unit rankings: No. 13 offense, No. 8 defense

Notable free agents: LT Eric Fisher, WR T.Y. Hilton, RG Mark Glowinski, CB Xavier Rhodes, TE Mo Alie-Cox, WR Zach Pascal

Preview: A season-ending loss to the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars soured an otherwise encouraging season for the Colts and Frank Reich. Carson Wentz’s contract all but assures a return next season, but Indianapolis also has superstar Jonathan Taylor returning behind a talented offensive line and plenty of cap space available (over $35 million) to make some upgrades. With Matt Eberflus taking over as the Chicago Bears’ head coach, new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s transition will be critical.

14. Arizona Cardinals

How 2021 ended: 11-6, NFC wild-card-round loss

Unit rankings: No. 15 offense, No. 6 defense

Notable free agents: DE Chandler Jones, TE Zach Ertz, WR Christian Kirk, WR A.J. Green, RB James Conner, RB Chase Edmonds, CB Robert Alford

Preview: Will this be Kliff Kingsbury’s last chance? After another late-season swoon, the pressure is on. The Cardinals have just one disappointing playoff appearance in Kingsbury’s first three seasons in Arizona. With several stars set to hit the open market, Arizona needs to find more playmakers for Kyler Murray to compete in the tough NFC West. DeAndre Hopkins’ return will help, but Murray’s murky future in Arizona could cast a pall over next season.

15. Seattle Seahawks

How 2021 ended: 7-10

Unit rankings: No. 7 offense, No. 21 defense

Notable free agents: LT Duane Brown, S Quandre Diggs, TE Gerald Everett, CB D.J. Reed Jr., RB Rashaad Penny, RT Brandon Shell, CB Sidney Jones

Preview: Not much went right for the Seahawks in 2021, but they finished strong under Pete Carroll, winning four of their last six games. Seattle has the cap space to replace or re-sign some key contributors on both sides of the ball, and a healthy Russell Wilson always gives the team a fighting chance. A bounce-back season could come in his second year in coordinator Shane Waldron’s offense. The Seahawks’ pass defense, and Jamal Adams’ fit therein, remains a concern, however.

16. Las Vegas Raiders

How 2021 ended: 10-7, AFC wild-card-round loss

Unit rankings: No. 19 offense, No. 17 defense

Notable free agents: CB Casey Hayward, WR Zay Jones, QB Marcus Mariota, DL Quinton Jefferson, DL Solomon Thomas, DL Johnathan Hankins, LB K.J. Wright

Preview: After a season of turmoil, the Raiders nearly beat the eventual AFC champion Bengals in the wild-card round. Longtime Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels takes the reins as coach, which could set up Derek Carr for a career year. If Las Vegas can complement its young standouts — Maxx Crosby, Hunter Renfrow, Nate Hobbs — with offseason upgrades elsewhere, there’s a path back to the playoffs in the difficult AFC West.

17. Cleveland Browns

How 2021 ended: 8-9

Unit rankings: No. 14 offense, No. 11 defense

Notable free agents: DE Jadeveon Clowney, TE David Njoku, S Ronnie Harrison, DE Takkarist McKinley, DL Malik Jackson, WR Rashard Higgins

Preview: Will this be Baker Mayfield’s final year in Cleveland? The former No. 1 overall pick battled through injuries in 2021, but it wasn’t enough to get the Browns back to the playoffs. If they can add an elite receiver, Mayfield should have everything a quarterback wants on offense. (Of course, things didn’t work out when Odell Beckham Jr. was still on the roster.) This team is far too talented for Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry to put up with mediocrity from Mayfield for much longer.

18. Denver Broncos

How 2021 ended: 7-10

Unit rankings: No. 12 offense, No. 20 defense

Notable free agents: QB Teddy Bridgewater, CB Bryce Callahan, CB Kyle Fuller, RB Melvin Gordon III, LB Alexander Johnson, S Kareem Jackson, RT Bobby Massie

Preview: If this ends up being Rodgers’ preferred destination — and there’s a good chance it is, after Denver hired Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as head coach — the balance of power shifts dramatically in the AFC. The Broncos have stiff competition in their division but also one of the NFL’s most promising rosters. Denver could just as easily miss out on the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player and be forced to start a rookie or a veteran stopgap at quarterback.

19. Philadelphia Eagles

How 2021 ended: 9-8, NFC wild-card-round loss

Unit rankings: No. 11 offense, No. 25 defense

Notable free agents: DE Derek Barnett, CB Steven Nelson, S Anthony Harris, S Rodney McLeod, LB Alex Singleton

Preview: Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts exceeded expectations last season, powering one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks with Hurts’ dual-threat talents. DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert form one of the best receiving duos in the league, but the Eagles need another outside threat to become a serious contender. With Jason Kelce mulling retirement, center is another question mark. On defense, Philadelphia has to get younger. Good thing the Eagles have three first-round picks.

20. New Orleans Saints

How 2021 ended: 9-8

Unit rankings: No. 23 offense, No. 3 defense

Notable free agents: QB Jameis Winston, LT Terron Armstead, S Marcus Williams, LB Kwon Alexander, QB Trevor Siemian

Preview: Sean Payton’s retirement and the uncertainty at quarterback make it difficult to evaluate the Saints’ 2022 prospects. Their nightmarish salary cap situation will again make re-signing key pieces difficult. With the No. 18 overall pick, it’s likely New Orleans drafts a quarterback in the first round for the first time since taking Archie Manning second overall in 1971. Will the Saints keep Michael Thomas to help whoever emerges under center, though?

21. Miami Dolphins

How 2021 ended: 9-8

Unit rankings: No. 24 offense, No. 10 defense

Notable free agents: TE Mike Gesicki, DE Emmanuel Ogbah, WR Will Fuller V, QB Jacoby Brissett, WR Albert Wilson

Preview: After firing Brian Flores following back-to-back winning seasons, the Dolphins hired 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel as head coach. His top priority: Help develop Tua Tagovailoa, who has struggled in his first two seasons after a stellar career at Alabama. With the most projected cap space of any team this offseason, and plenty of draft picks, Miami is poised for a big turnaround. The Dolphins closed last season with wins in eight of their final nine games.

22. Minnesota Vikings

How 2021 ended: 8-9

Unit rankings: No. 16 offense, No. 16 defense

Notable free agents: OLB Anthony Barr, CB Patrick Peterson, DL Sheldon Richardson, S Xavier Woods, CB Mackensie Alexander

Preview: With the departure of Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman, Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will have to turn around Minnesota. While the Vikings are talented enough to contend in what could be a wide-open NFC North, Adofo-Mensah, a former Browns executive, and O’Connell, the Rams’ outgoing offensive coordinator, must decide whether to retool the roster around Kirk Cousins or trade the veteran starter and kick-start a rebuild. He has a $45 million cap hit next season.

23. Atlanta Falcons

How 2021 ended: 7-10

Unit rankings: No. 28 offense, No. 30 defense

Notable free agents: RB Cordarrelle Patterson, OLB Dante Fowler Jr., LB Foyesade Oluokun, S Duron Harmon, CB Fabian Moreau, WR Russell Gage

Preview: Matt Ryan has two more years left on his deal, which means the 37-year-old might be the subject of trade chatter this offseason. With or without him, Atlanta needs plenty of help getting back into the postseason. The Falcons, despite their record, finished ahead of only the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars last season in Football Outsiders’ DVOA rankings. Considering their limited cap space, this might be the bleakest situation in the entire league.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

How 2021 ended: 9-7-1, AFC wild-card-round loss

Unit rankings: No. 25 offense, No. 14 defense

Notable free agents: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, RG Trai Turner, CB Joe Haden, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, S Terrell Edmunds, RT Chukwuma Okorafor

Preview: The Steelers sneaked into the playoffs in the final week of the regular season, but a toothless offense and a largely disappointing defense raise questions about the team’s future in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. With Kevin Colbert retiring, Pittsburgh’s front office must also find a new leader. Mike Tomlin already has a star pass rusher in Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt. Now he needs to find a new franchise quarterback.

25. Washington Commanders

How 2021 ended: 7-10

Unit rankings: No. 21 offense, No. 27 defense

Notable free agents: RG Brandon Scherff, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, LT Cornelius Lucas, DL Tim Settle, RB J.D. McKissic

Preview: Could a new identity lead to a new face under center? With Fitzpatrick’s injury woes and Taylor Heinicke’s struggles to establish himself as an NFL-level starter, Washington is expected to aggressively pursue a quarterback this offseason. Whether that’s through the draft, free agency or a trade — perhaps the 49ers’ Jimmy Garroppolo? — remains to be seen. No matter whom the Commanders bring in, they’ll need a better performance from a defense that took a major step back in 2021.

26. Chicago Bears

How 2021 ended: 6-11

Unit rankings: No. 26 offense, No. 13 defense

Notable free agents: WR Allen Robinson II, DL Akiem Hicks, RG James Daniels, RT Germain Ifedi, QB Andy Dalton, DL Bilal Nichols

Preview: Along with Eberflus, the Bears hired Ryan Poles to take over as general manager after a disastrous run by Ryan Pace. The former Chiefs executive is tasked with building up the roster around Justin Fields, and that starts with restocking the receiving corps and upgrading the offensive line. Easier said than done, especially since Chicago doesn’t have a 2022 first-round pick thanks to last year’s trade for Fields.

27. New York Giants

How 2021 ended: 4-13

Unit rankings: No. 32 offense, No. 18 defense

Notable free agents: TE Evan Engram, S Jabrill Peppers, RG Will Hernandez, RT Nate Solder, DL Austin Johnson

Preview: With the hires of Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen, there’s optimism that the Giants can follow Buffalo’s blueprints and build a perennial contender. A turnaround will have to start with Daniel Jones, who has flashed his potential at times but has mostly struggled during his first three seasons. With five top-100 draft picks, including Nos. 5 and 7 overall, the Giants are poised to add much-needed young talent on both sides of the ball.

28. Carolina Panthers

How 2021 ended: 5-12

Unit rankings: No. 31 offense, No. 15 defense

Notable free agents: CB Stephon Gilmore, OLB Haason Reddick, C Matt Paradis, CB Donte Jackson, QB Cam Newton, LB Jermaine Carter Jr.

Preview: Only two years into his time in Carolina, the pressure is already mounting on Matt Rhule. The trade for Sam Darnold simply hasn’t worked, leaving the Panthers once again looking for an upgrade at the sport’s most important position. To make matters worse, the Panthers could lose several of their top players in free agency. If Carolina can’t find an impact player with its No. 6 overall pick, Rhule’s tenure might not last much longer.

29. New York Jets

How 2021 ended: 4-13

Unit rankings: No. 22 offense, No. 32 defense

Notable free agents: S Marcus Maye, RT Morgan Moses, DL Folorunso Fatukasi, WR Braxton Berrios, WR Jamison Crowder, WR Keelan Cole

Preview: The Jets have enough draft picks (two top-10 selections) and salary cap space to make some major upgrades this offseason, and they’ll get back Carl Lawson and Corey Davis, two big-ticket signings who were lost to injury for most of 2021. The big question is whether Zach Wilson can take a step forward after a shaky rookie season.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

How 2021 ended: 3-14

Unit rankings: No. 27 offense, No. 31 defense

Notable free agents: LT Cam Robinson, LG Andrew Norwell, WR D.J. Chark Jr., WR Laquon Treadwell

Preview: The Urban Meyer experiment ended in disaster, but the Jaguars replaced him with a Super Bowl winner in Doug Pederson. That’s good news for Trevor Lawrence as he looks to live up to sky-high expectations entering his second season. With another No. 1 overall pick and plenty of cap space, the Jaguars are poised to take a big step forward in 2022. If they can’t, Trent Baalke won’t have a job for long.

31. Detroit Lions

How 2021 ended: 3-13-1

Unit rankings: No. 29 offense, No. 29 defense

Notable free agents: DE Charles Harris, LB Alex Anzalone, WR Josh Reynolds, WR Kalif Raymond

Preview: Thanks to Dan Campbell, this might be the most optimistic anyone has felt about a team coming off a 13-loss season in some time. While Jared Goff has his limitations, his solid finish in 2021 could give the Lions could some time to find his successor. Five top-100 picks should help Detroit steadily build this roster in Campbell’s image. Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown are impressive, young building blocks.

32. Houston Texans

How 2021 ended: 4-13

Unit rankings: No. 30 offense, No. 23 defense

Notable free agents: QB Tyrod Taylor, S Justin Reid, DL Maliek Collins, RB David Johnson, OLB Jacob Martin, CB Desmond King

Preview: With sexual assault lawsuits complicating Deshaun Watson’s future, 31 players headed for free agency and yet another regime change in Houston, the Texans remain the league’s most unstable team. After former Ravens assistant David Culley was fired as head coach after just one season, Houston hired Lovie Smith, the former Bears and Buccaneers coach who later struggled at Illinois. Davis Mills might be the only bright spot on this roster, but even his role is uncertain on a team with no clear path forward.