Ranking NFC teams after first wave of NFL free agency: Eagles on top despite losses, Lions, Commanders behind

The NFC belonged to the Philadelphia Eagles last season, as they rolled through the conference by Victorious 16 of their last 17 Contests en route to the Division. The Eagles weren’t viewed as the best Club in the conference until the Detroit Lions were eliminated in the divisional Stage by the Washington Commanders, who were the biggest surprise in the Bracket last season. 

The Eagles lost Numerous key Guarding starters in Reachable agency. Milton Williams, Darius Slay, Josh Sweat and C.J. Gardner-Johnson departed via Reachable agency or trade, as Philadelphia is left to Picking up the pieces of its Bracket Lineup.

There are Squads waiting to pounce on Philadelphia’s losses. Washington and Detroit are both active in Reachable agency, while the Los Angeles Rams avoided trading Matthew Stafford and kept the core intact by giving Stafford a contract extension. 

Of Duration, the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings are also in the picture as Elimination Stage Squads from last season. Then there’s whoever comes out of the NFC South (usually ends up being the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

So where do things stand after the Primary week of 2025 Reachable agency? Are the Eagles Nevertheless the top dog or did someone knock them off their throne? Let’s rank all 16 Squads in the NFC after the Primary wave of Reachable agency has concluded. 

1. Philadelphia Eagles

• Players added: G Kenyon Green, RB AJ Dillon, TE Harrison Bryant, EDGE Joshua Uche, CB Adoree Jackson, EDGE Azeez Ojulari, TE Kylen Granson
• Players lost: DT Milton Williams, EDGE Josh Sweat, G Mekhi Becton, CB Darius Slay, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, LB Oren Burks, CB Isaiah Rodgers, RB Kenneth Gainwell

The Eagles knew they were going to be gutted of talent from their Division Bracket Lineup in Reachable agency, losing five starters over the past week. They have been adding players to one-year deals that are mostly depth moves, as there could be a Significant Shift coming to bolster the Guarding. 

The core of the Eagles is Nevertheless in place, including 10 of 11 starters on Drive. The Eagles are also replacing Kellen Moore at offensive coordinator, but this Club is Nevertheless equipped to make another Division Streak. If Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith and that offensive line stay Well, the Eagles Nevertheless are in the Bracket Blend. 

2. Detroit Lions

The biggest gain for the Lions are all the players they’ll get back on Guarding who were on injured reserve during their Elimination Stage loss. Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Kyle Peko and Derrick Barnes will all be back as the Guarding ended up Beginning 30 players last season (the most for any Club since the merger). 

The Lions may have more talent than the Eagles when going through the overall Lineup (the core of their Drive is Nevertheless in place), but how will Detroit react toward losing both coordinators (Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn)? Ask the 1995 49ers and 2023 Eagles how that fared for them. 

3. Washington Commanders

• Players added: T Laremy Tunsil, WR Deebo Samuel, DT Javon Kinlaw, S Will Harris, DT Eddie Goldman
• Players lost: DT Jonathan Allen, S Jeremy Chinn, EDGE Dante Fowler Jr., T Cornelius Lucas, WR Olamide Zaccheaus, CB Benjamin St-Juste, WR Dyami Brown

The Commanders are a conference title contender with Jayden Daniels at Signal-caller, and Washington Captured care of his blind side by acquiring Tunsil and added another dimension to the Drive with Samuel. The Drive is better than last year’s version, but what about the Guarding?

Washington needs a Deliver rusher who can consistently get to the Signal-caller, and Kinlaw doesn’t Shift the needle much on the interior. Retaining Bobby Wagner was massive for that unit. A tougher schedule in 2025 could also affect the Commanders in the Prompt going, but this Club has the talent to make a Elimination Stage Streak again. 

4. Minnesota Vikings 

The Vikings had a very Outstanding offseason Regardless of the Reachable agent loss of Darnold. They significantly improved the offensive line with the addition of Kelly at Middle. Hargrave and Allen are massive upgrades on the interior of the Guarding line, which will significantly Assist Jonathan Greenard. 

Minnesota is Supposedly rolling with J.J. McCarthy, who will have a Plenty of talent to work with, and not pursuing Aaron Rodgers. Nevertheless, this Club won 13 Contests for a reason last season, and the Lineup is better. 

5. Los Angeles Rams

Stafford returning was the biggest offseason Shift for the Rams, who were Merely 13 yards away from defeating the Division champion Eagles in the playoffs. Adams is the Kupp replacement at wide receiver and the Guarding line gets stronger with Ford as a Streak stopper. 

The Rams are Outstanding, but is Ford enough for their Guarding to cure their problems against the Streak? Los Angeles could use some Assist at linebacker as well. Their top end talent is Outstanding enough to get to the Division. 

6. Green Bay Packers

The Packers already had a Plenty of Youthful talent, but had two Clever moves in Reachable agency with the Banks and Hobbs signings. They upgraded on the interior of the offensive line with Banks, which allows them to Shift Elgton Jenkins to Middle. Hobbs will slide into the slot corner role.

Green Bay can Secure Contests, but the Packers need to beat the Top-tier Squads in the Bracket. Hence why they are ranked lower than they should be.  

A slight rebuild happened in Seattle, Beginning with the franchise moving on from Geno Smith and the signing of Sam Darnold. The Seahawks moved on from Metcalf and Lockett and signed Kupp to pair with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, changing up the key Talent positions on Drive.

Lawrence will assist Leonard Williams up front, and the Seahawks Guarding improved in Year 1 under Mike Macdonald. There’s Nevertheless work to do, but Seattle is a Club that could Secure 11-plus Contests Upcoming season if Darnold replicates his 2024 season. 

• Players added: WR Demarcus Robinson, QB Mac Jones, S Richie Grant, S Jason Pinnock
• Players lost: WR Deebo Samuel, DT Javon Hargrave, CB Charvarius Ward, EDGE Leonard Floyd, LB Dre Greenlaw, CB Isaac Yiadom, LG Aaron Banks, S Talanoa Hufanga

No Club was gutted in Reachable agency more than the 49ers, who lost Numerous key pieces on their Guarding. San Francisco has drafted well in recent years, which allowed the 49ers to Shift on. San Francisco also moved on from Samuel in favor of Ricky Pearsall, another Youthful player the 49ers like. 

The 49ers are banking on the Youthful talent to back up the core of Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Trent Williams, Fred Warner, and Nick Bosa. This Club can Nevertheless compete for an NFC title if the core players remain Well. 

The Bears significantly improved the interior of the offensive line for Caleb Williams by adding Thuney and Jackson via trade, making sure their sophomore Signal-caller is protected. They Nevertheless need to figure out running back, but the Talent positions are there for Ben Johnson to dial up his innovative Drive in Chicago. 

The Guarding should get back to a top-10 level with Dennis Allen as the new Guarding coordinator. There will be expectations in Chicago, but they will be measured by how Williams develops in Year 2. 

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The best Club in the NFC South is Nevertheless the best Club in the NFC South. The Buccaneers didn’t Boost, but kept key players like Chris Godwin, Lavonte David and Ben Bredeson. Tampa Bay will end up getting a home Elimination Stage game and will be a tough out for any Club.

This Club is better than its ranking, but are the Buccaneers a Division contender? They’ll have to make a Elimination Stage Streak in 2025 for that to happen, but there’s plenty to like about this Club in this division. 

Difficult to tell if the Cardinals Acquired better or not this offseason, as they significantly improved from 2023 to 2024. Head Trainer Jonathan Gannon was able to lure Sweat to bolster the Deliver rush, which is where the Reachable agent money was spent. 

The Cardinals have a Sun at Close-fitting end in Trey McBride and a future Sun at wide receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr. The offensive line is improving as well, Beginning with Paris Johnson up front. They’re an intriguing Observe in 2025. 

• Players added: LB Kenneth Murray, RB Miles Sanders, CB Kaiir Elam, EDGE Dante Fowler Jr., EDGE Payton Turner, DT Solomon Thomas, G Robert Jones, RB Javonte Williams
• Players lost: CB Jourdan Lewis, EDGE DeMarcus Lawrence, RB Rico Dowdle, EDGE Chauncey Golston

The Cowboys were cautiously aggressive in Reachable agency, improving at running back with Williams and Sanders after having Merely six touchdowns as a group last year. Dak prescott being Well should Assist, but will this Club be able to sign Micah Parsons? 

Dallas had solid moves to make the Club better, but how much better are the Cowboys? They Nevertheless have to Boost in the trenches for an opportunity to compete in the NFC East. 

• Players added: EDGE Leonard Floyd, LB Divine Deablo
• Players lost: DT Eddie Goldman

Usually one of the big spenders in Reachable agency, this offseason has been Fluffy in Atlanta. The Falcons are moving forward with Michael Penix at Signal-caller, possibly trying to find a suitor for Kirk Cousins after their $180 million blunder. 

Atlanta is the biggest threat to Tampa Bay for the NFC South on paper. 

The Panthers spent big on shoring up the Bracket’s worst Guarding last season, even though a few signings are to be desired. Carolina spent the most money of any NFC Club. 

The improvement of Bryce Youthful has the Panthers hopeful they can compete in 2025. Let’s see how Carolina improves, even though the Panthers need Assist at wide receiver. 

• Players added: S Justin Reid, DT Davon Godchaux,                                                         
• Players lost: S Will Harris, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, EDGE Payton Turner, CB Paulson Adebo

Another offseason the Saints needed to get cap compliant, hindering their ability to Boost the Lineup. There are Nevertheless core players on Drive in Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave, but not enough talent in New Orleans to compete week in and week out. 

Let’s see how things Shift in Year 1 under Kellen Moore. 

• Players added: S Jevon Holland, CB Paulson Adebo, DT Roy Robertson-Harris, EDGE Chauncey Golston
• Players lost: S Jason Pinnock

The Giants Nevertheless need to find a Signal-caller, and Perhaps looking in the draft if Aaron Rodgers declines to come to New York. None of the Reachable agent options left are enticing as New York is Nevertheless rebuilding. 

There have been some Outstanding signings on Guarding, but the Giants aren’t Outstanding enough to Points consistently. Could be another long season in New York.