NFL Power Rankings: Teams #32-25

32. team. 52. <p>The Jacksonville Jaguars will have a contested battle with the Tennessee Titans to determine who ends up in the cellar of the AFC South. However, my money is on the Titans’ Marcus Mariota to win out over the Jaguars’ Blake Bortles, when push comes to shove.</p> <p>The Jaguars did add tight end Julius Thomas to upgrade their offense; however, there’s not many other playmakers in the passing game with Cecil Shorts departing in free agency to the Houston Texans. The team also lacks a feature running back although rookie T.J. Yeldon could potentially impress.</p> <p>With the team’s top pick in Dante Fowler Jr. tearing his ACL in mini-camp, the defense was dealt a considerable blow in the pass rushing department. It’s a defense that largely struggled last season and desperately needed an infusion of elite talent. The signing of defensive tackle Jared Odrick should help, but there’s leftover holes yet to be filled.</p> <p>Jaguars could surprise and win a few games, but they have the looks of one of the worst teams in the NFL once again.</p>. (3-13). . Jacksonville Jaguars

Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 31. team. 48. <p>The Buccaneers should be a lot more fun to watch next season with the #1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft in Jameis Winston throwing deep balls to big wideouts Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson down the field. However, ultimately, they’ll also have to experience the growing pains of a rookie quarterback as well. If former first round pick Doug Martin can regain some of his prior rookie form, the Buccaneers figure to put up some points with a balanced offensive attack.</p> <p>Nevertheless, the defense could still use some work, and it appears the Buccaneers did the majority of their heavy lifting on the offensive side this offseason. With Winston just a rookie and a defense clearly still in transition under head coach Lovie Smith, this Buccaneers team figures to be “fun”, but not necessarily all that “competitive”. </p>. (3-13).

. Tennessee Titans. 30. team. 35. <p>It’s the Marcus Mariota era in the Music City, as the team selected former Oregon Ducks standout quarterback with the 2nd overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mariota should add excitement to a franchise that has really lacked it since Steve McNair and Eddie George roamed the field.</p> <p>The offense is solid, yet unspectacular as there are some proven weapons to surround Mariota like wideout Kendall Wright and tight end Delanie Walker. However, with a defense that surrendered 27.4 points per game last season, the Titans figure to lose in most shootouts. Mariota is only a rookie after all, and the Titans lack elite playmakers and a feature running back, where young running back Bishop Sankey hasn’t exactly impressed.</p> <p>The addition of highly regarded defensive mastermind in coach Dick LeBeau should help a defense that really struggled last season, as should the free agent additions of pass rusher Brian Orakpo (pending health) and safety Da’Norris Searcy. Yet, this still feels like a defense that is at least one more year away from potentially putting it all together. The Titans figure to be better than the Jaguars, but not many other NFL teams. </p>. (4-12)

Oakland Raiders. 29. team. 28. <p>The members of the Blackhole ultimately filled one by drafting Alabama’s Amari Cooper at wideout with the 4th overall pick. The sure-handed and smooth playmaker should provide Raiders quarterback Derek Carr with a go-to target on the outside and the potential makings of an elite quarterback to wide receiver combination in time. The Raiders also added former 49ers wideout Michael Crabtree, who’s starting to look more like a broken down version of Hakeem Nicks than the explosive wideout that once played at Texas Tech.</p> <p>If Latavius Murray can stay healthy, he has the makings of a potential force at running back to provide the Raiders offense some much needed balance. However, that’s still a big if, as Murray has never been a featured running back for the Raiders in his 3-year career. His speed and athleticism isn’t in question, just his durability.</p> <p>Outside of former top pick Khalil Mack, the Raiders defense doesn’t have many playmakers. It’s a defense that allowed the league’s most points last season at 28.2 points per game, and it appears there’s still a lot of work to be done on that side of the football. Adding ex-Cardinals nose tackle Dan Williams should help plug up the run, but the Raiders could ultimately be on the losing end of more shootouts come 2015.</p>. (5-11).

<p>The Cleveland Browns appear to be one of the teams, who may actually take a step back in 2015. While the team features a strong running game with the likes of Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West, and rookie Duke Johnson behind a power blocking offense line, their starting quarterback position may be the worst in the league. A 36 year old Josh McCown and unpolished Johnny Manziel do little to inspire much confidence behind center.</p> <p>Still, this defense is a tough unit and plays the gritty way the members of the Dawg Pound will enjoy. The team drafted Washington’s Danny Shelton to play nose tackle to shore up their run defense. With playmakers like Joe Haden and Donte Whitner in their secondary, this defense is a solid all-around unit.</p> <p>If the offense can keep the turnovers to a minimum, the Browns figure to be plenty competitive with a strong running game and defense. However, they’re really a competent starting quarterback away from being a potential playoff team, and that’s clearly the difference here.</p>. (5-11). . Cleveland Browns. 28. team. 53

Chicago Bears. 27. team. 57. <p>The Chicago Bears will go as far as starting quarterback Jay Cutler can take them, which by all indications isn’t all that far anymore. Maybe new head coach John Fox can untap into Cutler’s big arm and potential, but that remains to be seen. Once the Monsters of the Midway, it’s now the Bears offense that is their meal ticket featuring playmakers like Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett, and top rookie pick Kevin White.</p> <p>However, the Bears defense needs a ton of work. There’s not much young talent on this side of the football, and they’re counting on a number of aging veterans. The team is trying to successfully transition to a 3-4 defense and will get some help with the addition of ex-Ravens standout pass rusher Pernell McPhee. However, until Fox can solidify this defensive unit, which surrendered the 2nd most points in the league last season at 27.6 points per game, they look to be trending toward the bottom of the NFL. Especially, when one factors in Cutler’s career long up-and-down play.</p>. (6-10).

42. <p><em>Oh, how the mighty have fallen.</em></p> <p>The 49ers are one season removed from playing in the NFC Championship game, a win away from making their 2nd consecutive Super Bowl appearance. However, with Jim Harbaugh leaving for Michigan, as well as the loss of some highly regarded veteran players like Patrick Willis, Frank Gore, Justin Smith, and Mike Iupati, the 49ers may have lost their once heralded smashmouth identity.</p> <p>While starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s star still shines, it’s seemingly not as bright as it was say a season or two ago. He still possesses tremendous speed and athleticism with a rocket arm, but has to prove he can become better in the pocket and not just a one-read passer. Adding a deep threat like ex-Ravens wideout Torrey Smith should help his cause and further complement possession wide receiver Anquan Boldin on the outside. However, the 49ers have to find a way to get tight end Vernon Davis back on track, who’s coming off a disappointing 2 touchdown reception season.</p> <p>The 49ers will turn it over to Carlos Hyde and Reggie Bush in the running game, who should form a rather effective running back platoon. However, it’ll be a lot different than watching longtime powerback Frank Gore running between the tackles.</p> <p>The 49ers defense figures to take a step back in 2015. Adding a first round freak like Oregon’s Arik Armstead should help infuse young talent along the defensive line, but the 49ers lost arguably two All-Pros at ILB in Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, who both shockingly retired this offseason. Not to mention, the hole created by the retirement of veteran leader Justin Smith.</p> <p>With a new and unproven head coach in Jim Tomsula and missing familiar faces, this 49ers team simply looks and feels different, and it’s not necessarily for the best heading into 2015. </p>. (6-10). . San Francisco 49ers. 25. team