ESPN Ranks 3-14 Team Dead Last in Early 2025 NFL Power Rankings

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Feb 11, 2025 6:00 AM ET

When ranking NFL teams, there's a case to be made for several teams for which franchise deserves to bring up the rear.

Ten teams won five games or fewer in 2024, nearly a third of the league. Six of those ten teams (Tennessee, Cleveland, N.Y. Giants, Las Vegas, N.Y. Jets and New Orleans) don't have a long-term answer at quarterback. So in a quarterback-driven league, that puts them at an immediate disadvantage.

Of those six teams, who is the worst? According to ESPN's early edition NFL Power Rankings, the Tennessee Titans are slotted last, while the Kansas City Chiefs were placed No. 1 overall.

No. 1. Chiefs
No. 4. Eagles
No. 6. Commanders

With the 2024 NFL season officially over, how do all 32 teams stack up for 2025? Here's our early ranking for next season ⤵️ https://t.co/WcnjSJfwLt
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 10, 2025

"The Titans took a swing on Will Levis as their franchise quarterback. It didn't work," wrote Turron Davenport. "Now they must turn to a free agent or use the No. 1 pick in the draft on one of the top QBs. They could pursue a hybrid approach by signing a bridge quarterback and drafting someone who could learn behind the veteran.

"But that situation requires a special player who will allow their eventual replacement to take over. New general manager Mike Borgonzi saw it play out successfully through the Chiefs' Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes. Pulling off another successful quarterback selection process could restore the Titans to respectability."

On paper, the argument for the Titans as the league's worst team makes sense, considering they aren't thought to have a great defense like Cleveland has shown at times. If Myles Garrett is gone, how much would that affect the Browns' ranking?

The Giants are ranked 31st in ESPN's power rankings. Given New York's decision to retain head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, will they be given time after the 2025 NFL Draft to remedy their missteps far enough into the future?

Tennessee has the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling has the Titans selecting EDGE Abdul Carter out of Penn State in his latest NFL mock draft.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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