All 32 NFL teams graded on their five-year potential
By Daniel
C GRADES:
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys: (Arrow Down)
The Cowboys have been mediocre for four years, not reaching the playoffs since 2009. With an aging quarterback things aren’t going to get any easier over the next five seasons. Quarterback Tony Romo is who he is; he’s not going to change. He’ll bring Dallas some big wins and then cost them some big wins. Over the next five years the Cowboys will be lucky to grab a wildcard spot in the playoffs even once. Their defense is depleted and they need to rebuild with some young talent. Running back Demarco Murrary and wide receiver Dez Bryant are definitely this team’s bright spots.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texas: (Arrow Up)
Houston was on the verge of becoming a powerhouse team after making the playoffs in 2011 and 2012, but then fell off the map in 2013 winning only two games. Ryan Fitzpartrick is not the quarterback the Texans are going to build their team around, so look for them to make a change at that department — Ryan Mallet may get a chance as early as this season. They feature decent talent at the skill positions, with Arian Foster at running back and Andre Johnson at wide receiver. But as the next five years unfold they won’t be in their prime anymore. J.J. Watt is a monster at defensive end, if they bounce back he’ll be one of the biggest reasons why.
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Kansas City Chiefs: (Arrow Level)
Was the Chiefs’ 2013 season an apparition? Kansas City appears to be playing back at the level of the pre-Andy Reid era early in the 2014 season. That said, it’s early and his team has a chance to be very competitive, even this year. They have a quality game manager at quarterback and one of the best running backs in the game in Jamaal Charles. I do not see the Chiefs making a serious run at the championship over the next five years, but I do see them playing some quality ball under Reid. Then again in 2013 they put together an impressive winning streak, so maybe they could make another run at some point.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers: (Arrow Down)
The Steelers have missed the playoffs for consecutive years for the first time since 1999-2000. It’s not going to get much better for them over the next five. Ben Roethlisberger will continue to win games for this team, but the defense just isn’t what it used to be. Troy Polamalu is aging and the front seven isn’t as intimidating as it’s been for quite some time. Le’Veon Bell is a good running back, but he can only do so much. There isn’t another weapon opposite Antonio Brown for Roethlisberger to work with, either. Maybe they’ll fill some holes, but this team isn’t going to be adding to its record six Lombardi Trophies over the next five years.
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego Chargers: (Arrow Level)
No longer am I letting the Chargers fool me into thinking that ‘this is the year they’ll get over the hump and make it to the Super Bowl.’ They are who they are and I see no reason why that will change over the next few years. Philip Rivers is a very good quarterback, but he’s not an elite winner. Ryan Matthews is a good running back, but he can’t stay healthy. Their defense isn’t daunting and tight end Antonio Gates is getting up there in age. This is a decent team, but they just aren’t destined for postseason success — not in the last five years and not in the next.
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Titans: (Arrow Up)
The Titans look like they’ve found a real leader in quarterback Jake Locker, which is great news for Tennessee fans. The team from the country music capital of the world hasn’t made the playoffs since 2008. They seem to be a team on the rise and just need to find some consistency at the skill positions. If the Titans can add a couple playmakers for Locker to be able to use in this offense, they could surprise people over the next few years. Maybe Locker will be the quarterback to finally bring a Super Bowl to the Titans franchise, if not they should at least be more competitive over the next five seasons.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Washington “Redskins”: (Arrow Up)
Washington is a hard team to figure out and its future even more so. Will starting quarterback Robert Griffin III ever be able to stay healthy? Will Kirk Cousins lead the franchise to success in RGIII’s absence? Regardless this team’s development has been severely affected by injury. That said, I gave Washington an arrow up because it does possess a talented roster and if RGIII could stay healthy in a couple years it could be an extremely dangerous squad. Alfred Morris at running back is the real deal and it’s defense is pretty strong. Still I don’t see Washington taking home rings in the next five years.