All 32 NFL teams graded on their five-year potential

A GRADES:

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Cincinnati Bengals: (Arrow Up)

The Bengals are in position to become one of the most highly competitive teams of the next five years in the NFL. Andy Dalton is developing into a phenomenal quarterback and his chemistry with one of the league’s top receivers, A.J. Green, is something special. Cincinnati has balance on offense though, as Giovani Bernard is becoming a quite good running back. This offense will only get better as it continues to evolve. But it’s the defense that should be getting Bengals fans excited. They have a great collection of unselfish role players that come together to form a solid defense. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have Geno Atkins, one of the league’s best defensive linemen, either. Look for this team to be a real force in the coming years.

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Buffalo Bills: (Arrow Up)

There is going to be a changing of the guard atop the AFC East. It had to happen eventually, teams can only be dominated for so long until they bring in the right players to fight back. The Bills have done exactly this and between the 2015-2019 seasons they’ll be a real force out of the AFC. EJ Manual is an exciting young quarterback that is developing nicely. Buffalo’s collection of skill position players is impressive, too. C.J. Spiller at running back and Sammy Watkins at wide receiver are going to be a lethal combination for years to come. While defensive end Mario Williams helps lead a Bills’ defense that has shown massive improvements. It’s going to be an exciting five years for Bills fans.

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Carolina Panthers: (Arrow Level)

The Panthers are going to be the flagship team of the NFC South for the next chunk of years. Their talent is undeniable and they’re young. Cam Newton is developing into a very good quarterback and his stock will only continue to rise. The Panthers boast what’s beginning to look like a truly dominant defense — led by Luke Kuechly at linebacker. Tight end Greg Olsen’s seemed to rekindle his career with Newtown throwing him the ball and rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin looks like he may develop into a great weapon on the outside. As the Saints continue to age the Panthers will take over as the top team in the division — Atlanta may still be quite competitive, though. If Carolina adds some more talent at the skill positions for Newton to work with do not be surprised if he has the Panthers in the Super Bowl before the 2020 season.

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Detroit Lions: (Arrow Up)

The Detroit Lions are like the schizophrenic cousin of the NFC North. At times they can look like a team that is going to win the Super Bowl and at other times they look like the 0-16 Lions of 2008. If you look just at talent, they may have the most in the division, but they lack that killer instinct that great teams have. Maybe new head coach Jim Caldwell will change the culture. His stoic mindset already seems to be paying dividends for the Lions. I could see them representing the NFC in the Super Bowl in the coming years if they add another piece or two. Matthew Stafford has a cannon for an arm and gets to throw to a future Hall of Fame inductee in Megatron — also known as Calvin Johnson. If Detroit’s defense can match its offense in skill in the near future and they can gain some consistency as a team, look out NFL.

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Green Bay Packers: (Arrow Level)

The team in the smallest market in the NFL has put together five consecutive impressive seasons, winning the division three times with one Super Bowl championship. Despite their rough start this year, they have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback — the most complete quarterback in Packers’ history. Green Bay always has a chance for a big season. The emergence of Eddie Lacy at running back should be the most exciting aspect of this team’s five year potential. They should have a balanced attack for the rest of Rodgers’ prime, as well as an incredible wide receiver duo in Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. The Packers just need to get their defense figured out, it’s certainly not elite, but it’s young and could return to its 2010 glory with any year now if the right player or scheme is brought in to compliment Clay Matthews. Will the Packers add to their record 13 World Championships in the next few years?

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Indianapolis Colts: (Arrow Up)

After Peyton Manning left Indianapolis the future looked bleak for the Colts. But Andrew Luck has come in and done a phenomenal job. He’s already one of the league’s best overall quarterbacks and he’s only in his third season. The Colts have secured double-digit wins in both of his first two seasons and don’t expect that trend to stop anytime soon. Indianapolis has a real chance to add a few championship banners to Lucas Oil Stadium’s collection before the 2020 season. As long as the Colts’ defense and running game stay even mediocre they’ll have a chance with Luck at the helm. He seems to be the type of player that can define a generation for a franchise. It’s even more impressive that he’s doing it following Peyton Manning while Manning is still playing at an MVP level. Luck has immense mental toughness. Don’t count on any other AFC South teams winning the division anytime soon.

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Philadelphia Eagles: (Arrow Up)

The birds from Philly are going to carry the NFC East through the next few years. They have the most talent in the division and a young quarterback that seems to be a big-time player in Nick Foles. LeSean McCoy will spend the prime of his career helping lead the Eagles to some more successful seasons. Will this be the bunch of players that leads Philadelphia to its first ever Super Bowl win? It’s certainly possible. The Eagles possess a great collection of linebackers in Mychal Kendricks, DeMeco Ryans, Trent Cole, and Connor Barwin and those players should keep this defense dangerous for the next few years. Head coach Chip Kelly’s schemes have been working and he may be regarded as one of the league’s top coaches in a few years. He’s an innovator and this team is buying in, look out NFC East, your leader for the next few seasons is in Philadelphia.

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Seattle Seahawks: (Arrow Level)

No other team in the NFL can claim that they are in the process of building a dynasty like the Seahawks can. Whether that will happen or not is yet to be seen, but they’ll be an incredibly talented squad for quite some time. Led by Russell Wilson at quarterback, an amazing defense (the Legion of Boom), and the 12th man — this franchise has some serious momentum. Head coach Pete Carroll seems to press all the right buttons at the right time for this squad. He has a real sense of what currently wins in the NFL and he has the talent to make it happen. They believe in him and believe in themselves and that’s a dangerous combination for opposing teams. The Seahawks’ arrow is level because they quite literally can’t get much more dominating than they currently are. It’s safe to say that they’ll be one of the top teams in the NFC through the 2020 season. Will they win another championship? That remains to be seen.

The grades are in. Did your team do as well in ‘Five-Year Potential 101’ as you hoped they would? If not don’t worry, there is still plenty of time for them to turn these grades around.