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NFL Power Rankings: 2017 Pre-NFL Draft Look at All 32 Teams

By Peter Panacy

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Washington Redskins (8) prior to the game at Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Washington Redskins (8) prior to the game at Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Other teams might have worn the laughingstock moniker prior to this offseason. But that less-than-desirable accolade now goes to the Washington Redskins.

Yes, even the lowly Browns appear to know what direction they’re headed.

Not so with Washington. The team parted ways with general manager Scot McCloughan for shadowy reasons and also lost wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon via free agency.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins, retained on a franchise tag, doesn’t want to be there anymore. So all the signs are pointing towards a complete implosion in 2017.

Offensively, Cousins and Co. will have to make do without their former offensive coordinator, Sean McVay, who jettisoned for the Rams’ head-coaching gig. And they’ll be without two top-tier receiving targets.

But the main focus will be on defense, where a number of key members are needed within the front seven.

Unless the Redskins can find these pieces via the NFL Draft, 2017 might wind up being a long season in Washington. And it wouldn’t be a shock to see the team fall drastically in NFL power rankings.