Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: Final 32-team breakdown ahead of the 2018 draft

By Peter Panacy

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) A detailed view of the pick is in for the #1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) A detailed view of the pick is in for the #1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 31: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on from the sidelines during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 31: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on from the sidelines during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

48. . . Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 17. team

Wow! A climb from No. 28 to 17th in our NFL power rankings. What the heck did the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do?

For starters, they’re better than the 5-11 record we saw last season. Plus, all those injuries the Bucs suffered in 2017 shouldn’t repeat themselves. And if Tampa Bay is lucky, the passing offense will finally click between quarterback Jameis Winston, tight end O.J. Howard and wide receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson.

A beefed-up offensive line should help matters too. If the Buccaneers can land a running back in this year’s NFL Draft, even better.

After finishing last year with the fewest sacks in the league (22), they also brought in defenders Vinny Curry and Jason Pierre-Paul. They won’t rank dead last again, although the pass rush could still use some additional help.

The NFC South is a tough division right now, although Tampa Bay is in good position to shake things up a bit this year.