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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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CARSON, CA – AUGUST 20: Coach Anthony Lynn (L) of the Los Angeles Chargers complains to head linesman Tom Symonette during the second half of a preseason football game against New Orleans Saints at the StubHub Center August 20, 2017, in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – AUGUST 20: Coach Anthony Lynn (L) of the Los Angeles Chargers complains to head linesman Tom Symonette during the second half of a preseason football game against New Orleans Saints at the StubHub Center August 20, 2017, in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

team. 13. . . Previous: . Los Angeles Chargers. 10

The Los Angeles Chargers stay put in our NFL power rankings largely due to the fact they weren’t overly active in free agency but still have a lot of potency on both sides of the ball.

Heck, if it weren’t for some bad luck at the beginning of 2017, the Chargers likely would have been a playoff team a year ago. And with quarterback Philip Rivers still performing at a high level, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them in the same discussion this year.

Rivers’ offensive line was bolstered by the addition of center Mike Pouncey, and the Chargers will get back a fully healthy Forrest Lamp at offensive guard after he missed all of last year.

But L.A.’s biggest strengths are on defense, where pass-rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram combine to give the Chargers one of the scariest pass defenses in the league right now.

Simply put, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Chargers take over the AFC West, which would be a nice change after they were largely considered the basement-dwellers here the past few years.

Maybe that will help fill some seats at the StubHub Center.