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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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ENGLEWOOD, CO – JANUARY 12: Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway fields questions from the media during a press conference to introduce Vance Josepf as the new head coach at the Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre on January 12, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO – JANUARY 12: Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway fields questions from the media during a press conference to introduce Vance Josepf as the new head coach at the Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre on January 12, 2017 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

45. . . Previous: . Denver Broncos. 26. team

Bringing aboard former Vikings quarterback, and 2017 hero, Case Keenum is the reason why the Denver Broncos move up a few spots in our NFL power rankings.

Keenum is an upgrade over anything the Broncos fielded under center a year ago, and that could prove to be a massive difference in the hard-to-understand AFC West this season. But Keenum is 30 years old and never had a campaign close to what he enjoyed with Minnesota. So, was last year a mere anomaly? Or is Keenum simply a “late bloomer?”

A guess would have general manager John Elway still eyeing a future quarterback in this year’s NFL Draft, where the Broncos are slated to pick at No. 5.

That said, Denver’s defense took a bit of a step backwards after parting ways with cornerback Aqib Talib.

Still, it’s likely the defense will be asked to shoulder a lot this season. The question will be whether or not it’s up to the task.