One national outlet's power rankings say the Arizona Cardinals are only slightly better than they were before the draft.
CBS Sports NFL analyst Pete Prisco ranked the teams post-draft and he has the Cardinals slotted at 20th, up two places from his previous rankings, which were done before the draft.
Here’s what Prisco wrote: “They added much-needed help on the defensive line in free agency and the draft, led by edge rusher Josh Sweat and first-round defensive tackle Walter Nolen. That should help the defense make strides in 2025.”
The ranking is a surprise, maybe even worse. Arizona's draft and free-agent moves have been widely praised. No one expected the Cardinals to move into the top 10 of anyone’s rankings, but 20th seems too low. If there is a bright spot -- the Cardinals moved upward, not backward. Small steps, as they say.
Such rankings aren’t done in a vacuum. Where the Cardinals rank starts with where they stood in the pre-draft evaluation. Mix in the draft, the reviewer’s preconceived notions, and other teams’ drafts, and here you go.
What about the Cardinals’ ranking?
Are you happy with the ranking, Cardinals fans? Is it fair? Accurate?
Early May is when most teams are thought to have a solid draft class, and every team believes in the guys they drafted. The Cardinals, too, and that's not because of the kind of overselling teams do immediately after the draft ends. Most national draft evaluators universally acknowledge that Arizona had a successful draft.
Coming off an 8-9 season — after a four-win season in 2023 — the Cardinals’ offseason has trended upward. In 2024, 16 teams finished with a better record than Arizona, and three teams matched its 8-9 mark. Being ranked 20th matches the math, at least in the standings.
The rest of the NFC West, ranked
Two NFC West teams were the most volatile in the rankings. The 49ers improved nine spots, and the Seahawks dropped 11 spots. Each was the most movement in Prisco’s rankings.
The Rams are the NFC West’s highest-ranked team at No. 8, an improvement of one spot. The Rams won the NFC West with a 10-7 record in 2024.
The 49ers, hampered by injuries last season, made a big move from 23rd to 14th. “They have to stay healthy, but this is a team that still has stars on both sides of the ball,” Prisco wrote. San Francisco was 6-11 last season.
The Seahawks’ ranking was 27, down from 16. Prisco’s main concern was that the signing of quarterback Sam Darnold to replace Geno Smith was a step backward. Seattle was 10-7 last season and missed the playoffs.
In all, Prisco ranked 16 teams higher, 12 lower and four stayed the same.
Prisco’s top two teams were last season’s Super Bowl teams — the Eagles are No. 1 and the Chiefs are No. 2.