The latest post-free agency NFL Power Rankings are out from ESPN and the Chiefs come in at No. 8 overall and fourth best among AFC teams.
Despite the fact that the Kansas City Chiefs swept the Oakland Raiders and had the No. 2 overall seed in the AFC in 2016, they remain the fourth highest-rated AFC team in the latest post-free agency NFL power rankings from ESPN. The Chiefs come in at No. 8 overall, giving each conference four teams in the top 8 overall.
The Chiefs return the bulk of the roster that finished so well last season and swept the AFC West, going 6-0 in the process against the Raiders, Denver Broncos (rated at No. 10 overall) and Los Angeles Chargers (rated at No. 25 overall). While the Raider are certainly an ascending team, they still have considerable holes in places on the roster, especially on the defensive side. As for the Chiefs, they aren’t getting the respect they deserve despite the strong showing last season.
"The Chiefs had to move on from all-time leading rusher Jamaal Charles this offseason. Kansas City gets strong rushing contributions from quarterback Alex Smith and receiver Tyreek Hill, but the running backs group will miss Charles. Chiefs running backs ranked 25th in rushing yards last season."
Clearly it’s going to take more noise in the playoffs for the Chiefs to be respected at the next level. Strong showings in the regular season will only get a team so far in the conversation among the league’s elite. The Raiders have youth on their side, which always gets analysts aiming for the ceiling instead of being entirely realistic. The return of Derek Carr from injury is likely what fuels the Raiders spot at No. 7, but it will be interesting to see how the team deals with their ongoing move (and perhaps even a temporary move to San Antonio between long-term stops in Oakland and Las Vegas).
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