Ranking AFC teams after first wave of NFL free agency: Chiefs lead way, Broncos improve after key additions

The first week of free agency is officially in the books, so where do things stand in the NFL today? We saw Milton Williams sign the biggest deal in free agency with a $104 million contract from the New England Patriots, the quarterback carousel took an aggressive spin with Geno Smith being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders while Sam Darnold took his spot with the Seattle Seahawks and DeAndre Hopkins teamed up with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.

How would you rank the AFC if the 2025 season began today? Are the Kansas City Chiefs still the top dog, or did another contender like the Buffalo Bills overtake them? Let’s rank the AFC from 16-1 after the first wave of free agency.

16. Cleveland Browns

Key additions: DT Maliek Collins, QB Kenny Pickett
Key losses: DT Dalvin Tomlinson

The Browns went 3-14 last year and may be without Deshaun Watson for the 2025 season. Watson clearly has struggled since leaving H-Town, but Pickett probably isn’t the long-term answer in Cleveland, either. The Browns finding a way to keep Myles Garrett was the headline of their offseason thus far, but he doesn’t make the Browns a Super Bowl contender by himself. The big question for Cleveland is who will play quarterback this year? Is it Russell Wilson, or Shedeur Sanders? Kirk Cousins?!

15. Tennessee Titans

Key additions: LT Dan Moore Jr., LB Cody Barton, S Xavier Woods, OG Kevin Zeitler
Key losses: EDGE Harold Landry, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, LB Kenneth Murray

The Titans weren’t expected to be active in free agency after their 2024 spending spree landed them the No. 1 overall pick in this upcoming draft. Tennessee made the interesting decision to sign Moore away from Pittsburgh, and push former No. 7 overall pick JC Latham over to right tackle. Even if you hate the Moore contract, landing veteran Zeitler should make Titans fans feel better about the offensive line as a whole. Tennessee also lost Westbrook-Ikhine to the Miami Dolphins, who caught nine touchdowns last season, and released veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. The Titans still have plenty of needs to address, starting with quarterback. Maybe that comes in the form of Cam Ward, which is why I’ll put Tennessee above Cleveland … for now.