New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - NFL.com/News NFL Power Rankings: New Orleans Saints on top after 2019 draft

That makes 53.

No, I'm not talking about roster size here -- we're months away from franchises having to whittle active participants down to that number. This past weekend marked the 53rd annual college marketplace since the AFL and NFL combined the process. Prior to 1967, professional football's prospect gold rush was the Wild West, with two leagues separately vying for players' services outside of the public eye. Now it's streamlined corporate event meets oversized 32-frat party, with wall-to-wall media coverage across America.

With this fresh influx of talent into each organization, figuring out the league hierarchy gets tricky. Yet, I've endeavored to do just that below. Try to remember that, despite the sea of draft grades and hype, most of these players won't contribute much this year.

None of that is meant to disparage what was an intriguing three-day watch. The 2019 NFL Draft provided plenty of intrigue, with a bevy of first-round surprises and an unprecedented trading frenzy, as the weekend included an NFL-record 40 draft-day deals. One of those transactions, of course, saw a top-10 pick from just last year already landing in a new spot. Classy move on that video, Josh. Speaking of video ...

I don't think anyone realizes the madness of the salary cap era. On-point tweetage. Enjoy Bill's work, btw.

Despite the buzz created when they took Daniel Jones at No. 6, the Giants didn't move much in this pecking-order update. Should they have? How about your team? Send your thoughts along: @HarrisonNFL is the place.

Let the dissension commence!

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RANK
1
SAINTS 1
Previous rank: No. 2

The Saints ... are ... the ... top ... team ... in ... the ... league. Let that sink in, because it ain't changin'. Well, for now. I'm aware that New Orleans didn't own a first-round pick, but that didn't matter. Since the last time out for these Power Rankings, New Orleans added tight end Jared Cook, whom the Patriots reportedly wanted to "replace" Gronk. All of the newly minted rookies in the NFL represent a collective unknown; meanwhile, this New Orleans roster is top-shelf. By the way, the Saints still produced a quality draft haul despite the lack of picks, starting with the real McCoy at center.

RANK
2
PATRIOTS 1
Previous rank: No. 1

The Patriots surprised more than a few folks by tabbing N'Keal Harry to be their big wideout outside with the No. 32 overall pick. Call him the Josh Gordon placeholder for now. The need was real, as is the Arizona State star's talent. No matter how well this 2019 class turns out, New England was bound for a downswing with the exit of Rob Gronkowski. Speculating about draft picks is super fun, but expecting any of these kids at this point to find their way into Gronk's area code as a player will put you in the funny farm.

Championship pick: Joejuan Williams (No. 45 overall), a player cut from the Otis Smith mold -- he of the 2001 Pats team. Lots of big receivers in this draft. Huge corner here.

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