The point where NFL contenders part ways with weaker teams has arrived. The narratives around the two types of teams turn away in December. The first focuses on entering the playoffs on a high. The latter discusses the proposed order and the changes to be made in the off-season.
No matter where a team falls on this spectrum, it all starts and ends in the same place: the NFL Draft. For most suitors, it’s easy to point to this three-day weekend as a turning point in a franchise’s fortunes. Underperforming teams can look forward to the hope that comes with a strong draft class.
Rookies taken in April who make key contributions are featured in the power rankings below. These rankings are not based on statistical performance but rather on overall play. Without further ado, here is the cumulative regular season rookie standings after Week 13:
