In consultation with former NFL GM Bill Polian, we pinpointed five categories essential to projecting the future of an NFL franchise: roster, quarterback, draft, front office and coaching staff. We then weighted each category according to its importance to success. (For a more detailed breakdown on each category and its weighting, see our methodology). Next, Polian stepped away to allow four of ESPN Insider's other NFL experts -- Mel Kiper, Trent Dilfer, Gary Horton and Matt Williamson -- to evaluate every franchise in each category as they project for the 2015 NFL season.
Will their evaluations flawlessly stand up in three years' time? In a league as fluid as the NFL, it is unlikely and we acknowledge that. But they do provide some interesting conclusions about what's truly important to succeeding on a perennial basis in the NFL, specifically the value of a franchise QB. And while some teams may experience a down year, the squads at the top of this list are well suited for sustained success over the long term. These ratings also provide a broad, well-informed outline of which teams are heading in the right direction, and which still have plenty of work to do before they climb into the ranks of Super Bowl contenders. So, how do our experts see the NFL stacking up in 2015? Take a look.
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The bar graphs reflect the average rating given by the voters for each category.
Category averages are weighted by importance to generate overall score.
Roster: With impact players on both sides of the ball, the high-scoring Packers may actually have more stars on defense than offense in three years. This is especially true among their front seven, led by DT B.J. Raji and OLB Clay Matthews. The Packers' WR group is aging and the run game is inconsistent, but the Packers will continue to find quality weapons for QB Aaron Rodgers. -- Gary Horton
Quarterback: Right now, Rodgers plays the position about as well as we've seen it played. He's also only 28. That said, is Green Bay comfortable with the current backup situation of Graham Harrell and B.J. Coleman? Matt Flynn's absence at least creates the question. -- Trent Dilfer
Draft: They worked hard to fix the front seven in the 2012 draft. How well they are able to draft pass-rushers will define the next few years, but this is an exceptional scouting department, in which finding great value is routine. -- Mel Kiper
Front office: GM Ted Thompson heads a very efficient scouting staff and he believes in building a team through the draft rather than spending a lot of money in free agency. What's more, they will often re-sign that in-house talent, utilizing the open market only to fill specific needs. It's a model that promotes enduring success. -- Horton
Coaching: This is a coaching staff with great experience and stability that combines a blue-collar work ethic with extreme attention to detail. Nobody in the NFL teaches basic fundamentals like this staff, headed by Mike McCarthy. They are creative and innovative on both sides of the ball, work well together and respect each other. This is a family atmosphere that coaches embrace and do not want to leave. -- Horton
To see which teams came out on top of the Insider's first NFL future power rankings -- and get access to the full series and the rest of ESPN Insider's NFL content -- become an Insider today.
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