Colin Cowherd’s Hierarchy of Contenders: Unpacking the Top 10 and a Shocking Theory on the Cleveland Browns

The air is thick with anticipation as the NFL season looms, a time when predictions are bold, and every team holds a glimmer of Super Bowl hope. It’s in this fertile ground of speculation that seasoned sports commentator Colin Cowherd has planted his flag, releasing his much-anticipated pre-season “Herd Hierarchy.” In a detailed breakdown, Cowherd has meticulously ranked the top 10 teams he believes are poised for greatness, offering a blend of sharp analysis, veteran insight, and a few surprising placements that are sure to ignite debate across the league. But beyond the rankings, it was his incisive and controversial theory about the Cleveland Browns that truly sent shockwaves through the football world, suggesting a strategy that prioritizes a future prize over immediate success.

At the base of his top ten, Cowherd places the Detroit Lions, a team that captured the hearts of many last season. However, he tempers expectations, citing the significant loss of both of their esteemed coordinators and key offensive linemen as a major hurdle. “The division has gotten better,” Cowherd notes, a subtle warning to the Honolulu Blue faithful that a repeat of last year’s heroics is far from guaranteed. Just ahead of them, at number nine, are the Green Bay Packers. Despite a quiet training camp and quarterback Jordan Love’s divisional struggles last year, Cowherd acknowledges the upgrades to their receiving corps and offensive line as reasons for cautious optimism.

Climbing to the eighth spot are the Los Angeles Rams. Cowherd confesses they have the potential to be much higher, but the specter of a Matthew Stafford injury looms large, casting a shadow over their Super Bowl aspirations. He praises their “smart, aggressive defense” as the cornerstone of their potential success. The Washington Commanders slide in at number seven, a team Cowherd likes but sees as having a capped ceiling. He points to a “tough schedule” and a nebulous “Terry McLaurin vibe” as sources of concern, ultimately concluding that an NFC Championship appearance is likely out of reach.

The Seattle Seahawks land at number six, a testament to what Cowherd sees as a franchise on the rise, thanks to a series of impressive drafts. He anticipates a run-heavy offense, bolstered by an improved offensive line and a fortified defense. In a particularly interesting aside, he suggests that newly acquired quarterback Sam Darnold could emerge as a “better version of Geno Smith,” a bold prediction that could have significant implications for the NFC West.

Entering the top five, we find the perennial contenders, the Kansas City Chiefs. While acknowledging their championship pedigree and brilliant coaching staff, Cowherd introduces a note of caution. He points to an aging tight end group, a tougher division, and the looming uncertainty of Rashee Rice’s potential suspension as factors that could temper their dominance. Just ahead of them, in a move that might surprise some, are the Denver Broncos at number four. Cowherd is high on their offseason additions of “elite players” and believes their defense will remain a formidable force. He emphasizes the importance of their young talent having another year to develop under Sean Payton’s system, suggesting a significant leap forward is imminent.

The top three represent what Cowherd views as the league’s true titans. The Baltimore Ravens, at number three, earn his praise as one of the “best-run organizations” in sports. He lauds their ability to excel in all facets of the game—offense, defense, special teams, and culture. However, he doesn’t shy away from their Achilles’ heel: a recent history of playoff disappointments. At number two, the Buffalo Bills are powered by the sheer force of nature that is Josh Allen, whom Cowherd anoints as “the world’s best football player.” He expects them to dominate their division but notes that their overall roster may not be as deep as those of Baltimore or Philadelphia.

And at the pinnacle of the Herd Hierarchy, the Philadelphia Eagles stand alone. Cowherd is unequivocal in his assessment, highlighting their remarkably young and cost-effective defense from a year ago. He sees a franchise that does everything well, from the front office to the quarterback and the all-important offensive line. The addition of running back Saquon Barkley is described as pouring “jet fuel” onto an already blazing fire, making the Eagles the team to beat in his expert opinion.

However, the most provocative segment of Cowherd’s analysis was reserved for a team that didn’t even crack his top ten: the Cleveland Browns. He seized upon the unusual and seemingly illogical decision for the team to potentially carry four quarterbacks on their active roster. To Cowherd, this wasn’t just a quirky roster management choice; it was a flashing red light, a signal that the team’s front office, and specifically owner Jimmy Haslam, is not fully committed to winning in the present.

“This is a sign,” Cowherd declared, “that the team is not prioritizing winning today.” He meticulously laid out his argument, explaining that in the salary-capped world of the NFL, every single roster spot is precious. To dedicate four of those spots to quarterbacks—three of whom would be inactive on game day—is to intentionally weaken the rest of the roster. It means fewer special teams contributors, less depth on the offensive and defensive lines, and fewer playmakers at the skill positions. For a team that many already consider to have a “weak roster,” this is a move that defies conventional wisdom.

Cowherd’s theory delves deeper, suggesting a long-term play that borders on the conspiratorial. He posits that this move is a subtle form of “tanking,” a way to ensure the team underperforms without explicitly telling players or coaches to lose. Why? The ultimate prize, he suggests, is a shot at a future generational talent, specifically mentioning Texas quarterback Arch Manning as a potential target in a future draft class. By making decisions that don’t prioritize short-term winning, Cowherd argues, Haslam could be strategically positioning the franchise to be bad enough to secure a top draft pick, thereby landing a potential franchise savior. It’s a damning accusation that paints a picture of a franchise willing to sacrifice the present for a speculative future, a tough pill for any dedicated fanbase to swallow. This move, in Cowherd’s eyes, makes an already vulnerable roster even weaker, sending a clear message that the 2025 season may be a means to an end, rather than an end in itself.