Who's ready for the Combine? I can't wait to see how everybody does. That said, I really, really, really can't wait for the draft to see how all of the teams try to build up their foundations or place the finishing touches on a championship caliber roster. I think that as of right now, I can figure out the state of the NFL and how teams will probably do.

State of the NFL Address
Fellow fans, I present you with my rankings of every team's standing right now, and the direction I project them to move in. I will make fans of 16 different teams angry with me, and fans of 16 other teams happy with me, and will probably leave countless others scratching their heads. That said, Free Agency hasn't happened yet, and this is really just idle entertainment.

NFC North:

Green Bay Packers: Trending DOWN
This team will still be more than capable of winning a super bowl, and is a lock to be a top-10 squad this upcoming year (Aaron Rodgers is incredible), but the squad as a whole doesn't seem to be getting younger. Their team is slowly aging and I just don't think they will do anything incredible in free agency in the draft. Once again, they are more than capable of winning games (and potentially a super bowl), but I don't see their team getting any better.

Minnesota Vikings: Trending DOWN
This much is clear. The Vikings line is crappy. They have a huge question mark at running back. They have Sam Bradford as their QB. Bradford isn't awful, but I don't think he is a playoff quarterback. He can start games, and he won't be a huge liability, but he won't carry the team on his shoulders, either. This makes it more dangerous that they don't have a legit RB anymore. Even if they bring Peterson back, I don't think he can carry the team on his shoulders like he has in the past. The Vikings have a bunch of nice receivers, but no great receivers. Their defense has been great at times, but I don't like how it crumbled at times this last season. This team is clearly trending downward until they can get an "it" factor on offense - either a franchise QB (don't think Teddy B will be a franchise QB after this devastating injury, and he wasn't a world beater beforehand), a franchise bell-cow RB, or a Julio Jones-level receiver. If the Vikings had stuck it out with Shaun Hill and maybe Mark Sanchez, they would be in a position to draft Leonard Fournette and get their AD of the future, which would make them a contender again.

Detroit Lions: Trending UP
This team really doesn't have a ton of holes. I expect their running game to be better next year with both Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick back, and then signing someone like Andre Ellington in free agency (who will provide similar value and give them another running back of that specific type). They can get another CB and then upgrade their pass rush in the draft. I think this team will be in the playoffs as a wild card team next year.

Chicago Bears: Trending UP
The Bears are going to have a franchise QB within the next two years, and possibly within the next two months. I don't think this draft has an "it" factor QB out the gate, or any Andrew Luck/Jameis Winston prospects, but if they decide not to go with a QB this year and John Fox somehow keeps his job, they can get one of the many good-looking signal callers in next year's draft. Their defense is quickly becoming dangerous, and they won't be losing much with Alshon Jeffrey anyways. Jeffrey hasn't been able to stay on the field for the past two years, and the team wasn't able to count on him. Look for the Bears to be in the playoffs soon.

AFC North:

Cleveland Browns: Trending UP
Can this team trend down? Is it even possible? Given that they are the Cleveland Browns... yes. They can always get worse. Still, they are in an amazing position this year with 2 1st rounders, 2 2nd rounders, and 2 3rd rounders. #1 overall will net them with most likely a world-changing Myles Garrett. #33 is basically a 1st rounder, too. The team suddenly has a good receiving corps, (Terrell Pryor is a stud, and Corey Williams is going to improve) with the opportunity to improve their team greatly in the draft and free agency. They will be getting a nucleus soon, and Hue Jackson is going to make the Browns great again.
Or they'll do what they've done in recent memory. Zero wins in 2017, maybe? At least they can get Sam Darnold at that point. Provided they don't draft http://walterfootball.com/draft2018FB.php Dimitri Flowers, the FB for Oklahoma a #1 overall next year. I'm only kidding. I hope.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Trending DOWN
This team is going to lose Big Ben soon. LeVeon Bell is great when he's on the field, but he can't always make it to the gridiron. Antonio Brown was reported to have stirred up some trouble in the locker room this season, but he is in my opinion the best receiver in the NFL (better as a technical receiver than Julio) and was just locked down with a big contract. Ladarius Green should be good if he ever plays. They should just draft Hingle McCringleberry and get that franchise TE to replace Heath Miller. Seriously, though, the Steelers are aging and the best "Big 3" combo in the NFL right now may not be able to stick together beyond this upcoming season. They'll still be either Wildcard or Divisional Champs, provided injuries don't strike again.

Cincinnati Bengals: Trending DOWN
The Bengals have lost many key cogs (Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Hue Jackson, Reggie Nelson, Leon Hall, soon to be Andrew Whitworth, Kevin Zeitler) between the past two years. Their offensive line will need to be rebuilt, as will their secondary, and the wide receiver position beyond A.J Green. That's not even including any needs they already have. They had a real shot at contending in 2015-16, but now their team is falling apart.

Baltimore Ravens: Trending UP
The Ravens also have a quietly complete roster, and are trending upward by default, just because the Steelers and Bengals are trending down more quickly within the division. Flacco isn't an elite QB, but he is one of the better starters in the league and isn't an old man yet. They should be able to replace Steve Smith in this year's very deep draft class, and if they feel like it, they can address RB, too. See, they have the luxury to address those needs right after they take a shot at CB and LB in the draft, and some good options should still be available at RB and WR in rounds 3-4.

That's it for today, folks. In the next edition, we'll review the positions for teams in both East Divisions, and once we're done reviewing every team's position, we can move on to MOCK DRAFTS. Also, we should have a better view of teams' drafting situations at that point with free agency over.