After much anticipation, the 2023 NFL regular season will kick off on Thursday, Sept. 7, when the Detroit Lions travel to face the reigning champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. While most eyes are on the playoff picture throughout the 18-week season, the top half of the NFL Draft is also decided based on regular-season records.
Here are my predictions for which teams will make up the top 10 picks in the 2024 draft.
No. 1: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals look like the weakest team in football heading into the regular season, and with every day, it seems like there is a lower chance that Kyler Murray steps on the field in the next 17 games. Getting the first overall pick would be an awkward situation for Arizona, who would have to choose whether or not to draft University of Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams.
No. 2: Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans)
The Cardinals have impressive odds of ending up with the No. 1 and 2 picks in the 2024 draft as a result of the Will Anderson Jr. trade. Despite getting Anderson and C.J. Stroud as franchise players in the previous draft, the Texans are still a struggling roster. A bottom-tier division could result in more wins than some may expect, but the Texans’ pick should be in the top-five once again.
No. 3: Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers)
Carolina, like Houston, got their quarterback of the future in the 2023 Draft. Bryce Young is special, which is why he went first overall, but the supporting cast around him is not ideal. The Panthers are a young team and their time may come in the future, but that is years away. Expect the Panthers’ pick to be in the top 10 and, because of the Young trade, end up with the Bears.
No. 4: Indianapolis Colts
For the third straight pick, a team with a rookie franchise quarterback is on the clock. The Colts, perhaps more than the two previous teams, are in an awkward scenario right now due to Jonathan Taylor’s trade request. However, whether or not Taylor is on the roster after the deadline, Indianapolis’ situation with Anthony Richardson should stay the same. It is a developmental year for new head coach Shane Steichen’s team.
No. 5: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are a mysterious team this season. On one hand, the Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp connection is still alive (although who knows how well it is). On the other hand, much of the Rams’ depth chart looks thin, especially after the departing of trademark cornerback Jalen Ramsey. While Los Angeles could end up being a Wild Card-caliber team this season, I don’t think it will work out for the 2022 Super Bowl champions.
No. 6: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Now that the Tom Brady era in Tampa Bay is over, the Buccaneers’ quarterback situation is up in the air, with no immediate solution likely. While Baker Mayfield is the Week 1 starter and has a more than decent group of weapons around him, an unsuccessful season last year and a downgrade at quarterback indicate trouble for the Bucs. They may find themselves holding a top-10 pick come May.
No. 7: New England Patriots
The Patriots’ season is always hard to predict because of the Bill Belichick factor. However, Belichick’s roster is on the weaker side this year, and that may be shown in the tough AFC East. In a “prove-it” season for Mac Jones, it will take a lot to produce results that impress the organization and fanbase. With the hardest schedule in the NFL, New England takes another step back and drafts in the top 10 for the first time since 2008.
No. 8: Chicago Bears
Chicago may have some hope this season with Justin Fields emerging, especially now that he has an established No. 1 wide receiver in D.J. Moore. The franchise also did some work in free agency. However, the Bears are not in the playoff race just yet. While heading in the right direction, Chicago will likely have their own pick in the top 10 yet again.
No. 9: Las Vegas Raiders
The new vision in Las Vegas under head coach Josh McDaniels did not go to plan last year. The franchise has now undergone a starting quarterback switch, but it doesn’t seem like that will provide an upgrade at the position. The Raiders have plenty of talent on their roster — including Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams, and Maxx Crosby — but I feel as if expectations will exceed the outcome.
No. 10: Tennessee Titans
The Titans seem to be regressing by the minute as their core gets older. The roster could be in for a reset during or after this season, especially with young quarterbacks Malik Willis and Will Levis lingering in the depth chart. An easy division could allow them a better season than potentially earned, but I still think picking in the early part of the draft is likely for Tennessee.
Main Image Credit:
