Breaking, 2024 NFL Draft order: Shake-up in top five; Vikings, Bengals biggest climbers
Dec 25, 2023 at 11:49 PM
This is a look at the first-round order for the 2024 NFL Draft heading into Week 17 of the 2023 NFL season, along with the top five needs for each team. The order is determined by record, using strength of schedule as the first tiebreaker (click here to see a full list of the draft-order tiebreakers). Keep in mind — teams that would make the playoffs if the season ended today are marked as PL (short for playoffs) in the order below. The draft order for playoff teams is determined by the results of postseason play.
Panthers’ record: 2-13 (.520 strength of schedule)
Panthers’ Week 17 opponent: at Jaguars
Bears’ biggest needs: IOL, WR, TE, Edge, QB
In the first half against the Cardinals, Cole Kmet showed what a major receiving threat he’s become, hauling in four catches for 107 yards before exiting with a knee injury. Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis, who both had one catch in Kmet’s stead, have not made significant impacts this season and are set to become free agents. Even if Kmet’s injury is not serious, the Bears need to find a second option at the position in the middle of the draft.
The Cardinals’ receiver group seems in line for a major makeover this offseason. Marquise Brown will be a free agent in the spring, Rondale Moore is entering a contract year and likely needs to step up his game significantly to earn an extension, and rookie Michael Wilson, who showed promise during the first half of the season, has zero catches (on seven targets) over his last two games. Finding a true No. 1 receiver early in the draft is a primary need.
Starting tackles Charles Leno Jr. and Andrew Wylie are under contract through at least 2024, but Leno will turn 33 next season and Wylie turns 30 in August, so don’t be surprised if the team selects a new tackle in the first two rounds. There is potential for the current uncertainty under center to extend into the offseason; adding an elite tackle, as well as some interior line help, would help ensure better play by whomever is leading Washington’s attack next season.
With wins in two of their last three games, the Patriots might have taken themselves out of the running for one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft. On Sunday night, Bailey Zappe bounced back from a fumble on the game’s opening play to beat Denver on the road with an efficient performance. But even with a strong close to the season, he’s certainly not a lock to be the team’s starter in 2024. In addition to Zappe, Patriots brass will have to decide where Mac Jones fits in to the franchise’s long-term plan. A decision on whether to exercise Jones’ fifth-year option is due in May, and given how this season has unfolded, it appears unlikely the team will pick it up. So expect New England to be looking for another signal-caller early in April’s draft.
Pick
5
New York Giants
New York Giants
5-10 · .498
Biggest needs: RB, IOL, DT, WR, OT
Week 17 opponent: vs. Rams
Even if the Giants re-sign Saquon Barkley, their running game won’t improve if they don’t boost the interior of the offensive line. John Michael Schmitz will be the team’s center in 2024, but finding another guard to start with the injured Joshua Ezeudu or another veteran next fall will be a crucial piece to setting up a rebound season.
The Chargers have given up over 100 yards rushing in each of their last seven games, relinquishing 200 against Detroit in Week 10 and 197 against Baltimore in Week 12. Defensive tackles Austin Johnson and Nick Williams are headed for free agency; whoever takes over for the fired Brandon Staley as head coach will certainly look to a strong rookie class to rebuild the defensive front.
Derrick Henry was candid about his future with the Titans after the team was eliminated from playoff contention, saying he “had that feeling” his time with the club was coming to a close. Third-round pick Tyjae Spears is a nice dual-threat back, but adding a second option in the top half of the draft seems likely if Henry does, in fact, sign elsewhere as a free agent.
Receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb were brought in by the Jets to play with their old Green Bay teammate, Aaron Rodgers. But with the future Hall of Famer out of action this season, the contributions of Lazard and Cobb have been minimal. The team tried dealing for veterans at the trade deadline, so I would expect both a veteran signing and rookie selection to bolster the Garrett Wilson-led receiver group.
Atlanta needed more receivers to run with Drake London heading into last year’s draft but did not select any pass catchers. Trading for impending free agent Van Jefferson has not had a major impact, and the veteran receivers backing up London (Mack Hollins, Scotty Miller and KhaDarel Hodge) are all heading to free agency. No matter who the team’s quarterback may be in 2024, he’ll need more reliable targets to effectively move the offense.
New Orleans selected Byran Bresee at the end of the first round last April but needs to add more depth on the interior D-line. Veterans Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd are under contract for 2024, but either or both could be released to alleviate the team’s salary-cap stress.
The Packers’ interior offensive line has underperformed this season, and it’s not clear whether past picks Josh Myers (2021 second-rounder), Royce Newman (2021 fourth-rounder) and Sean Rhyan (2022 third-rounder) are going to be the answer next year. Starting right guard Jon Runyan is also set for free agency, so a talent infusion at this part of the roster should be forthcoming.
