After the dramatic Week 18, Chicago bear 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. That could have a significant impact on the top 10. Will the Texans still get the quarterback they want after falling to second overall by winning the regular-season finals of the season. they do not? How will the Colts proceed in 4th place?
Those are some of the biggest questions in the upcoming draft cycle. The top 18 have already been determined (the rest of the first round will be determined by the knockout round), but some of the first picks will set the tone for what happens April 27-29 at Kansas City.
Here’s how each of the top 10 teams could approach the draft:
1. Chicago Bear
Bears have some flexibility. Since they already have a potential quarterback in the franchise in Justin Fields, Chicago could trade off a team that needed the quarterback to secure a large amount of drafts. Or they can stay and take out one of the defensive superstars (Will Anderson of Alabama or Jalen Carter of Georgia) if there is a feeling that player will not be in a few spots on the board.
But the drafting of a midfielder cannot be completely ruled out. While Bears general manager Ryan Poles backed Fields to be a starting quarterback in 2023 when speaking to reporters Tuesday, he also said he would have to be “completely blown away” to receive the caller signal. So what if Bryce Young of Alabama or Ohio State CJ Stroud fall into that category after the Bears rated them? The fields that are likely to be in the commercial block will significantly change the beginning of the draft.
General manager Nick Caserio certainly wants to find a long-term full-back for himself. Davis Factory proved he’s not after a troubled 2nd year following an encouraging rookie season. The best-case scenario for the Texans is for the Bears to retain the top pick for a defensive player, allowing Houston to pick Young or Stroud. But it is likely that they will have to trade for the top midfielder.
The Cardinals may prefer the edge press (with Anderson as the clear lead), because JJ Watt retired and Zach Allen — another key rush tool — is an unrestricted free agent. The offensive line is also a strong pick, with four of the five starting at the front being UFA, but that position group isn’t as strong as it is high up in this draft. The Cardinals may need to replace full-back Byron Murphy, a free agent in the spring.
After years of bandaging in midfield, the Colts have to draft one, right? They have the top 10 picks for the first time since 2018 (Quenton Nelson, 6th place overall) and entered the top 5 picks for the first time since 2012 (Andrew Luck, 1st place overall). General manager Chris Ballard on Tuesday admitted that he would try to rise to No 1 overall if there was a midfielder the team loved.
5. Seattle Seahawks football team (via Dancer broncos)
Tackling the inner defense should be the #1 priority for the Seahawks, the team with the third worst defense in the NFL this season. Midfielders can also be on the table. Geno Smith had one of the most surprising seasons in NFL history, but he’s cooled a bit to finish the 2022 season and it might be worth preparing for a replacement.
6. Detroit lion (via The Los Angeles Rams)
The Lions seem to no longer have a midfield market, with the support of general manager Brad Holmes Jared Goff. Look for Detroit to tackle the defensive issue, which improved towards the end of the season but is still struggling overall. The inner line of defense and the defense are the biggest weak points. The Lions had the third-worst passing defense and the fourth-worst running defense in the NFL last season.
The Raiders seem to be leading the way in the veteran midfield route, with by Derek Carr Time with the franchise may have come to an end and the franchise hopes to capitalize on high-level talent in a number of other positions. If that’s the case, look for Las Vegas to tackle its shaky attack line and the position of the edge attacker. outside defender Chandler Jones fell short of the expectations that came with his free agency contract last season.
Let’s say the Falcons make a third pick in 2022 Desmond Ridder more time in the hope that he can become their long-term winger (he’s only started four games as a rookie), sketching a passer that feels like an option. choose the best. Atlanta has the second-lowest number of layoffs (21) and the second-worst pressure ratio (22%) in the league this season.
The Panthers need a quarterback. They started three different signal callers in 2022 (Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, PJ Walker). Young and Stroud may be out of reach, but perhaps Carolina is playing for Kentucky’s Will Levis. Florida’s Anthony Richardson should also be on the radar.
ten. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saint New Orleans)
How great the Eagles’ defense is, they’ll have a hard time keeping it together during the season. Six beginners will be the free dealer, hitting all three levels. If Philadelphia doesn’t trade this option, they’ll take the best defender available, regardless of position.
Ben Arthur is the AFC South correspondent for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was a beat writer for Titans for a year and a half. He covered the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for three seasons (2018-20) before moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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