Following a four-game losing streak, the Jets move up ten spots in the 2024 NFL Draft order.
Looking ahead to Week 13 of the 2023 NFL season, here’s a look at the first-round order for the 2024 NFL Draft and the top five needs for each team. With schedule strength serving as the first tiebreaker, the order is decided by record (the complete list of draft-order tiebreakers can be found here). Remember that the teams listed below are designated as PL (short for playoffs) in the order that they would make the playoffs if the season ended today. The outcomes of postseason play determine the playoff teams’ draft order.
In 2024, Chicago will probably try to improve its interior offensive line since two veterans, Dan Feeney and Lucas Patrick, will be free agents. The Bears need help at center with overall depth for the team, even though they have recently spent money and draft picks to try to solidify their two guard spots (Nate Davis and Even Jenkins).
Zach Ertz, the tight end, has a decision to make about his future with the Cardinals. The 33-year-old, who had a quad injury and was placed on injured reserve in late October, has a career-low average of just 6.9 yards per catch this season and will have a sizable cap hit in 2024. As of right now, the team’s top tight end option is Trey McBride, whom the team selected 55th overall in 2022. Elijah Higgins, a former Stanford wide receiver, has promise, but the team should use a Day 3 pick on the position.
After the season, left tackle Trent Brown♿, the best offensive lineman for the Patriots, will be a free agent. This spring, Mike Onwenu, who recently switched from right guard to right tackle, is also expected to be available for grabs. This year, New England addressed the lack of depth outside by not using its three picks on interior linemen.
Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal, two first-round tackles, and center John Michael Schmitz, the team’s second-round selection this year, will form the foundation of the Giants’ offensive line in 2024. A third-round pick in 2022, Joshua Ezeudu, might earn a starting guard position if healthy, but a top priority should be locating more young talent in the future.
