We are five weeks into the 2023 NFL Season. I felt like it was time to go on the record and project what teams I believe will pick in the top ten of the 2024 NFL Draft.
For some teams, the writing is on the wall. Others are bad and they just don’t know it yet.
Projecting Who Will Pick in the Top Ten of the 2024 NFL Draft
CURRENT TOP 10 (VIA TANKATHON)
WHO WILL STAY IN THE TOP TEN?
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Of the current top ten teams, it is fairly easy to ascertain who will stay in those positions. The Carolina Panthers currently at 0-5 do not look like they will be getting better anytime soon. The Chicago Bears benefit from that. Carolina gave up their first-round pick in the 2024 draft during the trade before the 2023 NFL Draft. The trade that ultimately netted them, QB Bryce Young. Young has missed a game already due to injury but the offense wasn’t looking world-beating before.
CHICAGO BEARS
Speaking of the Bears, they are currently slated in the two-hole with their own pick. One can ultimately believe that with offensive talent like Justin Fields (despite some of his shortcomings) and WR DJ Moore, Chicago can win a few games. Unfortunately, I don’t believe their defense is enough to keep them out of the top ten.
DENVER BRONCOS
Russell Wilson is playing better under new head coach Sean Payton. The rest of the team is steaming garbage right now. This pick could belong to the New Orleans Saints right now if GM Mickey Loomis wasn’t so short-sighted.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
This team needed to start a fire sale yesterday. Kirk Cousins…New York Jets on line one. Danielle Hunter…someone would call. Star receiver Justin Jefferson is headed to IR. All those close wins they rode to playoffs last year, not happening in 2023.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Bill Belichick, long a hero in Boston, has lived long enough to become a villain. The Patriots offense has scored 3 points over the last two weeks and is averaging 11 per game on the season. This roster needs to be torn down to the studs and probably needs some new leadership to see it through.
NEW YORK GIANTS
I have never been a Daniel Jones believer. Despite his lucrative contract extension I still don’t. If they end up with a high enough pick the Giants won’t be believers anymore either.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Injuries and a limited roster are going to keep the Cardinals in the Top Ten. However, they are a scrappy bunch so probably not high in the top ten.
WHAT TOP TEN OUTSIDERS FALL IN?
TENNESSEE TITANS
I don’t think this is a very good roster right now. Too reliant on Derrick Henry, bad QB play, etc.
NEW YORK JETS
Great defense that is getting wasted with Zack Wilson and his abysmal QB play. Just bad luck here.
ATLANTA FALCONS
The Falcons are currently 3-2 but haven’t exactly elicited a reason to be confident in their ability to stay a playoff team.
FINAL TOP TEN PROJECTIONS
- Chicago Bears (From Carolina Panthers)
- Denver Broncos
- New England Patriots
- Minnesota Vikings
- Arizona Cardinals
- New York Giants
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Jets
- Chicago Bears
- Atlanta Falcons