We are heading to week 14 and the playoff push is among us, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, we have coaches that are already preparing for the draft. I am going to focus on the top portion of the draft. I am going to focus on the top 10, the current standings and how I think the top of the draft will shape out based on the remaining strength of schedule for each team.
Current top 10 standings –
| Ravens | 2-10 |
| Jaguars | 3-9 |
| Giants | 3-9 |
| Panthers | 3-9 |
| Raiders | 3-9 |
| Eagles | 3-9 |
| Colts | 3-9 |
| Broncos | 3-9 |
| Commanders | 3-9-(1) |
| Cardinals | 4-9 |
- Baltimore Ravens – Current (2-10) – Finishing (2-15)
Remaining schedule – Rams, Jaguars, 49ers, Dolphins, and Steelers
The Baltimore Ravens are struggling since week 5 when they defeated Curt and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Arod actually got both of his wins in back-to-back weeks over two of his divisional opponents. I don’t think he really has a chance to win another game this season, but I think he could be competitive against the Jaguars and could possibly sweep the Steelers in week 18 if Curt ends up clinching the playoffs before week 18 and he ends up sitting his starters. I think if Arod has the first overall pick, he’s not going to stay at this spot. He’s going to trade out of it and he’s going to want to stay in the top 10 plus another first and a second. The Saints are a very possible trade target to move up, but if Arod stays in this spot, he’s going to draft Caleb Williams and possibly try to trade Lamar. He’s going to have his work cut out for him though, the trade committee has been very inconsistent in the way they have been approving trades. Although, there’s nothing that Caleb Williams can do that Lamar Jackson cannot. The Ravens are stacked from top to bottom, but they could use some depth at corner behind Marlon Humphrey.
2. Indianapolis Colts – Current (3-9) – Finishing (3-14)
Remaining schedule – Bengals, Steelers, Falcons, Raiders, Texans
Anthony Richardson has been in a constant struggle week after week. CB hasn’t won a game since week 6 when he defeated the Jaguars for the second time this season. Being able to sweep a divisional opponent is a great feeling, but leading the league in interceptions and finishing as a bottom two team in league is not. I think CB will be competitive next week against the Bengals, but his last four games are against better teams and better coaches. CB wants to pass the ball with Anthony Richardson, so sitting at this spot in the draft, I think he’s going to target a wide receiver or a tight end. I think he’s going to look for a player that’s going to take the top off the defense to open up the running game for Richardson and Taylor.
3. Chicago Bears Via Carolina Panthers (3-9) – Finishing (3-14)
Remaining schedule – Saints, Falcons, Packers, Jaguars, Buccaneers
Bryce Young has an 87 overall injury rating, so getting a broken collarbone in his rookie season was not expected. His injury history is positive, but the Panthers are definitely hurting without his presence. Carolina’s most recent win was week 9 against the Colts, but Tyree Jackson doesn’t have the tools to be a starting quarterback right now. I think Carolina could sneak a few wins with their remaining schedule if Bryce Young was in the lineup, but right now they’re struggling, and he’s done for the season unfortunately. What’s even worse for Carolina is that they don’t own their first-round selection, the Chicago Bears do. In this selection, I think the Bears are in a spot to target and acquire one of the best pass rushers in the draft.
4. Washington Commanders (3-9-1) – Finishing (3-14)
Remaining schedule – Rams, Jets, 49ers, Cowboys
Vet, what’s going on in Washington? After getting shut out and losing by 72 points, the Commanders are down in the dumps and there’s no hope for any remaining victories on his schedule. On a positive note, Vet has pulled off a few impressive victories this season after defeating the Cardinals, Broncos, and the Falcons but Vet hasn’t since week 6, but he did tie with the Patriots in week 9, which hurts his trade spot. Sam Howell is a good building block, but after throwing 23 interceptions, Vet hasn’t really built his starting quarterback up. I think he could decide to draft a quarterback that suits his playstyle a little better or he could address the best defensive player available to help his porous defense that’s allowing 30 points per game.
5. Arizona Cardinals (4-9) – Finishing (4-13)
Remaining schedule – 49ers, Bears, Eagles, Seahawks
Who would have expected Que to have a top ten draft pick in season 1 two cycles in a row? I know Arizona is a lot worse than his Miami team, but Arizona has some pieces that you can work with, and he’s had some big wins this season but he’s going to struggle down the stretch. I think his matchup versus the Eagles could be a potential win, but after all that smack, he gives HD, I think HD is going to want to rub a win in his face. Que has a bottom 5 defense in the league and HD has a top five offense, so I think this game could get ugly. Nonetheless, sitting at the top 5 pick, Que needs to address his defensive line. His best defensive linemen is rated a 70 overall, but this selection could change his defensive pressure per game if he can hit on a superstar defensive linemen.
6. New York Giants (3-9) – Finishing (4-13)
Remaining schedule – Packers, Saints, Eagles, Rams, Eagles
Burn is struggling with his Giants, but a lot of it is because he’s leaning on the arm of Daniel Jones, but he should be centering his offense around Saquan Barkley. The New York Giants have the worst rushing offense in the league, if Burn can somehow change his offense up before the end of the season, he can sneak out a few more wins. Nonetheless, I have him splitting his two games with the Eagles, so I don’t think he’s going to allow HD to sweep him in any season this cycle. I think this is an easy selection for the Giants. Burn hates Daniel Jones, so what’s he going to do? Draft his replacement. You have an opportunity to hand select your quarterback, but after trading his second-round pick for Justin Simmons, he could trade out of this spot to acquire a second first round pick or an early second round pick to recoup his losses.
7. Las Vegas Raiders (3-9) Finishing (4-13)
Remaining schedule – Vikings, Chargers, Chiefs, Colts, Broncos
I don’t think KingMike had very many losing seasons in his PML career, but this is by far one of his worst. Amidst tanking allegations, I think he’s going to stay competitive the rest of the season and pick up a win over the Colts. Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t the guy in Las Vegas and KingMike knows it, but sitting at 7, is there going to be a quarterback worth taking this early, especially if two quarterbacks go in the first six picks? The Raiders have a top passing offense and bottom 5 rushing offense, but what is going on with Josh Jacobs? If Jacobs isn’t the guy, we could see KingMike move him in the off-season, but there are so many holes on this team, that Mike could address multiple positions in this draft starting with defensive and offensive lines.
8. New Orleans Saints Via Denver Broncos (3-9) Finishing (4-13)
Remaining schedule – Chargers, Lions, Patriots, Chargers, Raiders
DK mortgaged his first three picks in the draft to build a team that he could win with right now, but that hasn’t quite come to fruition just yet. He has six games that he lost by just one score, and I don’t see him getting blown out in any of his remaining games, so it’s possible he squeaks out more wins than I’ve predicted but he’s going to sweep the Raiders this season. He has every motivation considering his first-round pick belongs to the New Orleans Saints. JC carefully sculpted out his cap space situation and manifested trades that would help him for the cycle. He has mentioned that he’d be open to taking an offensive lineman this early in the draft, so I think he could target the best offensive linemen.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars – 3-9 Finishing (5-12)
Remaining schedule – Browns, Ravens, Buccaneers, Panthers, Titans
Tbandit has been struggling this season, surprisingly so, but he’s going to be careful with Trevor Lawrence down the stretch. If it looks like he’s going to eclipse that number, you better believe that Lawrence is going to be sitting on the bench. He’s going to pick up victories over the Ravens and the Panthers, but he can win out. I don’t see any games on his remaining schedule that are too difficult to overcome. However, sitting at this spot, I think he’s going to address his defensive backs. His corners are aging and a few corners behind Tyson Campbell are on the wrong side of 30.
10. Tennessee Titans Via Philadelphia Eagles – 3-9 Finishing (5-12)
Remaining schedule – Cowboys, Seahawks, Giants, Cardinals, Giants
No one believes in HD, but he’s going to defeat the Giants and the Cardinals. He could possibly sweep the Giants if Burn doesn’t adjust after their first matchup. Que is going to be too cocky against HD and in their game, he’s going to run for over 200 yards with his two superstar halfbacks. I think HD has something to prove, especially without having his first-round pick. Was it a mistake to trade a top ten pick for an aging halfback that you’re going to have to pay? Maybe but we won’t truly know until after regressions. Dlloyd is on a four-game winning streak, and everyone believes that he fleeced HD out of his pick, I would agree, especially if it’s a top ten pick. The Titans are one of the lowest rated (79) teams in the league and they lack any real speed at the halfback or receiver positions. I think he’s going to want to rejuvenate his offense and will seek the fastest players in the draft, but he doesn’t need to do that at this spot. He’s going to benefit from trading this pick back and getting a few more draft picks to help re-build his roster.
