With the 2023 NFL Draft mere weeks away, all 32 groups are wanting ahead to a different alternative so as to add gifted gamers to their staff. Of course, totally different groups have totally different targets with regards to the draft, however it’s certainly extra vital that some get issues proper than it’s for others, whether or not attributable to the place they’re slated to choose or what their staff scenario is.
On Monday, my colleague Jordan Dajani took a have a look at 5 NFC groups that have to get this 12 months’s draft proper. In the area under, I’ll dig into the AFC.
Not solely do the Texans personal the No. 2 general decide within the draft, they’re at present scheduled to make a league-high 12 picks, together with two within the prime half of the primary spherical, 5 of the highest 73 picks, and Mr. Irrelevant. There’s the potential for this to be a franchise-changing class, and the method begins with nailing that No. 2 decide, which it’s broadly assumed might be used on the staff’s quarterback of the long run. The almost certainly candidates appear to be Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, however whoever it’s will fortunately be dropped right into a considerably friendlier offensive setting than the one Davis Mills operated up to now two seasons, thanks each to Houston’s bevy of picks and its offseason signings that targeted on strong, reliable veterans who might be in the suitable place on the proper time and lift the ground of the offense. They can use the draft to lift the staff’s ceiling sooner or later.
Much like their division rivals, the Colts are broadly assumed to be on the lookout for their quarterback of the long run on this class. Will they be capable to stick at No. 4 to get him, or will they’ve to surrender one thing of worth to the Arizona Cardinals to verify one other staff would not leap them for the No. 3 general decide? That’s an enormous tipping level on this 12 months’s draft. But the Colts have additionally underratedly had a little bit of a swoon of their player-acquisition selections over the previous few years. The roster shouldn’t be of the identical high quality because it was a number of years in the past, when it appeared like this staff was only a quarterback away from being a perennial contender. There’s a have to restock the cabinet, and that course of has to start with this draft class. (That process can also be made harder if the Colts do find yourself having to make the transfer up from No. 4 on the board to No. 3.)
We’re not purposely going with the AFC South theme right here, however with the Titans selecting simply exterior the highest 10 and seemingly making ready to embark on a full-scale rebuild beneath a brand new entrance workplace, it appears vital that they lay the inspiration for that subsequent period with a robust draft class. Tennessee has already undergone a bunch of roster turnover this offseason, and it is completely doable that by this time subsequent 12 months (if not earlier), each Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill are not on the staff, both. Will the Titans attempt to transfer up and get their quarterback now? Will they attempt to commerce again and accumulate extra property? Could Henry be on the transfer through the draft? There are a variety of instructions this staff can go, however no matter they do must be with an eye fixed on contending a number of years down the road, which is an enormous change of tempo for a staff that has been all-in on win-now mode in latest seasons.
The Brandon Staley period is heading into Year 3. In the primary two years, Los Angeles has missed the playoffs on the ultimate day of the season, after which blown a 27-0 lead within the first spherical of the playoffs. This staff has now swapped out its offensive coordinator, and final 12 months it went on an enormous spending spree to improve its defensive personnel. The outcomes have but to return on protection, and this staff must be about one thing aside from “Justin Herbert is superior and now we have Austin Ekeler and our coach generally goes for it on fourth down.” The Chargers desperately want so as to add some explosiveness on this draft, whether or not with a fringe receiver or a good finish, or a complement to Ekeler within the backfield. They additionally, once more, want to repair their run protection, as a result of it was not almost adequate final season. Picking from the again half of the primary spherical, there’s a variety of work to be carried out right here.
The Bills have been the most effective groups within the NFL for a number of years now, however have been unable to interrupt by and get to the Super Bowl. Unlike final 12 months, they didn’t make an enormous addition in free company with an elite participant (Von MIller), so that they’ll must improve their expertise base through the draft. Quietly, they might use some extra weapons for Josh Allen as a result of when Stefon Diggs did not have his A-plus sport final 12 months, there wasn’t a lot else Buffalo may do to maneuver the ball. The offensive line nonetheless wants work, and after Tremaine Edmunds walked in free company, the second stage of the protection may use some assist as nicely. The Bills are nonetheless actually, actually good, however they want an infusion of expertise to assist attain their final objective.
