2024 NFL Draft order: Patriots climb to No. 2 overall; Commanders hit top five

PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE CAROLINA PANTHERS

Panthers’ record: 1-11 (.535 strength of schedule)

Panthers’ Week 14 opponent: at Saints

Bears’ biggest needs: IOL, WR, TE, Edge, OT

Thanks to the Montez Sweat acquisition and extension, one pass rusher has been locked up for 2024 and beyond. However, Chicago will likely need to find another edge defender in the top half of the draft, as Yannick Ngakoue and Rasheem Green have not consistently pressured QBs this season and are impending free agents.

See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Panthers’ needs.

Biggest needs: QB, CB, TE, OT, RB

Week 14 opponent: at Steelers

The ankle injury suffered by Rhamondre Stevenson against the Chargers on Sunday severely depleted the Patriots’ depth at running back. Veteran Zeke Elliott has been solid but not spectacular since coming aboard in August on a one-year deal, so the team needs to add youth to its backfield this offseason.

Biggest needs: CB, WR, DT, IOL, Edge

Week 14 opponent: Bye

The Cardinals have rolled with a young secondary this season, with 2023 selections Garrett Williams and Kei’Trel Clark, as well as undrafted rookie Starling Thomas V, all seeing significant snaps. Finding a true stopper on the outside should be in the team’s vision, though, and with six picks over the first two days of the draft, Arizona has the capital to make that happen.

Biggest needs: Edge, QB, OT, LB, WR

Week 14 opponent: Bye

New owner Josh Harris is expected to examine all parts of the Commanders’ organization after the season. Sam Howell has performed well in spots this year, despite facing constant pressure up front, but if Harris isn’t sold on the 2022 fifth-round pick, he may want “his guy” to lead the franchise. Picking at the top of the draft means all possibilities are on the table.

Week 14 opponent: vs. Lions

See Pick No. 1 for analysis of the Bears’ needs.

Biggest needs: RB, DT, QB, OL, WR

Week 14 opponent: vs. Packers

The Giants traded Leonard Williams at the deadline instead of extending his contract. And with veteran A’Shawn Robinson scheduled to hit free agency, they’ll need to find at least one defensive lineman in the draft to work with Dexter Lawrence and Rakeem Nunez-Roches.

Biggest needs: OT, CB, WR, Edge, RB

Week 14 opponent: at Dolphins

DeAndre Hopkins and Will Levis are growing together this year in the hopes of becoming an elite combination in 2024. The makeup of the rest of the receiver group is yet to be determined, with former first-round pick Treylon Burks failing to live up to his draft billing and steady veterans Chris Moore and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine on expiring deals.

Biggest needs: OT, IOL, QB, S, WR

Week 14 opponent: vs. Texans

The Jets could have two new starting offensive tackles next year. Former first-round pick Mekhi Becton (2020) is due to hit free agency after the team declined to exercise his fifth-year option, and former fourth-rounders Max Mitchell (2022) and Carter Warren (2023) are unproven. General manager Joe Douglas needs to do his best to keep Aaron Rodgers healthy next season, and improving the offensive line would be a good start.

Biggest needs: OT, OG, Edge, LB, CB

Week 14 opponent: vs. Panthers

The Saints defense struggled early against the Lions, eventually giving up 142 rushing yards and allowing rookie tight end Sam LaPorta to post a career-best performance. The unit steadied the ship a bit in the second half, but changes are coming at the linebacker position, with free agent Zack Baun and others potentially looking for new homes next season.

Biggest needs: QB, CB, OT, IOL, RB

Week 14 opponent: vs. Vikings

The cornerback room has had a revolving door this year, with the signing of Jack Jones and the release of veterans Marcus Peters and David Long in recent weeks. With Brandon Facyson a potential offseason cut candidate (he’s been on IR since early September), and with Amik Robertson being an upcoming free agent, Vegas could see a complete turnover at the position in 2024.

Biggest needs: QB, IOL, LB, S, CB

Week 14 opponent: at Falcons

Veteran linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White both missed Sunday’s game against Carolina due to injury, as did rookie SirVocea Dennis. K.J. Britt then exited the game due to a back injury, leaving the team in dire straits. Thankfully, little-used J.J. Russell stepped up against a poor Panthers offense, but the team will need to bolster this linebacker group if free agents David and White are not around in 2024.

Biggest needs: CB, RB, DT, TE, OT

Week 14 opponent: vs. Broncos

The Chargers unloaded cornerback J.C. Jackson (and his massive contract) to the Patriots earlier this year and have one of the worst passing defenses in the league. They handled an underwhelming Patriots offense this week, but one or two cornerback selections are likely in April, given the state of the team’s depth chart.

Biggest needs: DT, S, Edge, WR, CB

Week 14 opponent: at Chiefs

Von Miller‘s recent arrest on domestic violence charges could affect his return to the team in 2024, which was already an uncertainty because of his minimal production, age (he’ll turn 35 in March) and significant cap number. Leonard Floyd, A.J. Epenesa and Shaq Lawson are also going to be free agents, so an infusion of young pass rushers could be on the way.

Biggest needs: LB, OG, S, DT, Edge

Week 14 opponent: at 49ers

Jamal Adams has yet to play more than 12 games in a season since joining Seattle back in 2020, and Quandre Diggs, who turns 31 in January, could be a potential cap casualty. While Julian Love has seen plenty of playing time this season and could take on an even greater role in 2024, he’ll be entering a contract year. The Seahawks might benefit from using a middle-round pick in April to bolster the back half of their secondary with youngsters who could learn from the veterans who remain on hand.

Biggest needs: TE, DT, S, CB, Edge

Week 14 opponent: at Chargers

Kareem Jackson and P.J. Locke are impending free agents, while franchise mainstay Justin Simmons will be entering a contract year in 2024. I would not be surprised if the Broncos invested a mid-round pick in a DB to compete with recent Day 3 picks Delarrin Turner-Yell and JL Skinner.

Biggest needs: OT, CB, Edge, LB, K

Week 14 opponent: at Ravens

Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeder have started next to Ernest Jones at linebacker this year at times, but neither is inked for 2024 (Rozeboom is set to be a restricted free agent). GM Les Snead could be looking for bargains on Day 3 to add depth to the second level of the defense.

Biggest needs: OT, WR, TE, DT, Edge

Week 14 opponent: vs. Colts

Cincinnati will be searching for a new starting right tackle if Jonah Williams leaves in free agency for an opportunity to play left tackle. Orlando Brown will likely remain Joe Burrow‘s blind-side protector in 2024, but there’s not much depth behind him — and the Bengals can’t afford to take any chances with Burrow’s health if they want to return to the Super Bowl next year.

PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE HOUSTON TEXANS

Texans’ record: 7-5 (.490)

Texans’ Week 14 opponent: at Jets

See Pick No. 3 for analysis of the Cardinals’ needs and the playoff teams section of this article for analysis of the Texans’ needs.

Biggest needs: QB, WR, Edge, CB, DT

Week 14 opponent: vs. Buccaneers

The starting outside cornerback spot opposite A.J. Terrell might be up for grabs in 2024, as Jeff Okudah and Tre Flowers will be free agents in March. Rookie Clark Phillips III got a chance to shine, thanks to an injury that sent Terrell to the sideline early in the team’s win over the Jets — which also illustrates why teams build depth in the secondary through the draft.

Biggest needs: QB, Edge, DT, OG, LB

Week 14 opponent: at Raiders

Minnesota must decide whether to bring back midseason signee Dalton Risner this offseason and/or backup Chris Reed. Even if Risner returns, the Vikings’ trade of Ezra Cleveland to Jacksonville at the deadline cemented the team’s need for an interior offensive lineman on Day 3 of the draft.

Biggest needs: OT, S, IOL, CB, RB

Week 14 opponent: at Giants

Veteran journeymen Jonathan Owens (tied for fifth on the team in tackles) and Rudy Ford (who leads Green Bay with two picks) have stepped up, but neither they nor former first-rounder Darnell Savage (who missed five games with a calf injury) are under contract beyond this season. Seventh-round pick Anthony Johnson Jr. should contribute in Year 2. Still, GM Brian Gutekunst will seek out veterans and young talent in the draft if the Packers don’t re-sign their current starters.

Biggest needs: WR, CB, DT, S, LB

Week 14 opponent: at Bengals

On Sunday, Indianapolis beat Tennessee despite yielding 177 yards on the ground. With Taven Bryan and Grover Stewart (who just finished a six-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs) entering free agency, the Colts should look to bolster their mediocre run defense. Adding athletic big bodies in the middle will shift offensive attention away from defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and plug leaks in the line.

Biggest needs: CB, OT, WR, DT, IOL

Week 14 opponent: vs. Patriots

Veteran interior offensive linemen Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels and Mason Cole are all under contract for 2024. However, Cole’s struggles snapping the ball and the team’s collective inability to move the line of scrimmage on the goal line in Sunday’s shocking home loss to the Cardinals point to changes up front next season. 

PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE CLEVELAND BROWNS

Browns’ record: 7-5 (.545)

Browns’ Week 14 opponent: vs. Jaguars

Texans’ biggest needs: OT, DT, Edge, CB, TE

Starting right tackle George Fant and backups Josh Jones and Charlie Heck are all currently headed for free agency. Ensuring cohesion on the offensive line will be key to helping QB C.J. Stroud continue the strong start to his career — and it would also make it possible to establish a powerful running game.

See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Browns’ needs.

Biggest needs: DT, OT, WR, CB, LB

Week 14 opponent: vs. Bills

Signing former Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill to a one-year contract paid major dividends when Kansas City lost Nick Bolton to injury in October. But Tranquill (who left Sunday’s loss in Green Bay with a concussion) should garner considerable interest on the market, having tallied a team-high 72 tackles with 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles so far. With Willie Gay also headed for free agency, the Chiefs could add another tackler on Day 3 of the draft to join Bolton and 2022 pick-ups Leo Chenal (a third-round pick) and Jack Cochrane (undrafted).

Biggest needs: Edge, OG, CB, WR, OT

Week 14 opponent: at Browns

Jacksonville is surely happy to have acquired guard Ezra Cleveland from the Vikings at the trade deadline, but he is not under contract for 2024. Former fourth-round pick Ben Bartch, meanwhile, was signed off the Jaguars’ practice squad by San Francisco. Unless Cleveland returns on a new deal, a starter and depth at guard must be found this offseason.

Biggest needs: OT, IOL, S, WR, DT

Week 14 opponent: vs. Titans

Christian Wilkins (tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks) is likely to be a coveted free agent in March should he reach the market, and fellow starting defensive tackle Raekwon Davis may also draw interest. Zach Sieler received a well-deserved extension before this season, but he’ll need help up front if the team’s defense is to do its part in 2024.

Biggest needs: OT, RB, C, DT, CB

Week 14 opponent: vs. Eagles

Center Tyler Biadasz is playing on the final year of his rookie deal. If the Cowboys don’t extend him before he reaches the open market, they might have to use a Day 2 pick on a new pivot, with the acquisitions of quarterback Trey Lance (in exchange for a fourth-round choice), receiver Brandin Cooks (whose price included a sixth-rounder) and cornerback Eric Scott Jr. (Dallas coughed up a 2024 fifth-rounder to draft Scott in Round 6 in 2023) leading to a dearth of middle-round selections. 

Biggest needs: WR, OG, CB, Edge, DT

Week 14 opponent: at Bears

Alim McNeill is proving he was seriously underdrafted as a third-round pick in 2021. He’s also one of several Lions D-linemen — including John Cominsky, Isaiah Buggs and Levi Onwuzurike — who will be entering a contract year in 2024. Look for GM Brad Holmes to find more young depth on the line in case there is a mass exodus of talent after next season.

Biggest needs: DT, WR, OG, RB, CB

Week 14 opponent: vs. Rams

Three crucial pieces of the Ravens’ strong defense — defensive tackles Michael Pierce, Justin Madubuike and Brent Urban — could depart this spring as free agents. Even if Baltimore returns one of those vets, at least one stout lineman should be selected to supplement past mid-round picks Travis Jones and Broderick Washington.

Biggest needs: OT, IOL, TE, Edge, DT

Week 14 opponent: vs. Seahawks

Javon Kinlaw had two sacks in the Niners’ blowout win over the Eagles, looking like the player the team expected when he was drafted in the first round in 2020. Since San Francisco did not exercise his fifth-year option, however, he is on the last season of his rookie deal, and the team could draft someone to spell starters Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave.

Biggest needs: RB, Edge, WR, LB, CB

Week 14 opponent: at Cowboys

The Eagles will want more production from receivers not named A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in 2024. Olamide Zaccheaus, Quez Watkins or Julio Jones might be brought back as free agents, but I suspect GM Howie Roseman will draft a potential starter in the slot.

TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE CHICAGO BEARS

Biggest needs: Edge, WR, CB, LB, IOL

Week 14 opponent: at Saints

Many areas of the Panthers’ roster will likely be rebuilt under the new coaching staff next year, including the defensive line. Derrick Brown is an excellent centerpiece, but 2024 is a contract year for the stalwart. Even if Brown signs an extension, DeShawn Williams is a free agent in March, so Carolina will need more big bodies up front to partner with the stud DT.

TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE HOUSTON TEXANS

Biggest needs: S, OT, Edge, DT, LB

Week 14 opponent: vs. Jaguars

The Browns traded for Za’Darius Smith in May knowing the veteran would turn 32 and hit free agency in 2024. Ogbo Okoronkwo and 2023 fourth-round pick Isaiah McGuire provide depth, but neither could get to Rams QB Matthew Stafford during Sunday’s loss. A rookie edge defender could push for playing time opposite Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett.