While the Panthers, Cardinals and Commanders continued their losing ways in Week 16, the Patriots’ effort in Denver shook up the top of the 2024 draft. New England has dropped from second to fourth in the ’24 order.
In a strange spot in which Broncos fans and and undoubtedly many Pats supporters wanted the Russell Wilson-driven comeback to succeed, Chad Ryland‘s 56-yard game-winning field goal dropped New England out of the No. 2 spot, injecting doubt about the team’s ability to nab a top-flight QB prospect without trading up next year.
The Bears (via the Panthers) remain atop the table, holding a one-game lead on the Cardinals. Carolina closes its season with two games against eight-win teams — the Jaguars and Buccaneers. Arizona will face Philadelphia and Seattle, and with Carolina’s strength of schedule at .522 and Arizona’s at .561, the draft-order tiebreaker reaffirms the Bears’ placement on the doorstep of entering a second straight offseason holding a No. 1 overall pick. The Justin Fields matter remains an important big-picture NFL topic, but GM Ryan Poles is close to having his pick of the 2024 QB prospects.
It is not clear if the Commanders will be interested in a quarterback in the first round, but they will have a new regime running the show. The last time Washington held a top-three pick (2020), it passed on Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert due to having drafted Dwayne Haskins in the 2019 first round. With Sam Howell struggling as of late, Josh Harris‘ next set of decision-makers may want to bring in their own prospect. The Cardinals could stand in the Commanders’ way, via another trade in the top three, but suddenly Washington could be a player for a 2024 first-round QB.
Ahead of Week 17, here is how the 2024 draft order looks:
- Chicago Bears (via Panthers)
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-12
- Washington Commanders: 4-11
- New England Patriots: 4-11
- New York Giants: 5-10
- Los Angeles Chargers: 5-10
- Tennessee Titans: 5-10
- Chicago Bears: 6-9
- New York Jets: 6-9
- Atlanta Falcons: 7-8
- New Orleans Saints: 7-8
- Green Bay Packers: 7-8
- Las Vegas Raiders: 7-8
- Denver Broncos: 7-8
- Minnesota Vikings: 7-8
- Arizona Cardinals (via Texans)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-7
- Cincinnati Bengals: 8-7
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-7
- Indianapolis Colts: 8-7
- Seattle Seahawks: 8-7
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-7
- Los Angeles Rams: 8-7
- Buffalo Bills: 9-6
- Kansas City Chiefs: 9-6
- Dallas Cowboys: 10-5
- Houston Texans (via Browns)
- Detroit Lions: 11-4
- Miami Dolphins: 11-4
- Philadelphia Eagles: 11-4
- San Francisco 49ers: 11-4
- Baltimore Ravens: 12-3
I can’t believe my Pats won a useless game to set the franchise back 3 more years. So disappointing.
I disagree. I consider myself an “anti-tank missile” and always want to see my team win. I would love to see the Jets win out because it gives me more hope for next season. Of course higher picks are better but it only matters if you make the right ones.
You’re not the sharpest tool.
Well, when you’re a fan of a team that has not struck gold with an early QB pick since Joe Namath, it’s hard to get extremely excited about getting a high pick where the expectation is to take a QB. Mark Sanchez was successful his first couple seasons with teams that made the conference championships but that was more because he just had to be a game manager with the strong team around him. Darnold had and still has talent but they didn’t give him enough weapons and protection. The trade to get him cost an all-pro guard in Quentin Nelson. Then when I wanted them to keep Sam and draft Penei Sewell, they were enamored by Zach Wilson as the next best thing to Trevor Lawrence. That hasn’t turned out well and they’ve ruined another QB in the process.
For the Patriots, their most successful QB pick was in the sixth round. One of the top QBs in the MVP running this year was Mr. Irrelevant. Outside of him, most of the top tier QBs were not top five overall. Herbert: #6, Allen: #7, Mahomes: #10, Watson: #12, Jackson: #32, Prescott: 4th round, etc.
As for the Commanders, they should have a shot at Drake Maye at #3 since I think the Cards will go for Marvin Harrison Jr at #2. For my Jets, I’d rather them take a day three flier on Tua’s younger brother, Taulia, than draft a QB early when they really need a tackle.
I think Poles has to draft a QB. And that will spell the end of Eberflus. There’s no way they entrust him and who (?) as an OC with another QB after Field’s third year. Btw.. Fields is a great athlete that I really pulled for- he’s a great kid-but it would’ve taken a Shanahan to make that work. Eberflus is no Shanahan and they need to go another direction.
Think the bears go Caleb Williams
That seems to be the general consensus but I’ve been reading about some red flags. His dad has a lot of influence over him and he’s made some fairly stupid remarks about where he will or will not go. Ugh.. Not a great look.
Agreed.
He still insisting on an ownership stake from whoever drafts him? I’d say that’s not a great look either.
In my opinion, there are certain teams that, if they’re picking at the top of the draft, have to go QB because they don’t have one. The Bears aren’t one of those teams.
If the Bears land #1, they should take Marvin Harrison Jr. The offense instantly becomes more dynamic, if they add him. I also think it possibly helps Fields -who I think has some talent, but is middle-of-the-road as far as QBs go- maybe look a little better as a passer.
Taking a QB feels like a lateral move. You’d be moving off a guy with some questions, and adding a guy with some questions. The only real benefit would be resetting the rookie QB pay scale, but personally I wouldn’t pass on Harrison Jr. for that.
@App- I agree. And there are other options if they want to go a different direction at QB. They don’t have to draft one at the top of the first round. Bring in a FA, draft one later, or maybe swing a trade if one is to their liking.
This reminds me of the Packers situation-there are fans who insist Love is trash, and GB should go with Clifford, and/or draft a new one. The opinion that Love is trash aside (he’s not, but admittedly there’s room for improvement), expecting a rookie to step in (either Clifford now, or someone they draft in April) and be noticeably better..that’s next level fantasy land stuff.
I totally agree. Fields has talent. Better coaching will bring that out. New coaching staff, draft Harrison, offensive or defensive lineman next. Trade down if you can assure yourself you can get Harrison and acquire more picks.
All it takes is one team to fall in love with one pick and that list will get tossed like a salad.
If one team falls in love with a pick, they swap with another team. That’s it.
Love the draft
Everyone is betting chalk with Stefanski winning COY but Campbell had lead his team to 19 wins & 5 losses in the last 24 games & Lions won the Division first time in 30 years & will host their first home playoff game in Ford Field ever. If that doesn’t warrant a coach of the year award, why even have one?