• Panthers need to help out Bryce Young: Carolina should be targeting a top wide receiver all the way in the 2024 NFL Draft.
• Bears poised to go with a top QB: Sitting at 0-3 with potentially the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears may be ready for a change at quarterback.
• It's never too early to gear up for the 2024 NFL Draft: PFF has you covered throughout the college football season. Click here for our 2024 big board.
Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
We’re three weeks into the 2023 NFL season and we can already hear the collective groans of fans of teams with losing records taking a peek at next year’s draft class. Luckily for those fans, the 2024 class is shaping up to be a great one to inject new talent into the league.
Here are three potential prospect fits for every team with a losing record.
CHICAGO BEARS
- Record: 0-3
- Current Pick: 1
- Prospect Targets: QB Caleb Williams, QB Drake Maye, EDGE Jared Verse
The Bears are a mess. They are slated to earn the No. 1 overall pick as things stand, and they also own the rights to another potential top-10 or even top-five pick after their 2023 offseason trade with the Panthers. If the Bears finish with the top selection again, they won’t be trading it this time; they’ll be selecting a quarterback. Next on Chicago's checklist is to secure a stud pass rusher.
Click here to read more about Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jared Verse
DENVER BRONCOS
- Record: 0-3
- Current Pick: 2
- Prospect Targets: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., DI Leonard Taylor III, DI Jer’Zhan Newton
The Broncos' roster is way too talented to be playing this poorly. Some might be shocked to not see a quarterback prospect here, and I would kindly point those people to Russell Wilson’s contract. Denver still looks like it needs a go-to receiver and more talent along the interior defensive line.
Click here to read more about Marvin Harrison Jr., Leonard Taylor III and Jer'Zhan Newton
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
- Record: 0-3
- Current Pick: 3
- Prospect Targets: QB Caleb Williams, QB Drake Maye, EDGE Jared Verse
With Kirk Cousins in the final year of his contract, the Vikings should be doing a lot of homework on the upcoming quarterback class, especially if they end up picking in the top five. If things continue to trend downward, they’ll be a potential landing spot for Williams or Maye. If Minnesota ends up picking too low to secure their services, it feels like some fresh juice along the defensive line should be the team's next area to improve, even if the secondary also needs work.
Click here to read more about Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jared Verse
Highest-Graded Power Five QBs | Through Week 4, 2023
CAROLINA PANTHERS
- Record: 0-3
- Current Pick: 35 (Pick 4 traded to Bears)
- Prospect Targets: WR Adonai Mitchell, WR Xavier Worthy, WR Xavier Legette
The Panthers don't have their first-round pick due to a trade-up prior to last year’s draft that paved the way for them to select Bryce Young at No. 1 overall. With their current winless record, they’re slated to pick early on Day 2. They’ll need to grab whichever receiver they believe can be a No. 1 in that room.
Click here to read more about Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy and Xavier Legette
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
- Record: 1-2
- Current Pick: 5
- Prospect Targets: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Kalen King, DI Jer’Zhan Newton
Defense feels like the move for the Chargers right now; Justin Herbert has enough talent and weapons to put up ample points each week. With JC Jackson’s production taking a nosedive over the last year, they could look at one of the top cornerbacks in the class, such as McKinstry or King. If not, a stout defensive lineman who could improve their run-defense and pass-rush units, such as Newton, would be welcomed.
Click here to read more about Kool-Aid McKinstry, Kalen King and Jer'Zhan Newton
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
- Record: 1-2
- Current Pick: 6
- Prospect Targets: QB Drake Maye, DI Jer’Zhan Newton, WR Malik Nabers
It feels like the Raiders' entire roster and coaching staff outlook could change when this offseason rolls around. Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t feel like a long-term answer, so if they’re in Drake Maye's range, they should take him. But if not, they need one of the top interior defensive linemen in this class to aid Maxx Crosby and Tyree Wilson. As a third option, pairing Davante Adams with Malik Nabers would put a ton of stress on secondaries.
Click here to read more about Drake Maye, Jer'Zhan Newton and Malik Nabers
HOUSTON TEXANS
- Record: 1-2
- Current Pick: 20 via Browns (Pick 8 traded to Cardinals)
- Prospect Targets: WR Keon Coleman, WR Emeka Egbuka, WR Rome Odunze
The Texans have made a statement that their rebuild might not last as long or as some initially believed. C.J. Stroud is playing very well through his first three starts, but there’s no doubt he needs a true WR1 next offseason. The three names above could all be target leaders in the Texans' offense: Coleman with his contested-catch ability, Egbuka with his all-around skill and familiarity with Stroud at Ohio State, and Odunze with his all-around athleticism as one of the most productive receivers in the country.
Click here to read more about Keon Coleman, Emeka Egbuka and Rome Odunze
TENNESSEE TITANS
- Record: 1-2
- Current Pick: 8
- Prospect Targets: OT Joe Alt, OT J.C. Latham, WR Malik Nabers
The Titans appear to be in the dying stages of their winning window and nearing the beginning of a total rebuild. Their offensive line already has a head start on that rebuild, and if they land a top-10 pick, it feels like they would use it on a trench player. If not, another receiving weapon will be needed for the future starting quarterback.
Click here to read more about Joe Alt, J.C. Latham and Malik Nabers
CINCINNATI BENGALS
- Record: 1-2
- Current Pick: 9
- Prospect Targets: OT Olu Fashanu, OT Joe Alt, TE Brock Bowers
The Bengals are arguably the most surprising team on this list. Joe Burrow being hurt certainly does not help their cause, but if they’re picking near the top again, the offensive line will be a priority. With Tee Higgins’ contract looming, they could also look to replace his targets with the ultra-talented tight end Brock Bowers.
Click here to read more about Olu Fashanu, Joe Alt and Brock Bowers
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
- Record: 1-2
- Current Pick: 10
- Prospect Targets: EDGE Jared Verse, EDGE Laiatu Latu, DI Leonard Taylor III
The most disappointing aspect of the Jaguars thus far is their lack of pass rush, which is troublesome, given that they drafted an edge rusher with the No. 1 overall pick in 2022. But you can never have too many pass rushers, so if this trend continues, they’ll need to take whichever prospect is the best at getting after the quarterback, whether that’s on the interior or the edge.
Click here to read more about Jared Verse, Laiatu Latu and Leonard Taylor III
NEW YORK JETS
- Record: 1-2
- Current Pick: 11
- Prospect Targets: OT Joe Alt, QB Bo Nix, QB J.J. McCarthy
It’s unfortunate that we’re here talking about the Jets in a draft capacity this early. But with Aaron Rodgers‘ injury and Zach Wilson being their only quarterback option (for now), that’s what we must do. If the Jets have a chance to draft a high-potential offensive lineman to aid Rodgers in his 2024 campaign, they will do so. But if not, look for them to get their quarterback of the future to sit behind Rodgers before taking over.
Click here to read more about Joe Alt, Bo Nix and J.J. McCarthy
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
- Record: 1-2
- Current Pick: 12
- Prospect Targets: QB Bo Nix, WR Malik Nabers, TE Brock Bowers
If the Patriots don’t believe Mac Jones is the answer, there will be plenty of quarterbacks to choose from. If they, for some reason, want to run it back, they’ll need better offensive weapons. The tight end-Bill Belichick draft cliche is a tired one, but Bowers actually fits.
Click here to read more about Bo Nix, Malik Nabers and Brock Bowers
ARIZONA CARDINALS
- Record: 1-2
- Current Pick: 13
- Prospect Targets: EDGE Laiatu Latu, EDGE Dallas Turner, CB Cooper DeJean
The Cardinals are showing more life than we (or maybe just I) expected them to early on — so much so that it might keep them out of the running for the top spot and a new quarterback. If they run it back with Kyler Murray when he’s healthy, they could have two top-10 picks to bolster their roster. Edge rusher is a huge need for Arizona, as is a shutdown player in the secondary. Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean, one potential target, can play multiple spots on defense if the Cardinals would want him to do so.
Click here to read more about Laiatu Latu, Dallas Turner and Cooper DeJean
NEW YORK GIANTS
- Record: 1-2
- Current Pick: 14
- Prospect Targets: WR Keon Coleman, EDGE Dallas Turner, OL Graham Barton
It feels as though the Giants are still trying to recover from going so all-in on Kenny Golladay and getting burned. They have Darren Waller now, who helps as a big-bodied target, but they need another alpha receiver at the catch point. Coleman fits that description better than any other 2024 receiver prospect. If not a receiver, trench additions on either side are something general manager Joe Schoen will take a good look at.
Click here to read more about Keon Coleman, Dallas Turner and Graham Barton
LOS ANGELES RAMS
- Record: 1-2
- Current Pick: 15
- Prospect Targets: EDGE Dallas Turner, OL Graham Barton, OT J.C. Latham
Arguably the worst roster in the league on paper is fighting hard to start the 2023 NFL season. Regardless of how many wins the Rams end up with, an investment in the trenches is coming. They’ll have their eyes set on a pass rusher or a pass protector early on. In their current draft range are players such as Alabama edge defender Dallas Turner, who is having an excellent start to the season, Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton and Alabama offensive tackle J.C. Latham.
Click here to read more about Dallas Turner, Graham Barton and J.C. Latham
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