Which NFL team has the most on the line in the Draft?

The NFL Draft is under a month away and how those three days go for teams will have a big say in how the 2023 season will play out. While many cornerstone pieces are set for almost every team, the depth needed for backups and special teams is critical in completing any franchise’s draft haul. Some teams definitely need to fill some starting spots through the draft as well.

Which teams have the biggest needs heading into the NFL Draft? We’ll run through them here. Some of them might be obvious, while others could be the one move necessary to launch a team into contention for the Super Bowl. Either way, we’ll start exactly where the NFL Draft will begin at the end of April.

Even with a new head coach (Frank Reich, pictured), the Panthers are in a great position to go from the No. 1 overall pick to a playoff position quickly. Carolina’s defense is solid and it plays in the easiest division to win in football, maybe aside from the AFC South. The Panthers didn’t trade up to the first selection to take anything other than a quarterback. Not even the generational talent that comes along at other positions, like a Jadeveon Clowney or Keyshawn Johnson, is worth that.

After the reunion with Cam Newton didn’t work out and Sam Darnold couldn’t stake his claim to be the future in Charlotte, the Panthers’ next starting quarterback likely comes down to two options: C.J. Stroud (pictured) or Bryce Young. It would be the biggest draft shocker in a long time if the former Ohio State or Alabama signal caller wasn’t starting for the Panthers in a few months.

The team that formerly had the No. 1 overall pick traded back in part because none of the top players in the draft fulfilled its major needs. Even with the trough of players the Bears have already brought to the Windy City this offseason, there are some moves to make. Chicago seemingly has the quarterback of the future in Justin Fields (pictured) and needs to protect him with more depth along the offensive line.

The worthwhile other choices from the top spot weren’t direct fits for the organization, like Will Anderson, so trading back and filling those needs was a smart move. Inside defensive line help would serve the organization well to compete in the NFC North. The Bears might be a while away from competing for championships, but these moves should help.

Skyline Chili headquarters’ favorite team nearly went to back-to-back Super Bowls and while too many additions aren’t needed to guarantee the Bengals are within striking distance again, taking one of the top tight ends in the draft (pictured: Michael Mayer, Notre Dame) to replace Hayden Hurst would give Joe Burrow one more great weapon.

After losing Jessie Bates III to the Falcons in free agency, Cincinnati’s secondary is young and that’s one way the conference with most of the league’s best quarterbacks can find a way to beat you. Drafting one of the best available here will keep that core young, but add some life, like Sauce Gardner with the Jets.

The soon-to-be- Aaron-Rodgers-less Packers do have a quarterback in waiting (Jordan Love, pictured). But Losing Allen Lazard and the lack of experienced weapons Rodgers had last season makes adding threats on the outside a much-needed experience for Green Bay to be successful after more than two decades with a stable quarterback.

The quiet nature of Green Bay’s offseason, aside from Rodgers, has been staggering. Why has one person made the entire franchise he won’t throw another pass for come to a standstill and not improve in any other way? Picking up a few receiving options will improve the offense of one of the most average teams in the NFL.

What a mess of a franchise. The Texans absolutely still have a need for a new quarterback and should select whoever is available between Stroud and Young at No. 2 right behind the Panthers. Can anybody truly rule out how bizarre it would be for them to reach on Anthony Richardson or Will Levis (pictured) though?

In terms of serious needs, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line, and maybe everything outside of running back and kicker might be listed here. What moves could the Texans make to not end up in a similar drafting position next year? Maybe start by actually developing players long-term.

Although acquiring Aaron Rodgers (pictured) seems like a smart move, he’ll be around for a “fun” time not a long time. He’s a temporary Band-Aid to a bigger problem. Having a backup in the wings that can learn from the ayahuasca weirdo would be ideal — and why not take a flier on one of the more talented guys in the draft?

To protect the Teflon quarterback, having a better offensive line and not letting him shatter into a million pieces would be great. The Jets’ O-Line from last season made Zach Wilson (pictured) and Mike White look even worse than both of them already are. While I doubt Rodgers ever is considered in the same territory, let’s just upgrade your team at that spot and not take chances.

I mean, the Commanders can’t exactly have someone walk up to the lectern and say the name of a new owner from Southwestern Pennsylvania A&M Assembly of God Technical Institute or Yale. But how cool would that be? The Commanders actually look ok at plenty of positions and shouldn’t be drafting a quarterback or many skill-position players.

The team’s biggest need is getting Daniel Snyder as far away from the team as humanly possible. With multiple $6-billion-or-more bids launched to buy the team, the possibility of Washington shredding this awful skin and having a competent owner is closer than ever before. Having to draft one would be so much easier and much more fun.

After losing Miles Sanders to the Carolina Panthers in free agency, the Eagles’ offense looks a little weaker despite the team being clear favorites to get back to another Super Bowl. Strike while the iron is hot and trade up from the No. 10 spot and get Bijan Robinson. He’s by far the best running back in the draft and could help the team from Week 1.

The Super Bowl runners-up from last year are loaded everywhere and should use the draft to only add depth and competition, which is a fantastic place to be in. While Sanders wasn’t the team’s only loss to free agency, no one Philadelphia couldn’t retain held as much weight as Sanders, despite a decent backup in Kenneth Gainwell.

And with the 19th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Tom Brady, quarterback who posts horrible thirst traps on Instagram. Wait what? Well the franchise would’ve had old-man Brady back if they could. And even with signing Baker Mayfield to a 1-year contract, does anyone think that marriage is going to last long?

Tampa looks like the perfect team to reach on Anthony Richardson or Will Levis and trade into the top 10 and ditch Mayfield for a shinier new toy. The Bucs catered themselves to a mid-40s quarterback and now have to pick up the pieces after he retired (hopefully for good), and no team can win in the league without a stable quarterback.