2023 NFL Draft order: Texans holding two of the top four picks

Biggest needs: QB, DB, DL

Week 8 opponent: vs. Dolphins

DP: After scoring six points total in the last two games, the idea of a fresh start at quarterback must sound like a pretty good idea in Detroit, which is in line to pick inside the top 10 for the fifth straight year.

Biggest needs: QB, WR, Edge

Week 8 opponent: vs. Titans

EE: Understandably, quarterback is the position everyone is focusing on, as the Texans currently are holding two top-five picks. But there could be a significant overhaul at receiver, too.

Biggest needs: QB, WR, DL

Week 8 opponent: at Falcons

DP: Running back replaces defensive line on the needs list this week following the Christian McCaffrey trade. Complementary back Chuba Hubbard is the only Carolina rusher signed beyond this season.

PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE CLEVELAND BROWNS

Browns’ record: 2-5 (.469)

Browns’ Week 8 opponent: vs. Bengals

See Pick No. 2 for analysis of the Texans’ needs and the bottom of this article for analysis of the Browns’ needs.

PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE DENVER BRONCOS

Broncos’ record: 2-5 (.489)

Broncos’ Week 8 opponent: at Jaguars

See the playoff teams section of this article for analysis of the Seahawks’ needs and the bottom of this article for analysis of the Broncos’ needs.

PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Saints’ record: 2-5 (.500)

Saints’ Week 8 opponent: vs. Raiders

NOTE: See the playoff teams section of this article for analysis of the Eagles’ needs and the bottom of this article for analysis of the Saints’ needs.

Biggest needs: OT, CB, DL

Week 8 opponent: at Eagles

EE: Cameron Sutton looks like a keeper, but the Steelers could use more depth at corner. 

Biggest needs: DL, WR, TE

Week 8 opponent: vs. Broncos

EE: They’re in a tough spot, as the Jaguars must continue building around Trevor Lawrence, but the defense has shown signs of regression lately.

Biggest needs: OT, Edge, DL

Week 8 opponent: at Saints

EE: The Raiders have a true defensive difference maker in Maxx Crosby but few others who command much attention up front, with Chandler Jones (0.5 sacks) a disappointment so far.

Biggest needs: OT, Edge, WR

Week 8 opponent: at Jets

EE: Their offensive needs are pretty clear. But Bill Belichick hasn’t used a first-round pick on defense since 2015 (DT Malcom Brown), and the Patriots are never afraid to go against the grain.

Biggest needs: OL, Edge, QB

Week 8 opponent: vs. Panthers

DP: The Falcons invested in their pass rush in the 2022 draft, and they might need to do the same next year. Atlanta ranks dead last in the league with a sack percentage of 3.7, per Next Gen Stats.

PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

49ers’ record: 3-4 (.458)

49ers’ Week 8 opponent: at Rams

Dolphins’ needs: OL, CB, RB

EE: They’ve largely struggled to maximize their draft investments in the offensive line in recent years. But if they can’t find veteran OL help, can they afford to not address that position relatively early in the draft?

NOTE: See the bottom of this article for analysis of the 49ers’ needs.

Biggest needs: OL, WR, DL

Week 8 opponent: at Cowboys

DP: The Bears have spent only one draft pick on an interior defensive lineman in the last four drafts, and it was a seventh-rounder (Khyiris Tonga, 2021; he’s now with the Vikings). With three IDLs headed for free agency in 2023, Ryan Poles will likely be looking for help at the spot next spring.

Biggest needs: OL, CB, Edge

Week 8 opponent: at Vikings

DP: Cornerback could end up as the Cardinals’ biggest need this offseason. They have only two CBs under contract beyond the 2022 campaign — rookie Christian Matthew and second-year veteran Marco Wilson.

Biggest needs: QB, CB, OL

Week 8 opponent: at Colts

DP: With William Jackson III wanting out, Washington is down a veteran corner at the moment and could be in the market at the position next spring.

Biggest needs: WR, S, TE

Week 8 opponent: at Bills

DP: The sputtering Packers will need to re-sign their own guys or hit the tight end market in 2023, as both Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis have expiring contracts.

Biggest needs: QB, WR, Edge

Week 8 opponent: vs. Commanders

EE: There will be immense pressure on the Colts to find a quarterback. The Matt Ryan experiment can already be deemed a failure, with the 37-year-old being benched by Frank Reich.

Biggest needs: DB, OL, TE

Week 8 opponent: at Browns

EE: Hayden Hurst has been a nice addition this season. But there’s only one tight end on the roster currently under contract for 2023 (Devin Asiasi). The Bengals have used five picks on tight ends in Rounds 1-3 since 2009, but they could be back in the market again.

PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE LOS ANGELES RAMS

Rams’ record: 3-3 (.512)

Rams’ Week 8 opponent: vs. 49ers

See Pick No. 1 for analysis of the Lions’ needs and the bottom of this article for analysis of the Rams’ needs.

Biggest needs: DL, WR, LB

Week 8 opponent: vs. Giants

DP: Seattle’s depth at wide receiver will be tested for as long as DK Metcalf is sidelined. Marquise Goodwin stepped up on Sunday, but can the pending free agent keep it going?

Biggest needs: LB, WR, OT

Week 8 opponent: Bye

EE: It wouldn’t be shocking to see GM Tom Telesco target a receiver fairly high in next spring’s draft. Keenan Allen will be carrying a cap hit of $21.7 million, Mike Williams has had a lengthy injury history and Josh Palmer remains in the wait-and-see stage of his development.

Biggest needs: WR, Edge, CB

Week 8 opponent: at Buccaneers

EE: It might not be their most pressing need, but the Ravens could use some new blood at cornerback. Marlon Humphrey is under contract through 2026, but Marcus Peters is due to hit free agency in the spring.

Biggest needs: OL, Edge, TE

Week 8 opponent: at Texans

EE: Taylor Lewan will be entering his age-32 season coming off a serious knee injury and in the final year of his deal, set to make more than $14 million (but with no money guaranteed). Will he be a cut candidate? The other tackles on the roster haven’t gotten it done.

Biggest needs: OT, S, LB

Week 8 opponent: vs. Patriots

EE: Aside from converted college DB Jamien Sherwood, GM Joe Douglas has not used a pick on a linebacker in his three drafts with the Jets. That could be a position they attack in the offseason.

Biggest needs: OT, WR, DL

Week 8 opponent: Bye

EE: It’s not hard to envision JuJu Smith-Schuster re-signing with the Chiefs, the way things are going so far. But another free-agent-to-be in 2023, Mecole Hardman, has been hot and cold with Kansas City. Will he be back next season? Skyy Moore is in tow, but he’s off to a slow start in his rookie year.

Biggest needs: DB, OL, WR

Week 8 opponent: vs. Bears

DP: Adding depth to the offensive line might have to be a priority for Dallas with starting guard Connor McGovern in the final year of his contract and Tyron Smith struggling to stay healthy.

Biggest needs: DB, WR, Edge

Week 8 opponent: vs. Cardinals

DP: With Adam Thielen seemingly in decline, finding a more dynamic target to complement Justin Jefferson could be crucial for the Minnesota offense in 2023. 

Biggest needs: OL, S, LB

Week 8 opponent: vs. Packers

EE: Rodger Saffold turns 35 before next season and is set to hit free agency this offseason, so the Bills could look to draft a ready-made interior lineman if they can’t secure one during free agency. 

Biggest needs: QB, WR, RB

Week 8 opponent: at Seahawks

DP: As we approach midseason, the Giants are the only NFL team without at least one wide receiver who has eclipsed the 200-yard mark. The position probably will be atop their needs list if they ultimately re-sign Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley.

Biggest needs: DB, Edge, DL

Week 8 opponent: vs. Steelers

DP: In this pass-happy era of football, the Eagles haven’t spent a first-round pick on a defensive back since 2002. Will the team put that streak to an end with one of its two first-round picks next year? 

TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE HOUSTON TEXANS

Biggest needs: WR, DL, Edge

Week 8 opponent: vs. Bengals

EE: The Browns have rotated four young interior defensive linemen — Perrion Winfrey, Jordan Elliott, Taven Bryan and Tommy Togiai — and haven’t received great performances from any of them consistently. Would they dip back into the draft for more help or go the veteran route?

TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Biggest needs: OL, RB, LB

Week 8 opponent: at Jaguars

EE: GM George Paton’s history, both in Denver and in his time with the Vikings, shows that he values the RB position. Javonte Williams will be back next year but he’ll be coming off a torn ACL, and the Broncos really could use a good receiver at the position to complement him.

TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE DETROIT LIONS

Biggest needs: Edge, OL, DB

Week 8 opponent: vs. 49ers

DP: The Rams went into their Week 7 bye with one of the 10 worst pass-protecting tackles and guards, and one of the 5 worst pass-protecting centers, according to The Athletic. Matthew Stafford is going to need better from his front five.

TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Biggest needs: QB, DL, WR

Week 8 opponent: vs. Raiders

DP: The Saints’ defense is one of the league’s most disappointing units, ranking 31st in scoring a year after finishing fourth in the category. New Orleans is among the few teams that have allowed 20-plus points in every game this season, and three of its four starters on the defensive line are due to become free agents this offseason.

TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE MIAMI DOLPHINS

Biggest needs: OL, DL, DB

Week 8 opponent: at Rams

DP: The trenches might need to be the focus for the 49ers next spring, with two starters on the offensive line and a few key contributors on the defensive line in a walk year.