One position each AFC team should target in the 2023 NFL Draft

Some GMs will choose to address the hole in the first round, while others will wait until Day 2 or 3.

Buckle up, folks. The period between now and the start of the draft is when you should take anything you hear with a grain of salt. Seemingly out of nowhere, Bryce Young became the favorite to be the No. 1 pick again. Maybe the Panthers really do like him best of all the quarterbacks, but I can’t help but be a little skeptical. 

This is, after all, peak smokescreen season. 

Thankfully, the draft is just over two weeks away, so the end is near. In the meantime, I’d like to move away from rumors and concentrate on what teams should do in this year’s draft. All 32 franchises have positions (as in plural) they need to address, but I narrowed it down to which one (as in singular) each general manager has to prioritize in the draft, whether in the first round or later on. So if he neglects to draft this position at all, he earns an automatic F from me! (Theoretically, anyway. I generally leave the draft grades to others.)

I’m splitting this up into two parts because otherwise, it’ll be much too long for a single newsletter. I’ll start with the AFC today. Look out for the NFC later this week. 

Baltimore Ravens

Position: Cornerback

The Ravens still have a long-term need at receiver even after signing Odell Beckham Jr., but his one-year deal makes the position a little less urgent — and perhaps more importantly, serves as an olive branch to Lamar Jackson. 

https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/1645228706107912192?s=20

That leaves cornerback as their biggest hole, probably one they should aim to fill in the first round (and hey, No. 22 is right around when Maryland native Deonte Banks should be drafted). Baltimore has to be strategic about how it uses its draft picks, since it only has five of them this year.

Buffalo Bills

Position: Linebacker 

The Bills have yet to replace Tremaine Edmunds, who had been a defensive mainstay since they drafted him in 2018 but who signed with the Bears this offseason. It’s possible they think they already have Edmunds’ successor on the roster, though neither Tyrel Dodson nor Terrel Bernard has really flashed yet. 

This year’s linebacker class isn’t particularly deep, but there are options for Buffalo if it wants to target the position late in the first round, including Arkansas’ Drew Sanders (who has been compared to Edmunds) and maybe Jack Campbell (who could also be a Day 2 pick). However, considering the boost they’re getting from a healthy-again secondary, the Bills can probably afford to wait until after Round 1 to select a linebacker. Either way, they’re doing their homework.

Cincinnati Bengals

Position: Safety

Hopefully, Irv Smith Jr. stays healthy in 2023 and can put the “prove” in his prove-it deal with the Bengals. The Bengals should still prioritize a tight end in the draft, but after saying goodbye to both Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell in free agency, adding a safety should be the main goal. 

The problem is that’s the weakest position in this year’s draft class:

https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks/status/1644457672828399617?s=20

The best of the bunch is Alabama’s Brian Branch, who could be off the board when the Bengals are up at pick No. 28. If he is, they shouldn’t hesitate to take a name like Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson or Illinois' Sydney Brown on Day 2. 

Cleveland Browns

Position: Defensive tackle

The good news for Cleveland fans is the Browns already tackled one area of need when they traded for receiver Elijah Moore. The bad news is that it cost them a second-rounder and now all of their eight picks are in the third round or later.

That, plus the lack of options, will make Cleveland’s quest to boost its interior defensive line a little more difficult. The top-rated defensive tackle, Jalen Carter, will be long gone before the Browns are on the clock. I also have my doubts that Mazi Smith will be available then, either. 

But perhaps pick No. 74 is the perfect spot for Wisconsin’s Keeanu Benton:

https://twitter.com/Pro__Ant/status/1644751409609424896?s=20

He could immediately help the Browns’ run defense, which ranked near the bottom of the league in 2022.

Denver Broncos

Position: Edge rusher

Like the Browns, the Broncos will be sitting out the first two rounds of the draft. Unlike the Browns, the Broncos only own five picks this month. 

Their best bet would be to add an edge rusher at some point, probably with one of their two third-rounders. The position is loaded this year, and Denver’s defense could use another player who can get after the quarterback. Last year, Dre’Mont Jones led the Broncos with 6.5 sacks, and he’s since signed with the Seahawks. Perhaps Randy Gregory can help fill the void, but he’s had trouble staying on the field throughout his career, including in 2022 when his season was cut short due to injury.

Denver will have plenty of prospects to choose from in Round 3. Zach Harrison could follow in Jones’ footsteps, just as he did at Ohio State. Or, if the Broncos want to look elsewhere in the Midwest, Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey and Wisconsin’s Nick Herbig are third-round possibilities. 

Houston Texans

Position: Quarterback

After a busy free agency period, the Texans still have many holes to fill — and 12 picks to help the cause. There’s no question which is No. 1 on their agenda, however. The Texans are in position to draft one of the two best quarterbacks (C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young) in this class, and that’s exactly what I expect them to do with the second overall selection. 

What Houston decides to do with its second first-round pick (No. 12 overall) is another question. Lately, the mock drafts have been trending toward a wide receiver, but with DeMeco Ryans as the head coach, I wouldn’t rule out a defensive lineman there either.

Indianapolis Colts

Position: Quarterback

Again, there’s no need to overthink this one. The Colts have been in dire need of a franchise quarterback since Andrew Luck abruptly retired and ruined my Saturday night¹. While their AFC South rivals can draft a Day 1 starter like Stroud or Young, the Colts might not be as fortunate. They’re currently set to pick No. 4, and if another team jumps up to No. 3, they could be taking the fourth quarterback in this draft — likely Will Levis or Anthony Richardson, both of the high-risk, high-reward variety. 

If I’m right that neither Levis nor Richardson should start right away, then free agent signee Gardner Minshew can fill that role for the time being. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Position: Cornerback

The Jaguars were relatively quiet during free agency this year, but that was always the plan. The draft, in which they have nine picks, is where they’ll add the majority of their new players. 

Jacksonville could use reinforcements all along their defense, so it’s not a surprise that there’s no real consensus on which position or prospect it’ll focus on in the first round. The Jags, who released Shaquill Griffin last month, definitely need a starting-caliber cornerback, whether they decide to draft one at No. 24 (like South Carolina’s Cam Smith or Maryland’s Deonte Banks) or on Day 2 (Utah’s Clark Phillips III, Georgia’s Kelee Ringo … if they’re still available).

Kansas City Chiefs

Position: Offensive tackle

The Chiefs just won a Super Bowl with JuJu Smith-Schuster as their leading wide receiver for the season (tight end Travis Kelce, of course, was Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target overall). Smith-Schuster signed with the Patriots during free agency, leaving Mahomes with a young, somewhat unproven receiving corps. 

So yeah, Kansas City will likely draft a receiver this year, but I wouldn’t consider it the team’s biggest need, not with a magician like Mahomes under center. But because it’s Mahomes under center, KC should do everything it can to protect him — and that means drafting another tackle this year. 

Jawaan Taylor is supposed to take over for Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle, though Taylor can play either side. As such, the Chiefs don’t have to specifically aim for a right tackle in the draft. If they choose to, then Tennessee’s Darnell Wright could be waiting for them at the end of the first round and Ohio State’s Dawand Jones might be there on Day 2.

Las Vegas Raiders

Position: Cornerback

I have no idea what the Raiders will do with their first pick; they could trade up and try to draft a quarterback, or stay where they are … and draft a quarterback. Or an offensive lineman. Or a cornerback. 

Any of those decisions are reasonable. But considering their ongoing (for several years) issues at cornerback, I hope the Raiders address the position quickly. Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez and Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon are the highest-rated corners in the draft and should be there at No. 7. If they wait until Day 2, then a prospect like Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes or Miami’s Tyrique Stevenson could soon be calling Vegas home.

Los Angeles Chargers

Position: Wide receiver

The first-round projections for the Chargers are all over the place, but analysts seem to agree on one matter: LA needs depth pieces most of all. I think wide receiver is a good place to start considering the injuries they’ve had at the position, though the Chargers should probably take a “best available player” (BPA) approach to their No. 21 pick. 

In case they do use that pick on a receiver, they could have their choice between USC’s Jordan Addison and Boston College’s Zay Flowers. Day 2 speedsters should include Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt (who won the Biletnikoff Award, even though it should’ve been Marvin Harrison Jr.) and Nebraska’s Trey Palmer.

Miami Dolphins

Position: Offensive line

The Dolphins cleaned up during free agency and have a roster that’s built to contend … as long as Tua Tagovailoa stays healthy. One way to help him try to do that is to provide him with a sturdy line. He at least has Pro Bowler Terron Armstead at left tackle. After that? Ehhhh.

Unfortunately, Miami has fewer (4) draft picks than any other franchise this year. Fortunately, the Dolphins should still be able to grab a quality tackle or guard with their second- or third-round pick, such as TCU’s Steve Avila or Alabama’s Tyler Steen. 

New England Patriots

Position: Cornerback

The Patriots should, and probably will, draft a receiver this year. Maybe they’ll do so in the first round. But given Bill Belichick’s horrible track record at selecting receivers, I simply can’t trust this organization to get it right. 

Therefore, I’m instead singling out cornerback as the position I most want them to target in the draft. Although Belichick has had some CB draft misses over the years (Cyrus Jones, Joejuan Williams), he’s consistently found hidden gems in the later rounds (Asante Samuel, Logan Ryan). Or, in the case of current starter Jonathan Jones, as an undrafted free agent. 

And with Jalen Mills moving back to safety after Devin McCourty’s retirement, Jones needs someone to start opposite him. New England could try its chances at an early-round corner again and land a top-rated prospect like Penn State’s Joey Porter, but perhaps it’s for the best if Belichick goes for an offensive tackle at No. 14. Then he could wait until Round 3 and find his next draft steal, such as the nephew of LaDainian Tomlinson:

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1644846836279066632?s=20

New York Jets

Position: Offensive line

While we wait for the Aaron Rodgers trade to happen (which it absolutely will, per GM Joe Douglas), the Jets can figure out which tackles and centers to target in the draft to block for the 39-year-old quarterback. 

Ohio State left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. has often been mocked to the Jets at No. 13. If he’s gone by that point (very possible), Georgia’s Broderick Jones could be next up. There are no centers worth taking that high, but there are few beefy Big Ten products (OSU’s Luke Wypler, Wisconsin’s Joe Tippmann, Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz) who will be there on Day 2. Of course, it depends on if the Jets will still own a second-round pick once they complete the Rodgers trade. Currently, they have two, but at least one of those will be headed to Green Bay.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Position: Offensive tackle 

The Steelers boasted rare stability on their OL in 2022: The starting five remained the same all season. That said, the unit was fairly average, and what are the odds that all five linemen will remain healthy for the entirety of another season? At worst, they could use depth and at best, they could replace one of their starters at tackle. 

Like the Chargers, the Steelers can opt for the BPA strategy with the No. 17 pick. If an OT as skilled as Broderick Jones is still on the board then, Pittsburgh shouldn’t hesitate to snap him up. If not, the Steelers could afford to wait until the second round, when they have two selections (potentially available: Dawand Jones, Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison, Syracuse’s Matthew Bergeron). Then they could shore up another area (corner, DL, LB) with their first-rounder. 

Tennessee Titans

Position: Wide receiver 

The Titans’ strategy remains a mystery as Ran Carthon approaches his first draft as a general manager. He’s almost guaranteed to do a better job than his predecessor, though. 

Whether they decide to trade up for a quarterback or not, the Titans need another playmaker at wide receiver. With the team’s 2022 leading receiver (Robert Woods, with a whopping 527 yards) now with the Texans, Treylon Burks heads into his second season as WR1. The first-round pick showed promise at times during his rookie season, but he also missed six games due to injury and hauled in just one touchdown. 

The Titans could stay at No. 11 and select what will most likely be the first receiver off the board, which could be Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba or TCU’s Quentin Johnston. Or they might want to land a highly regarded tackle instead. That’s totally fine!

But then they should definitely go after a receiver in Round 2 or 3. UNC’s Josh Downs, Cincinnati’s Tyler Scott, and SMU’s Rashee Rice are among the wideouts expected to be taken on Day 2. 

1. It was late August 2019. I had worked every day that month until I finally had a day off. I went out to dinner with friends that Saturday evening when Adam Schefter broke the news that Luck had retired, and suddenly, my day off was no more.