Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order After Sunday's Week 14 Results
On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles became the first team in the NFL to clinch a playoff berth this season. On the other end of the spectrum, there are now three teams that have been eliminated from postseason contention.
The Houston Texans, Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos have no chance of getting to the playoffs, and more will be joining them in the group of eliminated teams over the final four weeks of the regular season. These franchises can at least look forward to having top picks in the 2023 NFL draft in April.
With the majority of the Week 14 action complete (all but a Monday night matchup between the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals), here's how the draft order presently stands for 2023.
Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order
1. Houston Texans (1-11-1)
2. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos) (3-10)
3. Chicago Bears (3-10)
4. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams) (4-9)
5. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints) (4-9)
6. Arizona Cardinals (4-8)
7. Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1)
8. Las Vegas Raiders (5-8)
9. Carolina Panthers (5-8)
10. Atlanta Falcons (5-8)
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8)
12. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns) (5-8)
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8)
14. Green Bay Packers (5-8)
15. Detroit Lions (6-7)
16. New England Patriots (6-6)
17. Seattle Seahawks (7-6)
18. New York Jets (7-6)
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
20. Los Angeles Chargers (7-6)
21. Tennessee Titans (7-6)
22. Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
23. New York Giants (7-5-1)
24. Forfeited pick (via Miami Dolphins) (8-5)
25. Denver Broncos (via San Francisco 49ers) (9-4)
26. Baltimore Ravens (9-4)
27. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)
28. Dallas Cowboys (10-3)
29. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)
30. Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
31. Buffalo Bills (10-3)
32. Philadelphia Eagles (12-1)
Draft order via Tankathon.com.
Texans' Loss to Cowboys May Help in Long Run
The Texans nearly ended their losing streak with an upset road win on Sunday. In the long run, it's probably for the best that Houston didn't somehow find a way to come out of Dallas with a victory.
Ezekiel Elliott's 2-yard touchdown run with 41 seconds to go lifted the Cowboys to a 27-23 win over the Texans at AT&T Stadium. It marked Houston's eighth consecutive loss, as it continues to get closer to securing the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
After playing the Chiefs in Week 15, the Texans will end their season by playing each of their AFC South rivals (the Titans, Jaguars and Colts) over the final three weeks. As long as Houston doesn't win more than one game during that stretch, it will be guaranteed of landing the No. 1 pick. Of course, it could win more than that and still get the top selection, depending on how other teams fare.
If things end up being close at the bottom of the standings, Texans fans may look back at this loss to the Cowboys and be glad that things ended how they did.
Broncos Eliminated from Playoff Contention in Surprising Season
Some may have thought the Broncos would be a Super Bowl contender after trading for quarterback Russell Wilson this past offseason. Instead, Denver isn't even going to the playoffs.
The Broncos were eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday, when they fell 34-28 to the Chiefs. Denver fell behind 27-0, so it was impressive that it even got back into the game, especially with Wilson exiting due to a concussion and Brett Rypien taking over at QB.
The Wilson trade sent the Broncos' 2023 first-round draft pick to the Seahawks, who will hope that Denver's struggles continue. While Seattle battles for a playoff berth, it may also end up with one of the first few selections in the draft, thanks to the Broncos' down year.
By the end of the season, Denver may have the longest active playoff drought in the NFL. The Jets are making a push for the postseason and could make it for the first time since the 2010 season, while the Broncos haven't reached the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl at the end of the 2015 campaign.
Lions Could Make Playoffs, Still Get Early Draft Pick
After a slow start to the season, the Lions are picking up steam heading into the final stretch. In fact, they could even end up in the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 campaign, depending on how the next four weeks go.
Detroit beat NFC North rival Minnesota 34-23 on Sunday for its fifth win in the past six weeks. This successful stretch came after the Lions lost six of their first seven games to open the season. They're trying to chase down the Commanders and Giants (both 7-5-1), who hold the final two NFC wild-card spots.
As Detroit tries to end its postseason drought, it's also benefiting from the Rams' struggles. The Lions acquired Los Angeles' 2023 first-round draft pick in the Matthew Stafford trade prior to the 2021 season, which should work out quite well for them.
Even though the Rams won in Week 14, they're 4-9 and have some difficult matchups down the stretch. So it's quite possible the Lions could get into the playoffs and end up with a top-five pick in the 2023 draft, too.