Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order After Sunday's Week 11 Results
The Houston Texans have the worst record in the NFL this season at 1-8-1, and then there are eight teams with three wins. So, there could be quite a bit of movement near the bottom of the standings over the next seven weeks.
That's important, too, because it will determine which teams end up with the top picks in the 2023 NFL draft. Any of those three-win teams could get hot and move down the draft order, or they could stay cold and go the opposite direction.
Plus, there's still time for the Texans to string together some wins. But if they don't, they'll at least get the No. 1 overall selection in April.
With most of the Week 11 action complete (all that remains is a Monday night matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers), here's a look at how the 2023 NFL draft order currently stacks up.
Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order
1. Houston Texans (1-8-1)
2. Carolina Panthers (3-8)
3. Chicago Bears (3-8)
4. Las Vegas Raiders (3-7)
5. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos) (3-7)
6. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams) (3-7)
7. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns) (3-7)
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-7)
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7)
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints) (4-7)
11. Green Bay Packers (4-7)
12. Arizona Cardinals (4-6)
13. Detroit Lions (4-6)
14. Indianapolis Colts (4-6-1)
15. Atlanta Falcons (5-6)
16. Los Angeles Chargers (5-5)
17. Washington Commanders (6-5)
18. New York Jets (6-4)
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5)
20. Denver Broncos (via San Francisco 49ers) (5-4)
21. Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
22. New England Patriots (6-4)
23. Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)
24. Buffalo Bills (7-3)
25. Baltimore Ravens (7-3)
26. Tennessee Titans (7-3)
27. Dallas Cowboys (7-3)
28. New York Giants (7-3)
29. Forfeited pick (via Miami Dolphins) (7-3)
30. Minnesota Vikings (8-2)
31. Kansas City Chiefs (8-2)
32. Philadelphia Eagles (9-1)
Draft order via Tankathon.com.
Are Texans Destined for the No. 1 Pick?
Sunday's game against the Commanders seemed to be one of the more winnable matchups on the Texans' remaining schedule. Yet, Houston had one of its worst showings of the 2022 season, as it was never even in a position to make things competitive.
The Texans compiled only 148 total yards and committed two turnovers (a pair of Davis Mills interceptions) in a 23-10 loss. Washington scored the opening 20 points of the game in the first half, and Houston didn't get into the end zone until Mills' four-yard touchdown run with three minutes and 19 seconds to go in the fourth quarter.
It doesn't seem likely the Texans will go on a run any time soon, as four of their next five games are against teams with seven or more wins. That includes their Week 12 road matchup against the 7-3 Dolphins.
Houston hasn't had the first overall pick in the draft since 2014, when it used the top selection on Jadeveon Clowney. Unless the Texans pull off some upsets down the stretch, they are likely to end up at No. 1 in 2023.
Mayfield Unable to Give Panthers a Jolt
On Sunday, Baker Mayfield started at quarterback for the Panthers for the first time since Week 5. He opened the season as the starter, then missed some time due to an ankle injury and served as the backup to PJ Walker upon his return.
With Walker now out due to an ankle issue of his own, Mayfield was under center for a Week 11 matchup in Baltimore. However, he couldn't give Carolina a boost.
The 27-year-old went 21-for-33 for 196 yards and two interceptions in a 13-3 loss to the Ravens. The Panthers' defense kept them in the game, but their offense totaled only 205 yards and committed three turnovers. That led to Baltimore scoring 10 unanswered points over the final 8:27 to put the game away.
Three of Carolina's next four games are against teams with four or fewer wins, so it's still possible it could end up a bit closer to .500.
However, the Panthers should be picking fairly early in the draft come April.
Bears Not Winning Despite Fields' Improvement
Over the past five weeks, Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has shown tremendous improvement. A big reason for that is the team letting him run the ball more.
The 23-year-old has scored six rushing touchdowns during that stretch, and he's run for at least 82 yards in all but one of those games.
Yet, it's not leading to wins for Chicago. With a 27-24 road defeat to the Falcons on Sunday, the Bears have lost four straight games and seven of their past eight. They're in last place in the NFC North and tied with the Panthers for the second-worst record in the NFL.
It's encouraging to see Fields playing so much better, as that provides optimism for the franchise's long-term future. Right now, though, Chicago doesn't have enough talent around him (or on defense) to win these close games.
If the Bears have an early draft pick in 2023, they can continue to add young talent and take steps forward. And at least they won't have to worry about trying to find a franchise quarterback.