NFL Teams That Will Shape the 2023 NFL Draft Process

The 2022 NFL season is not even halfway over, but some teams would be excused if they have more than a passing interest in the 2023 draft already.

Much like the New York Jets had a lot riding on the 2022 draft, there are a few teams worth keeping an eye on in terms of how they view next year's draft.

While it seems like the offseason event is a long way off, it actually takes on import in the weeks before the Nov. 1 trade deadline. After all, one of the reasons for dealing a proven player during the season can be to get draft capital in return.

Whether they are going to be in the market for a quarterback, need picks or could have reason to trade picks, these six teams are going to form the narratives about the 2023 draft.

The Carolina Panthers' quest to find a franchise quarterback since Cam Newton's prime has been a costly one, and it's likely to continue.

The Panthers have traded multiple picks and spent millions of dollars trying to find a long-term solution. They traded for Sam Darnold last April, and after his tenure was a disaster, they dealt for Baker Mayfield this offseason.

The team still doesn't have a quarterback, it fired head coach Matt Rhule, and it is missing its third-round pick. Carolina also just traded one of its most talented players in Christian McCaffrey.

That netted it second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 as well as a fifth-rounder in 2024, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

So, the Panthers will avoid the situation they were in during the 2022 draft. They had the sixth pick, which they used on left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, but didn't get back on the clock until the 94th pick, which they used on quarterback Matt Corral.

Not only is there a good chance they will wind up with the No. 1 pick, but they also could look to trade more of their proven veterans in the name of going young by adding more talent through the draft.

The Houston Texans may be in for another long season, but they are also in a position to have a franchise-altering draft.

The Texans are No. 1 in Tankathon's draft power rankings, which quantify every team's cache of picks. Via the Deshaun Watson trade, the Texans have an extra first-round pick next year. If the draft were held today, they would have the fifth and sixth picks as well as five picks in the top 75.

That kind of capital could put the Texans in the driver's seat of the draft. They are in position to get the kind of draft class that has helped the New York Giants and New York Jets make huge strides this season.

It also gives them additional leverage if they need to move up the board to get a quarterback.

It has seemed increasingly likely they will be in that market. After showing promise in his rookie season, Davis Mills looks less like the answer in his second season.

The Texans are 1-3-1, and he ranks 30th in total QBR.

With C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young set to be picked atop the draft, the Texans are in prime position to make a move to attain a blue-chip quarterback prospect.

The Indianapolis Colts' inclusion on this list is about what they could plan on doing at quarterback.

The Colts have been searching for a quarterback who can lead them to playoff success since the surprise retirement of Andrew Luck. They've tried plenty of different avenues. Signing Philip Rivers worked for a year; trading for Carson Wentz did not. The jury is still out on the decision to trade for Matt Ryan.

The Colts have invested Day 3 picks in Sam Ehlinger and Jacob Eason. But the time is coming for them to finally make a serious draft investment in a quarterback they can build around.

That's likely to require a big swing via trade, though. The 3-2-1 Colts are in line for the 23rd pick, which won't likely put them in play for the most promising prospects in the class.

So, Indianapolis is a team to keep an eye on leading up to the trade deadline.

It is in the playoff mix after back-to-back wins over the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars. However, the Colts are still 20th in ESPN's FPI and have just one win over a team with a winning record.

The question is whether that will make them sellers at the deadline.

If they trade a veteran such as Kenny Moore II, who has just one more year remaining on his contract, it could be an early signal they will look to make a big move in the draft.

The Giants are among the most fascinating franchises in the league right now. They declined Daniel Jones' fifth-year option, essentially making this season a tryout for the quarterback.

In some ways, the worst-case scenario is playing out. Brian Daboll's team is playing well enough to be 5-1 and is in line to have the 28th pick, per Tankathon.

Yet Daniel Jones is 14th in total QBR and 15th in passer rating. Jones also leads the league with four game-winning drives—though Derek Carr has always been among the league's best in that category, and it hasn't exactly worked out for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Then there's the Saquon Barkley dilemma. The back is in the final year of his rookie contract, so New York will need to make a decision on whether to try to bring him back. He has struggled with injuries in the past and played only 15 games over the last two seasons.

But now he's carrying a big burden for the offense, leading the league in touches.

The Giants could sell high to stockpile picks as Daboll and new general manager Joe Schoen continue to build the team in their image.

If New York envisions itself as a team that could trade up for a quarterback, it's possible that Barkley could be a trade chip until the deadline.

The Philadelphia Eagles have much bigger things on their plate than the draft, but once their campaign to win the Super Bowl is over, they will be an interesting team to watch.

Thanks to last year's trade with the New Orleans Saints, they have an additional first-round pick that could wind up in the top five. If the season ended today, they would pick fourth, per Tankathon.

When the Eagles made the trade, it appeared to be Jalen Hurts insurance. The final year of his contract is 2024, so it put them in a good position to draft his replacement if he faltered.

Instead, Hurts has proved he's the quarterback of the future. Not only has he led Philadelphia to a 6-0 record, but he's also seventh in QBR.

The Eagles will remain in a great position if the Saints continue to struggle. New Orleans lost to the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football, and there's a chance it will remain in the bottom five.

That would give the Eagles the opportunity to add another elite prospect or become the prime trade partner for teams looking to get into the top five to draft a quarterback.

Geno Smith has been one of the biggest surprises of the season—and he has also put the Seattle Seahawks in an interesting position for the draft.

Smith has looked the part of a quarterback who can lead the franchise. Against all odds, the 32-year-old has the fourth-highest total QBR in the league.

The Seahawks are well-positioned to draft a quarterback if that's the direction they want to go. They are second in Tankathon's draft power rankings with picks that include two firsts and two seconds (Nos. 7, 14, 38 and 45).

They could also use those selections to restock a defense that has been one of the league's worst. Seattle is 31st in the defensive component of ESPN's Football Power Index, ahead of only the Detroit Lions.

Smith is due for a new contract next season, and it stands to reason he'll expect much more than the $3.5 million he's earning this season.

The Seahawks have the pieces in place for a quick turnaround. After all, they are 3-3 this season despite the defensive struggles. DK Metcalf, Kenneth Walker III, Tariq Woolen and Jordyn Brooks form a solid core of 25-or-under players to build around.

So, if there's a team that may be willing to give up a first-round pick for a proven veteran that could lift its ceiling, it's the Seahawks.