Ranking the NFL clubs with the best prospects despite their poor records

There are many degrees of losers in the NFL, just as there are contenders and pretenders among winning teams. For example, there are multiple sub-.500 teams whose prospects seem better than others.

These are the four losing teams with the most bright futures.

1. Chicago Bears (3-7)

Chicago is well-positioned to quickly regain prominence, even though it’s questionable if GM Ryan Poles is the best person to oversee the reconstruction and whether Justin Fields is its franchise quarterback.

The Bears’ success has been made possible by the Carolina Panthers’ acquisition of the first selection in the 2023 NFL Draft in exchange for D.J. Moore, a talented wide receiver, and several assets.

Over the next two years, Chicago will possess 14 picks, including two first-round picks in 2024 that are expected to be in the top five, one of which (via Carolina) is expected to go at No. 1 overall. Depending on Fields’ performance the rest of the season, it will decide which signal-caller to choose, but if a top quarterback prospect is available, it might not want to miss the chance to start over from scratch.

The Bears may also use their second first-round pick on a lineman or receiver to make sure the new quarterback’s progress isn’t as disastrous as Fields’ was.

Additionally, Poles has demonstrated a willingness to make significant trades and free agency additions to strengthen the defense, like as the acquisition of DE Montez Sweat. Though there is still need for improvement, there are sufficient funds to keep improving the unit given its sixth-most anticipated cap space for 2024.

We might be discussing Chicago next season in a manner akin to our current conversation with the Houston Texans, provided that Poles’ next actions do not reflect his choice to waste a second-round pick on wide receiver Chase Claypool.

2. Arizona Cardinals (2-8)

Arizona might easily be ranked first on this list if Chicago didn’t have two predicted top-five picks in a draft class that could span multiple generations. Though they aren’t quite as important as the Bears’, the Cardinals own two 2024 first-round picks as a result of a 2023 draft-day trade with Houston.

However, Kyler Murray, the quarterback the Cardinals have over the Bears, is a player worth developing around. Murray led the team to an outstanding comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in his season debut.

The Cardinals have multiple options for how to approach the next stage of their rebuild, contingent on the destination of their first-round picks. If Arizona can’t seem to win, it could still have the option of owning at least one other first-round pick and could get a huge return by dealing its own pick to a team in need of a quarterback.

But the Cardinals still have voids all over the field, so it’s still possible to take the finest players available, particularly if they can choose Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona would be in a fantastic offensive position and could help hide its defense’s shortcomings if it selected Harrison in the first round and re-signed Marquise Brown. In terms of yards and points allowed, the Cardinals defense is among the poorest; nevertheless, head coach Jonathan Gannon has done a respectable job at structuring the defensive to create pressure.

Arizona ranks 10th in sacks (28), and Gannon’s experience with the 2022 Eagles defense indicates that this number may be the lowest of his career if he adds players fit for his strategy.

3. Washington Commanders (4-6)

The Commanders may at last enter the offseason with true optimism, since former owner Dan Snyder will no longer be there to throw a shadow over the team. Although it will take some time for Washington to challenge for an NFC East championship, it has a strong base on which to grow, and having the third-highest projected cap for 2024 should hasten the process.

Washington has a solid core of skill position players and, while being a scoring offense that is in the middle of the pack, may have discovered its quarterback of the future in Sam Howell, who leads the league in throwing yards (2,783).

However, the offensive line has to be revamped because it has given up the second-highest number of sacks this season (47). Restructuring its 32nd-ranked scoring defense is another goal on Washington’s short-term agenda. This includes locating Sweat and Chase Young’s replacements, two defenders the team traded for draft picks last month in order to avoid having to extend their contracts.

Howell is still under contract as a rookie through 2025, so Washington has plenty of financial space to spend lavishly in free agency or acquire a high-profile player through trade. Fresh owners always want to make a big splash to leave their mark on the team, and the Josh Harris-led group should be no exception.

4. Atlanta Falcons (4-6)

The Falcons have lost four of their last five games and have had a difficult season overall. Head coach Arthur Smith’s decision-making has made things even more difficult. But this club has a ton of quality at important places, so the frustrations are limited.

Given how open the NFC South looks, Atlanta has the potential to be a consistent postseason contender and possesses a playoff-caliber squad, but in order to realize its full potential, it most likely needs to move on from Smith.

The Falcons, aside from their coaching dilemma, have a need at quarterback that might be filled; in actuality, they just want above-average quarterback play to be in the lead in upcoming division races.

Due to this, Atlanta may be able to find the solution in the draft with players like Michael Penix Jr. of Washington and Bo Nix of Oregon, or in free agency (maybe with Kirk Cousins or Josh Dobbs).

A supporting cast that included previous top-10 picks RB Bijan Robinson, TE Kyle Pitts, and WR Drake London would help a rookie quarterback adjust to the NFL more quickly.

Atlanta’s defense, which is prone to giving up big plays but is just a few pieces short of being among the best in the league, would improve with a more dynamic offense as well.