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.
Carolina Panthers
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.
Houston Texans
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.