National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: Teams In The Hunt For The #1 Pick

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan (R) and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan (L) call a play in during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens won 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Two weeks into the season the race has begun for the #1 pick in the 2017 NFL draft. Several teams are in the hunt but a few are already jumping ahead.

Sure it sounds like that’s a good thing but for the fans of these franchises it means another losing season. Something many on this list have grown used to. Still the thoughts of a top pick is enough to keep them excited, at least about the future. Here are the top five teams currently in the running.

#5:  Buffalo Bills

Record:  0-2

They just fired the offensive coordinator, so clearly there is already some panicking in the Bills locker room after what many thought would be a breakthrough year. A mass of injuries and suspensions have really done a number on the roster though, which better explains the struggles. Rex Ryan is definitely on the hot seat and the schedule isn’t getting any easier with Arizona and the Patriots on deck. Once the avalanche starts, there is no stopping it.

Biggest Need:  Offensive line

The main reason the Bills were successful in 2015 was because of their running game. Seeing it so toothless the past couple weeks can’t be encouraging. Cutting running back Karlos Williams had something to do with it, but the shoddy blocking from the offensive line remains a big problem. They could use help at both guard and tackle. With such good defenses to contend with in the AFC East, this is not an area that can be ignored.

Sep 18, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and Redskins head coach Jay Gruden (R) walk off the field after their game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field. The Cowboys won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

#4:  Washington Redskins

Record:  0-2

Whatever magic they had a year ago seems to have evaporated. The Washington Redskins don’t have the benefit of an easy schedule this time. They also don’t seem to have a defense. After Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers lit them up for 38 points in the opener, they watched rookie Dak Prescott hang 27 on them. Their pass rush is almost non-existent outside of Ryan Kerrigan and now it seems they’ve lost their dependable running game as well.

Biggest Need:  Pass rush

As stated above, the Redskins need to find a second pass rusher to pair with Kerrigan. They’ve tried twice with Junior Gallette already. It hasn’t worked out. Trent Murphy is decent but none of their other options can win with consistency. Until that changes, opponents with credible offenses will be able to score on them almost at will. Hard to believe even after signing Josh Norman. GM Scot McCloughan also may have a decision to make at quarterback.

Sep 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake (32) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

#3:  Miami Dolphins

Record:  0-2

They almost beat the Seahawks in week one. That is what the Dolphins had to hang their hat on. Well the Seahawks just lost to the Rams (who didn’t even score a touchdown). Meanwhile the Dolphins were getting it handed to them by Jimmy Garoppolo and the Patriots. The 31-24 final didn’t tell the true story of that game. New England was in control from the beginning and without three of their best players. This Dolphins team does not look better under Adam Gase so far.

Biggest Need:  Running back

It’s never a good sign when the quarterback is the leading rusher on the team. Arian Foster looks every bit the old, broken down player people feared he is. Jay Ajayi hasn’t done much better. It’s easy to see now what the Dolphins tried so far to find a running back in the off-season. Clearly they don’t have one they can rely on. Gase knows his offense can’t start to really get going until it finds balance. Good thing the 2017 class is loaded.

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; A Jacksonville Jaguars fan yells during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

#2:  Jacksonville Jaguars

Record:  0-2

How in the world can a young team that seems to have so much top tier talent on its roster continue to lose games like they have? At some point the ownership is going to have to look at the coaches. Gus Bradley should be doing better with this Jaguars team. The first week it was a series of blunder that cost them against Green Bay and in week two they were railroaded by a Chargers team missing two of their best offensive weapons.

Biggest Need:  Defense

It’s difficult to pinpoint where the problem is. The Jaguars have added talent at every level of their defense yet it continues to get pounded. Green Bay hung 27 points on them and then the Chargers delivered 38.  Maybe a change in the coaching staff might have the desired effect but until that happens the best thing for them to do is keep adding able bodies. Pass rush and pass coverage of course should take priority since that’s where they’re weakest.

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Randall Telfer (86) gets medical help on the field during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

#1:  Cleveland Browns

Record:  0-2

No surprise here. Bad teams find a way to lose and the Cleveland Browns proved just how bad a team they are in week two. They were crushing the Baltimore Ravens early, building a 20-0 lead in the 1st quarter. Then quarterback Josh McCown got hurt and apparently they realized they were the Browns. Baltimore mounted their comeback and won the game 25-20. This is the perfect embodiment of what a true rebuild looks like. Great performances don’t last long.

Biggest Need:  Quarterback

They have to start somewhere and quarterback is often the first position a team wants settled. Robert Griffin III was an interesting experiment but like most experiments it ended in failure. Josh McCown is an able backup but aging and injury-prone. Cody Kessler? A future backup looks like his ceiling. If the Browns hold course and end up with the #1 pick in the 2017 NFL draft, it would be a stunner if they didn’t get somebody to build around under center.

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