Thursday’s NFL draft could mean everything for a lopsided team. Remember what the Denver Broncos looked like in 2023?
Their abysmal rushing defense made them dead last in opponents’ yard per carry, while their pass defense allowed the fifth most touchdowns in the league. In week three, they gave up a historic 70 points to the Miami Dolphins, the most in a single game since 1966. Since that 2023 season, they have replaced six of their eleven defensive starters. Through elevating bench players such as linebacker Nik Bonitto, adding free agents like safety Talanoa Hufanga, developing former first-round draft pick Patrick Surtain II into the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, and forming chemistry between then first-year coaches Sean Payton and Vance Joseph, the Broncos transformed into a defensive powerhouse in just two years.
Today, several teams face what Denver struggled with in 2023: a unit that is significantly weaker than their teammates on the other side of the ball. Whether that means a high-scoring offense and an ineffective defense, or a lock-down defense and an offense that can’t produce, these teams continue to kill the potential of one squad by means of the other.
Associated Press NFL writer Josh Dubow spoke with The Beacon about which teams are the most lopsided, and what they can do to improve in Thursday night’s draft.
Houston Texans
Considered by many to be the best defense in the NFL (first in yards per game allowed and second in points per game allowed), the Houston Texans fell short in the playoffs. This was largely due to their sputtering offensive line, and third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud’s struggle to read the field.
Dubow praised Houston’s defense, adding that their offense doesn’t “necessarily need to be Rams-level,” for the team to succeed. With no signs of replacing Stroud, Houston is seeking to repair its pass protection.
Since the start of free agency, Houston has signed former Indianapolis Colts right tackle Braden Smith and former Cleveland Browns guard Wyatt Teller, along with trading for former Detroit Lion David Montgomery, to bolster their below-average rushing attack. This continues their trend of swapping through older running backs after cutting veteran Joe Mixon last month.
With a multitude of teams ahead of Houston in the draft who are expected to pick offensive linemen, Dubow doesn’t expect them to play the first round aggressively. “I could see Houston trading down and getting more picks,” he said. “ That seems to be what [general manager] Nick Caserio likes to do.”
Houston also has an extra pick in the second round from a trade with the Washington Commanders, something Dubow feels optimistic about.
Dallas Cowboys
With an explosive offense and the worst scoring defense in the league, Dallas looks to rebuild the defensive side of the ball a year after trading star pass rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay for two first round picks.
Despite the constant criticism Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has received for the Parsons trade from both fans and journalists alike, Dallas has continued dealing out defensive players, trading tackle Osa Odighizuwa to San Francisco for a third round pick. However, Dallas added safety Jalen Thompson to their roster for a three-year deal worth up to $33 million.
“Dallas is really interesting, with the two first-round picks,” Dubow said. “They will probably target the secondary, with linebacker being a possibility too.”
The Cowboys’ 12th and 20th overall picks give them a lot to work with in what analysts have called a “cornerback-rich” draft.
“They could go with Mansoor Delane from Louisiana State University,” Dubow said. “ If Sonny Styles falls to twelve, that would be huge.”
Detroit Lions
Detroit’s 2025 season ended in a tailspin of losses in which they gave up 41, 29, and 23 points against one of the weakest offenses in the league, the Minnesota Vikings. Despite scoring the fourth most points in the league, the Lions missed the playoffs after a second consecutive year of constant injuries on the defensive side.
Dubow said that the window for Detroit’s offensive line is closing, pointing to their losses of center Frank Ragnow to retirement, and tackle Taylor Decker to free agency. He said that for Detroit to make a playoff run, they will need to bolster their defensive line soon.
“[Detroit has] needed to add a second pass rusher to go with Aiden Hutchinson for a while,” he said, “They haven’t done it.”
After losing Aaron Glenn to a head coaching job for the New York Jets, the Lions have been operating under a new scheme with defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. Experts predict Sheppard to get a rookie pass rusher with the 17th overall pick, with many targeting Auburn University edge Keldric Faulk.
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati’s defense allowed the third most points in the league last year, missing the playoffs yet again. They couldn’t hold up a usually dominant offense without quarterback Joe Burrow for most of the season.The Bengals have even more gaps to fill after losing star defensive end Trey Hendrickson to the division rival Ravens.
Cincinnati made a blockbuster addition in Pro Bowler defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence just days before the draft. Their 10th overall pick now goes to the New York Giants, leaving Cincinnati to draft their first player at pick 41. Even with Lawrence on the d-line, the team is still in need of skill in the secondary.
“Cincinnati loves to draft from big schools,” Dubow said, mentioning the secondary of The Ohio State University. Dubow went on to praise defensive backs Caleb Downs and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, although Cincinnati would likely have to trade up in the draft in order to get either of those highly-acclaimed prospects.
Cleveland Browns
“Cleveland is just a mess. I don’t see that offense stepping up,” Dubow said.
Ranked second to last in points scored last season, Cleveland stumbled through 2025 without consistent quarterback play. Even with rumours of Deshaun Watson returning, last year’s fifth round pick Shedeur Sanders is expected to start the 2026 season, with Cleveland hoping to improve their desolate offensive line before September.
Cleveland was rewarded for their 5-12 record with the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft, along with the 24th pick from last year’s trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Offensive tackles Francis Mauigoa and Monroe Freeling have both been mentioned by experts as top choices for the Browns. If Cleveland decides to replace Sanders (who threw 10 interceptions and was sacked 23 times in just seven games last season) Ty Simpson is expected to be the second quarterback drafted after Indiana University’s Fernando Mendoza, and should be available at 24.
Cleveland finished as the fourth best team in yards allowed last year, as their elite defensive season peaked with defensive end Myles Garrett breaking the single-season sack record in the final game.
“They’re probably years away from having an offense that’s at a high level,” Dubow said. “Keeping a defense intact for a couple years will be tough.”
Despite the majority of major free agency transactions having already occurred, players such as wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Stefon Diggs, offensive linemen Taylor Decker and Kevin Zeitler, and tight end David Njoku still remain without teams.
The 2026 NFL Draft begins tomorrow night at 8 p.m.
