NFL Tank Bowl: Week 6

After Week 6 of the NFL season, it has become clearer which teams are contending for the first-overall pick.

In pursuit of the Tank Bowl, these teams have no obvious path to playoff contention and uncertain futures, though some are brighter than others.

Cleveland Browns

The 1-5 Browns got a head start on the rebuilding process when they sent wide receiver Amari Cooper mixed with an exchange of draft picks to the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday.

The Browns could use the third-round pick they received in the deal to help trade up to the first-overall pick if they do not get it.

Deshaun Watson continues to be a mess this season, although he went 11-for-12 in the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday partly due to his two offensive tackles being on the field together for the first time in 2024.

Cleveland would do well to find a replacement for Cooper like Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor to help the quarterback they will likely draft in the first round.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars looked to be at an advantage considering they play in London so often, but they came out flat and got blown out by the Chicago Bears on Sunday, 35-16, dropping them to 1-5.

Though quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s regression is a big concern, the main thing was that Caleb Williams and the Bears' offense moved the ball against the defense at all levels to the tune of 6.1 yards per play.

The Jaguars’ depth at cornerback has been exposed without Tyson Campbell, and they could use help across from him in 2025.

Travis Hunter, Colorado’s two-way phenom, could slot in at either receiver or corner for the Jags, but they may feel the need to slot him in at corner with 2024 first-round rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. looking like a stud.

New England Patriots

The Patriots got their first taste of the future as they started No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye for the first time in Sunday’s 41-21 loss to the Houston Texans, which dropped them to 1-5.

Maye showed some flashes, such as a brilliant deep ball to wide receiver Kayshon Boutte for his first NFL touchdown, but he also had his struggles, taking four sacks and throwing two interceptions.

The Patriots could look to add depth on the offensive line with so many injuries and find playmakers for Maye.

New England will also need a corner across 2023 first-rounder Christian Gonzalez with Jonathan Jones set to hit free agency following the season.

If it’s not Hunter, the Patriots could go after Michigan’s Will Johnson to replace Jones.

Tennessee Titans

Will Levis continued contributing to the Titans’ struggles on Sunday, throwing a fourth-quarter interception and throwing for only 95 yards as the Titans fell to the Colts, 20-17, in Nashville, dropping them to 1-4.

Head coach Brian Callahan drew the ire of wide receiver Calvin Ridley for the lack of his role in the offense after he finished with zero catches on eight targets.

With such a question coming up, it argues that maybe firing Mike Vrabel wasn’t the smartest idea from Tennessee, especially considering he could get the New York Jets’ job opening.

Among the players struggling now is big-time cornerback acquisition L’Jarius Sneed, who ranks 177th out of 182 among qualified corners, per Pro Football Focus.

That’s not their biggest concern, though, as starting Levis will give the Titans the best chance to lose more games and draft a top quarterback like Miami’s Cameron Ward in 2025.

Carolina Panthers

After a quarterback change from Bryce Young to Andy Dalton helped the Panthers win their first game of the season against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3, Carolina, now at 1-5, may be out of gas.

Though Dalton’s play has dipped slightly, the numerous injuries on the Panthers’ defense have been the main cause of their three-game losing streak.

Defensive tackle Derrick Brown and linebacker Shaq Thompson are out for the rest of the season and linebacker Josey Jewell hasn’t played since Week 4, just to name a few.

During this losing streak, the Panthers have given up an average of 36 points per game.

In addition to taking a quarterback in the first round to replace Young, the Panthers could draft a linebacker in the second round like Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman to replace Thompson, now 30, whose career may be over following a torn Achilles.

Owen Klein is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ojk5092@psu.edu.