5 teams that could emerge as contenders with a strong draft

Every season, a team or two makes the leap from afterthought to playoff contender. In 2019, the San Francisco 49ers reached the Super Bowl following a 4-12 campaign, and the Buffalo Bills earned a wild-card spot after finishing 6-10 the year prior.

Here are five teams that could become contenders if they nail the upcoming draft.

Denver BroncosTim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Broncos are looking to build on their impressive end to the 2019 season. Denver won four of its last five games with rookie quarterback Drew Lock leading the charge, and the front office has the draft capital needed to continue adding key pieces.

Aside from top-15 picks in the first and second rounds, the Broncos own three third-round selections. In total, Denver is set to enter the draft with 10 picks.

If the Broncos can find plug-and-play starters at receiver, corner, and offensive line, they could find themselves in contention come winter.

However, John Elway's record in the draft has been under scrutiny for years, as the Broncos have fumbled class after class. There's no guarantee he'll turn it around in 2020.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals, who finished 5-10-1 last year, put themselves on the national radar with a blockbuster trade for DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. With that addition alone, many are expecting Arizona to challenge for a playoff spot in 2020.

It's easy to see why. Quarterback Kyler Murray has a full season under his belt - one in which he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. Plus, we've watched other young passers explode in their sophomore campaigns (see: Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson).

But the defense - which finished 31st in efficiency last year - needs work, as does the offensive line. Arizona must hit on its eighth overall pick because the team won't select again until the eighth pick of the third and fourth rounds.

Los Angeles ChargersHarry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Chargers already owned a top-10 defense before adding shutdown corner Chris Harris Jr. in free agency. The team's No. 5-ranked pass defense will also benefit from the return of star Derwin James, a first-team (at safety) and second-team (at defensive back) All-Pro in 2018 who played in just five games during 2019 due to injury.

On offense, L.A. boasts an enviable array of talent that includes Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Hunter Henry, and Austin Ekeler. Heading into this offseason, many observers deemed the Chargers a quarterback and solid offensive line away from contention, and the team addressed the latter by signing veteran right tackle Bryan Bulaga and trading for guard Trai Turner.

Next, the Chargers own the sixth pick of the draft and top-seven selections in every round. With those prime positions, they should be able to patch up their obvious holes and get immediate difference-makers who will help them bounce back from a 5-11 finish in 2019.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay may already be considered a contender by virtue of adding Tom Brady, but with the legendary quarterback signed for only two years, the franchise must hit on its 2020 draft picks to cement that status.

The Bucs boast a roster that was strong enough to entice Brady, but aside from that surprise signing, they didn't make any substantive additions in free agency. If Tampa can exit the draft with at least one Day 1 starter on the offensive line, the team can feel better about its ability to protect its soon-to-be 43-year-old passer.

While the defense took significant strides in its first season under Todd Bowles and will return the starting front seven, the secondary is a work in progress. Above all, the unit could sorely use a quarterbacking safety.

Fortunately, the Buccaneers own five picks within the top 140, and they can use those to fortify the roster around Brady.

Indianapolis ColtsEric Espada / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Similar to the Bucs with Brady, the Colts must make the most of their short time with new starting quarterback Philip Rivers. Indianapolis missed the playoffs last year after finishing with a 7-9 record, and the addition of Rivers alone may not be enough for the team to take the next step.

The task of adding plug-and-play talent will be difficult without a first-round pick, but Indy will make the second and 12th selections on Day 2.

It shouldn't be hard for the Colts to land a pass-catching partner for T.Y. Hilton in such a receiver-heavy draft. If Indy can also find a couple of defensive pieces with its remaining five picks, the franchise will enter 2020 with a good chance to contend for the AFC South title.

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