The Carolina Panthers have the worst record in the league, and one of the league's toughest remaining schedules.

That means like it or not, the focus the rest of this season will be on how wins and losses impact draft position next spring.

And draft position means Andrew Luck. The Stanford quarterback is this year's plum, the young passer franchises can build themselves around. Even though they used a second-round pick on Jimmy Clausen, who has provided positive results in his past two starts (both losses), the consensus in the scouting community is that Luck is a player you simply can't pass on.

One scout who has watched all of the redshirt sophomore's games said that unlike every other quarterback of recent memory, he can't figure out what the knock will be on Luck. Strong, tall, smart and tough, he seems to be the player most teams will target.

"He's just that good," the scout said.

There are months to dissect him for flaws, but in the short term, it's worth looking at the relative need for such a player for the teams challenging the Panthers for the top spot. Here are the top 10 in the draft order if the season ended today, and a look at whether they'd be in the market:

1. Carolina

Record: 1-10

Record of remaining opponents: 34-21 (.618)

QBs under contract for 2011 and beyond: Jimmy Clausen, Tony Pike.

Would they take Luck: As much as the team's decision-maker likes Clausen, you almost have to.

Could they then parlay Clausen into something? More likely, they'd bring them both to camp, and let Clausen push the kid. But to do that, they'd absolutely have to have an old hand to stick with them, if only to provide advice. The market this offseason will be full of such passers.

2. Detroit

Record: 2-9

Record of remaining opponents: 32-23 (.582)

QBs under contract for 2011 and beyond: Matt Stafford, Shaun Hill, Zac Robinson.

Would they take Luck: Can't see it, despite Stafford's injury-plagued career. The Lions have already sunk the big contract into Stafford, and have a trusted veteran behind him.

3. Cincinnati

Record: 2-9

Record of remaining opponents: 34-21 (.618)

QBs under contract for 2011 and beyond: Carson Palmer, Dan LeFevour.

Would they take Luck: As much as Palmer has defined that franchise, they would.

Palmer seems to have broken down physically, and the situation seems perfect to add another.

4. Buffalo

Record: 2-9

Record of remaining opponents: 32-23 (.582)

QBs under contract for 2011 and beyond: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Levi Brown.

Would they take Luck: They'd like to, but the bigger question might be whether Luck would take the Bills.

There are already rumors within the scouting community that his coming out of school early isn't a sure thing, and that the owner of the first pick could well impact that.

That's a polite way of suggesting that Buffalo might not be viewed as a desirable destination. Go figure.

5. Arizona

Record: 3-8

Record of remaining opponents: 16-39 (.291)

QBs under contract for 2011 and beyond: Derek Anderson, Max Hall, John Skelton.

Would they take Luck: In a minute.

Anderson's rant at a reporter Monday night was only his latest off-target effort. Coach Ken Whisenhunt loves Hall's intangibles, but that wouldn't matter one bit if he had the chance to latch onto Luck.

6. Denver

Record: 3-8

Record of remaining opponents: 26-29 (.473)

QBs under contract for 2011 and beyond: Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow, Brady Quinn.

Would they take Luck: Ordinarily, you'd say this was a no. Orton has played well, and Tebow was drafted in the first round for a reason.

But keep in mind, coach Josh McDaniels is hardly on steady footing. If he's fired, the next coach might not be as enamored with Tebow as he was.

7. Dallas

Record: 3-8

Record of remaining opponents: 28-27 (.509)

QBs under contract for 2011 and beyond: Tony Romo, John Kitna, Stephen McGee.

Would they take Luck: Probably not, mostly because it looks like they're playing themselves out of position for a high enough pick. It would be hard to uproot the Romo-Kitna pairing, especially if interim boss Jason Garrett keeps the job into next year.

8. San Francisco

Record: 4-7

Record of remaining opponents: 26-29 (.473)

QBs under contract for 2011 and beyond: David Carr.

Would they take Luck: In a skinny minute.

Given that Luck and his coach Jim Harbaugh (also a hot name in NFL circles) are already established in the Bay area, this could be a dream location.

If the 49ers could trade up to the top spot, the idea of a package deal could become reality.

9. Minnesota

Record: 4-7

Record of remaining opponents: 26-29 (.473)

QBs under contract for 2011 and beyond: Joe Webb.

Would they take Luck: The better question might be whether they regret not drafting Clausen when they had a chance. Instead, they went with Virginia cornerback Chris Cook with the 34th overall pick last spring.

They knew Brett Favre was short term, and it's obvious they don't trust Tarvaris Jackson. They clearly need someone, and given that they're looking for a new stadium, the higher profile the quarterback, the better off they'd be.

10. Cleveland

Record: 4-7

Record of remaining opponents: 26-29 (.473)

QBs under contract for 2011 and beyond: Jake Delhomme, Colt McCoy.

Would they take Luck: Again, hard to imagine they'd get themselves in position, but Browns boss Mike Holmgren is a quarterback junkie.