Every first also has a last. Every best has a worst.
They are two drastic ends of the spectrum, but likely the only places an NFL team would rather be. Either be in contention to hoist a Lombardi or be able to turn in the first card on draft night.
No one wants to be stuck in the middle. NFL purgatory is how you end up like the Saints, Seahawks, Browns or Colts. Those teams are good enough to win some games, but not a Super Bowl, or they’re not bad enough to truly bottom out for a top draft pick. The Giants, like the Jets have been stuck there in recent history after whiffing on early picks and could find themselves reentering purgatory with a couple wins down the stretch.
The Jaguars, who have the inside track at the top pick, have seemingly figured out the draft game. After hoping to catapult from playoff appearances to Super Bowl contender, Jacksonville has bottomed out. The team appears likely to move on from head coach Doug Pederson, but not before he helps lead them to another No. 1 pick.
The Lions used to be that team, a mainstay atop the draft order. On Thursday night, they represent what many teams that will be picking early hope to achieve. As they dueled the Packers with the NFC North title in reach for both squads, they won and now represent the best of the NFL.
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As for the worst, well, there’s always April. Here’s a look at the updated draft order following the opening game of Week 14.
2025 NFL Draft order
Here’s how the 2025 NFL draft order shakes out after ‘Thursday Night Football’ in Week 14, according to Tankathon.com:
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-10 record; .498 strength of schedule
- Las Vegas Raiders: 2-10; .531 SOS
- New York Giants: 2-10; .538 SOS
- New England Patriots: 3-10; .461 SOS
- Carolina Panthers: 3-9; .485 SOS
- New York Jets: 3-9; .507 SOS
- Tennessee Titans: 3-9; .510 SOS
- Cleveland Browns: 3-9; .514 SOS
- Cincinnati Bengals: 4-8; .493 SOS
- New Orleans Saints: 4-8; .495 SOS
- Chicago Bears: 4-8; .562 SOS
- Miami Dolphins: 5-7; .428 SOS
- Dallas Cowboys: 5-7; .514 SOS
- San Francisco 49ers: 5-7; .561 SOS
- Indianapolis Colts: 6-7; .481 SOS
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-6; .502 SOS
- Los Angeles Rams: 6-6; .522 SOS
- Arizona Cardinals: 6-6; .534 SOS
- Atlanta Falcons: 6-6; .515 SOS
- Seattle Seahawks: 7-5; .510 SOS
- Washington Commanders: 8-5; .439 SOS
- Houston Texans: 8-5; .486 SOS
- Denver Broncos: 8-5; .490 SOS
- Baltimore Ravens: 8-5; .531 SOS
- Los Angeles Chargers: 8-4; .466 SOS
- Green Bay Packers: 9-3; .544 SOS
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-3; .474 SOS
- Minnesota Vikings: 10-2; .495 SOS
- Philadelphia Eagles: 10-2; .435 SOS
- Buffalo Bills: 10-2; .455 SOS
- Kansas City Chiefs: 11-1; .490 SOS
- Detroit Lions: 11-1; .534 SOS
2025 NFL draft: No. 1 overall pick odds
According to BetMGM, the following college players are among the favorites to be the top pick in next year’s draft class.
- Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: +100
- Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado: +250
- Cameron Ward, QB, Miami (FL): +750
- Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama: +2200
- Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia: +2800
