After nine weeks of the season, there is a log jam in the middle of the 2013 NFL Draft order. Eight teams have a record of 3-5, starting with the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 7 to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 14. Strength of schedule will be critical to follow as the season progresses.
Log jam at the center of current 2013 NFL Draft order
Scott Cunningham
In this year’s draft, there were seven teams between picks 13 through 19. Given this year’s draft class, strength of schedule could be the difference between a big-impact player and a solid starter. This class is expected to be heavy on pass rushers early. Those players may not be around at the mid-point of the first round. That could lead to some interesting trade scenarios.
One team to monitor going forward will be Dallas. If the Cowboys continue to struggle and someone like quarterback Matt Barkley is available, does Dallas pull the trigger? Would Buffalo take a risk on Barkley?
This week there was slight movement in the top five picks. Carolina beat Washington, which dropped the Panthers from pick No. 2 to No. 4. The loss moved Washington’s draft slot to pick No. 5, which goes to St. Louis for the Robert Griffin III trade. (Aside: A Hogs Haven reader referred to RGIII as Bobby Three Sticks. This made me laugh)
The order will become much clearer after the next two weeks when all of the byes have taken place. For now, here is the full draft order. Tiebreakers were made based on strength of schedule.
1. Kansas City Chiefs - 1-7 (.547 SOS)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - 1-7 (.606 SOS)
3. Cleveland Browns - 2-7 (.534 SOS)
4. Carolina Panthers - 2-6 (.582 SOS)
5. St. Louis Rams (via Washington Redskins) - 3-6 (.527 SOS)
6. Tennessee Titans - 3-6 (.616 SOS)
7. Cincinnati Bengals - 3-5 (.418 SOS)
8. New Orleans Saints - 3-5 (.424 SOS)
9. Buffalo Bills - 3-5 (.463 SOS)
10. Oakland Raiders - 3-5 (.500 SOS)
11. St. Louis Rams - 3-5 (.559 SOS)
12. Philadelphia Eagles - 3-5 (.567 SOS)
13. New York Jets - 3-5 (.609 SOS)
14. Dallas Cowboys - 3-5 (.657 SOS)
15. Arizona Cardinals - 4-5 (.533 SOS)
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 4-4 (.388 SOS)
17. San Diego Chargers - 4-4 (.394 SOS)
18. Miami Dolphins - 4-4 (.477 SOS)
19. Detroit Lions - 4-4 (.493 SOS)
20. Minnesota Vikings - 5-4 (.461 SOS)
Teams currently on pace to make the playoffs where elimination will determine the proper order:
21. Seattle Seahawks - 5-4 (.507 SOS)
22. Indianapolis Colts - 5-3 (.456 SOS)
23. Pittsburgh Steelers - 5-3 (.433 SOS)
24. New England Patriots - 5-3 (.478 SOS)
25. Denver Broncos - 5-3 (.594 SOS)
26. Green Bay Packers - 6-3 (.554 SOS)
27. New York Giants - 6-3 (.419 SOS)
28. Baltimore Ravens - 6-2 (.394 SOS)
29. San Francisco 49ers - 6-2 (.522 SOS)
30. Chicago Bears - 7-1 (.409 SOS)
31. Houston Texans - 7-1 (.470 SOS)
32. Atlanta Falcons - 8-0 (.369 SOS)
Here is the remaining schedules for teams currently picking in the top five. Who has the toughest schedule? I say Carolina, followed by Cleveland.
- Kansas City
Week 10: at Pittsburgh
Week 11: vs. Cincinnati
Week 12: vs. Denver
Week 13: vs. Carolina
Week 14: at Cleveland
Week 15: at Oakland
Week 16: vs. Indianapolis
Week 17: at Denver
- Jacksonville:
Week 10: vs. Indianapolis
Week 11: at Houston
Week 12: vs. Tennessee
Week 13: at Buffalo
Week 14: vs. New York Jets
Week 15: at Miami
Week 16: vs. New England
Week 17: at Tennessee
- Cleveland:
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: at Dallas
Week 12: vs. Pittsburgh
Week 13: at Oakland
Week 14: vs. Kansas City
Week 15: vs. Washington
Week 16: at Denver
Week 17: at Pittsburgh
- Carolina:
Week 10: vs. Denver
Week 11: vs. Tampa Bay
Week 12: at Philadelphia
Week 13: at Kansas City
Week 14: vs. Atlanta
Week 15: at San Diego
Week 16: vs. Oakland
Week 17: at New Orleans
- St. Louis:
Week 10: at San Francisco
Week 11: vs. New York Jets
Week 12: at Arizona
Week 13: vs. San Francisco
Week 14: at Buffalo
Week 15: vs. Minnesota
Week 16: at Tampa Bay
Week 17: at Seattle
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