Now that every team has been on a bye, it’s time for a philosophical change in how the draft order is put together. Instead of using strength of schedule through games played, the top 20 order is based on strength of schedule for the full season. Since the order of 21-32 is based on playoff elimination, those teams are ordered by record.
2014 NFL Draft order: Jacksonville Jaguars control the picks
The draft runs through Jacksonville. We bow to thee, Jaxson de Ville. Click here for our newest NFL mock draft.
Charlie Crowhurst
What's the difference? If the strength of schedule was based on just games played, the Houston Texans would have the top pick. Considering the full season schedule, the Jacksonville Jaguars have the top spot. The issue will be whether or not the Jaguars will remain the worst team in the league. Jacksonville's next three games are against Cleveland, Houston and Buffalo, all teams picking in the top 10.
That's right, the NFL Draft runs through Jacksonville.
The Minnesota Vikings scoring a tie this week hurts their draft order considerably. Losing should not be advocated, but had the Vikings lost they would have the No. 2 pick. With the tie, the Vikings slip to fourth.
The other big notable is the St. Louis Rams, who have picks five and 16. That last pick they're getting from the Robert Griffin III trade gets better every week with the Redskins losing three consecutive games.
Current 2014 NFL Draft order:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - 2-9 (Strength of schedule: 92-84 -- .523)
2. Houston Texans - 2-9 (97-79 -- .551)
3. Atlanta Falcons - 2-9 (99-76-1 -- .565)
4. Minnesota Vikings - 2-8-1 (92-82-2 -- .526)
5. St. Louis Rams (via Washington Redskins) - 3-8 (87-87-2 -- .500)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 3-8 (101-75 -- .574)
7. Cleveland Browns - 4-7 (86-88-2 -- .494)
8. Buffalo Bills - 4-7 (90-86 -- .511)
9. Oakland Raiders - 4-7 (91-85 -- .517)
10. New York Giants - 4-7 (94-80-2 -- .540)
11. Pittsburgh Steelers - 5-6 (82-92-2 -- .472)
12. Baltimore Ravens - 5-6 (84-90-2 -- .483)
13. New York Jets - 5-6 (86-90 -- .489)
14. Miami Dolphins - 5-6 (89-87 -- .506)
15. San Diego Chargers - 5-6 (91-85 -- .517)
16. St. Louis Rams - 5-6 (98-78 -- .557)
17. Green Bay Packers - 5-5-1 (77-97-2 -- .443)
18. Chicago Bears - 6-5 (80-92-4 -- .466)
19. Philadelphia Eagles - 6-5 (82-92-2 -- .472)
20. Arizona Cardinals - 7-4 (94-82 -- .534)
Teams currently on pace to make the playoffs where elimination will determine the proper order:
21. Tennessee Titans - 5-6
22. Detroit Lions - 6-5
23. Dallas Cowboys - 6-5
24. Cincinnati Bengals - 7-4
25. Cleveland Browns (via Indianapolis Colts) - 7-4
26. San Francisco 49ers - 7-4
27. Carolina Panthers - 8-3
28. New England Patriots - 8-3
29. New Orleans Saints - 9-2
30. Kansas City Chiefs - 9-2
31. Denver Broncos - 9-2
32. Seattle Seahawks - 10-1
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