The race for the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft is once again wide open. With the Cleveland Browns winning on Sunday, three teams now sit at 3-10 on the season.
2016 NFL Draft order: Titans reclaim first overall pick
Three teams at the top have a 3-10 record, but a strength of schedule tiebreaker gives Tennessee the top choice over Cleveland and San Diego.
Cleveland's win moves the Browns from first in the draft order last week to third this week. The Tennessee Titans move up to the top pick followed by the San Diego Chargers at second.
The three teams are separated by strength of schedule, the first tiebreaker considered in the draft order. If those are the same, conference record then division record are used. If all of that is equal, a coin flip takes place at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. The strength of schedule below uses full-season schedules.
San Diego at second is noteworthy. While the top of the draft will have good choices to fill the Chargers’ needs -- specifically along the offensive and defensive lines -- there will be a quarterback at that spot. Both Paxton Lynch of Memphis and Jared Goff of California should be available, assuming both go pro. Is this the offseason where the Chargers seek the eventual replacement for Phillip Rivers?
If Tennessee gets the No. 1 pick, and it’s likely considering their strength of schedule, could they option off the pick? If not, Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil or Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa should be in play for the pick.The possibilities at the top of the draft look intriguing.
For now, here’s the full 2016 NFL Draft order:
1. Tennessee Titans: 3-10 (.495 strength of schedule)
2. San Diego Chargers: 3-10 (.524 SOS)
3. Cleveland Browns: 3-10 (.529 SOS)
4. Baltimore Ravens: 4-9 (.514 SOS)
5. Detroit Lions: 4-9 (.529 SOS)
6. San Francisco 49ers: 4-9 (.534 SOS)
7. Dallas Cowboys: 4-9 (.543 SOS)
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: 5-8 (.466 SOS)
9. Miami Dolphins: 5-8 (.476 SOS)
10. New Orleans Saints: 5-8 (.514 SOS)
11. Chicago Bears: 5-8 (.524 SOS - 2-7 in conference)
12. St. Louis Rams: 5-8 (.524 SOS - 4-5 in conference)
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-7 (.481 SOS)
14. Atlanta Falcons: 6-7 (.490 SOS)
15. New York Giants: 6-7 (.500 SOS - 4-5 in conference)
16. Oakland Raiders: 6-7 (.500 SOS - 6-4 in conference)
17. Houston Texans: 6-7 (.510 SOS)
18. Philadelphia Eagles: 6-7 (.514 SOS)
19. Buffalo Bills: 6-7 (.519 SOS)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-5 (.510 SOS)
Projected to make the playoffs:
21. Washington: 6-7 (.490 SOS)
22. Indianapolis Colts: 6-7 (.510 SOS)
23. New York Jets: 8-5 (.457 SOS)
24. Kansas City Chiefs: 8-5 (.486 SOS)
25. Minnesota Vikings: 8-5 (.495 SOS - 5-4 in conference)
26. Seattle Seahawks: 8-5 (.495 SOS - 6-4 in conference)
27. Green Bay Packers: 9-4 (.486 SOS)
28. Cincinnati Bengals: 10-3 (.466 SOS)
29. Denver Broncos: 10-3 (.490 SOS)
30. Arizona Cardinals: 11-2 (.462 SOS)
31. New England Patriots: 11-2 (.471 SOS) - PICK FORFEITED
32. Carolina Panthers: 12-0 (.447 SOS)
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