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