National Football League

Updated 2015 NFL draft order, team needs: Week 13

Published Dec. 3, 2014 9:37 a.m. ET

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With four weeks left in the NFL regular season, the playoff picture is coming into focus as divisional races heat up. But there is more to think about than just the 12 teams that will ultimately qualify for the playoffs.

All 32 teams have a draft to prepare for next April 30-May 2. Only 31 teams have a first-round draft pick (Cleveland owns Buffalo's first-rounder), but every team already has a draft board in place.

The parts will move over the next five months, as the draft order, needs and free agency alters preparations.

Draft order is set for the first 20 picks (teams that did not make the playoffs) in reverse order of finish. Ties are broken by strength of schedule. The playoff teams will be placed in the draft order as they get knocked out. The Super Bowl winner gets the 32nd pick, the loser No. 31.

To keep from predicting playoff winners and losers, teams that are currently slated for the playoffs will be placed in reverse order of finish and ties broken just like the non-playoff teams; strength of schedule.

If the season ended today, here's what the NFL draft order would be:

2014 Record: 1-11 Strength of Schedule: .590

Notes: There's not a lot the Raiders don't need, so the direction this team takes could start and end anywhere. Here's the question: Will Oakland attempt to build on a fantastic first-round pick of a year ago and take a defensive player to help Khalil Mack, or does second-round pick Derek Carr get to add a toy on offense to his arsenal?

With the No. 1 pick in the draft, the Raiders take: Leonard Williams, DT -- USC

2014 Record: 2-10 Strength of Schedule: .458

Notes: There's little doubt this Tampa Bay team would benefit from an improved offensive line, or even a better pass rush. But with this much talent (too much, on paper, for their current record) on offense, the one position that, if upgraded, would instantly bring more wins is quarterback.

With the No. 2 pick in the draft, the Bucs take: Marcus Mariota, QB -- Oregon

2014 Record: 2-10 Strength of Schedule: .545

Notes: If Jake Locker were still under center, and we hadn't had a chance to se what Zach Mettenberger could do, Tennessee's first-round pick might have gone toward a quarterback. But Mettenberger has shown some promise. He's far from the answer just yet, but the Titans can look elsewhere while Mettenberger figures things out. A pass-rush specialist is needed.

With the No. 3 pick in the draft, the Titans take: Shane Ray, DE -- Missouri

2014 Record: 2-10 Strength of Schedule: .545

Notes: Even though Jacksonville ranks third in the league with 37 sacks this season, what that defense could really use is a center piece that could be counted on for more than 10 sacks per season, every season. If the Jaguars could grab that guy in the draft, the defense would improve enough to allow the offense time to develop its young talent naturally. The offensive line should be addressed relatively early as well.

With the No. 4 pick in the draft, the Jaguars take: Randy Gregory, DE -- Nebraska

2014 Record: 2-10 Strength of Schedule: ..583

Notes: Anyone who's seen the Jets on offense knows that attention in the 2015 draft is necessary. The revolving door at quarterback hasn't produced a passer that can complete even 60 percent of his passes, and that's with a new weapon in Percy Harvin and a possession option in Eric Decker. It'll hurt to be forced to use another early-round pick on a quarterback after grabbing Geno Smith in 2013, but the Jets need to forego their needs at tackle, cornerback and linebacker to solidify their dire need for a signal caller.

With the No. 5 pick in the draft, the Jets take: Jameis Winston, QB -- Florida State

2014 Record: 3-9 Strength of Schedule: .479

Notes: There's a good chance RG3 won't be under center when the Redskins take the field in 2015. Whoever is throwing passes next season will enjoy better protection. No quarterback in the league has been under pressure as often (51.4 percent of his dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus) as Griffin in 2014. Washington needs a pass-rusher something fierce, but protecting the quarterback might get addressed first.

With the No. 6 pick in the draft, the Redskins take: Brandon Scherff, OT -- Iowa

2014 Record: 3-9 Strength of Schedule: .563

Notes: The Giants need help along the offensive line and in the middle of the defense at both inside and outside linebacker. Drafting in the seven hole makes it too early to grab an inside linebacker, but a guy that can rush the passer and provide a sideline-to-sideline presence from the outside would be a great find.

With the No. 7 pick in the draft, the Giants take: Shaq Thompson, OLB -- Washington

2014 Record: 3-8-1 Strength of Schedule: .545

Notes: With Luke Kuechly anchoring a solid linebacker corps, the Panthers don't need to look there early in the 2015 draft. Quarterback is also a position where Carolina seems set, but that's starting to become more of a conversation. The biggest area of need in Charlotte is at offensive tackle. Retirement in the offseason prior to the 2014 season and injuries this season have decimated the protection up front.

With the No. 8 pick in the draft, the Panthers take: Andrus Peat, OT -- Stanford

2014 Record: 5-7 Strength of Schedule: .490

Notes: The cupboard isn't as bare in Minnesota as many would think. With no need to grab a quarterback, and because the defense is ripe with young talent, the Vikings can help their young quarterback by taking what might be the most talented player in the 2015 draft.

With the No. 9 pick in the draft, the Vikings take: Amari Cooper, WR -- Alabama

2014 Record: 5-7 Strength of Schedule: .510

Notes: What the Bears really need is to spend some time upgrading their defense. Age and marginal talent will force the issue early on, but Chicago can really take the best player available approach at a number of spots. Likely the secondary will be addressed, and who would look better next to Kyle Fuller than the best safety on the board? Plus, when Alabama players start to come off the board, they come off in droves.

With the No. 10 pick in the draft, the Bears take: Landon Collins, S -- Alabama

2014 Record: 5-7 Strength of Schedule: .535

Notes: As good as Rob Ryan had this defense playing in 2013, the Saints have been a bit of a dumpster fire this season. What worked then that isn't working now is the ability to get pressure on the quarterback with as few pass-rushers as possible. Look for New Orleans to address this need with a defensive end or linebacker.

With the No. 11 pick in the draft, the Saints take: Vic Beasley, OLB -- Clemson

2014 Record: 5-7 Strength of Schedule: .556

Notes: The Rams have a lot of tools to work with on offense, the problem is that the quarterback position is in a state of disrepair. If Connor Cook were to leave school (this is starting to look less likely by the day), St. Louis could consider a quarterback. In lieu of that, a good cover corner would also be a sound pick.

With the No. 12 pick in the draft, the Rams take: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB -- Oregon

2014 Record: 6-6 Strength of Schedule: .455

Notes: Houston is in a very similar situation as St. Louis in the pick before. A quarterback is needed on this team, but there isn't a player ranked high enough on most draft boards to take at No. 13. The Texans could look at the offensive line, or even at a defensive tackle to place in between two top pass-rushers. But a receiver would look nice too.

With the No. 13 pick in the draft, the Texans take: Kevin White, WR -- West Virginia

2014 Record: 7-5 Strength of Schedule: .406

Notes: The decision with this first-round pick may come down to either protecting the quarterback (offensive tackle) or keeping other quarterbacks from throwing on the defense (cornerback or pass-rusher). In the end, Ben Roethlisberger needs some protection as his career winds down.

With the No. 14 pick in the draft, the Steelers take: La'El Collins, OT -- LSU

2014 Record: 7-5 Strength of Schedule: .413

Notes: There is a lot of confusion over who the starting quarterback should be in Cleveland. Where there should be no argument is that this team needs a big-time receiver for whoever is throwing the football. The Browns have two picks in the first round, and with this first one they'll go for a playmaker.

With the No. 15 pick in the draft, the Browns take: DeVante Parker, WR -- Louisville

2014 Record: 7-5 Strength of Schedule: .497

Notes: There are a number of directions Baltimore could go in Round 1. Running back isn't a position of stability, and neither is wide receiver with an aging star (Steve Smith) and one in a contract year (Torrey Smith). But only one team in the NFL is currently giving up more passing yards (273.9 per game) than the Ravens. It may be time to bolster the secondary.

With the No. 16 pick in the draft, the Ravens take: Marcus Peters, CB -- Washington

2014 Record: 7-5 (Buffalo) Strength of Schedule: .481 (Buffalo)

Notes: With two picks in such close succession, the Browns might choose to use their second on a pass-rusher. There might be some desire to add to an already good offensive line, but Cleveland doesn't get a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and this is a good time to begin fixing that.

With the No. 17 pick in the draft, the Browns take: Dante Fowler Jr., DE -- Florida

2014 Record: 7-5 Strength of Schedule: .514

Notes: Eight touchdown passes have been thrown to Kansas City tight ends; seven to ball carriers. That leaves a grand total of zero touchdown catches for the team's wide receivers. Imagine how many more games the Chiefs would have won this season with a top weapon on the outside. Offensive tackle and cornerback will have to wait until the later rounds.

With the No. 18 pick in the draft, the Chiefs take: Devin Funchess, WR -- Michigan

2014 Record: 7-5 Strength of Schedule: .528

Notes: Even with Colin Kaepernick at quarterback and Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin out wide, San Francisco is ranked 25th in passing this season. The 49ers might look at a future playmaking receiver with their first pick, but strengthening the need at cornerback might make more sense.

With the No. 19 pick in the draft, the 49ers take: Trae Waynes, CB -- Michigan State

2014 Record: 8-4 Strength of Schedule: .431

Notes: The Cowboys may look for help in the secondary in the first round, or could also look at a tackle for either the offensive or defensive line. But what Dallas really needs is a pass-rusher, and the SEC has a number of marquee options for the taking here at No. 20.

With the No. 20 pick in the draft, the Cowboys take: Trey Flowers, DE -- Arkansas

2014 Record: 5-7 Strength of Schedule: .451

Notes: The Falcons need help in the middle of the defense at linebacker, and still must bolster their offensive line. But if Atlanta passes up on a pass-rush specialist in the first round of the 2015 draft, fans may revolt.

With the No. 21 pick in the draft, the Falcons take: Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE -- Kentucky

2014 Record: 7-5 Strength of Schedule: .415

Notes: Miami needs help at linebacker (both inside, but especially outside) and in the secondary at cornerback. But with Ryan Tannehill emerging as a future star, the Dolphins may choose to help him in his growth and maturation process.

With the No. 22 pick in the draft, the Dolphins take: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT -- Texas A&M

2014 Record: 8-4 Strength of Schedule: .451

Notes: The Chargers might choose to bolster their offensive line in an attempt to protect Philip Rivers as he enters the last few seasons of his career. They might also look for a receiver here (once again, help for Rivers). But what might work the best is to grab one of the best defensive tackles in the draft to take some pressure off the middle of San Diego's defense.

With the No. 23 pick in the draft, the Chargers take: Danny Shelton, DT -- Washington

2014 Record: 8-4 Strength of Schedule: .469

Notes: Indianapolis is definitely going to look to get better along the offensive line in the 2015 draft, and there's also a need at safety. But where the Colts could really get better quickly is with a versatile and athletic inside linebacker.

With the No. 24 pick in the draft, the Colts take: Benardrick McKinney, ILB -- Mississippi State

2014 Record: 8-4 Strength of Schedule: .483

Notes: There's always a desire in Detroit to grab a playmaking receiver to pair with Calvin Johnson. But Golden Tate has made those wants less necessary. There's a chance that the defensive tackle position could be decimated by free agency in the offseason, and the Lions might want to address that.

With the No. 25 pick in the draft, the Lions take: Eddie Goldman, DT -- Florida State

2014 Record: 8-4 Strength of Schedule: .503

Notes: If the Seahawks choose to pass on needs like cornerback, the offensive line or tight end, they could make a splash at No. 26 with a playmaker on the outside for Russell Wilson to utilize. Seattle is ranked 29th in passing offense, and might benefit from a receiver.

With the No. 26 pick in the draft, the Seahawks take: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR -- Oklahoma

2014 Record: 8-3-1 Strength of Schedule: .441

Notes: The Bengals could address needs along the offensive line, add a pass-rusher, bolster the interior of the defensive line or even add a linebacker. But the most help would come from cornerback.

With the No. 27 pick in the draft, the Bengals take: Kevin Johnson, CB -- Wake Forest

2014 Record: 9-3 Strength of Schedule: .455

Notes: Don't be surprised if the Mark Sanchez hype fades and the Eagles feel they can upgrade at quarterback over Nick Foles. It would have to be a perfect fit for Chip Kelly's system, however. Philadelphia could also use a pass-rush specialist and help all over the secondary. A versatile cornerback/safety might land here at No. 28.

With the No. 28 pick in the draft, the Eagles take: Jalen Mills, CB/S -- LSU

2014 Record: 9-3 Strength of Schedule: .497

Notes: It would be shocking if Green Bay used it first-round pick on anything other than a defensive player. This defense needs to be jump-started, and a playmaker must be found. The Packers will jump at the best defensive tackle of linebacker they can get; maybe even a defensive end.

With the No. 29 pick in the draft, the Packers take: Lorenzo Mauldin, DE -- Louisville

2014 Record: 9-3 Strength of Schedule: .514

Notes: This is a good Arizona team, but there are a large number of holes for a team slated to pick this high. Losing Carson Palmer might start this team thinking about the future at quarterback, and it may start losing games and find itself at a better draft slot. The Cardinals could also use help along the defensive line and in the secondary.

With the No. 30 pick in the draft, the Cardinals take: Danielle Hunter, DE -- LSU

2014 Record: 9-3 Strength of Schedule: .531

Notes: The Patriots may choose to go with a wide receiver here, or possible a running back if free agency hurts the team. There is also a need along the defensive line.

With the No. 31 pick in the draft, the Patriots take: Jaelen Strong, WR -- Arizona State

2014 Record: 9-3 Strength of Schedule: .542

Notes: The Broncos could fill a need at running back int he first round, and they may need to react to free agency at either wide receiver or tight end. But the offensive line is the area Denver likely hopes it can use its first-round pick on. Peyton Manning surely agrees.

With the No. 32 pick in the draft, the Broncos take: T.J. Clemmings, OT -- Pittsburgh

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