The NFL playoff picture is starting to come together, as is the draft order for 2016. Here’s a breakdown with two weeks remaining…
1. Titans (3-11): Tennessee finishes with a pair of winnable games against Houston and Indianapolis, but they’ll still likely lose both sans Marcus Mariota. With a franchise quarterback already on the roster, this pick would likely be up for grabs.
2. Browns (3-11): Cleveland finishes with Kansas City and Pittsburgh, which means they have a real strong shot at the top pick. And then we’d spend four months debating Johnny Manziel vs. the draft’s top quarterbacks.
3. Ravens (4-10): With a tough finish against the Steelers and Bengals, the depleted Ravens are almost certain to have a top-five pick. Crazy considering how successful this team has been of late.
4. Chargers (4-10): Another tough finish on the road against Oakland and Denver means San Diego (or Los Angeles) will have a top-five pick. Do they consider trading Philip Rivers and picking a quarterback like Paxton Lynch or Jared Goff?
5. Cowboys (4-10): Also amazing that a talented team like Dallas, which only struggled this year because of injuries, could have a top-five selection. The depleted Cowboys will have trouble defeating the Bills and Redskins to close out the regular season. And then they’d look to trade down or pick the best player available.
6. 49ers (4-10): Although San Francisco has been pretty good in recent years, this is a team in desperate need of a franchise-changing player. I’d expect them to take a quarterback in the top 10. However, the Niners finish with winnable games against the Lions and Rams.
7. Dolphins (5-9): A tough finish against Indianapolis and New England means Miami will likely have a top-10 pick, and thus some major decisions to make regarding the quarterback position.
8. Jaguars (5-9): Crazy thing is Jacksonville can still actually make the playoffs. But Gus Bradley’s team should have a top-10 pick with a tough finish at New Orleans and Houston.
9. Saints (5-9): New Orleans could also be in a weird spot with Drew Brees’ future up in the air. The Saints finish against Jacksonville and Atlanta, though, so they might fall out of the top 10.
10. Bears (5-9): Chicago finished with the Bucs and Lions and will have a decision to make on Jay Cutler.
11. Lions (5-9): Detroit should beat San Francisco and maybe even Chicago, so the new regime won’t likely have a top-10 pick.
